Paisely Mont Vernon barely realized the ride in public transportation was finally over. When she had first decided to catch a taxi, she had been expecting scraps of Burger King and McDonald's to litter the backseat, faded pennies filling up the cup holders, and a creepy driver that turned out to be a serial killer or some kind of magical Harry Potter contraption - this was the exact description of the taxi she, Erika, and Jac had dared to take before except the driver had been a perv instead of a wizard.

However, Paisely felt lucky that she hadn't let some prejudice and bad experience with taxis keep her from her semi-wonderful time. The vehicle wasn't dirty and the driver was actually nice. In fact, she had spent the entire ride discussing her life, what corruption means, and children shows they both had guilty pleasures for.

Apparently, the taxi driver still watched a show about a pretty Pegasus and was a self-proclaimed 'Brony.'

The car finally stopped in front of the familiar Mont Vernon estate with its towering, arched gate, beige stucco alit by every light inside, and nearly the entire family's collection of luxury vehicles parked in front of the mansion as if they were on display.

The only unfamiliar that speckled the estate was the fact there were drunk kids dressed in designer PJs stumbling around the manicured, artificial lawn, Corvettes and Bentleys all stuffed into the Mont Vernon's parking lot - some even parked on the fake grass - and Drake's 'Hotline Bling,' booming from what was probably the Mont Vernon's monster stereos and possibly keeping every person on the block from their leisure slumber.

"Woah, what circus you have going on here, miss." She heard the driver mumble loudly.

What a circus, indeed.

Paisely hurriedly paid the brony - giving almost a thousand dollars for his super nice personality - and slipping out into the chilly night that slightly smelled like a mixture of buttery popcorn, vodka, and new car smell.

She didn't bother slipping back in her heels, simply walking barefoot past the drunk kids scattered on the lawn, some holding Gucci-clad teddy bears as they tossed back Moet & Chandon champagne. Paisely had no idea why everyone looked ready to go to bed but she felt like she'd been transported to a heavenly alternate universe of her world where everyone partied in pink, fluffy clouds and continuously poured expensive champagne into the Earth's atmosphere.

The inside of the mansion was the center of the most bizarre - and fun - party Paisely had ever seen thus far. The front hall was typical; couples who hadn't even made it past the door before going into a outright make out session, the catty girls who only came to gossip about those having a good time lingering on the exotic steps - the only girl missing was Erika Felix - and people who had clearly just come to take selfies in hopes of making some kind of 'bragging Filthy Rich' instagram account.

However, the living room that used to be pearly white loveseats and modern rectangular windows looking out over the Mont Vernon's large pool and mini mansion for a guesthouse was now a mess of white feathery-like things from the endless drunken pillow fights taking place.

'Where on Earth did they get all the birds to make those feathers?' Paisely thought but the "feathers" were quickly wiped out of her mind when she turned towards the open mid-century inspired dining hall door where someone had set out her parents' entire stash of liquor that they used to hide in cabinets, cars, and even the bank to no avail - because as soon as Mrs. Mont Vernon fell asleep, she'd start murmuring every password, credit card number, and hiding place she could think of.

Her mother's sleep talk was also the way she found out her father was actually a criminal who should have been in jail for fraud but only spent about two weeks before Grandma Vernon decided to pay the three million dollar bail - 'What a nice birthday present!'

The bottles of Tequila Ley were practically summoning Paisely and she needed a drink after having the worst night ever.

Because apparently, corruption means forcing someone to act horribly which means Mr. Felix thinks she's a bad influence - which has to mean Erika hates her. Yet despite all the cruel ways Erika had conjured to make her cry, Paisely still desperately wanted to be in her good graces.

And she wasn't exactly sure why.

Moving past an entire group of friends who had shown up in matching hand-me-down Christmas pajamas who quickly mumbled their greets and gave her the look of, 'please pay me attention,' - they have to be scholarship students - Paisely popped open a bottle of tequila , wanting to hug every person in a thousand-mile radius that gave her such a look.

Taking large gulps of tequila that she nearly spilled on her "Queen Bee" dress, she looked around the dining room, immediately spotting her middle school-aged sister, Jill, skipping right towards her from the front hall.

