Checking in with the Rivals

"Tacky...unladylike," Sienna commented, watching the three Sugarbees lick Sean's neck and face.

A mix of a sharp breath and a sniffle sounded from her side.

"Jealous?! I've never been jealous over any guy, Rylee," the ice queen stated, earning a slight head shake from her best friend. "Oh, regretful. Why would I be that?"

The petite golden blonde motioned ever so slightly as if counting.

"No, I don't regret rejecting Sean those times. I have high standards."

Rylee tilted her head incrementally to glance at the ceiling.

"Too high?! How are my standards too high? I don't see you with a boy--Oh, gawd, I'm sorry, so sorry." Sienna's haughty tone shifted abruptly upon seeing her ultra-shy friend's crestfallen expression.

The self-confident blonde immediately led Rylee to their table, motioning for her to sit while Sienna worked to soothe the dateless girl.

"I know, I know, I didn't mean it like that, Ryls. It's okay. We'll find a nice guy for you someday soon. One that...understands your personality. I promise." Sienna paused after Rylee offered a half-smile. "I guess we all have our standards. I just want a handsome, intelligent, kind, ambitious, and charismatic man with leadership skills. Oh, he also needs to be a solid conversationalist. I can't overshadow him too easily. Now is that too much to ask for?"

Rylee's slight smile morphed into a grimace. Then, her eyes flickered back toward the section of the dance floor that they'd just left.

"Sean? No, Sean Tarver does not meet those necessary qualities, Ryls. I don't see it." Sienna understood the next gesture. "Well, I don't know who does! That's what life is about, finding the proper partner."

A playful expression passed over Rylee's face momentarily before she raised her shoulder, pumped out her chest, and mimicked running her hands through her hair.

"Fletcher?! Have you been drinking? You better not be. You have zero tolerance," Sienna scolded while shaking her head at her giggling BFF. "My cousin? I'm not my mother, and Fletch is...you know how he is."

One of the pair's usual silences descended on them as they people-watched.

"A fight? Yes, I'm aware of it," the ice queen responded to the shy girl's questioning expression. All around them, ball-goers chatted about the events outside the hotel. "Seems like an insult to Mrs. Singer. I should make a note of the individuals involved. Their lack of decorum shall eliminate their presence from my future social plans."

A finger lightly tapped the table. Still standing alongside it, Sienna looked down at the sitting Rylee.

"You are aware of my plans for the future."

The finger continued to tap softly.

"I do like people. They can be...necessary. Well, I do."

A second tapping finger began to alternate with the first.

"Yes, I'm aware that I should be polite to people. And yes, if I'm not, then I won't be an influential woman in Honey Hollow."

Multiple fingers began to drum on the table.

"It's not that simple, Rylee. Have you talked to the people we know? They're simpletons!"

The drumbeat picked up the pace.

"Oh, really? I bet you'd be singing a different tune if I had taken over the Bumble Girls. Stop that!" Sienna hissed, causing her friend to do so. "You'd hate socializing with those pretentious bitches just as much, if not more than I would."

Rylee's forlorn expression caused her BFF to feel a smidgeon of guilt.

"Fine. I'll make an effort to socialize more for the rest of senior year," Sienna promised. "However, I want a list of names that insulted Cassandra's Story Society tonight. I think Orrin Rusk should be placed at the top." She paused while Rylee gestured a point. "Yes, Aurora is nice to you. Alright, I won't blame her for her father's uncouthness. Perhaps we'll assign sole blame to Austin. Fine! I won't blame anyone for their parents' actions. That takes--Oh, we're making an exception for that one."

Rylee followed Sienna's gaze to see Olena entering the ballroom. With many guests out in the lobby checking out the commotion, they had a reasonably good sightline to the grand entrance.

"She's up to one of her schemes; I know it. Besides whatever political nonsense her uncle has up his sleeveless shirt. Didn't I tell you that when we found out she skipped the Bumble families' party?"

Rylee turned her hand so her palm faced upward.

"No, I don't always say that. Well, it's not my fault if Olena's always scheming. Are you going to claim that she's not? I didn't think so. There is no doubt that conniving--What? Coming this way?"

