[052] troublemakers

( trigger warning for sexual harrassment )

                                                                          It didn't take a lot to make Courtney Morrison throw a party. But seeing as they were preparing for an upcoming match that may or may not determine their chances of winning Nationals, it was enough cause for celebration. The Wiskayok High Girls' soccer team were revered as Gods in their small town (one of the main reasons why Courtney had decided to join in the first place) and whatever they said, went. So if Courtney wanted to have a party and invite the entire neighborhood, then that's what she planned on doing.

                                                                         With her mom out on some weekend date with her latest boyfriend and Nancy locked away in her bedroom, Courtney basically had the whole house to herself. She'd invite everyone, including her boyfriend, David, and have a big birthday bash. Although it'd take a lot of convincing from Courtney's end, Suki left her home and went to the party anyway. If she didn't, she'd know that Courtney wouldn't let her see the end of it.

                                                                        Courtney decided to dress Suki up for the occasion, allowing Suki to wear one of her dresses. For obvious reasons, Suki was uncomfortable with the change of clothing and the attention it seemed to bring her from boys... the same boys who thought she was a loser and a psycho destined to follow in her mother's footsteps. It was funny how things changed when you decided to change your appearance.

                                                                          Suki knew that most girls her age would've been happy with all of the attention she was receiving from boys. But really, it just made her realize how hypocritical they all were. And besides, Suki wasn't interested in any of them anyway. 

                                                                          With an arm wrapped around Suki's shoulders, Courtney led them both throughout the party. Suki couldn't help but stare at her best friend, absolutely entranced by how cool and beautiful she was. The way Courtney was smiling and greeting everyone, it almost fooled Suki into believing that Courtney liked all of them. In reality, Courtney hated pretty much everyone that wasn't Suki - even down to her popular bobble-head of a boyfriend.

                                                                           But Courtney Morrison was truly an expert in faking it until she made it. Suki was just relieved that she knew the truth, and that Courtney would never be fake with her. If anything, Courtney was nothing short of honest. Sometimes... too honest.

                                                                         "Stop looking like such a dork," Courtney says, lightly ruffling Suki's hair. "Try to look cool, will you? It'll be more fun that way. You look like you want to run away or something."

                                                                           Maybe that's because I really do want to run away, Suki thought but didn't care to vocalize out loud.

                                                                         "I'm trying. This isn't easy for me, you know," Suki argued, moving to the side as a group of boys threw something back and forth as a little game. 

                                                                         "Just try for me. Please," Courtney stated, almost as though it was easy.

                                                                           Suki huffed before she plastered a smile onto her lips, mimicking Courtney's actions as best she could. She'd smile and wave at a couple of people, including Van and Taissa who were looking pretty close. But then again, Van and Taissa had always been close - leading some to speculate a bit about their supposedly close friendship. 

                                                                          And then when Courtney and Suki made their way into the kitchen, they'd bump right into Lottie who was fixing up her hair.

                                                                         "You really know how to throw a party,, Court," Lottie compliments, dressed in expensive pink clothes like she was a Barbie doll.

                                                                        "I try," Courtney smiles, doing a cute little curtsy after.

                                                                        "Where are the others?" Suki asks, referring to their team.

                                                                        "Beats me. You look cute tonight, by the way," Lottie answered with a wink in Suki's direction before she walks away.

                                                                        "Thanks," is all Suki says with a smaller, but more genuine, smile.

                                                                         As Lottie walked away, Suki was able to spot Jackie and Jeff dancing together. Jackie was all smiles, attracting attention with ease. She was Courtney's only rival in that sense. Shauna wasn't too far away, looking particularly bitter while holding what could've eben her first or fifth drink. Shauna always had a problem with getting wasted.

                                                                        "What's your poison of choice then?" Courtney questioned, holding a bottle of vodka in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

                                                                        "Doesn't that belong to your mom?" Suki asks, despite knowing the answer.

                                                                         "Yeah. Are you gonna go and tell her?" Courtney teased before pouring some of the vodka into the fruit punch bowl.

                                                                         Courtney then takes some of the fruit punch concoction and pours it into two plastic red cups before handing one of them to Suki. The girl gingerly takes it, raising the cup up to her nose and smelling it. She recoils a bit but just then, David rushes into the kitchen with a grin and hugs Courtney from behind. Courtney shouts in surprise as he spins her around, the two embracing in a hug before kissing right then and there. Suki immediately felt like the awkward third wheel (a feeling she had been saddled with for a while now). No longer could it be just her and Courtney hanging out.

                                                                          David had to find a way to intrude and ruin everything - as if he didn't spend enough time with Courtney already.

                                                                          Suki rolls her eyes at the sight of David and Courtney making out, the strangest, sickest feeling in the pit of her stomach. She decides to leave entirely, grabbing the closest red cup she could find and taking a sip from it. Regret hits her right after the strong, burning taste from the alcohol does and she pouts, walking throughout the party and lightly bumping into people along the way.

