The Road to L.A. by Gina Buchanan

nemesis. 
                  “That’s the beer that’s making you sick, Mandy, “ Aaron said, grinning devilishly.  Amanda shot him a malevolent glare, failing to find even a hint of humor in his remark.
                  "Here, have some water," he said. 
    Amanda just glared at the bottle in his outstretched hand before emitting a loud groan and stomping off. 
                  "She's going to be hurting tomorrow."
                  "Yup," Carly concurred. 
    Turning to spy further on her best friend, she was met with the sight of Jake accompanying Susan to a trail that led into a heavily wooded area.  She followed their departure with narrowed eyes, biting at her lower lip in a sudden state of agitation. 
                  “What’s wrong?” Aaron asked, taking note of her troubled expression. 
    Aaron’s voice, however, seemed like a faraway echo hardly worth noticing.  Carly shot up and stood on tiptoe, watching Jake and Susan’s retreat into the wooded area until she could no longer see them.  Just as Amanda had done moments earlier, Carly groaned loudly and stomped away.  Aaron was left alone to ponder what had gotten into his sister and now his friend.
    Approaching Roy, Carly rudely interrupted the conversation he was having with a pretty brunette.  He noted the annoyance in Carly’s tone, and thus did not protest. 
                  “Where did Jake go off to?  And why was he with Susan?” Carly demanded with both hands on her hips. 
    Roy held up both of his hands and stepped back, attempting to pacify her. 
    “Whoa, little lady, I don’t know where Jake is.” 
                  “Don’t try to cover for him, Roy,” Carly continued in the same demanding tone. 
                  “Look,” Roy finally admitted, “he left with Susan.  Where they went, I don’t know.” 
    Roy’s expression suddenly mutated from one of confusion to one of newfound curiosity.
                  “Why does it matter anyway?  Roy asked, folding his arms across his broad chest. 
                  “It doesn’t.  I-it’s just that, uh…”Carly stammered.  She was having trouble explaining herself.  Thankfully, Amanda appeared and saved her from further embarrassment.   
                  “It’s because Susan is a skank and Jake should stay as far away from her as possible.” Amanda blurted this out so loudly that almost everyone there had heard it and were now laughing. 
                  “You’re drunk, Mandy.  You need to tone it down,” Roy advised her.  His face had taken on an uncharacteristically serious expression.   
    Just then, Susan came bounding toward them with Jake reluctantly following behind her.  The blonde appeared to be bubbling over with anger as evinced by the deep scowl on her face.  She came to a screeching halt just a few safe feet in front of Amanda. 
                  “I heard what you said about me!  What is your fucking problem?” Susan burst out, then stepped back a few more feet just in case the drunken twin decided to attack her.  
                  “You, you’re my problem.  You’re not good enough for Jake,” Amanda returned, keeping a surprisingly calm stance.
                  “And what makes you think you know what’s good for him?” Susan challenged, placing her hands firmly on her thin hips. 
    The confrontation had attracted a huge crowd of people as they watched the two girls.  Some of the bystanders weren't at all above instigating a fight as they gasped and groaned at the angry words emanating from both girls.   
    Amanda puffed up and answered, “I know what's good for him because I'm his friend.  In fact, I've been his friend for a long time."   
    Taking a daring step toward Susan, Amanda added for good measure, "And I don't think he should be dating a skank like