...
"I shouldn't be jealous,
you aren't even mine."
...
It was no secret that Willow DeLaCruz was not a social butterfly. In fact, she was quite the opposite.
Willow was the type of person who had a tight-knit group, filled with only the few she loved. There were some stood at the border of her heart, and they were the ones she liked. A little more outside, and they were tolerable, at least. But anyone farther than a short distance away... Well, they were either disliked, strongly disliked, or someone she utterly hated.
And as Willow looks around the crowded room, all she could think was how long the line of hate would slowly start to become.
"Hey!"
Willow startles, jumping as she spins to greet the guy that had snuck up behind her. "Holy- Brett," she breathes, and the boy chuckles. "Hey..."
"Sorry," he apologizes. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no. It's uh.. fine," she assures, giving a small smile as she glances around, feeling awkward under his intense gaze.
"Relax, Willow. I'm not here to hit on you or something." He laughs, passing her to press his back to the wall she stands beside. Leaning back, he sips his drink, making small talk as he looks out at the people piled in the open living room. "You just looked a little lonely, is all. So, thought I'd keep you company. Is that alright?"
She watches him shrug, relaxing a little under his reassurance, and she nods. "Okay," she agrees, matching his stance as she leans into the doorframe of the kitchen. "Sure."
"So, how've you been?" He asks, glancing over at her as he says, "We've missed you at school you know? Haven't seen you around in a while."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, really?" She asks. "'Cause I'm pretty sure that a lot of the people at school either hate me or have no idea I even exist."
"Well..." The boy trails, agreeing that she had a point before adding, "I miss you, at least."
She smiles, giving an awkward, "Thanks?" And he laughs.
"So, are you gonna tell me what you've been up to?" He asks. "Or are you trying out some new mysterious, loner thing?"
"Oh, well, now that you mention it, that mysterious, loner thing does sound kinda fun," Willow says, a teasing grin as she watches the boy roll his eyes.
A playful scoff and Brett hums, "So, what? You're just going to keep me guessing?"
Willow nods, shrugging as she agrees, "Yeah. Guess so."
The boy hums, feigning disappointment as he sighs. "Fine." He agrees. "I guess if that's the case, I'll just mind my own business, and leave you to be all by your lonesome-"
Willow couldn't help but laugh at his dramatics, shaking her head as she feigns her own disappointment. "You're going to leave me to fend for myself, all because I won't share me life's secret with you?" She asks. "Doesn't that sound kind of.. I don't know, douchey?"
"Douchey? Me?" Brett scoffs a laugh. "No way!"
"I disagree," Sasha says, giving the boy a look as she joins the two.
"Hey," Willow greets, a small smile as accepts the drink pushed into her hands. "Thanks, Sash."
She hums, looking at Brett, who nods at her, asking, "What's up, Sasha?"
"My interest in women." She says, shooing him away as she says, "So, please. Scram."
Brett rolls his eyes but pushes off the wall, mumbling a goodbye to Willow as he leaves to join his friends. "Bye." Willow waves before turning to her friend, giving the girl a look as she asks, "Really?"
Sasha shrugs, taking his place as she leans against the wall. "What?"
"You know, you don't always have to be such a bitch?"
"Really? I wasn't aware." Sasha only laughs. "What's it matter to you, anyway? I thought you hated Brett?"
Willow makes a face. "Who told you that?" She asks.
"No one." Sasha shrugs, sipping on her drink before she adds, "The way you used to glare at him in English was telling enough."
She scoffs. "Are we in the same English class? 'Cause I don't remember that, like, at all."
"Well, I do." Sasha disagrees, humming when Olivia waves them over. "Ooh, let's go."
Willow rolls her eyes, though doesn't protest as her friend drags her away, only pulling her hand free when they go to sit.
"What are we doing?" Sasha asks as they join the circle of ten teenagers, all scattered around the living room.
"Truth or dare while we wait for everyone else to get here." Ellie explains shortly, smiling as she scoots down the sectional, making room for the two girls.
Lucas rolls his eyes. "Because apparently we're still in middle school."
"Shut up." Sam says, nudging his friend as he tells him that no one wanted to hear his whining.
Jess hums. "Agreed," she says, smiling when Lucas glares over at her.
"Nobody asked you-"
"Oh, just like nobody asked you?" Jess is quick to retort, repeating once more that no one had asked what his opinion on truth or dare was.
"Alright, enough." Elliot interrupts, a huff at the bickering while others laugh or simply roll their eyes. "If you don't wanna play, then don't play. You can sit around, or go wait outside- whatever. No one cares enough to beg you to stay."
Derek and Jess share a chuckle as they lean back into the couch, his arm around her shoulder as they share a beer, quieting down while Lucas only continues to glare.
"So, are you staying or going?" Elliot asks, looking from the couple on the couch to Lucas, who sulks in his chair.
"We're good right here," Derek answers for him and his girlfriend, looking across at Lucas with a raised brow.
"I'm good," Lucas says, and Elliot nods, looking to his sister, who smiles.
"Alright," Ellie starts, playing off of her brother's mediation as she asks, "Does everyone know the rules?"
"Give us a refresher, will you?" Olivia asks, glancing up from her phone as she adds that Macie and Danny would be back with drinks soon.
"Okay, so, the way we play is if you choose truth and fail to answer, you take a shot of your choosing. If you chose dare and don't complete it, then whoever you're disappointing gets to mix you a surprise drink that you have to chug," Ellie explains, looking around as she asks, "Any questions?"
"What are the rules for the mixers?" Willow asks, questioning what kind of drinks she'd be punished with if she failed to comply with a dare.
"Anything in reason can be used," Elliot answers, pointing over to the table full of punch, water, and alcohol. "There's more stuff in the fridge for anyone who wants to get crafty."
"Like what?" Sasha asks, raising a brow as she asks, "Like, if I wanted to make Brett chug some lemon juice or some sort of ketchup-vodka mix, then he'd have to?"
Elliot shrugs, "Yeah, pretty much." He says, not seeing a problem in the question as he nods. "Only if he fails a dare, though."
Sasha hums, "Good to know."
Brett narrows his eyes at the girl, glaring from where he sits in the opposite corner of the large sectional. "Why me?" He asks, and Sasha shrugs.
"Why not?" She retorts.