The pair of friends watched as the white-haired teenager marched to their table. Sienna thought it fortunate that she'd never sat down. With a girl like Olena, it was always best to meet her eye to eye. About a half dozen paces behind, Veronica struggled to catch up to her friend.

"Sorry, Olesky. My family doesn't offer donations to crass, uncultivated people seeking handouts. Try the Diamonds' table," Sienna remarked, gesturing toward the empty spot.

"Sharp words matter little against sharp blades, Thirlby. Remind your mother of that as well," Olena hissed, coming to a halt mere inches from Sienna.

"My mom? What did she do, critique your ugly dress?" Sienna inquired with an amused tone.

Veronica gasped at the insult directed at her friend and leader.

"Don't act witty with me. Your mother better watch what she says to mine," Olena warned.

"We honestly don't have a clue as to what you mean," Sienna stated, glancing over at Rylee with her still amused expression.

"Feigning ignorance doesn't work. I know better. And if your bastard cousin's slutty stepsister and your featherbrained bimbo of a cousin ever fabricate lies about Regis again, I'll ruin them. I will burn their lives down to the ground," Olena threatened, jabbing a finger in front of Sienna's face.

With a deep sigh, Sienna inquired if she meant Poppy and Stephanie.

"Who else?!"

"First off, do not wave this in my face," Sienna stated, grabbing Olena's finger. She jerked it down with a twist. "Second, don't ever threaten my cousin or stepcousin again. Poppy is not a slut--except to maybe your virgin eyes--and Steph is not an airhead."

Rylee eeked in surprise. Veronica trembled in fear of Olena's reaction.

Olena glared, upset that Sienna had touched her.

"And drop the tough bitch act, Olena. I know you're frightened of me."

The white-haired teen gave a hearty laugh at Sienna's suggestion. Veronica's eyes flickered with deep concern toward the chuckling teen.

"Frightened? Oh, Sienna, you're not even on my level. We both know that's why you didn't even put up a fight. Whitney is a far more worthy adversary than you."

"Is that so? I don't ever see you marching over to confront and threaten Diamond. It doesn't match your self-view as a puppetmaster controlling the school from the shadows. Nor does it match with your love of veiled threats to scare schoolgirls into submission," Sienna remarked, leaving Veronica in shock. "Making that move towards me shows I'm correct. I rattle you. Whitney's emotions and moves are as clear as day. I, on the other hand, mystify you. You still don't understand what I think or what makes me tick. That's why my disinterest in the leadership of the Bumble Girls is perplexing."

"No, it's not. You knew I'd win and were afraid of the humiliation," Olena replied confidently. "I'm better than you at everything. Including your ice queen schtick."

"Not at all. Whitney might be the school's queen bee, but I'll be the true royal in the future. You're nothing but a pest. Buzz around and annoy us. However, you know what happens to pests that get too obnoxious or troublesome, right? They get swatted." Sienna raised a hand as if ready to do so. "Push me too far, and I'll snatch your precious accomplishment out of your hands."

"This is all so fascinating. Tell me more," Olena goaded, grinning at the challenge.

"You talk about my humiliation, but imagine yours if you lost control of the Bumble Girls before the school year is over. Don't mistake my indifference for weakness. I've never labeled myself the ice queen, but I will chill every aspect of your life that warms your heart," Sienna stated, sounding sinister. She managed to ignore Rylee's failing to hold in a grin at the over-the-top line.

"Oh, goody!" Olena clapped her hands together. "You want a war!"

Veronica straightened her stance, uplifted by Olena's confidence.

"Mock it all you want. Just know if you come after me, your whole web of lies will crumble. People will finally witness the real scared little girl who sees herself as a black-hearted bitch. You already don't have any real friends."

Veronica started to feel faint as Sienna hit a bullseye at the truth.

"As if you do!" Olena cackled. "I don't have any weaknesses. You and your family do."

Sienna saw the eye flicker toward Rylee. She acted immediately to snuff out the potential threat.

"Rylee? You think Rylee is my weakness? Gawd, you are clueless. Don't view her shyness as a flaw. My best friend is a cipher. She can read people like no other. And if you think she's frail, try her. You know her mom, so if you think Rylee doesn't have a sleeping hellcat ready to burst out, it's your funeral."

