Courtney laid on the floor of her closet, staring up at the ceiling. She had entered the closet for a reason. Well, two reasons but she didn't want to think about the second one. No, the only reason she was here was to choose an outfit for the party.

The stupid celebration party to celebrate her being Senior Class President because everyone wanted to celebrate something worth celebrating even if she didn't think it was worth celebrating. Celebrate celebrate celebrate.

Courtney lifted her phone again.

Lynn:
I saw you left early. Are you okay?

The message had come in the previous night, right about the time the game was finished and Lynn was able to get to her phone. Courtney had woken up to the message and hadn't figured out how to give an answer that didn't make her sound and feel pathetic.

Courtney:
Two kids decided to pick
a fight with my ankle.
I think they show promise for wrestling careers.

Courtney started to lower her phone when it pinged.

Lynn:
Is it okay?

Courtney:
I now have a bionic ankle and foot, which I got in a classy cherry red color.
The squad looked good last night.

Lynn:
It's a good squad this year.

Courtney let out a slow breathe. One more week. One more week and she'd be back with the squad.

Courtney:
Will I see you to at the party?

Lynn:
Can't. My dad wants me home this weekend
Look I want to apologize for being a terrible friend. I should have said this right away
Congrats on the win Cory
I'm sorry I won't be able to celebrate with you tonight

Courtney:
Thanks. And it was a shock. I get it.

Lynn:
Yeah it was but that doesn't change that you supported me and I should have supported you. I'm really sorry.
I hope you have fun tonight. ❤️

Courtney dropped her hand and went back to staring at the ceiling. She let out another breath, this time relieved. Lynn was talking to her. She apologized. Maybe it wasn't all lost after all.

"Hey Sunshine, why are you laying on the floor?" Heather asked, coming into the closet.

Oh you know, because I can't stand the sight of all the cheer trophies in my room making fun of my bum ankle and how I can't even do a simple walkover at the moment.

"Outfit for the party," Courtney said.

"Is that why Sara is here on a Saturday? Is she helping you set up?"

Yes, because I'm lame and also I can't walk. Ha! Made a joke.

"Yeah, she's just here to lay out the snacks and stuff. Then she's off."

"A party should be fun."

If you say so, right now I'm contemplating never coming out of this closet. She'd cancel if she could but this close no one would pay attention and still show up. High schoolers were such considerate people.

"How's your ankle doing?"

Better than last night when I broke down in Miguel's car. At least she has blackmail on him so that story is under wraps. He never should have thought he could be a breakdancer. Still, his humiliation was her gain.

"It's all right. Coach said I should be able to walk by next week with a brace."

"That's good."

Yes, it meant no more disasters with little kids trying to bodyslam her ankle. Okay, she knew they weren't trying but that's what it had felt like.

Enough self-pity party.

"Have you found a place yet?" Courtney asked.

"Not yet. I need a place that will be able to handle all my computers without breaking the building AC. So I'm still on the hunt."

"I like having you here, so I don't care how long the hunt takes."

"Thanks. I'm going to head out. As much as I love high school parties...I don't."

"Can you see if Miles wants to disappear with you? It's that or lock the door to his room."

"Will do. And go with something comfy for the party. You look tired."

"Thanks."

Her ankle was to blame for the tiredness. She could deal with that if it were the only thing. But no, her life had to be crumbling as well. Emotions take three times the energy. That was the truth. And right now her emotions seemed to be drowning her.

Her phone beeped. Courtney glanced at the screen. It was from a number she didn't know.

Unknown:
I have no idea what I'm doing.
What does someone wear to a party to impress a girl?

Courtney smiled. She'd know that lost fashion soul anywhere.

Courtney:
Facetime and show me your closet.

Micah appeared on screen, his curls more wild than usual. Courtney figured this was a result of stressing over an outfit.

"Are you laying on the floor?" he asked.

Yes, and the angle was extremely unflattening with her chin looking scrunched up and her hair a mess. Bleh!

She sat up and dragged her hand through her hair. Now it only looked mildly messy. The double chin was gone so there was that.

"Okay, show me what I'm working with," she said.

The screen flipped and Courtney saw a row of t-shirts.

"Now go to the shirt that you don't know if you like but every time you've worn it your mom says you look good."

Micah reappeared on the screen. "How do you know I have a shirt like that?"

"Because every guy does and they don't give it away because they know their mother would ask about it at some point."

"Oh."

The screen bounced and when it stilled, Micah was holding out a lavender, cotton button-down shirt. Perfect. Though he would not think so.

"Do you trust me?" Courtney asked.

"Not if it has anything to do with this shirt?"

"You asked me for help, might I remind you."

Micah groaned and the view on the screen dropped to the floor, showing a pair of batman boxers.

"Nice boxers," Courtney said.

The phone jerked up. Courtney couldn't see him but she'd bet a lot of money that he was blushing. So cute.

"Umm...what were you...going to suggest?"

Yes, definitely blushing.