Jess couldn't help but laugh at the girl's devious smirk, and Derek reaches over his girlfriend to clap Brett's shoulder, warning him that he had some "competition", though no one was quite sure for what.
"Okay, before they can start arguing, how about we just start the game?" Olivia proposes, leaning forward as if to interrupt the stare down, blocking the two's view as she claps. "Who wants to go first?"
At the lack of volunteers, Elliot hums, raising his beer as if to toast himself being the first up. "I'll go," He says, and Olivia nods.
"Floors all yours," she says, asking which of the remaining nine would be the unlucky chosen one.
He debates, eyes running over the group before they settle on the boy by his side. "Lucas?"
The boy in question groans, throwing his head back as he complains, "Why the fuck would you pick me first?"
Elliot shrugs, "Safest bet." He explains shortly, brushing it off as he asks, "Truth or dare?"
"Truth," He answers after a moment.
"Pussy," Jess coughs into her elbow, and Derek laughs as he buries her face into his shoulder, hushing her as he watches the boy glare over at them.
"Jess-" Olivia sighs, and the girl shakes her head.
"My bad-" She says, failing to contain herself as she stifles another laugh, saying that she just couldn't help it.
Lucas rolls his eyes, and Elliot looks to the boy amused, quickly moving on and getting to his question. "You ever kiss anyone in this room?"
Lucas smirks at the question, growing smug as he crosses his arms and nods, eyes drawing over to a girl whose cheeks tint a bright pink at the turn of attention. "Yup." He answers, going on to add that they had done a lot more than simply kiss.
All heads turn, following the boy's line of sight to Ellie, who shrinks back in her seat and hides her heated face behind her hands.
Olivia chuckles, patting the girl's arm as she assures her it was fine- they had all had their fair share of kisses.
"I'm gonna be sick," Elliot mumbles, looking between his friend and sister with a disgusted glare, while the rest only laugh. If he knew that would be his answer, he wouldn't of so much as volunteered to be first in line.
Lucas shrugs his friends' glare off, swiftly moving on as he chooses his victims. "Hey, Derek." He nods, and the boy hums. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare," He's quick to answer.
Lucas thinks for a moment, and then his eyes light up, like a lightbulb flashing to life behind his eyes as he leans forward. "I dare you to send a flirty text to Savannah."
Jess scoffs, glaring at the boy as she asks, "Really? You're gonna bring her into this?"
Lucas shrugs, "He doesn't have to," He reminds. "His choice."
Derek rolls his eyes, quick to decline and accept the loss. He'd rather drink whatever poison Lucas would create than message his ex while his girlfriend sat here underneath his arm.
"You're an asshole, you know that?" Derek curses, and Jess is quick to agree, her glare icy on Lucas, who only shrugs.
"Takes one to know one," is his reply as he stands, leading the large group into the kitchen as he contemplates whatever beverage he was about to conquer up.
The group piles into the doorway of the kitchen, all waiting, watching patiently as Lucas pulled thing after thing out of the refrigerator, contemplating his mixture until finally, an idea crosses his mind. They watch as he takes a bottle of ketchup, squirting some into a red solo cup before running it under the tap for water.
"I thought this drink was reserved for Brett?" Sam comments, and Lucas hums.
"I'll add my own twist." He says, pushing past the group with the solo cup in hand, making a beeline for the table of beverages. He looks over the options before he's reaching for the ladle in the punch bowl.
The group watches in disgust as he swishes the liquid around, and just when they think it couldn't get any worse, he reaches for the bottle of vodka.
"Come on, dude-" Derek makes a noise of objection, but Lucas only tuts.
"You refused the dare." He reminds, swirling the liquid once more before holding the cup out for the boy. "And this is your punishment."
Derek's lip curls up in disgust as he looks down at the disgusting beverage. He glances to Jess at his side, and she looks just as disgusted as she gives a shrug. "It's up to you," she decides, and he sighs.
Everyone watches closely as he takes a deep breath, and before anyone could so much as object or encourage him, he lifts the cup to his lips and tilts his head back, chugging the drink with determination while those around him cringe.
"Oh, my god," Willow mutters in disgust, watching the boy drop the cup to the ground and hold his throat, mumbling about how he was going to be sick.
"Bathroom upstairs," Elliot orders, pointing to the stairs in the corner. Jess guides her boyfriend away, the two rushing up the stairs while the rest are left to wait, hearing the bathroom door slam behind them.
"Well, that was disgusting." Lucas comments after a moment, shrugging it off as he turns and makes his way back to his chair. "Who's next?"
Brett rolls his eyes, turning to call the boy disgusting.
Lucas rolls his eyes, snapping his fingers over at him as he says, "Hey, at least I saved you from drinking it."
"No arguing." Olivia warns, directing Brett back to his seat before moving to take her own, encouraging everyone to do the same as she asks, "Who wants to go next? Since, well... Derek clearly can't take his turn."
"You go," Sam says, and the girl shrugs, accepting the role with no objections.
"Alright, uh... Ellie?" She decides, nudging the girl beside her.
Ellie hums, "Yeah?"
"Truth or dare?"
"Truth..." Ellie trails, and Olivia nods, taking a moment before asking.
"Is it true that you're the one who started that rumor about Chloe being pregnant?"
Everyone turns to Ellie, who purses her lips, her silence telling enough as they laugh.
"Wait, what?" Willow asks, having missed out on all the school drama over the past weeks. "Is she actually pregnant?"
"No- Or, well... I don't know." Ellie shrugs. "She could be."
"So, you did make it up?" Sam asks, furrowed brows as he stares at the girl.
A sheepish nod confirms the suspicion, and everyone breaks out into fits of laughter and shock.
"Oh, my god!" Olivia exclaims, shaking her friend's arm as she praises her. "I'm so proud of you!"
Ellie furrows a brow, clearly confused as she repeats, "Proud?" In question.
Olivia nods. "Yeah!" She says, insisting Chloe had gotten exactly what she deserved.
"Meaning..?" Willow drawls, looking around as she asks what else she had missed. Last she had heard, Chloe was still the sweetheart of their high school. And now she needed to know what it was that made her fall.
"Okay, so," Olivia starts, taking a swig from her drink before turning to explain. "A few weeks ago, these pictures of Jeremy making out with some girl at a party got leaked. Clearly, he was cheating, right? 'Cause his girlfriend is a blonde, and the girl in the photo is a redhead."
"Clearly," Willow agrees with a nod.