                                                                           Finally, Suki found a place where she could be alone. Suki decides to take another sip from the cup, hoping to be able to get used to the taste. She looks around the party for a bit before suddenly, she'd feel someone new standing beside her. Suki looks over and sees another male classmate of hers, Oliver Reeves. He was just one of the many students at school who thought of Suki as a freak and a weirdo, even going as far as teasing her for it. With Courtney as her best friend, it was limited to just looks and teasing here and there.

                                                                          So obviously, Suki was already on edge.

                                                                         "Hey, Suki," Oliver greets.

                                                                           Suki just stands there, blinking for a moment, before she finally realizes she has to speak. "Oh. Hi."

                                                                         "You look really cute tonight, Suki. You should really wear dresses like this more often. It suits you," Oliver remarked, looking Suki up and down in a way that made Suki's skin crawl.

                                                                        "Thanks...?" is all Suki could say.

                                                                        "I know we haven't exactly gotten along in the past but I was hoping we could start over," Oliver replied as he moved forward, twirling a strand of Suki's hair around his finger.

                                                                         "I -," Suki began to say.

                                                                         "You don't have to be scared of me. I'm not gonna bite you or anything like that. I just figured we could get to know each other better," Oliver replied, moving in even closer to try and corner Suki.

                                                                          Suki suddenly shoves him away, backing into the corner of the wall. "I'm not really interested in that. In fact, I'd prefer it if - if you left me alone."

                                                                        "You know, you should be grateful that I'm even talking to you. Most guys think you're either a freak or a dyke. But I have a feeling with the right guy, you'll really be able to open up. I'd love to be that guy. Just give me five minutes and -," Oliver began to rant.

                                                                       "I'm pretty sure she said she's not interested, you creep. So get the fuck out of my party," Courtney snapped, glaring at Oliver.

                                                                        Oliver scoffs, glancing between the two before quickly deciding it wouldn't be the best idea to end up on Courtney's bad side. "Fine. I didn't really want that freak anyway. Have a great night."

                                                                        Oliver then storms off like a kid who hadn't gotten his way and Courtney stands right by Suki, wanting to make sure that she was alright.

                                                                       "That fucking asshole. I can't believe he tried to force himself on you like that," Courtney scowled, gripping onto her empty cup tighter than before. "I swear, I was going to kill him."

                                                                       "Oliver Reeves isn't worth it," Suki shakes her head.

                                                                       "Yes, he is! He has some nerve trying to ruin my party by harrassing my best friend -," Courtney began.

                                                                        Suki raised a brow. "Are you trying to make this all about you?"

                                                                      "No. No, of course not. Hey, how about I make it up to you, huh? I know what we can do to get back at him," Courtney replied with a dark twinkle in her eye.

                                                                        Suki knew that Courtney's plan was nothing short of trouble. And yet, Suki was in the mood for a little bit of trouble after everything that had happened to her.

                                                                        Courtney managed to find a can of red paint she had kept in the basement, making her way upstairs after she found out that Oliver was outside and trying to talk to another girl. Nancy's bedroom window overlooked the backyard and so they'd have no choice but to barge into her room - much to her annoyance - to enact their revenge plan.

                                                                       "Should I even bother asking what the hell you're doing?" Nancy folded her arms across her chest as she sat on her bed, looking at her sister with suspicion.

                                                                      "Teaching a prick a lesson," Courtney smirks before looking at Suki, "Are you ready?"

                                                                      "Yeah, I'm ready," Suki nods.

                                                                        They opened the window, peeking down and seeing Oliver talking with a girl. Nat was also down there with her two friends, presumably smoking weed or whatever together. But obviously, their most important target was Oliver. Courtney and Suki share a look before Courtney grabs the can of paint, dumping it right onto an unsuspecting Oliver.

                                                                       The two girls quickly duck down, giggling when they'd hear Oliver shouting and the girl beside him also shrieking. Nancy quickly got up to see what had happened, only for Suki to grab her hand and pull her back down.

                                                                     "Holy shit, he's completely covered in paint," Nancy snorted, quickly joining in on the laughter. "What did you two do that for?"

                                                                     "He's an asshole who needed to be taught a lesson. I don't think he'll be bothering you ever again," Courtney responded.

                                                                      Suki shakes her head as she laughed, resting her head onto Courtney's shoulder as the laughter seemed to bubble out from all of them. Soon enough, they'd have no choice but to head back down to the party to try and maintain their cover. Oliver had left, angry and embarrassed over being covered in paint, and everyone else was talking about it.

                                                                  Including David who had once again swooped in to ruin the high Suki had been riding on.

                                                                 "What happened to Oliver? I saw him not too long ago running around, covered in red paint. It's like he was having his period or something," David teased, laughing at his own mysoginistic joke. Suki merely rolled her eyes in response.

                                                                "Dunno. Maybe he did end up on his period or something. He acts so much like a bitch, I could hardly tell the difference," Courtney calmly states before she continues to drink from her cup.

                                                                 Suki couldn't help but snort at that, while David was a little shocked over how blunt her humor could be. But it was just further proof that David didn't know Courtney nearly as well as he thought he did. Not like Suki did. Suki was the only person Courtney let in, and the only one she truly loved.

                                                                  And that was never going to change for anything.

( 🌲🔪🦌 )

word count: 2042
notes: hope you all enjoyed this cute flashback chapter!!