Chapter Text
LaCienega Boulevardez knew she was a very talented girl from a young age, despite her being oblivious to the thought of being famous.
At 6, she auditioned for America's Got Talent, got a standing O, and she was a worldwide famous dancer, dancing to Latin music was her thing, well, not her favorite thing to do – but she's hella good at it.
At 10, she was modeling for Vogue, her face was on billboards and magazines, some people even wanted her to reveal herself in interviews, make her feel alive and turn into a star, she was a great kid for marketing purposes, and promotion.
Life couldn't get any better than this!
Present day
LaCienega pressed her head against the cold, frosty window, looking at all the buildings that were built in disdain, wishing that she could just move back to Chicago already.
None of her friends are here, just strangers that had appeasing faces that were just masks to cover up their ugliness of façades.
Public schools are like prisons, you stay for a little bit and then you leave. You graduate, get a job, have kids, but she doesn't want that at all.
LaCienega hasn't encountered any difference between those two things, and it all seemed so shallow and boring to her, she was an ordinary, well-known girl in her hometown now she's not there anymore, she's gonna miss all of her friends.
Her mother's car came to a stop, the school that stood before them was huge, well, not really. She stepped out of the car effortlessly, her heels were red and polished, hands gripping the strap of her designer handbag tightly.
“Be sure to call me when you get a chance, okay, baby?” Sunset called out, smiling before ruffling LaCienega's hair a bit.
“Yeah, I got it.”
As soon as she stepped into the building, nearly every boy had their eyes on LaCienega, not knowing if they were judging her or checking her out – either way, the attention is nice.
She grabbed her book for her first period, from afar, a girl with caramel skin, curly ponytails, a burgundy cardigan along with a yellow cutoff shirt was headed her way, or she just ooccupying he locker next to hers.
Wow, she's pretty…
“Penny, is that who I think it is?” The shorter girl with blonde hair said, now looking starstruck. “I can't believe she goes to our school now!"
LaCienega mumbled her name under her breath like it's a secret thing to say aloud or it's just a pretty common name.
“You think she needs escorting? I mean, she looks lost.” Penny said curiously, now walking nonchalantly. “I'm gonna be right back.”
Is she coming MY way?!
Be cool, LaCienega, be cool!
“Hey, you must be the new girl, right? I'm Penny!” She outstretched her hand, implying for a handshake.
“Welcome to Willy T Ribbs, I can also invite you to the school's group chat where we gossip if you're interested.”
"She's asking if you're into drama." Dijonay simply stated.
“Dijonay, shut up! That's not what I was saying,” She gives the girl an apologetic smile. “I'm so sorry about her.”
“It's okay.” LaCienega said meekly, now fidgeting with her fingers, trying to remember this girl's name for the sake of her life.
“It's Penny, Penny Proud, right? Our parents are friends but we never got the chance to talk."
Penny looked amused, now chuckling. “Well, I guess you already know me… and this is Dijonay Jones, my best friend.”
“I've heard,” LaCienega replied, now looking at her schedule for… Economics, who even took that class anymore? That's like the most boring thing she's ever heard of.
“Oh, you have Economics next? So do I!” Penny said while sounding way too enthusiastic. “I can take you if you want.”
“Sure."
LaCienega was sitting with Penny for the majority of her classes since she didn't have anyone else here to befriend–expect her.
Lunch was way more complicated than she expected, kids were already friendly with one another, sharing their phones to show funny videos and she sat alone, drumming her fingers against the table, not daring to eat whatever the lady's served her.
“Yikes, you picked the wrong route, LaCienega.” She looked up at Penny's pretty features, now feigning innocence.
“What's wrong with sitting alone? I thought it was a normal thing to do here?” Penny sucked her teeth, now sitting besides her.
“Sure, it might been normal at whatever school you went to, but here? You gotta have at least a clique of six or else you'll be a laughingstock.”
“I really don't know anyone else here besides you.” LaCienega said, her voice went bristle.
