Spotting A Crime

“What the hell? Zoey!” Brandy exclaimed. “I let you out of my sight for one minute–one damn minute!—and you lose her.”

Not willing to get browbeaten, the feisty brunette threw her hands up in the air in frustration and walked away. Brandy prepared to yell after Zoey but stopped when she saw the girl heading toward her niece. Still, that left the Babybees to squirm under the older woman's glare. Kizzy, Harley, YoYo, and Zara stared at the floor, fidgeting silently. As the lone Sugarbee sophomore, Ariel was used to getting berated, but Winnie looked as if she regretted not following her friend.

“Well? I’m waiting to hear what the hell happened,” Brandy said.

“I don’t...she just saw some people and walked away from us,” Zara explained.

“More like yanked her arm from me. She’s surprisingly strong,” YoYo remarked.

“I think it’s from playing volleyball,’ Winnie added before shutting back up under Brandy’s withering stare.

“Maybe if we’d known about this plan, Miss Tarver wouldn’t have foiled it so easily, Dame Brandy,” Kizzy grumbled.

“She saw the Dawkins leaving and demanded that she talk to them,” Harley piped up.

Following where Harley pointed, Brandy finally spotted her niece through the crowd. As expected, she found Peyton chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins. As the former owners of Funland and Pinheads Rec Center, the retired couple were popular people around Honey Hollow. Based on the number of hugs and handshakes, Brandy deduced that Darla's parents were leaving the ball. Watching the behavior, the blonde also realized that the Keadys, another neighboring family from Oakfield Park, were departing.

Then, Brandy spotted her clique’s Fourth Musketeer, Darla Dawkins, join her parents. Turning her attention back to the batch of sixteen-year-olds, Brandy snapped her fingers at Winnie.

“You! Get over there and tell that woman that I want my niece back over her pronto. And if not, then I’m going to be pissed. Got that?”

“Uh, yes!” Winnie squealed, dashing off.

Brandy tapped her high-heeled toe impatiently as she and the nervous girls waited. They watched as Winnie whispered into Zoey's ear, who then spoke to Darla. The thirty-year-old brunette responded by shooting her head up in alarm before glancing over at Brandy, who she nervously nodded at.

At one point, YoYo typed rapidly on her phone, earning her a sharp question from their current minder. Everyone in the group learned that Beatrice wanted to know what the hell was keeping everyone. Spencer appeared as if he was about to walk away from the bar. The junior varsity cheer captain also pointed out that slower music had been playing for a while and that a string of faster songs had to be coming quickly.

“The music better not–shit!” Brandy swore as a dance song began. “This can’t happen. Peyton’s not the type to grind her ass into a guy’s bed. She needs a build-up before she swoons onto the sheets.”

Kizzy’s giggle at the description caught Brandy’s attention.

“You! You seem in charge around here. Get over to that damn DJ and tell him to switch over to some fucking slow songs. Love ballads or some other romantic crap,” the older blonde ordered. “Actually, all of you get over there.”

Seeing their escape chance, every sophomore raced over to the stage and the DJ. That left Brandy alone to mutter about her damn slippery niece.

“She is a slippery one. Must be that slim, leggy model-like figure of hers,” Fawn commented, appearing as if she teleported beside her BFF. “Strangely, Peyton didn’t inherit those features from Bridget or Bev. I wonder which serpent she takes after in the Fallon family. Hmm…”

“Did you just call my favorite niece a snake? And is your fifteen seconds of fame already over?”

“Oh, I’d never accuse sweet ol’ Peyton of being a snake. Your second-favorite niece only inherited the slipperiness to slither out of your grasp. And Cleo sent me to find Maddie.”

“Who?”

“Madeline Stringham,” Fawn explained. She ended up rolling her eyes at Brandy’s continued expression of ignorance. “She was Finn’s successor as Buzzy Bee editor.”

“Wait, the one that Lana doesn’t like? Hey, didn’t she punch her earlier tonight?”

“No, Lana missed. I swear, that girl is almost as crazy as you. Maddie is a real sweetheart who’s not responding to her messages. I’d ask if you’ve seen her, but I know better.”

“You sure Lana missed? I bet she knocked this reporter girl out cold,” Brandy speculated, smirking.

“Haven’t you had enough drama tonight? Wait, you never have enough,” Fawn replied. She looked over to where Peyton appeared to be forcing a keycard into Darla’s mom’s hand. “So how did you screw up Operation: Niece Nookie?”

