(1) Shelly's Lakehouse Party

<u>A Generation Ago: Late July</u>

The gorgeous, sun-kissed blonde scrunched up one shoulder, then the other. Squeezing her lips together tightly, she dropped her shoulders and thrust her buxom chest forward. With blue eyes studying the reflection in her bedroom mirror, Bridget Fallon sighed in uncertainty. Then, swinging around, the athletic cheerleader looked over her shoulder to check out how her toned ass appeared in the plum-colored bikini bottoms. A second sigh followed as she swept her long, caramel blonde hair over the opposite shoulder.

"I don't know."

"I don't know what? That bikini looks fabulous on you," an insistent voice stated.

"I know that I want to look perfect for Shelly's party," Bridget replied.

As an incoming senior, she had plans to make her final year at Honey Hollow High School a memorable one. Unlike other get-togethers so far this summer, this party wasn't a graduation celebration. And Shelly Penfold's parties had developed a reputation as the best-of-the-best over the last five years plus.

"You're always perfect," the insistent voice responded, the eye roll almost able to be heard.

"I think I'm going to go with my white bikini," Bridget revealed, shocking neither of her two closest friends in the room.

"Isn't that the bikini that shows off your nipples when it gets wet," Lauren Caputo inquired.

A brunette with medium-length, light-brown hair cut in a bob and an athletic figure fitting for a recently graduated cheerleader, Lauren and Bridget were good friends, but she sometimes felt mystified by the younger blonde's behavior. Her blue eyes glanced over to where one of Bridget's BFFs didn't bother to hold in a snicker.

"Could be," Bridget played coy with a smirk.

"And while I've taught you well, you should wear the plum bikini. Purple is my favorite color," Gabriela Ariza, the owner of the insistent voice, declared, hugging Bridget from behind. "Damn, that's one sexy bitch in the mirror."

"Purple's your favorite color? I had no clue," Bridget jokingly played dumb.

While the two girls had known each other for seemingly forever because of their fathers, they didn't grow close until two years ago. The cheer squad had a tradition of upperclassmen helping ease in the newcomers on the junior varsity squad by picking one to take under their wing. So of the ten girls on the sophomore squad, Gabby chose Bridget as her little cheersister to mentor. A decision that to this day concerned Bridget's mother.

Sexy and sassy with long, wavy black hair, dark brown eyes, large breasts, a toned ass, and olive skin, Gabby had a reputation as a notorious flirt and tease. Most guys never complained as they knew the flirting and teasing led to the real deal just enough times to give everyone hope. Taking after her mentor somewhat, Bridget often appeared in the fantasies of her classmates as they hoped she'd assume Gabby's sultry school role.

"Oh, shut it," Gabby replied to the blonde's joke. "Plum looks good on you, and I'm opting for something different tonight." She gestured to the skimpy, silver string bikini currently lying on the bed.

"Sorry, I'm going with my favorite," Bridget proclaimed in a this-is-final voice.

"Whatever. It probably won't be on long," the dark-haired vixen responded.

"A lot longer than yours," Tinsley Day speculated, adding another snicker. The comment and laughter earned her a sharp glare from Gabby, but that didn't bother Tinny. Instead, she kept on lazily skimming Bridget's latest copy of Seventeen that arrived in the mail today.

"Alright, it's my turn," Lauren announced, hoping to head off an argument between the two fiery young women. Pointing to the bikini she currently wore, she asked, "Should I go with this coffee brown one or my yellow bikini."

"Coffee's hot, so go with that," Gabby voted.

"Really? That's your reason?" Tinsley mocked, glancing up from the magazine. "Definitely the yellow, Lo."

"The brown is sexier. Go with that one, Ren," Bridget voted. As the two girls had bickered over what nickname was cooler for Lauren for the past two years, Bridget stuck her tongue out at Tinny.

"Well, I guess it's two-to-one, so--" Lauren stopped as the bedroom door opened.

Stepping quickly inside, a striking young woman with ginger red hair, green eyes, large-to-very large breasts, and a firm ass slammed the door shut tightly. That caused a frustrated groan from out in the hallway.

"Get away from the door, brat!" Bridget yelled, knowing who made the groan. Footsteps stomped away loudly, satisfying the bedroom owner.

"And where the hell have you been? Get lost once we walked inside the house, did you?" Gabby questioned the new arrival.

"I stopped and said hi to Beverly," Rachel McCracken revealed, referring to Bridget's older sister. "She really has changed. I'm sorry for not believing you two," she said to Bridget and Tinsley."

"Wicked Witch of the West," Tinny muttered, not looking up from the article.

"Tell me about it. It's going to be two years this fall since The Breakup, and she's still so bitter. You think having a replacement boyfriend for almost a year would help soften the blow," Bridget remarked.

