Title: Devil in a Fast Car

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Disclaimer: Popular is the property of Touchstone Television

Pairing: None as such

Rating: R (bad language)

Information: Follows on from Breaking Point

Summary: Things go from bad to worse for Nicole

The silver Porsche convertible sped rapidly down the highway. The stinging slipstream provoked tears from Nicole Julian's eyes, but the petite blonde was already crying, and had been ever since she had told Brooke the truth about her that afternoon.

"You're gay?"

"Yes."

"And you're telling me this, why?"

"Because you're my friend."

"Ex-friend, Nicole. Ex, as in slut. You screwed my boyfriend." Nicole mouthed 'ex' and Brooke corrected herself. "You screwed my ex-boyfriend and now you're gay. Why's that, Nic? He couldn't make you come so you think I will? Well, think again 'girlfriend'. You're not fucking me over twice. You're not fucking me, period!"

And that was that. Wounded by the pain and humiliation of rejection, Nicole drove away from the school in abject misery. She knew once Mary Cherry got hold of this juicy tidbit it would be all over the school in minutes and Nicole Julian would be the dyke-you-don't-like forever. Doomed to spend eternity eating with Freddy and the Tuna girls. She shuddered at the very thought.

The thought reminded her she was hungry now. Then again, she was always hungry. That was the penalty of always being on a diet. In the hope that a sugar rush would make her feel better, she pulled off the highway and headed for the nearest diner.

"Coke and a slice of pecan pie."

"What's the magic word?" the waitresss asked politely.

"Serve me now, or I'll have you fired," Nicole rejoindered through pursed lips.

"I was hoping for a 'please'. What's the matter, honey? Girlfriend trouble?"

Nicole looked at the waitress open mouthed in astonishment. "Have I got 'lesbian' stamped on my forehead or something?"

The waitress smiled, looked about to make sure that the diner was empty, and sat down across from Nicole. "No, hun, it just takes one to know one, that's all. But I've seen that look before, mainly in the mirror. She turned you down, huh?"

"Before I'd even asked," Nicole confessed tearfully. "I just told her I was gay and she blew up in my face."

"She doesn't like lesbians?"

"Who knows? We didn't get that far. All I do know is that Miss Het-and-Mighty hates me."

"Do you have a friend to discuss this with?"

"Would I be here talking to you if I did?"

"Hmm, point taken, hun, but don't you think if you stopped snapping like a bad-tempered crocodile you might have friends to talk to?"

"Perhaps," Nicole reluctantly conceded.

"Okay, you don't have friends. What about enemies?"

"Too many to count."

"Oh, so you're a cheerleader then?"

"Yes." Nicole looked at her strangely. "Are you making a point here?"

"I thought I just did. Look, hun, your best friend has just become your worst enemy, right?"

"Right?"

"So go to your worst enemy. She could turn out to be your best friend."

"You think?"

"It wouldn't hurt to find out, would it?"

Nicole thought it over. "Maybe," she said, then having decided, she smiled. "Cancel my order. I'm going back."

"Good luck, hun," said the waitress, as Nicole marched away head held high.

The silver Porche convertible sped rapidly down the highway. The stinging slipstream provoked tears from Nicole Julian's eyes, but she was no longer crying. She was popular, a cheerleader, and yes, a lesbian. And she was going to be the most popular cheerleading lesbian that Kennedy High had ever seen. But she realised she couldn't do it alone. Even she needed a friend, or as the waitress had suggested, an enemy. And she knew without doubt just who her greatest enemy was.

"Spam."

"Yes, Satan."

"I'm gay."

"Oh."