"Right, so, there's only three gingers in our school. Chloe, Ellie, and Elliot." She lists. "And so, when the photo got leaked, everyone knew that the girl in the pic had to either be Chloe or Ellie."
"Couldn't it have been someone from a different school?" Willow asks, a furrowed brow as she questions the logic behind these rumors.
"No, because it was just a small kickback with, like, the sophomores and some of the juniors."
"Oh," she mumbles, understanding more than she nods.
"Yeah, the girl in the photo had to be either Chloe or Ellie. And the guesses were so split." Olivia huffs at the thought. "No one could agree, even though a lot of them knew Ellie didn't even stay at the party for long."
"I only stopped by to drop Elliot off and hang out for a bit, then to pick him up later." Ellie explains, and Willow hums. If she knew Ellie didn't mind being a designated driver, she would have planned to ask her instead of Jess. Maybe then her brothers would of have never had to be an option.
"I think she was only around for, like, an hour all together." Olivia explains, and Lucas groans.
"No one cares!" He shouts, telling her to just get to the point already. "This is supposed to be truth or dare, not one of your dumb gossip sessions."
"Shut up," Olivia warns, holding a finger up to shush him as she goes on. "So, not a lot of people believed it was Ellie. And Chloe obviously didn't like the bad attention she was getting from being a home wrecker, 'cause let's be honest, who would?"
"Right," Willow agrees.
"So to take the attention off of herself, she got some people to help her lie and fake this sob story about how she wasn't the one to cheat with Jeremy, and that when they had left, it was because she had to go to the hospital and not to hook up."
"How'd she pull that off if people literally seen them leave together and have pictures of them hooking up?" Willow questions, doubting the brains of her classmates for having believed such an obvious lie.
"She's the queen bee, Willow. She has followers." Olivia says, a duh undertone as she goes on. "When you're popular, you're basically royalty of the school. And Chloe... Well, she has a loyal court. And apparently, the majority of the sophomores are idiots because almost everyone believed her when she said it was Ellie in the photo, and not her because she was in the hospital with alcohol poisoning."
"Chloe doesn't even drink." Ellie reminds. "She makes sure everyone knows she doesn't drink because she loves being known as the perfect little good girl."
"Clearly she's not that good if she's hooking up with Jeremy." Sasha scoffs a laugh. "He's such a fucking creep."
"I know, right!" Olivia exclaims her agreement, thanking Sasha for saying what she had always thought. "No one ever agrees with me about him!"
"How? It's so obvious!" Sasha raves, and Olivia nods.
"I know, but nobody wants to get on his bad side 'cause he's usually the one to get all the good shit for parties."
Lucas rolls his eyes, disagreeing as he says, "You're both crazy." He says. "Jeremy's so cool."
"He's a perv," Sasha says, and Olivia nods.
"Yeah, I mean, do you have any idea how many times he's 'accidentally' walked into the girls' locker room?"
"Honest mistake," Lucas shrugs. "I saw you walk into the wrong classroom, like, three times just last week."
"Going to the wrong class is not the same thing as walking in on a room full of girls who are showering or changing clothes." Willow argues, looking at the boy with disgust when all he does is hum.
"Well, maybe they should start locking the door."
"You're a pig and I hate you." Olivia deadpans, losing all hope in the boy as she shakes her head, moving on as she deems the argument pointless. "Anyway, everyone believed Chloe's obvious lies and for, like, the past three weeks, Ellie's been getting shit on for being a slut."
"So, you told everyone she was pregnant?" Willow asks, a raised brow as she looks past the blonde and to the girl with red hair.
Ellie hums, giving an awkward smile as she nods. "Yeah..."
"But she isn't actually pregnant, though?" Willow asks, glancing around in search of a sure answer. "Right?"
"No clue," Ellie mutters, a shrug as she grabs her phone, swiping, as she gives a short explanation of how she had heard Chloe crying in the bathrooms over needing a pregnancy test after her visit with Jeremy. "I, uh... recorded it."
"Shit, really?" Sam asks, suddenly becoming interested as he sits up in his seat. This is something he needed to hear.
Ellie nods, passing her phone off to Olivia, who doesn't hesitate to click play, letting the video start with Chloe's voice ringing through the speaker as she cried to one of her loyal followers, begging her for a favor.
"You want me to what?" The girl can be heard asking.
"I need you to buy a pregnancy test." Chloe repeats with a sniffle.
"Chloe-"
"Bea, please." She begs. "If anyone sees me, they're gonna know that I lied about everything and that's me in the photo, not Ellie. They're going to hate me-"
"Maybe you should've thought about that before sleeping with him," Bea scolds. "Oh, and maybe again before lying about it."
"I was drunk!" Chloe defends with another cry. "Can- Can you please just do this one fucking thing for me?! Please?"
"Fine- fine." Bea caves. "I'll get one after school and meet you back at your house."
"Thank you!" Chloe breathes, and the recording ends.
"We need a part two," Sasha comments, asking if anyone had heard anything from Chloe's group. "Anymore rumors?"
"Oh, my god, wait!" Olivia gasps, realization striking as she passes the phone back, pulling out her own instead. "She hasn't been in school for a few days. Maybe she actually is-"
"Oh, my gosh-" Ellie mumbles, guilt swelling in her chest as she drops her phone. "I didn't mean to actually expose her! I was just tired of being slut shamed for something I didn't even do!"
"El, it's fine." Elliot assures his sister. "It's not your fault."
"Yeah, I mean," Sasha shrugs. "It's not like you're the one who got her pregnant."
"I don't- I can't-" Ellie stutters, face heating at the blunt joke, while the boys in the room crack up.
"She doesn't have the talents for that." Sam laughs, and the girls couldn't help but let their own amusement out.
"Alright," Jess sighs, heeled boots clicking as she steps off the stairs with a huff. "Derek will be down in a sec. He's just... taking a minute."
Lucas snorts, his laughter cut short when Jess kicks the leg of his chair. "Hey!"
"He wanted me to remind you how much he hates you, by the way." She says, passing while he scoffs.
"Let him know the feelings mutual." Lucas says, glaring as he watches her take her seat once more.
She hums, pointing past him as she says, "Tell him yourself. He's right there."
"Tell me what?" Derek grumbles as he passes, plopping down next to his girlfriend with a groan.
