"Friends"....

[slleipnir]

I wouldn't let her ruin your fun. If you want to go to the party, then go. Have fun, and ignore her if you have to. If she tries to say anything to "put you down" just laugh and walk off. I'm sure that will really annoy her that she's not bugging you

[Catty1]

"Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them more."

[Alysser]

Just forget about her, Jess. She isn't worth your time if she lies and makes stupid excuses like that. I lost my best friend of 8 years because she changed and became something she obviously isn't. She goes almost everywhere me and my friends go, we just ignore her. It's fun seeing her reaction to us being there.

[jennielynn1970]

I have no idea how old you all are, but what I've learned is that girls in high school, and middle school, can be pretty petty. Most of my friends in middle and high school were guys. They just didn't do all that drama crap that the girls did, and more than likely wouldn't turn around to stab you in the back.

I do have women that I'm friends with now, but still prefer the company of women who grew up like I did and didn't really care to be in the middle of a clique. I had friends all over the spectrum, and one or two good girl friends, but not more than that. The women I'm friends with now are more into politics and you can have a conversation with them without it revolving around only themselves. It's amazing what maturity and free thinking can do!

As the librarian at the middle school, I really try to play down these "Clique" novels, or the Nanny diaries and all that, because it's just a bunch of smut, girls acting like whores and not really being all that self assured, but just playing into the typical stereotypes. I hate that crap. The kids who are free thinkers and aren't exactly a cookie cutter image of the others are more of my favorite students.

Basically, if you get the feeling like the girl was being basically what a teen girl is "expected" to be in the culture, then just cut her out and deal with the girls who are treating you the way you want to be treated and the way you should be treating them in return. If you have fun, and honest with each other, and aren't being all bitchy and condescending to others, keep on keepin' on. If you're adding ammunition to the stereotype... well, then, get lost in the maze, or see the stereotypes for what they really are, and choose to be individual.