The twelve year old had "bird feathers" littering her head of golden blonde ringlets, the white Isabel Marant tudor shirt and plaid Pallas miniskirt she'd been wearing for her own middle school party having been traded in for a royal blue floral Sleepy Jones t-shirt and matching shorts. As usual, Jill looked sixteen rather than a twelve year old fresh out of elementary, face caked with Elizabeth Arden makeup and fashion sense paired with a strong presence.

Around the adults, Paisely was always mistaken for the younger sister.

"Only ten minutes into the party and you're already getting so drunk you could pass out, I see." Jill blabbed, fingering a galaxy-printed star charm that hung from a pure silver chain around her neck.

"Did you throw this party? Why are there people I know here?" Paisely asked, gulping down a huge mouthful of tequila. Now that she thought of it, not only were there kids from Alabaster and East loitering around the mansion but there were middle schoolers - middle schoolers everywhere.

Middle schoolers in high heel Louis Vuittons giggling over champagne in the corners of the cream-and-gold colored room, middle schoolers in the pool, middle schoolers on the front lawn. Whatever happened to just throwing a simple get together with Tiffany Archeval and every victim of prep school hierarchy?

"I thought this was your party," Jill half-shouted over the monster stereos that were coming from somewhere upstairs. "Chris sent a text to tons of people and then he told me we were merging parties or something like that."

"Well, why would he do that?" Paisely managed to ask although her voice was starting to drawl.

She took another gulp of tequila.

Jill shrugged, flipping her shoulder-length ringlets in a way that Erika Felix would. At times, Paisely wasn't sure if Jill was actually her sister. She was way too similar to a certain auburn-haired mean queen. Except more gossipy - which was why her weekend internship consists of writing celebrity gossip articles for Teen Vogue magazine.

"I don't really care why. All I know is, everyone is about to credit muah as the best party thrower of Weston Day School which means I'll finally be better than Karen bankrupt Bradley. She's a broke bitch but everyone seems to think she's better than me..."

Paisely suddenly felt queasy as her sister droned on about middle school politics. "Why is it so important to be better than someone else?" Why couldn't everyone just be happy with who they are? Why in order to be "Head Bitch," she had to somehow top Erika? All the 'why's,' floating in Paisely's head made her want to cuddle up with her puppy, Sweetie, and actually go to bed.

However, before Jill could give a possible answer, Chris Edwards emerged from the swarm of East Prep guys that had arrived in 'E,' lettermen jackets and flannel pajama shirts from Brooks Brothers crowding around the doorway. Usually Paisely would be having a jelly bean party in her stomach at the sight of him, but now all she got was churning alcohol.

"Daisy Paisely, about time you got here, I've been looking all over for you." Chris moved past a visibly annoyed twelve-year old, slinging his arm that was covered in gold Cartier watches around Paisely. He was dressed from head to toe in a Kenzo jumper that the always-merry Molly Edwards had bought for him as the "best 16th birthday present in the world."

Chris always complained about how lame it was - he had been expecting a 20 million dollar vacation house in Barbados at the least - but typically wore it on the Sunday nights in Paisely's overly pink room hiding from Erika.

He plucked Paisely's bottle of tequila out of her hand. "What was up at the hotel? You just...left." He made a face on 'left,' and then took a swig of Paisely's drink.

Paisely found herself falling speechless, staring at her boyfriend as he finished off her precious tequilas as if one of his rules hadn't been, 'drinking and being drunkenly silly is prohibited.'

She knew she was mad at him but she couldn't really put her issue into words anymore. However, a quick glance at her sister who had disappeared into one of the tight-knit groups of middle school girls in the corner of the room, pointing out every flaw of Karen Bankrupt Bradley, brought everything back to her slightly hazy mind.

"I think we need to talk about the um, Queen Beyonce thing," She managed uneasily, reaching up to play with the Tiffany's necklace she'd gotten for her 13th birthday that was adorned by a silver, 'P,' - until she realized it had been one of the things Chris had deemed, 'childish,' and had suggested a Avakian Geneve necklace instead. "I don't like having gifts I don't deserve. Like one time, my mom bought me this really cute Coach bag that was like, super rare, and only the princess of England or something owned one like it, but then I saw this really sad commercial about foster kids not having any gifts for Christmas so I gave it away to someone who needed a gift because it's not like I don't have a thousand other Coach bags."