“Well, my friends are over there, I could introduce you.” Penny stood up, smiling softly. “You'll be fine, I'm right here by your side if someone tries to treat you wrong.”
LaCienega gives her a heartwarming grin. “Thanks again for being so generous to me.”
“Of course, I got you!”
LaCienega got along with Penny's friends more easily than she expected, her and Michael were immediately buddy-buddy, Zoey was a little dorky, but so was she, they were like two peas in a pod.
But her friendship with Penny is more emotional and combined with deep understandings, they showed compassion for one another.
Those two were the closest ones at that table by a fault.
When the bell rang for their second to last period, LaCienega decided to walk with Penny this time, telling her about her lifestyle before she moved here, how she was famous at a young age, and how she always wanted to be normal for once.
Penny understood her loud and clear, she even gave her some advice on how to survive on the first day of school, pretty much anywhere in general. But there wasn't a single time where her smile dropped and rolled her eyes, she was actually interested in her demeanor way more than she expected. It's kind of passive-aggressive or possessive behavior but she doesn't know that, yet.
School days turned into hours of following Penny unconditionally, she was by her side 24/7.
It's weird to the others in their orbit as well, but they didn't say anything or acknowledge it–they were probably scared of LaCienega's alter ego that Penny didn't see but they did multiple times.
Anything she did was either, verbal, physical, or mentally ruining them, Michael has tried to warn Penny about her delirious behavior when she's around, but she didn't believe them, instead she would say:
“What? LaCienega's cool with me.”
“LaCienega's not so bad, we're like sisters by blood.”
“Zang, are you really goin' to act dramatic right now?”
Today was Thursday, LaCienega reluctantly invited Penng to the library so they can talk one-on-one, nothing too serious, right?
She was reading a comic book until she got bored–now looking around for Penny, but she was at the “D” section of books, LaCienega carefully taps her on the shoulder before she yelped, almost colliding with the floor, she helped her to her feet.
“Woah! Are you alright?” She said, voice sincere and soft, now realizing that her hands were still on Penny's waist, she pulled away, blushing. “Sorry.”
“It's fine, I was just trying to find anything that's DC related… my favorite superhero is Nightwing, yours?”
LaCienega really wasn't into superhero related things like shows, movies, or comics.
“I like Starfire, I think she's… awesome in combat.” Penny hummed approvingly, taking two comics and handing them to LaCienega, she carefully held them in her arms, clutching them to her chest.
“Well, here's volume one and two to get you started on the lore, it's always best to read them before you watch any adaptations of the shows.” Penny said, now clicking her tongue. “I'd doubt that you'd take my advice.”
LaCienega smiled warmly. “I will, don't worry.”
“M'kay, let's go check these out.” LaCienega abruptly took her hand and guided her to the front desk to check out the books, now feeling blush creeping on her cheeks.
This was a weird feeling she's never gotten before.
When LaCienega arrived home that day, she sat her backpack down near the door of her bedroom, she looks at the group chat she was added in.
Penny: I don't know y'all, it's like she's obsessed with me or something, and I'm not claiming she is but like… she's weird.
(4:02 PM)
Dijonay added on.
Dijonay: Girl, she's on that single black female type stuff, Sticky has been reluctantly warning you over and over.
(4:05 PM)
Sticky: Aye, I'm not her momma, if she doesn't want to listen to me she doesn't have to, don't make me sound passive-aggressive, Dijonay.
(4:05 PM)
Zoey: Guys, we shouldn't be putting labels on her like that, what if she's just lonely and needs a friend?
(4:08 PM)
LaCienega's eyes frenzied as she kept reading, digging herself into a bigger wedge.
Penny: I know that, Zoey. But she's trippin’, every time I try to get water from the fountain, there she is… gripping onto me like a lost puppy, I just want her to calm down and relax, it's like she's in love with me!
(4:11 PM)
LaCienega turned off her phone, now feeling stupid for even trusting her from the start. She thought they had something special, it turned out that, was just a facade, a figment of her imagination.
Note to self: Don't trust anyone, they'll stab you in the back from a distance.