"There ain't no replacing Harvey Diamond," Gabby remarked. "This Giancarlo must suck in bed if Bev is still pissed off over her ex."

"He's sure pussy whipped," Tinny commented. "Last time he was here, Giancarlo followed Bev around like a servant. Even Brandy asked him if he was funny in the head or some shit."

"Tinsley!" Rachel admonished, reverting to her recent role as cheerleader captain. Then, noticing the bikini that Lauren wore and the other in her hand, she commented, "Ooh, I love your yellow bikini. Are you wearing it today?"

"That's a tie. And since it's my favorite, that's the tiebreaker," Lauren announced, reaching behind to unsnap the coffee brown bikini.

"You talked to Beverly all that time? You poor, poor woman. Here, sit down," Gabby said to her best friend, leaning over to pat the bed.

"No, Mrs. Fallon stopped me, and I talked her to for most of the time," Rachel replied, motioning away the offer.

"What did she want?" Bridget questioned sharply. Her mind swiftly shuffled through every single item that her mother might be suspicious about.

"It wasn't like that, Bee," Rachel assured her. "She wanted to know what was taking the administration so long with announcing the new cheer coach."

"Yeah, what's up with that?" Lauren queried.

"Do you know anything?" Bridget's interest perked up.

"It's that old bitch, I tell ya," Tinny stated, throwing the magazine down.

"Tinsley!" Rachel started to scold, but the petite brunette continued.

"I'm not going to apologize for calling her an old bitch. Kessler deserves it. She tried to ban Cassie from cheer practices. If anything, I hope she dies early in retire--"

"Okay, that's enough, Tin," Bridget ordered her co-BFF. Then, turning toward Rachel, she basically asked the same question. "Is Coach Kessler the reason for the delay?"

Under normal circumstances, the cheerleader tryouts along with the elections for the captain and co-captain would be held at the end of the previous school year. Unfortunately, an incident the past school year led to a mini-mutiny on the squad as Coach Kessler attempted to ban Cassandra Bank from cheer practices. As the co-BFF of Bridget and Tinsley, the bookish Cassie usually read a novel on the sidelines while working as the unofficial student manager of the squad. She'd have water, bandages, and a pep talk ready for anyone that needed them. It was the same help she provided when her friends were on the sophomore squad. Coach Stall, the assistant cheerleading coach, who was in charge of the JV squad, not only didn't mind Cassie's presence, she encouraged it.

Needless to say, the twentysomething Miss Stall had different ideas than the sixtyish Mrs. Kessler. The issue came to a head two months into the school year. Responding to Cassie's ban, the majority of the varsity squad boycotted practice. Once they expanded the boycott to a football game, the school administration got involved. The extended Kessler family filled various roles in the school system, so it appeared that she'd win due to those connections. Fortunately for the girls, the Wynwick name carried more weight around Honey Hollow. So Sela Wynwick, the squad's co-captain, marched into the big meeting and declared that she would quit the squad in protest. Once Sela revealed that she'd also go straight to the local newspaper to explain the reason why, the school's principal worked out a compromise. It was a compromise in name only, as the girls got what they wanted with Cassie staying at practices. A humiliated Kessler announced her retirement effective at the end of the school year.

Everyone assumed that Miss Stall would be promoted. So much so that the girls were shocked when it kept getting delayed. With August fast approaching and the usual first official cheer practice, the wannabe cheerleaders had started to show the stress they felt. Tryouts had to be held soon, not only for varsity but also to get the incoming sophomore squad members selected and up to speed. Usually, the new squad would spend the summer holding unofficial practices in June and July while the upperclassmen picked whom to mentor. Without knowing who would be on the squad or the captains, those crucial events hadn't occurred.

"I'm not entirely sure," Rachel admitted. "I think Coach Kessler's friends are trying to create a situation to embarrass Miss Stall or whomever the new coach will be."

"Oh, that's exactly what's going on," Lauren chimed in. "I talked to Kessler just yesterday. And--no, no, not our old coach, but Barnabas Kessler!" Lauren swiftly denied, meaning their classmate. "Actually, I ran into him and his brother at Luigi's. But, whatever, that doesn't matter. What matters is that his side of the family can't stand Coach Kessler's side. So he gave me some dirt."

'And what is it?" Bridget asked impatiently.

"It turns out that our old coach's niece works down at the school administration building. She's supposedly a **** to be reckoned with and is looking for payback for her aunt. I'm not sure; I think her name is Vutcher," Lauren recounted what she'd heard.

"The Butcher? Oh, no, this isn't good," Rachel fretted. Knowing that she needed to explain, she began. "That's Vutcher's nickname around some of the school offices, according to my mom." Everyone nodded as they knew that Mrs. McCracken worked as a grade-school teacher. "She's supposedly a real stickler for following the rules and a tight budget. That's gained her allies downtown at the administration building but a lot more enemies around the various schools."