Paisely heaved out a huge sigh, not sure why she was sharing the story of her fifth birthday. She was definitely tipsy.

"Oh, cool," was all Chris said however before glancing around them. "Anyway, we should probably talk in private."

"Why?"

"Because people are listening," Chris answered, gesturing to the few that weren't sloppy drunk or swaying to the latest Bieber song. He then picked up a bottle of gold Louis Roederer champagne and led Paisely through the horde of kids of nearly every age that had infiltrated her house.

Paisely's bedroom was in the outs due to two very horny teenagers and Paisely was far too nice to tell them to put on some clothes and beat it - with all the parties she threw, it was pretty normal - so they eventually settled out on the Mont Vernon's very thin patio that was untouched from all the drunk festivities inside.

Chris was about to speak but Paisely's word vomit came spilling out. "I think what I meant by the Coach bag thing is that the bag is social popularity and well, I don't really deserve it or need it," She explained, slumping herself against the light beige Pride Family patio chair across from Chris. "And-and-and I don't think I'm saying there shouldn't be queeeeeen thingies either. Everyone should just love each other, you know? Looove each other?"

Chris didn't answer so she went on, closing her eyes. "Like why does everyone want to be better than everyone else? It always has to be rich over the poor and the Felixs over the Bradleys and Jill over Karen and Mia over Benny and every girl over Jac and-and-and Paisely over Erika..."

When she opened her eyes, Chris was simply fiddling with the champagne in his hand. "But the truth is, I wouldn't mind if it was vice versa. Like Erika over me. I never did...so I guess that's why I left. Because-because-"

"Because you don't need to be better than anyone?" Chris offered blandly.

Paisely practically felt a shiver run down her exposed spine and she was positive it wasn't because it was incredibly cold outside. "I think that's it actually. I'm-I'm okay with being irrelevant...because all that matters is that I know I'm relevant." She couldn't help but giggle wildly. Was this how it felt when Coco Chanel found the true definition of fashion or when whoever invented pizza finally came up with toppings on a loaf of bread?

Because at this moment, Paisely felt like she'd just found the meaning to life.

She was definitely never giving up drinking if she practically turned into Einstein after a good bottle of Tequila Ley.

"Sooooo...let me get this straight," Chris sat cross-legged on the chair next to her, almost looking like an adorable little boy who'd come downstairs in the middle of the night to catch Mommy kissing Santa Claus. "You're backing out of everything we planned?"

Paisely mashed her velvet-colored Christian Louboutin lips together as she thought - but she was a little too drunk to think things through so she just nodded. "I guess so - no, wait, I know so. It's taken me a while to know who I am but-but I finally do and that whole plan just isn't me."

And she certainly wasn't some kind of corruption either.

Finally standing up for herself felt...refreshing.

Chris stood up, handing his bottle of champagne to Paisely now who suddenly didn't feel like having a drink and partying the night away. In fact, she felt like snuggling in the comfort of her silk bedsheets. She was standing up to everyone; Erika, Chris, social hierarchy. She wanted to enjoy the wholesome feeling - sober.

She pushed the drink gently back into Chris's hands. "No thank you, I don't need this."

"Uh, yeah, you kind of do."

"Why?"

"Because I'm breaking up with you." He said bluntly, placing the bottle in her hands again.

Paisely felt a huge blow to her small, fragile heart. "Wha-what?"

"This just isn't working out for us."

"But-"

"Come on, Paige, we started off as a high school affair. Karma is pushing me to break up with you."

Paisely felt it. The familiar sad song from the very foster child commercial she'd seen a gazillion years ago playing in her head, her bottom glossed lip started to tremble, and she could feel something wet building in her doe blue eyes. "But we had so much fun. Like cross dressing at Barneys and-and all those times in my bedroom and-and-and didn't your mom say she wants us to get married?"

This couldn't be happening. Chris was the only guy she'd ever met who looked absolutely beautiful in a Victoria's Secret bra.

"Aww, baby, are you crying?" Chris cooed, actually looking sympathetic. "Look, I'm sure you'll find someone else. You're nice, genuine, and all that other good stuff."