Thrown off by Sienna's vehement tone, Olena turned her warning toward Sienna's extended family.

"Who? Fletcher? Are you going to seduce Fletch as part of some ill-advised scheme? Good luck with that," the only child laughed. "The blowback that comes your way will be hurricane-like. So go ahead, sleep with my cousin. He'll gladly boast to the heavens about it."

"You--I'll...drop dead!" Olena screeched before storming off.

Veronica's head swiveled between Sienna and her departing friend. Then, after a long two seconds, she scurried after Olena.

"What?" Sienna questioned Rylee's expression. "I told the truth. I do see you as I said. Well, maybe I exaggerated your traits, but the potential is there." Another gesture prompted a different response. "Of course, I call Poppy a slut and Steph a ditz all the time. But Steph is family and better than most, I guess. Fine! Poppy is kinda family, too...a shirttail relative. Don't tell her I said that!"

Rylee didn't look as pleased as Sienna expected. Then, with a furrowed brow, the shy girl mouthed a name.

"Berry? Oh, right. Olena could cause trouble for her as she's a Bumble Girl. And she and Aidan are technically my closest cousins in town after Fletch. Hmm, have you seen Berry lately? I'd better warn her. Hmm, wait, we can use this...yes, we! You're in this, too. Okay, we need to think of something to tell Berry about Olena. I don't know. We make up a threat. Then, Berry will rush off and message Teagan. The Tuppences are at the Bumble New Year's Eve party so that Teagan could pass it on to the other girls there with their families."

Rylee appeared uncertain about the plan. With her face scrunched up, she let her BFF know her doubts.

"I don't--wait...I got it. We plant a rumor that Olena's planning to change the voting structure for the next leader. Naturally, the girls will freak out--maybe some of their parents as well--as the current setup is a tradition." Sienna paused as more possibilities arose. "We need a way for Quilla and Cheyenne to hear about this change. Make it sound like they are getting cut out of the voting as they aren't fully-active members. Now, how to get them to hear it?"

Sienna's plan to mess with Olena, along with Rylee's ****, was put on hold when an older woman approached to join the duo.

"I'm delighted to see you and Olena socializing, honey," Didi Kittle said, squeezing her daughter's arm. "Alexis was always the bright spot on her squad in high school. And it's great to see you branching out. You could use more friends. What were you discussing?"

Rylee twitched her nose, confusing her mother.

"I'm sorry; what?"

"Apparently, my mom and Mrs. Olesky had words out in the lobby. Olena threatened me, and Rylee came to my defense," Sienna explained, passing along a slightly alternate version of events.

"You did what?" Didi questioned, staring at her shy daughter in shock.

"Yes, Rylee threatened to bring out the claws if it descended into a catfight. Why the surprised expression, Mrs. Kittle? Isn't that what you would've done for your best friend?"

Didi hesitated with her answer. For Gemma or any of her close friends, she'd have launched herself forward in an attack at any spoken threat toward them. Unfortunately, her daughter turned out to be a wallflower. So she sensed something off with Sienna's storytelling.

"Um, well, okay. Honey, have you seen your brother recently?" Didi queried, changing the subject. "I have a wonderful woman that Reece just has to meet."

Rylee clucked her tongue.

"Meddling? I am not meddling in your brother's romantic life. How could I when he doesn't have one? A handsome young man like him should be out having the time of his life," Didi said, transitioning into a common complaint. "He's surrounded by gorgeous girls."

Rylee made her point with her hands out in front of her.

"No, I know what Reece is up to. Don't tell me I don't know about my own son," Didi argued after Rylee commented about her not knowing. "He's too preoccupied with that cheerleader! Yeah, yeah, I know she never was one, but no son of mine is going to wallow after a cheer princess. And that's what Peyton Tarver is. Cheerleaders and their children are nothing but a bane to my existence. No offense, Sienna."

"Offense taken, but I'll let it slide, Mrs. Kittle."

Rylee giggled at her best friend's comeback.