"Well, they need to make a decision soon. They can't keep on putting it off much longer," Bridget pointed.

"Yeah, and who else is a choice besides Stall," Tinny pointed out. Sure, they'd heard some names but nothing that sounded serious.

"I don't know. Having a recent cheerleader would be cool, and Topaz wants to help out someday as maybe an assistant, but not now. She'd just had little Tuesday last year. Teaching and raising a toddler is already too much work without raising some of you too." Of course, everyone knew Rachel meant Tinny. "But we'll find out next week. I don't know what day, but I heard next week for sure."

"About time. We need to hold tryouts. I feel terrible for the girls that might be on the bubble and the incoming sophomores. They're going to be so behind," Bridget worried, unknowingly sounding like the squad captain.

"Yeah, this clusterfuck already cost you girls Nadia," Lauren said, referring to one of the sophomore squad cheerleaders from last year. Nadia had decided to join one of her good friends by switching to the dance squad.

"That's on Annette for not keeping an eye on her little cheersister," Gabby remarked. "I hate that you lost Nadia. She can shake that ass."

"And don't forget Josie Jinkerson. That girl has some serious skills. I wanted her as the sophomore squad captain. But she jumped at Gemma's offer to join the Sugarbees," Bridget complained.

"I'm not disappointed. Josie is an ambitious bitch. She tried to get voted co-captain of the Sugarbees! Co-captain as a frigging sophomore! As if Gemma would let Didi get knifed in the back like that," Tinny stated, showing a little too much interest in the inner workings of the rival dance squad. It's almost as if she didn't want anyone but herself to get one over on her hated rival, Didi Bing.

"Yep, I'm sure those elections for captain are going to be sooo difficult. Oh, I wonder who it will ever be," Gabby pondered loudly and sarcastically. All the time, she nodded her head at the oblivious Bridget as the other girls grinned.

"Oh, and whoever the new captain is will need an energetic co-captain. Someone with the energy to help run those rushed practices while keeping the new girls in line," Lauren mimicked Gabby's previous talk while nodding in the direction of Tinsley.

Unlike her best friend, Tinny saw the innuendo and appeared horrified by the suggestion. Shaking her head, she mouthed, "No way" at the idea. Rachel also shook her head no at the notion of Tinny being in charge of anyone.

"It's too crowded in here. I'm going to go change in the bathroom," Tinsley announced, looking around for her bag and an excuse to flee the conversation.

"Who's going to be the captains? You need to talk louder!" came the complaint from the other side of the bedroom door.

Everyone but Bridget laughed as the blonde stared daggers at the door.

"Stop eavesdropping, or I'm going to tell Mom!"

"I'll handle her," Tinny said, holding out a hand to stop Bridget from marching out into the hallway. Instead, the petite brunette slipped out the door and swiftly shut it. But not before they heard her say, "Okay, what do you want to know?"

"Dammit, Tin, stop encouraging her!"

---

"Ta-da!"

"Ahhh! I'm blinded!" Gabby screamed.

"Are you supposed to be an alien from outer space?" Lauren asked.

"Hardy, har, har. Bunch of fucking comedians in here," Tinsley shot back after re-entering the bedroom.

A petite girl with medium-length, light brown hair with soft curls, hazel eyes, medium-sized breasts, and a tiny, tight ass, Tinny wore a neon green bikini. A very bright neon green bikini.

"Maybe you should give that to Cassie so that she can be a leprechaun for Halloween," Bridget joked.

"Oh, fuck off, Bee. Not every girl has big tits for the boys to go gaga over. I need to grab their attention."

"There's grabbing their attention, and then there is scaring them away, and that is the latter, girl," Gabby commented. "What else did you bring?"

"My orange bikini."

"Wear the orange one, Tin," Bridget said, feeling guilty for teasing her next-door neighbor and close friend. "It showcases your fantastic ass."

"It is asstastic, isn't it?" Tinny grinned.

"Well, how about this rare bikini?" Rachel inquired.

"Ahhh! It's alive!" Gabby screamed in horror. "Kill it before it spreads!"

"Oh, my," Lauren sounded, raising a hand to cover her mouth.

Tinsley threw a hand over her mouth as she began to gag. At first, Rachel was pissed, but as the petite brunette's face turned paler and her gags turned to dry heaves, the concerned redhead moved closer to her.

"Tinny, are you alright?"

"Maybe it's the lunch we had at the mall," Bridget remarked. "You better not puke in my bedroom."

Tinny grew increasingly louder until he dropped her hand from her mouth. Along with that came a retching sound.

