Homecoming Queen: Lyric Collection

By Megan Grooms

Brittney seems to have the perfect life, a great boyfriend, anything she asks her parents for, co-captian of the cheerleading team, and even homecoming queen. She doesn't let anyone see beyond that. Ty does though, and recognizes that even homecoming queens cry. Brittney needs to decide to live life her own way, or to contuine following the path her parents and friends expect of her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Grooms
• Release date: Jun 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201691790

Book preview

Chapter 1

Brittney looked at herself in the mirror. The skirt was exactly the length allowed by school. Her fingertips touched the hem of the dress. The shirt was a little tighter than the teachers liked, but her neckline didn’t plunge, so they usually left her alone. Her hair and makeup looked perfect, as usual. She had to get up two hours early every morning, but it was expected of her, so she did it. As she slipped on her two-inch heels, she was reminded of how much she hated them, not that it mattered.

The large house was silent as she left her bedroom. She took one last look at her sanctuary before shutting the door. In the kitchen, she found Margret, as usual. Good morning.

The plump older woman’s wrinkled face broke out into a grin. Good morning, child. Did you sleep well? She walked around and gave her a quick hug. These were the only hugs Brittney ever got, and they never seemed to last long enough. Not that she would ever admit that.

I did, thank you, she answered, walking to the fridge and taking out her morning breakfast shake.

Margret made a disgruntled noise. I wish you would actually eat something, she muttered. Brittney didn’t answer. She knew that Margret knew she couldn’t. She was on a specific diet from her mother, and it did not include anything like what Margret wanted her to eat for breakfast. Your father says that you have to be ready for the dinner party tonight by six. Thomas is picking up a new dress that your father ordered for you.

Thank you, Margret. Good luck getting the house ready and dealing with the caterers. Brittney said, teasing a little. The maid hated having other people in her kitchen, and other staff around that she had to make sure knew what they were doing.

Have a good day at school, dear. Be careful at practice, Margret called as Brittney left the room, heading for the door. Her greeting and well-wishes had been the only ones she’d gotten in the morning since she was 8. Margret felt more like her mother than her actual mother ever did. Brittney wasn’t sure what her mother did every morning that kept her from seeing her only child off to school, but she knew it wasn’t working. Her mother didn’t work. She was a trophy wife. She spent most of her time making sure she looked good enough that her husband wouldn’t replace her.

Brittney climbed into her car, a new Volkswagen Beetle, red with a ragtop. She loved her car, even if it did scream spoiled rich kid. She wasn’t picking up her friends today, having to get back to the house for the dinner party, so she took her time driving to school. She both loved and hated school. She loved learning. She hated dealing with the people. They expected so much of her as the ‘popular, co-captain’.

Lucy, the other captain, was just like her friends, and it was hard for Brittney to deal with her. Lucy wanted to make sure only the best was on the team and that everyone looked the same. Brittney wanted people that would try hard, no matter what they looked like, and she hated bullying. Last year, her friends, Madison and Caroline, had been horrible bullies. This year, as co-captain, she had tried to stop it, though Lucy wasn’t any help.

At school, she met her friends in the hall. You look so cute today! she gushed to her friend, Madison, like she was supposed to.

I just got it, isn’t it the best? Her friend responded in the same excited tone. Brittney often wondered if her friends were faking like she was, or if it was truly their personality. She feared it was really them, which was why she always acted like one of them. What about you? The skirt is to die for.

Brittney twirled a little. I found it in the back of my closet. I don’t even remember buying it. She answered, laughing. The bell rang, so the friends moved toward their class.

Want to go to the mall with us after practice? Caroline asked as they took their seats.

Brittney shook her head. Well, I’d love to, but I’ve got a stupid dinner party at my house. They are so annoying, she moaned.

Oh, I’m sure it's really annoying to have the richest people around over for dinner and get to meet all their hot sons. Your life is so hard, Madison scoffed.

The teacher walked in, saving Brittney from having to answer. Madison had no idea just how annoying it was. If she got out of line at all, said anything that her father didn’t like...Brittney shook her head and paid attention to the teacher.

The class went quickly. Madison and Caroline shared a desk, and more than once, Brittney saw them with their heads together whispering, glancing at her, as if talking about her. She tried to ignore it. The next class was just her and Caroline. Madison gave air kisses by their cheeks and moved to her next class. How are you, Brittney? Caroline asked as they walked down the hall.

I’m fine, she answered cautiously. It wasn’t like Caroline, or any of her friends, to care about how she was. They usually assumed she was fine. She always put a smile on so they wouldn’t notice the lie. Why do you ask?

The other girl shrugged. We just heard you were having trouble with your boyfriend.

Brittney took a deep breath. It wasn’t real concern then. It was gossip. That was more like her friends. No, we’re fine, she said brightly, lying. I said something stupid. Like that she didn’t want him flirting with other girls, And he got a little upset. As in he screamed at her and shoved her into his car. He then threatened to leave her stranded at the gas station. But we are good now. She had apologized, begged his forgiveness, and told him it didn’t bother her at all when he hit on other women.

Oh, okay, good. You two are like, perfect for each other. I just know you two will be the homecoming king and queen. How could you not be? Captain of the football team and captain of cheerleaders. Everyone loves you two. You are the most popular kids in school, Caroline enthused.

Co-captain, Brittney corrected. Lucy is captain too, and she could be the homecoming queen. She’s just as popular and is dating a football player. Everyone loves Oliver.

Caroline shrugged. Yeah, but he doesn’t hang out with Orson and his friends. He’s got his own group on the team. I think you and Orson are going to win it.

Brittney would rather she didn’t. She didn’t really want to be homecoming queen on top of everything else she dealt with. Also, she liked Oliver and his friends. They seemed nicer than Orson and his. The football team seemed to be split into two groups, ones that were kind of jerks and ones that weren’t. She realized just then that the cheerleading team was like that as well, some were jerks, and some just enjoyed cheering. It hurt her a little to realize that she was part of the jerk group.

They moved into the classroom, cutting off the conversation before Brittney could respond to Caroline.

At lunch, she got a salad, as she always did. Why don’t you eat anything else? Madison asked, sitting across from her at the lunch table.

I’m on a strict diet, Brittney answered. You know that.

Oh yeah, cause you need to watch your weight so much. Madison rolled her eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat anything other than salad. Brittney just shrugged.

An arm around her neck caused her to tense. Hey, babe. Her boyfriend, Orson, leaned over her and snagged a piece of grilled chicken from her plate. Can we get together after practice?

I’m sorry, I’ve got the dinner party thing with my parents, she answered, wincing a little, worried he would get upset.

His arm tightened at