Paisely sniffled. "Well then why are you breaking up with me?"

"Because you're nice, genuine, and all that other good stuff," He shrugged and Paisely was even more confused than before. "See you after break...unless somebody throws another shitty event." With that, he slipped back into the party, leaving Paisely shivering in the cold.

She sat outside with nothing but a champagne bottle in her hand for a few long seconds before she heard the patio doors open again and Benny Costa and Jill Mont Vernon came stalking out, calling her name.

"Chris said you would be out here," Benny said, looking straight out of an indie spread in a Madeworn Rolling Stones T, Calvin Klein boxers, and Adidas sneakers. While her raven hair was slightly frizzy and out of place, the look seemed to come off as stylishly untidy. "We're about to play a shitty game."

"I finally got broke Karen to leave, it was so funny." Jill piped in, seeming so satisfied with herself that her pale skin seemed to glow.

However, Paisely felt like a pile of crap from a dollar store. "Someonebrokeupwithmeeeee!" She exclaimed inaudibly, swaying forward and falling off of her patio chair, the bottle in her had nearly shattering but Jill - thanks to intense baseball and tennis practices at the Beverly Hills Country Club - caught the bottle before its destruction.

Benny rushed over to help Paisely who stumbled over the patio chairs. "Who broke up with you - wait, why the fuck am I asking?"

"This is why I don't date." Jill chimed, flopping down on to one of the chairs and pulling at the top of the bottle.

Paisely balanced herself on Benny's shoulder. "I can't believe he broke up with me." It was all so surreal that she expected to go to sleep and wake up with a 'Good morning, Daisy Paisely,' text the next day to reassure her this was all a dream.

So far, she wanted this entire break to be a dream.

"You mean to tell me that Meninist asshole dumped you?" Benny spat.

"Fact; all guys are presumed Meninists until proven otherwise," Jill said. "That's why I don't date."

"Plus you're fucking twelve." Benny added and Jill made a face before going back to trying to pop open the champagne.

Paisely had been dumped before but a break up in 9th grade hadn't really bothered her - mostly because the guy was way too old for her anyway and she had only said yes to dating him because she was a newbie to sex and sex is always awesome when you first try it. However, Chris breaking up with her? It hurt just thinking about all those times in Barneys putting on clothes from the mens section while Chris repeatedly skipped out of dressing rooms in fabulous Alexander McQueen dresses.

There was only one way to feel better - or at least her hazy mind was telling her so.

"Benny before we go back inside, can I do something first?" She asked, slowly moving away from her raven-haired friend. She didn't need her support to walk at the moment.

"I think we should gather everyone to play 15 minutes in Heaven," Jill suggested from her perch. "We haven't used the sauna in a while."

"I think you should gather all your middle school friends and tell them to go home and get some sleep." Benny snapped back. She hated the twelve year old queen of Weston Day School ever since she started calling her Benny Burp Queen Costa after burping in Oprah Winfrey's face at a brunch.

"Maybe Brett Richers wants Mia Matthews because she doesn't burp in his face - ahhh, Paisely, what are you doing?"

Paisely had shimmied out of her orange dress - then unhooked her Victoria's Secret bra. It just felt right to be topless but that might just be the tequila influence.

"Not to be a mother or anything but Jill, close your eyes." Benny exclaimed.

"Nothing I haven't seen before," Jill shrugged. "Her boobs were on Huffington Post, remember? And speaking of mothers, you might as well practice being motherly since you're going to be one soon."

"How the hell do you-"

"I heard Paisely talking about it."

"Paige? Seriously, what the- okay, what the fuck are you doing?" Benny cursed and Paisely could only giggle tipsily before freely reverting back to the original Paisely Mont Vernon; the nice, genuine, and all the other good stuff Paisely - who went streaking when she was super drunk at every rager.

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A/N: I gotta get faster on these updates but it is just SO hard right now! My mind sometimes feels useless creatively and life can seriously be a jerk at times!

Also this one is dedicated to rainbowbrook , royalhills, and Veauner ! You guys really help me in the hard writer's block times and I am so grateful to have you as friends <3

And of course, thank you to all who put up with my sporadic updating cause sometimes the struggle is seriously real xx

(Verena is also now Tiffany because reasons)