"The feeling of hates mutual- whatever." Olivia brushes it off, quick to move back to the topic of teen pregnancies as she leans forward to ask, "Have you guys heard anything about Chloe?"
Jess hums, giving the girl a strange look as she shakes her head. "No, why?"
"'Cause she might actually be pregnant."
"Okay, let's not restart." Elliot interrupts, not feeling up to reliving the drama as he sums it up quickly, explaining fast how Ellie had taken a video of Chloe begging Bea to buy her a pregnancy test. And now they had no idea if the rumor really was just a rumor, or if their schoolmate had truly gone and gotten herself knocked up with Jeremy, of all people. Now they just needed to know if anyone had anymore information before they moved on completely. "So, do you? Or can we get back to the game?" He asks, and Jess and Derek share a look.
Derek shakes his head, and Jess shrugs. "Nope." She says. "I've got nothing."
"Tragic," Sasha hums, sinking back in her seat as she takes a sip of her drink. She was hoping for a little more fun. Her life had been severely lacking in entertainment lately, and she needed to get her fill from somewhere. What better place to get a fix than at a party of chaotic teens?
"Alright then," Elliot claps, pointing over at Derek. "You feeling good enough to take your turn now, or you still... sick?"
"I'm fine," He insists, scooting up in his seat as he spits the first name that comes to mind. "Sam?"
"Dare," the boy answers immediately.
"I dare you to not drink anything tonight."
"Yeah, that's never going to happen." Olivia comments, a shake of her head as she asks if he had ever even met Sam. "He's always one of the drunkest people at every party."
"That's the point." Derek shrugs, and Sam scoffs, questioning why he was trying to ruin his night. "If my nights ruined, then I'm taking yours down with me."
"Why's your night ruined?" Brett asks, glancing up from his phone as he questions the motive behind such a dare. This was supposed to be for fun, not to be petty.
"I threw up enough for one night," he brushes it off. "Don't need a hangover or something to make it worse."
He hums. "Fair enough."
"So, Sam." Elliot presses, amused by the ultimatum as he asks which route his friend would be taking to vomit tonight. "Drink until you choke, another disgusting poison, or... safety?"
Sam narrows his eyes at Derek, who only grins, raising a brow in challenge and Sam huffs. "Safety." He mumbles, defeated as he places his cup onto the table, abandoning the booze with a pout.
"Sasha, truth or-"
"Dare." Sasha finishes, giving her answer before downing her drink. She didn't want to risk leaving it half full if Sam were to follow in Derek's steps.
"I'm not going to put anyone else through the torture of being sober," Sam assures, and Sasha coughs.
"Good to know," she mutters, dropping her cup on the table as she clears her throat.
Willow shakes her head, patting her friend's back as she sighs. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" She comments, and Sasha nods.
"So I've heard."
Sam narrows his eyes, head tilting in thought as he looks between the two girls, an idea striking as he hums. "I dare you two to change clothes."
"What?" Willow asks, making a face as she pauses.
"Switch outfits? I think he means?" Olivia mutters, looking at the two girls on her right.
"I know what he means, I just wanna know why?" Willow says, asking why he would pick such a dare.
Sam shrugs. "'Cause why not?"
"Because it's stupid, that's why," Sasha scoffs.
"Well, if that's how you feel," Sam says, an exaggerated sigh as he stands, walking over to the table of drinks as he goes on. "Then you could just... drink a little more?"
"Yeah, no." Sasha shakes her head, standing and turning to Willow. "Wills?"
"Just a no from me." The DeLaCruz refuses, a shake of her head as she leans back in her seat.
"Wills-"
"I'll start your special drink," Sam decides, moving for the kitchen when Sasha speaks up.
"Don't bother." She tells him. "Wills, come on-"
"No, thanks." Willow declines.
Sasha scoffs once more. "Why not?" She asks, and Willow shrugs.
"I prefer the fishnet." She says simply, and Sasha rolls her eyes.
"Well, I don't," Sasha says, insulting Willow's style once more as she calls them stale and too grunge for her liking. "And I'm still willing to wear them."
"That sucks, 'cause they're mine." Willow says, smiling when Sasha glares.
Sam laughs, declaring he would make that drink now and disappearing into the kitchen.
Sasha frowns, listening to the fridge open and close as she looks back at Willow. "Please, Willow?"
Willow groans, "Sash-"
"Here." Sam cuts in, handing the Paris girl another red solo cup, one containing something Sasha was far less eager to down.
"What's in this?" Sasha asks, a look of disgust as she stares down at the brown liquid.
"Milk, mustard and a little bit of rye."
"Oh, my god-" Sasha gags, "Wills!" She begs, eyes big and full of plea as she looks down at the girl, who cringes. "Wills, please don't make me drink this!"
"I..." Willow mumbles, looking Sasha up and down in debate. As if this night wasn't uncomfortable enough for her. But now she had to wear clothes to make her feel it physically as much as she did emotionally. She sighs at the thought, though nods. "Fine." She agrees. "We'll switch outfits."
"Oh, thank fuck." Sasha breathes, passing the cup off to Sam, who frowns, complaining of how creative he had gotten with this concoction just for her to waste it. "Excuse me if I don't want to drink whatever shitty sewer water's in that cup."
Sam scoffs. "It's not that bad-"
"Fuck off, yes it is." Sasha disagrees, a roll of her eyes as she takes Willow's hand, forcing her off the couch with a huff. "And I refuse to drink it, so... Come on, Wills. Let's go change."
"I hate you for this!" Willow calls over her shoulder, glaring at Sam, who only continues to laugh.
"Okay, just..." Sasha huffs, slamming the bathroom door behind them as she looks Willow up and down. And all she could think was god, she hated that outfit. "Turn and switch, I guess."
Willow sighs, turning without argument as she peels the t-shirt from her chest. She was going to kill Sam.
"Shoes, too." Sasha reminds, listening to her friend groan from behind her.
"I hate this!" Willow complains, though slips free of the boots, prepared to replace them with the much taller ones of her friend. "And your clothes, by the way-" She adds, pulling a face of disgust as she rolls the tube top over her chest, annoyance peeking through as she realizes her bra refused to stay hidden beneath. "I'm going to kill him."
"Oh, I'll help," Sasha is quick to agree, the same disgusted look on her face as she rolls the fishnets up her legs. "These are gross-"
"Shut up," Willow grumbles, pulling the bra out from under the shirt. "And you better give me that jacket."