"I don't know what I did to deserve kids like mine, plus you," Didi remarked, adding the last comment toward Sienna. She loved her children, but Rylee turned out to be the exact opposite of herself. Also, Reece continued to confuse his mother. She knew her attractive son liked girls, but seemed too laid back around them.

"Oh, I'm sure you did plenty to earn us, Mrs. Kittle," Sienna teased, recalling stories she'd heard from her mom's friends.

"Ohmigawd! Didi, you won't believe it. It finally happened," Gemma Harlow squealed, racing over to her best friend. "Guess!"

"I don't know. I'm busy dealing with Reece's limited dating life and Rylee's non-existent one," Didi replied.

Rylee turned her head in concern toward Sienna. The last time her mom tried to set her up with a boy, it had failed miserably. The Thirlby scion raised a reassuring hand.

"Just tell me."

"You're no fun," Gemma grumbled before looking ready to jump for joy. "The bitch's marriage just fell apart. Like right this minute. I told you everything wasn't peachy in that household when Leonard no-showed tonight."

"Bridget's getting divorced?"

"The word came down a few minutes ago, and she just reappeared. The cheer squad is all playing up the sympathy shit. Let's go gloat," Gemma suggested, rubbing her hands together in glee at her high school rival's fortune.

"Do you think she cheated on him?" Didi asked. "Harvey appeared pretty chummy with her tonight. Let's go ask!"

"Mother."

Spoken at a normal, room conversation level, Rylee's admonishment came off as a shout for her. It caused Didi to send her daughter a contrite, apologetic look. Gemma rolled her eyes, while Sienna nodded proudly.

---

"Blew my chance. Blew my fucking chance," Fletcher grumbled, occasionally kicking the floor with his foot.

The angry teen made his way through the maze of service hallways in the depths of the Witzler Hotel. Upon seeing a large crowd and commotion in the lobby, Fletch cared little about finding out the reason.

"Not even my fault. Who holds a meeting in their penthouse suite on New Year's Eve? Who?" The teen threw his hands up as he asked the ceiling. "My mom, that's who. And just when a college senior is ready for a fun time. Aargh!"

A hotel waiter, pushing a room service cart, passed the teen and gave him a funny look.

"Yeah, I'm talking to myself. So what?" Fletcher remarked before switching his subsequent complaint to his inner thoughts. I had Aubrey Dunford--hot ass Aubrey fucking Dunford-- walking into my suite, ready to fuck...dammit! "Okay, okay, I can bounce back. There is plenty of time before midnight with plenty of options in the hotel."

Continuing his stroll to the ballroom, Fletcher flipped through potential options for his holiday playmate. Most of the names were his current classmates, but the teen wanted an older challenge. College girls were perfect. A little fun with no strings attached, it could even last a few weeks until she returned to school later in January.

Hmm, maybe if Aubrey is now too embarrassed after getting caught, I can try with one of her friends. Becky's engaged, so she's out. Crap! That means I'm likely down to the following year, and that's Poppy's crew. Lana would be the white whale. Kiki looks like fun. Ooh, I bet Peyton's uptightness is hiding a freak inside. Oh, shit! Sage was looking hot and upset earlier. I could be that shoulder to cry on and the dick to cheer her up. A Pierce and a Wynwick is almost as bad as a Diamond and a Wynwick.

"A forbidden fucking. A taboo tryst. I love it!" Fletcher exclaimed, turning a corner.

Suddenly, he halted as two teenage girls jumped in surprise at his appearance. Fletcher immediately worried that they had heard him talking out loud and misinterpreted the comments. Fuck, that's all I need. Some **** rumors. People would love that type of gossip based on my family's history.

"Uh, hey."

"Um, hi," Kizzy greeted back, after shooting Harley a worried look.

"How's it going?" Fletcher asked, feeling like an idiot at once.

"Not bad," Kizzy replied. She and Harley both glanced at a door with concern. "You?"

"Gonna be better. What are you two--"

"Nothing! We're just waiting around for...um, Yolanda," Kizzy answered after interrupting.

"Uh, here? Yeah, okay." Fletcher suspected something more was going on, but he didn't really care. So he resumed walking down the hallway.