“I didn’t screw it up! The girls let Peyton get loose. That damn girl had to play hostess again. And to make things worse, the DJ switched over to dance songs.”

“Right. Peyton needs to be in the arms of Spencer…or Nate,” Fawn added with a mischievous grin.

“Nate? Don’t start that destiny shit again. If it’s not this Spencer, then Pey’s ending up with Eoin,” Brandy shot back.

The two stopped bickering long enough to notice Darla taking the keycard from Peyton. As she knew that Darla already booked a room for herself, Fawn commented on how it looked as if Peyton had just given away her room to their friend’s parents. Suspecting that the younger blonde needed a bed for the night, the two traded reasons over their preferred guy for her until Kizzy rushed over, out of breath. Immediately, Brandy wanted to know if the issue had been fixed.

“I’m sorry, Dame Brandy. The DJ refuses to alter Mrs. Stratton’s playlist.”

“Dame Brandy?” Fawn mouthed toward her BFF, who shrugged in response.

“Why not?” Brandy questioned. “It’s not set in stone!”

“Apparently, the playlist was altered earlier in the night. That led Lacey’s mom to issue a new order. He said only a Stratton or Doctor Tarver can change the order or add a new song.”

“Gabby?” Fawn queried.

“Gabby,” Brandy confirmed.

The irate blonde proceeded to offer Kizzy plenty of ideas to change the DJ’s mind. Most had already been attempted by the Babybees and Ariel.

“YoYo tried that,” Kizzy responded, rolling her eyes. “He said something about learning his lesson already about jailbait. Beatrice scolded Yo for even making the offer.”

“Beatrice?! Isn’t she the one monitoring Spencer?”

While Brandy went off in an expletive-laced rant, Fawn was approached by Keeley Keady. Eight years younger than Fawn, Keeley had been her little sidekick since before she could walk. Having grown up in the Oakfield Park neighborhood, Keeley had plenty of experience with Brandy’s behavior, so she didn’t even bother to ask. Instead, she brought up another issue with her surrogate big sister.

“Hey, where the fuck are you going?” Brandy questioned, noticing Fawn leaving with Keeley.

“Key said that Daisy is freaking out. She’s exhausted and overworked. I need to check on her.”

“Fine, fine, leave me here while you attend to your latest perfect protégé,” Brandy complained. Then, in a huff, she turned to Kizzy. “C’mon, watch and learn, little one.”

With a purpose in each step, Brandy marched straight to the stage. The sophomores stopped their pestering of the disc jockey, parting to allow Sean’s aunt to reach him. They glanced at Kizzy with inquisitive expressions, but she merely shrugged her shoulders.

“What can I do for you?” the DJ asked.

In his early thirties, he looked somewhat scruffy to Brandy. She also noticed how his leering gaze roamed her little black dress and figure. All too easy, she mused.

“You can help me out by doing as these girls have been asking. We need several slow songs in a row, and we need them now.”

“Sorry, no can do,” the DJ replied.

“Listen, buddy, I’m trying to get my niece hooked up with–”

“I can’t do it. Mrs. Stratton issued very strict orders after I let one of her friends change the order,” he recounted. “And I’m not pissing off the DA’s wife.”

“Well, you’re pissing me off, and I’m far more frightening than Clive,” Brandy growled, leaning forward to bring her face close to his. “I can tell you ain’t from around here. Blackbridge?”

“Moose Point,” the DJ replied, shaking his head at her.”Listen, lady, I’ve had people dropping their names all night at me. I follow the playlist of the person writing the check. Only Mrs. Stratton’s family or Bridget Tarver can change the music. Oh, wait, there is another name…Finn,” he added after checking a piece of paper.

“I’m Brandy Fallon, Bridget’s sister. I’m sure that’s close enough. So change the damn song,” the blonde directed.

“Brandy? Brandy Fallon?” the DJ repeated, pulling the sheet of paper back out. “Yep, you’re on here–”

“Excellent! Now, I have a few requests.”

“You’re on here, all right. You’re on the list of people that I should never take orders from,” the DJ revealed with a shit-eating grin.

“Let me see that,’ Brandy screeched, snatching the sheet from his hand. “Oh, fuck Rachel!”

With that, she crumpled the paper into a ball, throwing it at the disc jockey. Marching off the stage, she beckoned the girls to follow her. Once they got about twenty feet away, Brandy spun around on her heel to face the girls.