"It's on the toilet," Sasha points, huffing as she pulls the t-shirt over her head. "Why do you insist on wearing clothes three times your size?" She questions, turning to Willow with a frown as she pulls the black material from her chest, showing the girl how far it could stretch. "Me and you could both fit in this!"
"That's the whole point." Willow grumbles before narrowing her eyes at the girl. "And it's much better than whatever this shit is," she argues, turning to the mirror where she twists the tube top, hands slapping onto the granite of the countertop as she grows even more annoyed at the whole situation- something she didn't think was possible at this point in time. "I mean, how the fuck are you even comfortable in something like this? It's basically a headband!"
Sasha rolls her eyes, arms crossed against her chest as she asks, "So?" She says, nails tapping against her arm. "It's cute."
"It's not cute, it's small." Willow complains, looking back to the mirror with a look of pure discomfort, and it was then that Sasha noticed it.
The Paris girl stares, dark eyes staring at the honey ones that shine in the mirror, drowning in insecurity. I get it, Sasha thinks, dropping her arms as she steps over the skirt and pair of shorts that lay on the tile. "Here," she calls, a soft murmur as she takes Willow's hand. "Let me help you."
Willow sighs as her body is pulled away, forced to turn away from her reflection of humility. "What are you doing?" She sighs, frowning as she watches Sasha smile.
Sasha hushes her as she twirls a strand of Willow's hair, holding the brown locks between her fingers for a moment before she pushes it over Willow's shoulder, quietly asking her to hold it up for a second. Willow nods, head bowing as she reaches back to fist her hair, eyes looking to the floor and traveling down Sasha's almost bare legs in the process.
A lip pulled between her teeth and Willow closes her eyes, internally screaming as she questions what the hell is happening?
Sasha tilts her head, fingers diving between the white material of Willow's top as she twists and turns, centering the black rabbit in the middle of her chest. "You know," she starts, voice a mumble as she lets her hand fall away from the material, landing on the skin of Willow's waist as she stares down at her chest. "This looks really good on you," she compliments, before shrugging and taking a step back. "But then again, what doesn't?"
Willow's eyes widen ever so slightly, the voice in the back of her head cooing over the compliments and her heart melting when she looks up just in time to catch Sasha's eyes- eyes that give a flirty wink. My hearts going to explode, Willow couldn't help but swoon.
Sasha grins as she bends to the ground, picking the plaid skirt up and kneeling as she orders Willow to step into it.
Willow obeys, taking a breath and using the counter as support as she steps into the hole. "I hate skirts," she mumbles, clearing her throat as she feels Sasha's hands trail up her legs, pulling the skirt up with them. Her touch was always so warm.
"I know," Sasha says, pulling her hands out from under the skirts waist line, only for them to settle atop of it instead. Gripping her hips, Sasha uses Willow to pull herself up, not paying her much mind as she lets her gaze fall back down her body, fingers digging into the hem of the skirt as she adjusts it. "But they seem to love you. You always look so good in dresses and skirts. They show off your legs, and your legs are so hot."
Willow blinks, mouth falling open ever so slightly. She had forgotten how blunt her best friend could be. "Okay," Willow mutters, fighting off a blush as she narrows her eyes, asking, "What's up with you? And all these compliments?"
"Nothing's up with me," Sasha is quick to deny, a soft smile as her gaze travels up to those honey eyes she loves. "I just want you to know how beautiful you are."
The blush rises, tinting her pale cheeks pink as she swallows hard. "Thanks?" She mutters, a squeak as she clears her throat. "I, uh... jacket, please," she requests, pointing past Sasha to the leather that covers the toilet seat. "If I'm going to be walking around wearing a headband as a shirt, then I need something that can swallow me whole."
Sasha chuckles, a shake of her head as she swipes the jacket, shoving it into Willow's chest. "I know it's, like, your comfort zone or whatever," Sasha starts. "But you really need to stop hiding under all those baggy clothes."
"I love big clothes," Willow defends with a frown, holding the jacket closed as she wraps her arms around herself. "They're comfy."
"Yeah, but that's not the reason you wear them." Sasha points, giving the girl a look as she bends down, swiping the denim off the ground and dragging the shorts up her legs. "You and I both know why you're using that excuse, and can I just say it's complete bullshit?"
Willow scoffs. "Excuse me?"
"You're gorgeous, Wills. Own it." Sasha tells her. "Grow some confidence, for god's sake. Wear some clothes that fit and show off that beautiful figure!"
"I wear plenty of clothes that fit me perfectly." Willow argues, ignoring the comment of beauty as she reminds Sasha of the dress she had worn just weeks before.
"You say that as if you didn't bitch and moan about it the entire time." Sasha scoffs, taking a seat on the edge of the bathtub to pull on Willow's boots, ordering the girl to do the same.
Willow's nose scrunches, looking down at the tall boots as she leans into the counter, using it to hold herself up as she pushes her feet into the leather and brings up the zippers. "These are stripper boots."
"No, they're not." Sasha rolls her eyes, standing and taking her place before the mirror, fixing her hair and makeup. "Good thing black goes with basically everything. I really didn't want to have to redo my makeup."
A roll of her eyes as she stands and Willow huffs, asking if they could go back to the party. "Oh, or better yet, can we go home?"
"First one." Sasha decides, spinning back to the girl who pouts, eyes roaming her body up and down. "I chose a really good fit for tonight. You're welcome."
Willow narrows her eyes. "So, what? You were just... prepared for this to happen?"
"No," Sasha shrugs it off. "But I don't really care that it did. We both look hot either way."
Willow hums, looking down at herself as she debates the words. Did she? "The only thing I like about this is the leather." She says, and Sasha scoffs a laugh.
"Yeah, figured." She laughs, a shake of her head as she comments how it fits right in with the rest of her aesthetic. "Your style can be very... alternative."
"That's a nice insult." Willow comments, and Sasha furrows a brow, asking where in her words she had heard an insult. "Sash, you once told me I dress like a street rat from hell. You hate everything about my style."
"Or the lack thereof." Sasha tuts, moving forward to force Willow's arms away, telling her to let the jacket open so she could double check her. "Take a look. See if you like it as much as I do." She says, directing her to the mirror and watching as the girl huffs. She can see the way Willow's cheeks heat, and Sasha internally grins.