"Hey, did you call--oh, hi, Fletch!" YoYo greeted after peering around the corner farther down the hallway.

Fletcher greeted the third sophomore while passing Kizzy and Harley. He heard a muffled bang from behind a door to his side. Glancing over, Fletch found Kizzy sliding over in front of it.

Curiosity didn't win out as YoYo's appearance sparked a new idea. Yanet was one hell of a time last year after the dance. Perhaps I should target another of their older sisters. It sounds like Katie might be on the outs with Palmer right now. This would be the time to make a move before they make up.

"Looking dashingly hot, Fletch," YoYo complimented as he neared her. "Very James Bond-ish."

"Maybe when you hit eighteen," Fletcher whispered toward the flirting teen.

"Definitely," YoYo breathed huskily after his comment sent a shiver down her spine.

"What did he say?" Fletcher heard Kizzy ask after he turned the corner.

"Tell you later," YoYo hissed, trying to keep Fletcher from hearing. "I told you we needed a lookout at the end!"

Weaving around another corner, Fletcher found himself near the restrooms and the final stretch of the hallway until the ballroom. Walking into the darker room, he took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dimmed lights. That's when he spotted a surprising sight: his favorite waitress.

"Skye Willows is here?! How did I not know that? Holy shit! Wait, why is she here? This isn't her scene. Shit! Did she come as some guy's date? Wait, I thought she was on vacation."

"She is," a voice said from the shadows, causing a startled Fletcher to flinch.

"Jesus, Denton, don't do that!" Fletcher scolded. "I have occasional nightmares of Chance attacking me from the shadows."

"Oh, sorry," Newt apologized. "Um, as for Skye, she's been staying at the cabin with us on Wasp Lake."

"Wasp Lake? Wait, you don't have a cabin up there. Who is we?"

"Oh, sorry again. I thought you knew. We're staying at Whitney's cabin."

"You're staying with Whitney?! Wait, is this a joke? Where's the camera?" Fletcher questioned, glancing around him. "It's not a joke? Hold on! Why is Skye with you guys? Fuck, she went to the dark side?"

"Uh, let's see...I went with as Sean's extra guest. Um, his mom and her friends went to remember Mrs. Singer," Newt explained.

"Okay, I guess that makes sense. But what about Skye?"

"Skye came as Mr. Singer's girlfriend. However, he--"

"Hang on a fucking second! Skye is dating Finn?"

"No, she came as his dad's date."

"What?! Oh...my...gawd. She's dating him? Oh, fuck, I'm going to be sick," Fletcher moaned, holding his stomach. "How? Why?!"

"No, no, Mr. Singer broke up with Skye a couple of days ago, but she stayed," Newt clarified hurriedly.

"The old guy dumped her? The hell is going on here?" Fletcher remarked, his hand moving from his stomach to his head.

"Uh, yeah, it sounded like he was a jerk about it. Mr. Diamond wasn't happy with him."

"I would think so! Harvey Diamond has awesome taste in women. Oh, shit! Skye Willows is here, dateless and on the rebound. I bet she'd swing back on the age pendulum--Whoa! Helen Krogh is looking extra smoking hot and bitchy tonight." Fletcher's gaze followed the ex-Sugarbee captain as she walked past him. "What were we--right, Skye!"

Newt and Fletcher watched as Skye walked in the opposite direction from them. Fletcher's head tilted to follow her ass until his favorite Goforth's waitress vanished from sight.

"I'd give anything to tap that," Fletcher remarked wistfully about his longtime fantasy. Then, a pair of redheads caught his attention. "Damn, the McSweeney sisters. Wouldn't that be a duo...oh, shit! I heard Molly turned very open-minded about sex down at Breakwater. Why not shoot my shot?"

Newt watched as Fletcher checked his appearance before walking after Margaret and Molly. I swear he's got an attention span like Watson's. Newt mused, thinking of the Tarvers' beagle. Then, suddenly, he felt a tug on his arm.

Rylee stood next to him, motioning with her head. Newt followed the motion until he made eye contact with Sienna. A coldness began to fill his veins even before she raised her hand.

Pure terror hit Newt as the ice queen crooked a finger, motioning for him to come to her.