"Oh, no! I puked out a pile of pastels!" the brunette cried.

"Very funny," Rachel responded, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm missing you the least, young lady."

"But, Mother, what will I do with you away at college!" Tinny moaned before dropping onto the bed and rolling around with laughter.

"She's right. Your bikini does look like someone puked out pastels," Lauren remarked.

"There is no way you thought that looked good," Gabby said suspiciously as she stared at the pink and blue pastel floral bikini.

"You said I had to wear a bikini for the party. This was the only one I could find that fit," Rachel explained with an overly innocent face. It didn't last long as she descended into a giggle fit.

"Fine! Wear your damn one-piece," Gabby hissed, knowing that her best friend got one over on her.

"I guess you don't get everything you want, Gabs," Rachel replied, smirking.

"I know I don't! I wanted to wear that sexy leopard-print bikini I bought last week, but, oh, I know that Carmella will probably wear something similar. And I'm not looking like a copycat of that bitch."

"Cassie's here," Bridget announced after glancing out her bedroom window. "We better get a move on it before my mom corners her for a talk too."

"So we're still taking three cars?" Rachel doublechecked.

"Right. I'll go scoop up Miranda and Annette," Lauren responded.

"And you're getting Shayla?" Rachel asked Bridget and Tinsley.

"Uh, no. She's driving with Maura, Bailey, and a few other soph--I mean, soon-to-be juniors," Bridget corrected herself. "Do you want us to grab Kimberly or Rain?"

"No, no, we can still get them. It's probably better if we have extra space. That way, if anyone wants to leave early, not everyone has to leave with who they came with," Gabby jumped in before Rachel.

"Yeah, we're going to make sure that doesn't happen with our ride," Tinny stated, nodding in unspoken agreement with Bridget.

Swiftly grabbing their bags, the five girls exited the bedroom and headed toward the stairs. A couple of steps down, they heard the doorbell ring and assumed it was Cassie. However, by the time they reached the bottom, Beverly called for her mother.

"Mom, there's a police officer at the door!"

Skidding to a halt, Bridget feared the worst. Her father worked as a private investigator and had a poor relationship with the Honey Hollow Police Department. Usually, if HHPD wanted Seamus Fallon, they'd stop by his office, but his family always feared a visit to inform them that he'd landed in the hospital again or worse.

"Don't worry, your dad's indestructible," Tinny reassured her best friend.

Resuming her walk, Bridget turned the corner simultaneously as her mother exited the kitchen. They shared unspoken concerns as Pepper Fallon hurried toward the front door. She wasted little time before questioning her husband's well-being.

"Um, this visit isn't about your husband, ma'am," the young cop assured her in surprise. He seemed thrown off by all the beautiful women in his sightline. "I'm here about a complaint lodged against your daughter."

Immediately, Pepper and Beverly turned to look down the hall at Bridget.

"I didn't do anything!" Bridget denied, truthfully.

"Uh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Fallon," the officer started back up after everyone turned their attention back to him. "I was told your daughter was much younger."

"Oh, fudge," came a whispered moan from on the stairs. Light footsteps climbing the stairs followed.

"Brandy!" Mrs. Fallon yelled, ready to pull her hair out over her eight-year-old daughter's latest antics.

"Let's go out the back door," Bridget suggested, receiving nods back from everyone but Gabby.

"No way. I wanna see what she did now."

"And get stuck here? If Mom gets going, I don't want to be caught in the crossfire," Bridget said from past experience.

"Shit, I hope Teddy isn't involved," Tinny groaned after everyone exited the house. Her twelve-year-old brother often found himself babysitting the youngest Fallon sister so that Bridget didn't have to.

"Your brother's a doll," Bridget responded. "If anything, I bet Brandy ditched Teddy before she did what she did."

The driver's side door to an ancient-looking VW Beetle opened.

"Bridget, what did you do now?"

"Gee, thanks, Cass. You're as bad as my mom and sister." Then, throwing up her arms, the blonde asked, "Why does everyone think I'm the one in trouble."

"Because I know you," Cassie replied, glancing around at the other nodding girls.

"I mean, there was prom..." Lauren trailed off as Bridget shot her a withering glare.

"Ooh! And you caused your own personal fireworks just the other week for the 4th of July," Tinsley pointed, not bothered at all by Bridget turning that glare onto her. "And let's see...there was spring break, and Valentine's Day, and New Year's Eve, and--"

"And you were involved in every single one of those nights!" Bridget pointed out.

"Well, yeah. How else would I know that you got down and dirty if I wasn't right beside you?" Tinny questioned.

"Gawd, I'm going to hate to see what your kids will be like," Rachel groaned, looking at Tinny but meaning Bridget too.

"What about mine?" Gabby asked, earning laughter from all her friends.