She was happy to see that even after this time apart, she still seemed to have the same effect on Willow and her body. And damn, did that feel good.
"It looks fine, Sash." Willow mutters, unsure what she was looking for. Both the shirt and the skirt were straight and centered, and the pair of leather boots and that jacket tied the whole look together. To her, the outfit looked fine. If not just on the wrong body.
"It looks more than fine," Sasha insists, resting her chin on Willow's shoulder as she continues to shower her in compliments. "And so do you, by the way."
"Stop," Willow whines. "You're being weird."
"I'm just telling the truth, babes." Sasha shrugs, a teasing grin as she backs away, making way for the door. "But if you insist, then let's just go back to the party. I'm sure they're getting fed up with the wait."
"They probably just think we're fighting or something," Willow excuses.
"Maybe," Sasha doesn't disagree. "But still, they're probably tired of waiting."
"They might not even be waiting."
"Okay, let's just go," Sasha huffs, growing bored with the back and forth. "We've been in this bathroom long enough. They're gonna think we died."
"The only one dying tonight is Sam." Willow insists, following the girl to the stairs.
Sasha hums. "I'm not against that idea."
"Finally!" Sam calls, standing to meet the two glaring girls at the bottom of the stairs. "Took ya long enough. We were about to send a search party."
"To the bathroom?" Willow narrows her eyes, giving the boy a stupid look as she scoffs. "Right. I know this house is kinda big, but it's no labyrinth."
Sam only hums, not bothering to respond as his eyes scan the two. "Hot." He comments, a pleased smile as his eyes flicker between the two.
"Say that to me again and the only thing you're gonna be finding hot is the flames in hell." Sasha threatens, eyes ablaze as she crosses her arms, challenging the boy who only repeats the word.
"And that... was even hotter."
The teenagers around laugh at the scene, Olivia beckoning the two girls over as she declares the fight over, before it could even start. "He's not wrong, though." The blonde girl comments, a smile as she looks the Paris girl up and down. "You look amazing, even though you're probably hating those fishnets."
"They're not that bad." Sasha shrugs it off, taking her seat beside the blonde and pulling Willow down to her other side. "They suit her better, though."
"I think she looks great in skirts."
Willow smiles, giving an awkward nod to the boy who compliments her. "Thanks, Brett." She says, and the boy winks. So much for not flirting.
Sasha's eyes narrow, brows pulling together as she glances between the two. She scoffs, disgust crossing her features as she leans back in her seat. Anyone with eyes could see the jealousy burning behind her eyes, and they knew as she asked about her turn that she was planning on doing something about it. "No one stole my turn, right?" Sasha asks, glancing around for an answer and humming when it's confirmed that no, they had waited for her. "Good." She says. "Brett... truth or dare?"
The boy furrows a brow, eyes narrowing as he stares at the Paris girl, trying to read her. What was she up to? He tried to think, allowing the silence to stretch as he failed miserably at seeing through her and whatever she had planned.
"Tick Tock, Bretty boy," Sasha snaps, fingers clicking as she rushes him. "We don't have all night."
"Well, actually-" Ellie mumbles.
"Shh," Olivia hushes, a silent warning for the innocent friend to not get involved.
Brett huffs. "Truth," he chooses.
Sasha groans, a roll of her eyes as she calls him boring. "But fine," she sighs, faux disappointment as she leans back, eyes wandering in thought. "Is it true that... you've slept with more than half the girls in our high school?" It was a targeted question, one that could've seemed meaningless if not for the glance the Paris had taken at Willow. Was that enough to make him look bad? Sasha wonders.
Brett scoffs. "No, of course not!" He denies, eyes narrowed as he asks, "Where'd you even hear something like that?"
"People talk," she shrugs. "And word is that you're a slut."
Olivia snorts, shaking her head as she quickly jumps in to separate the tension. "Okay, okay." She interrupts. "He said no, there's your answer. Brett, it's your turn."
Willow looks between the two, a whisper to Sasha as asked what that was about. "You're being meaner than usual," she comments, and the Paris shrugs.
"No, I'm not." She disagrees.
"Willow?" Brett asks, and the girl hums. "Truth or dare?"
"Uh," she mumbles. "Truth?"
"Where've you been the past few months?" He asks, circling back to his original question.
"Oh, my god, yeah!" Olivia gasps, turning to the DeLaCruz with a comment of how she's basically been missing. "You haven't been around in so long. People are starting to think you've died."
"Well, I haven't," Willow mutters, a shake of her head as she explains shortly. "I just got suspended, so..."
"For how long?" Ellie frowns, reminding her how it's been weeks since she had last been spotted in school.
"Um... a month, I think?"
"It's been, like, two?" Jess points.
"I know," Willow shrugs. "But I'm dealing with some... family things right now, so, uh... schools been put on hold, I guess."
"Family stuff?" Ellie repeats, asking if everything was alright.
"Mhm," she hums. "Yeah, everything's fine."
"Where's Wes, then?" Derek asks. "Haven't seen him in a while, either."
"He's..." Willow trails, contemplating a lie before she just huffs. "He's busy."
Sasha scoffs. "Busy being an asshole."
"What'd he do?" Sam asks, curiosity growing at the mention of the other half of the DeLaCruz twins.
"Nothing," Willow answers, nudging Sasha in warning to shut her mouth. "He's just busy."
"Mysterious," Jess comments, sipping on her drink.
"What about Sophia?" Lucas asks, taking the group aback with the sudden interest in conversation.
Willow furrows a brow. "What about her?"
"Where's she?"
"Like, tonight or lately?" Olivia asks, adding that she was curious, too. "Haven't seen her around, either. It's like your whole groups disappeared."
"Um, well..." Willow mutters.
"That's 'cause she transferred schools." Sasha answers. "She's a private schooler now."
"Oh, my god!" Olivia gasps. "Really?"
"Aw, that sucks," Ellie mutters, saying she would miss the Connor girl. "She was fun to have around."
"If she's a private schooler now, does that mean she's also a rich kid?" Lucas asks.
"What?" Jess scoffs a laugh. "Your broke ass just wants some money."
"Duh," he shrugs.
"Yeah, she's got money," Sasha confirms. "And you know what else she's got?"
"What?" the boy asks.
"A boyfriend." Willow finishes for her friend, a glare as she reminds the boy who exactly Sophia was dating. "So, back off, will you?"