"You don't have to take my suggestion but you should wear that shirt open, with the sleeves rolled up, over one of your white graphic tees. It will come off as casual but purposeful. But still along the lines of what you usually wear so it won't seem like you're trying too hard."

"Oh...okay. Do I wear jeans with it?"

"Do you have shorts?"

The screen swayed then stopped displaying a drawer full of shorts.

"How do you feel about wearing those light gray cotton ones?"

Micah hovered his hand over the drawer.

"Left, left, left, now down, down down, stop! Those ones."

Micah pulled them out and laid them on top of the dresser. The phone screen remained on them and Micah said nothing. Maybe he was having a panic attack thinking about how great this outfit would look on him and how he wouldn't be able to keep the girls away.

"Remember," Courtney said. "I'm helping you look better in what you wear but it still comes back to wearing what you feel comfortable with, and what you feel like is still true to you. Good luck, Micah."

She hung up. This was a decision he had to make without her silently waiting for him to make. It was time she got up and made her own clothing decision. Despite knowing she might hate herself for it, Courtney chose an outfit with cotton shorts. She liked dresses but a week of them was too repetitive.

Looking sufficiently cute in an Audrey Hepburn, circa Sabrina on the boat, inspired outfit and confirmed by her followers, Courtney left her room. She locked the door behind her. When she tried Miles' door to warn him of the impending doom, she found it locked. Seemed he'd already been alerted.

After making the rounds of the upstairs, locking all doors except the bathroom, Courtney plodded downstairs. Plodded was the right word because the stairs still terrified her. It had currently bumped down Death of Loved Ones and Failure in her list of Things She Was Afraid Of.

After securing the downstair rooms, she made it to the kitchen, where Sara finished setting out snacks.

"Thanks for coming in today," Courtney said.

"No worries, sweetie. Everything's done. All the expensive stuff is put away and the buffet of snacks is ready to be eaten."

Or demolished. Courtney felt like she'd never seen a party where guests politely collected their food in a stately manner. Teenagers and stately didn't mesh apparently.

"You can tell Anna and Jack they are invited," Courtney said.

Sara blinked in surprise. "Are you sure? They are only a freshman and sophomore."

"It's no problem, I'll keep an eye out for them."

"You're too sweet."

"It's because I'm made of sugar and spice."

Sara chuckled and headed out. Courtney gave the bottom floor another survey, double-checking that her sewing room was bolted. In the movie theater room, she queued up Avengers movies and let the first one start playing. There, that meant half of the party would have fun without feeling left out. Besides the seats looked so comfy Courtney imagined she might sneak in later to sit down.

The doorbell rang. Here we go.

Kyle and Ted stood on the front porch, holding a beer keg between them. Kyle grinned.

"The cavalry has arrived."

The cavalry hadn't been called in for this but okay.

"Follow me," Courtney said.

She led them to a room off the foyer and motioned them inside.

"Set it down right there. Perfect, now we all depart," Courtney said, waving her hand to the door.

"Are you serious?" Kyle asked.

"Kyle, has it ever dawned on you that my parties never have alcohol?"

"I knew they didn't but I figured it's cause someone failed to provide it."

"Nope, I'm just not dumb enough to provide it. Now let's move out."

She gestured with her crutches for them to leave and they did. After all, she could do some serious damage with these metal weapons. Best not to mess with her.

"Are you seriously going to lock up the alcohol?" Kyle asked.

Yes, because I've seen enough to know the type of idiots it makes out of non-idiots. Imagine what devastating effects it would have on you, Kyle! Okay, that was mean.

"Yeah, but there are drinks and snacks are in the kitchen, pool is outside, movie theater is playing Avengers marathon."

Kyle still looked like he wanted to complain but then Aubrey walked in the front door along with half the squad. There you go Kyle, pretty girls to make you cheer up. Pun not intended. The girls smiled at Kyle and Ted and that's all it took. Kyle made a beeline for Aubrey and she gave him a flirty look.

"Let's get this party started," Aubrey said.

Courtney sighed. No stopping this train, might as well jump on. Being run over seems to be the only other option left. The door opened again and Courtney found her smile. Here we go.

***********************************
DOUBLE UPDATE! So that means there's another chapter waiting for you! Go enjoy! But first an author's note!
***********************************

Howdy hey-dee who!

(Not sure that make sense but when do I ever do?)

How are we feeling? It was short but things happened. Lynn apologized I'm curious to see the rioters response to this! So riot away! 🗯💭💬

Can we all please agree that Micah is an adorable little muffin! Gosh Max does not deserve him! Who is with me on that? 🙋‍♀️

Now! The question I love asking you cause obviously I'm super duper self-absorbed (💁‍♀️😂🤣): what's a question you want to ask me?

(I always love this one cause the questions are always different. I'll share the question and answer in the following author's notes)

Vote, comment, follow, fight fight fight! (Kinda violent but okay)

Which fictional character would you defend if someone insulted them?

Shout out to dragonhunterthirteen for making me a fantastic cover!!