Lucas only rolls his eyes.
"Okay, anyway." Elliot cuts in, reminding Willow it was her turn. "Take your pick."
"Sash," she picks almost immediately, and the Paris throws her head back with a groan.
"Oh, my god- what?"
"Truth or dare?"
Sasha huffs. "Dare."
"I dare you to-"
"Guess who's back!" The door bursts open and Sasha claps.
"Yes!" The Paris cheers, standing to rush the three who had just saved her from yet another dare. "Thank God!"
Macie laughs. "Hey, Sasha?" She questions, giving the girl a strange look when she greets them, practically throwing her arms around them. "Um- what's up?" She asks, a questioning look to the group who watches amused, watching as Macie awkwardly pats the girl's back. "You know, I'm not really a hugger-"
"Neither am I, but whatever," Sasha brushes it off, pulling away from the girl with the comment of, "You saved my life, though. So, thanks for that."
Macie furrows a brow. "Uh- okay..." She trails. "You're welcome?"
"Yeah, thanks." Sasha pats her shoulder, side stepping the girl to take the bag of booze from Danny, who lingers behind. "Took you long enough."
"A thank you would do," Danny scoffs.
Sasha simply hums, wandering away with the bag as she asks, "What'd you get?"
"Drinks," Macie answers plainly. "But guess what else we got?"
"Or who," Danny corrects, moving aside to let their tag along inside.
"Hey," Cam greets, an awkward smile as he joins the group of his schoolmates.
"Cam!" Willow cheers, quick to stand and greet her second brother. "Hi!"
"Hey, Wills," Cam smiles, pulling the girl into his arms for a much needed hug.
The two embrace, arms wrapped around each other as Willow asks, "Where've you been?" She mutters. "You haven't been at the apartment in a few days. I was starting to get worried."
"I've been around," Cam shrugs. "I'm talking with my mom again."
"Oh, my god- Cam..." Willow sighs, mumbling a warning to the boy of how he had to be careful. He had gone down this road one too many times, and she wasn't sure how the ride would be this time around. "I know it hasn't been that long, but we need to catch up."
The boy hums, a raised brow as he pulls back to suggest, "Smoke break?"
Willow chuckles, nodding as she agrees. "Smoke break."
"We'll be back!" Cam announces, not hesitating to walk back through the door, pulling Willow with him into the chilly night.
The two stand in silence for a moment as Willow accepts one of her beloved cancer sticks. "Thanks," she says, asking if he had a light, too.
Cam chuckles as though nods. "What happened to your stuff?" He asks, passing her a lighter.
"I forgot it all at Sasha's," Willow huffs at the reminder. She had been too busy arguing with the girl to remember to take anything other than her cellphone, which has practically been glued to her hand the past week as she waited for any sign from her twin. The thought of her brother sends Willow's heart to her stomach, and she flicks the lighter, playing with the flame for a moment before bringing it to the tip of her cigarette.
Cam watches her, eyes studying the face he could read like a book. He could see it shining behind her eyes. Something had happened in his absence, and now he needed to figure out what. "Wills," he mutters, hand held out for his lighter.
"Oh," she mumbles, passing it back with a shake of her head. "Sorry."
The boy only hums, lighting his own cigarette and letting the silence sink in as he waits. She would ask something- a question that could give him some insight into what was going on in that head of hers. He just needed to wait for her to spill it.
"So," Willow trails, an awkward laugh as she asks, "What've you been up to? How are things with your mom?"
Cam shrugs. "Fine, I guess." He says, explaining shortly how Shelley has been getting herself sober once more. "She's trying to do it on her own, but I think she's going to end up back in rehab, or something."
"She's trying, though..." the girl mutters, a sad smile as she says, "That's gotta count for something, right?" She asks, a genuine question as she wonders, does effort matter as much as the change? She needed an answer from someone, anyone. It could just help clear up many of the issues in her life.
"For something, maybe." Cam doesn't disagree, shrugging as he goes on. "It's kind of like that thing- it's the thought that counts... I think it's more than that, though."
"What do you mean?" She asks, a furrowed brow as she lets out a cloud of smoke.
"Well, yeah, the thought counts- the effort always means something, 'cause at least they are trying. But... what's it all for if nothing ever changes?" He questions, and Willow couldn't help but frown.
He had a point. What was it all for, if in the end, it's always going to be the same? It all just seemed so pointless.
"Yeah," she nods, a sad smile as she agrees. "Guess that's true, too."
Cam hums, taking a drag from his cigarette before he asks, "Have you heard from your mom yet?"
"Actually, yeah." Willow nods, a small smile at the reminder of that little phone call she had made. For the first time in so long, Willow had some hope in her mother. For the first time in forever, she felt like she actually had one- a mother. And it was relieving that, for once, it wasn't just herself. "We, uh... talked the other day. I think she's coming home soon."
Cam raises a brow. "Really?" He asks, unable to hide his shock.
She nods again, smile faltering as everything comes crashing back in. "She said she'd be home in a week or so," she explains shortly. "Which usually means two, but I'm expecting her to pop up by, like, Wednesday."
"Why not for your birthday?" Cam asks, and Willow shrugs.
"Who would want to be there on a day like that?"
"Her, obviously." Cam scoffs, and Willow rolls her eyes.
"What makes you say that?"
"Wills," he laughs. "Come on. I know she's a shitty mom, but your birthdays something she's never missed yet. Why would this one be different?"
She shrugs once more. "Why wouldn't it be different?" She retorts, pointing out just how much things had changed since last year. "None of which she knows about, by the way." She sighs at the thought. That was just another thing she was dreading.
What would Victoria do when she found out everything her children have been keeping from her?
"Fair enough," Cam mumbles. "But, still. I don't think this is something she- or any of us, are going to miss."
Willow gives a small smile, thanking the boy. "I'd still prefer if we all did, though." She says, continuing the day to come. "I know one person who definitely will." She says, the thought of her twins' absence casting her eyes to the ground.
This is it, Cam thinks. This is what's bothering her. "Who?" He asks, and Willow sighs.
"Wes."
The boy furrows a brow, growing confused as he asks what she meant. "It's his birthday, too." He points. "How could he miss it?"
Willow bites her lip, fighting off the burning behind her eyes at just the mention of this new situation. "I really messed up, Cam." She admits, a sniffle as she flicks the ash of her cigarette. "He's really pissed at me this time. And I don't know how to fix it."
"Wait-" Cam shakes his head. "What do you mean? Wills, what happened?"
The girl shakes her head, taking a deep breath as she mutters an explanation of how she had gotten her twin arrested.
"What?!"
"Well, it's not like I called the police on him, or anything like that." The girl defends weakly, and Cam continues to shake his head, growing even more confused as he asks Willow to fill him in. And so, she explains. She explains how Wes had gone looking for her one night last week, and instead of finding her and the boy she had snuck out to see, he was met by an angry security guard and spent his night chained to a bench at the police station. "I tried to talk it out when he got released but..." She sighs, another sniffle as she wipes at her teary eyes. "He wasn't hearing it. He, uh... He left."
"He- what?" Cam blinks. "He left?" He repeats., bewildered as he stares at the girl who nods.
"Yeah," she says. "He left. I think he's with the rest of the idiots at their hotel."
"Oh, my god- Wills," Cam sighs, dropping his cig to the ground and reaching for the girl, who doesn't fight the way he embraces her. After all the other brother problems in her life, it was good to know that she still had this one. "I'm so sorry. I should've been around, maybe I could have helped-"
"It's not your fault," she mutters, voice muffled into his shoulder as she wraps her arms around him. "And I don't think anyone could have helped. Not even you."
"I still should've been there," Cam mumbles, apologizing once more. "I'm sorry, Wills. I could- I'll try to call him, okay? Maybe he'll listen to me."
Willow shakes her head, pulling back to wipe at her eyes. "No, it's okay." She dismisses. "I don't want you to risk your relationship with him just because I ruined mine."
"That's not true-"
"Besides," Willow cuts him off, a shrug as she leans onto the wall, unwilling to listen to him defend her against herself. "I don't think he'd listen to you even if you tried."
The boy sighs. "Wills-"
"No, no." She shakes her head. "It's okay. I get why he's mad- he has every right to be. He's triggered, and I should've been more careful- more considerate. But I wasn't, and now I just... The least I can do is to be patient and give him his space. Even if it's killing me inside."
The Hansley boy stares, eyes flickering across her face as he debates himself. Does he comfort her or convince her of how wrong she was? This wasn't her fault, despite her believing it was. And if he didn't at least try to convince her of that, it was almost as if he was agreeing with her when it was the complete opposite. Feelings are hard, he thinks as he sighs.
Cam reaches for her once more, pulling her into his side and resting his head on hers. "I'm sorry," he apologizes again.
"Me too."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he says simply, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "And I'm gonna tell Wes the same thing."
"No-"
"Yeah," Cam cuts her off, rolling his eyes when Willow pulls away to argue. "Don't even try," he warns. "I'm gonna at least text him either way, so... don't."
Willow stares for a moment before she huffs. "Fine," she accepts. "But, please. Choose your words carefully, alright? He's not okay, and I'm scared to make it worse."
"It's fine, Wills." He assures, promising he'd be careful. "What about you, though?"
Willow frowns. "What about me?" She asks.
"Well, how are you doing?" He asks. "I mean, I don't think you'd just magically be okay right now, either."
"I'm fine," she tries, forcing a smile as she glances back at her cigarette, watching it burn away.
"You always say that," he scoffs. "And you almost never actually are."
"Wow, okay," Willow scoffs a laugh. "Way to call me out."
He shrugs. "It's just the truth."
"No, it's not." She insists. "I promise, I'm fine."
"Oh, so now you're lying for real?"
The girl purses her lips, a click of her tongue before she huffs. "Okay, maybe I'm not completely fine," she admits. "But I'm not dying, or anything. So, really, if you think about it, I'm actually pretty okay-"
"Yeah, sure," the boy rolls his eyes. "You're alive, and for now, I guess that's enough."
Willow furrows a brow. "Okay?" She mutters. "I'm glad my existence is just enough to meet your standards."
"I mean, you could use some work, but for now, I guess you're cool-"
"Shut up!" Willow laughs, slapping the boy's arm as he chuckles.
"Alright, alright," he laughs. "You're okay- I believe you. Just..." He pauses, taking a breath as he grows serious. "Promise you'll tell me when you're not?"
Willow stares for a moment, before she grows a small smile. It felt nice, having at least one of her brother's care. None of the others seemed to. "Yeah," she agrees, a nod as she reaches for his hand, giving it a squeeze as she thanks him. "I promise."
"Good," he says, squeezing her hand and taking a breath. "Now, how about we go drink away our problems?"
"The first words of every alcoholic ever," Willow scoffs a laugh, taking a final drag of her smoke before dropping it to the ground, stomping it on it. "But, sure. I already promised Sasha I'd at least try to have a good time tonight."
"You should," he tells her. "You deserve it."
"I don't know about that," Willow disagrees. "But it kind of sounds nice, so..."
He hums, pulling her along with him as he makes a move for the door. "It does," he agrees. "So, let's make it happen, yeah? We can worry about everything else tomorrow."
"Okay," Willow mutters with a sigh, allowing the boy to pull her through the girl, reuniting them with the group of teens who cheers at their reappearance, declaring that the game of Truth Or Dare could now be continued
They sit, Willow sandwiching herself between her closest companions, while everyone scoots down the couch to make room. She sighs, snuggling into Cam's side as he places an arm around her. "One night," he whispers the reminder, seeing her discomfort already.
She nods. A mumble as she echoes, "One night."
One night to relax and let go- to be the normal teenager she's always wanted to be. Her problems would still be her problems tomorrow, and really, how bad could one night be?
It was a rhetorical question, but she should have known better than to so much as ask.
Willow DeLaCruz was such a jinx.
---
This is so anticlimactic but I swear there's going to be some drama real soon.
Anyway, I'm back from the dead. Sorry for disappearing the way that I did, but I wasn't doing well and I really needed to take a step back to work on my mental health. It's still a work in progress but I missed writing Willow and decided to try to come back to finish this chapter, so here I am. I'm starting the next chapter soon but I don't think it'll be out for another couple of weeks - maybe two or three.
So, about this chapter. Wilasha had a moment... love that for them.
Brett... well, he's a flirt. Don't take him too seriously.
Cam's back! I missed him so much, he's one of my favs for sure. And his and Willow's dynamic??? I love them.
But anyway, thanks for reading, so sorry for the wait but I hope you enjoyed<3