“Listen up. You girls need to think of something and do it fast.” Suddenly, Brandy noticed the new addition. “You! Aren’t you in charge of watching Spencer?”

“I am,” Beatrice responded.

“Well, get back over there!”

"I am watching him. He's sitting over at that table," Beatrice explained, motioning slyly toward a spot they could barely see.

“Maybe we could try calling Mrs. Stratton,” Yolanda suggested.

“Yo, she’s at the hospital!” Harley reminded.

“True. Rachel probably would want Pey to dance with a guy, but she also wouldn’t like that it’s my plan. Plus, we don’t know how Clive is yet,” Brandy thought out loud.

“How about we call Lacey?” Kizzy suggested.

“Same deal. Rachel might be sitting next to her,” Brandy said.

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but what about Cadence?” YoYo inquired.

“That could work,” Beatrice responded.

“Ugh, the bitch would never do it,” Kizzy mumbled.

“Good idea! Where is Cadence? Well, find her!” Brandy ordered.

Suddenly, all the Babybees’ heads shot up as a new song started to play. They looked at each other with excitement and apprehension. Almost simultaneously, they nodded in agreement. Brandy watched in disbelief as they apologized and said they’d be back soon.

“Get back here. You have work to do,” she commanded.

“Sorry, Dame Brandy, it’s our song! It’s the Babybee song,” Kizzy yelled over her departing shoulder.

Brandy watched as the Babybees and Ariel began to perform herky-jerky dance moves. Her face also morphed into confusion as "Work It" by Missy Elliott played.

"Is it worth it? Let me work it," the Babybees chanted as several varsity cheerleaders joined them.

“Your song?” Brandy muttered. “No, this is my song. I’m the one who picked it!”

The moment grew even more surreal as Brandy watched as the girls began to perform the same choreographed moves. Her gaze fell on Yumi, who had both arms out, pumping them back and forth as she high-stepped. Next, her eyes shifted to Kizzy as she switched from The Running Man dance to the Cabbage Patch. The younger Beal sister appeared to swing her arms and legs around even more vigorously than Yumi. Continuing down the line, Brandy watched Harley raise one arm straight out and bend the other at the elbow to perform The Sprinkler. Beatrice and Zara followed with The Snake, swinging their head out to the side, followed by their shoulders. Finally, YoYo and Kaitlin ended the choreographed dance by walking an imaginary catwalk before abrupt stops in various moves of The Vogue.

Brandy stared incredulously as the routine started over.

“Th-That’s my dance. How do…Who taught…Who the hell taught them my dance? That’s the official super junior varsity team dance!” shrieked the sole member of the official super junior squad in history. Sure, there had been an unofficial super JV squad, but Brandy had been the founder of that short-lived squad. She’d also disbanded the group over creative differences.

“Brandy!” a voice screamed over the music.

Turning her head, the blonde saw a young woman with long, cherry-red hair approaching her. Brandy began to return her attention to her stolen dance before she realized that Tuesday Brass was not only the new assistant cheer coach but also ran the JV squad.

“Did you teach them my dance?” Brandy accused.

“Why am I hearing that you’re giving orders to the Babybees?” Tuesday challenged, ignoring the older blonde’s accusation. “You know you’re not allowed to do that.”

“Please, you’re not in charge of me,” Brandy scoffed.

“You lost that power, and you know why!” Tuesday declared. “You can’t be responsible or trusted, Brandy.”

“Oh, please. Drop the high and mighty act, Tuesday. You act like your shit doesn’t stink. Well, I know it does. I got **** into changing my first diaper because of you. And it’s still the foulest smelling shit I’ve ever encountered,” Brandy shot back.

The first-year French teacher gasped audibly. Shaking off the comment, Tuesday unleashed another barrage of reasons for why Brandy had to stay away from her JV squad.

"I'm not using them for me. It's for Peyton. You know how she is. She needs to get laid. She needs a man. Your students want to help," Brandy explained angrily.

“Oh!” Tuesday responded, her head rocking back. “I didn’t know it was for Peyton. She does appear awfully stressed tonight.”

“Exactly. My niece needs some de-stressing.”

“Um, what do you have in mind?” Tuesday inquired.

“The Babybees helped round Peyton up, but then they let her escape. And now the DJ is being a total dick and won’t switch back to some romantic songs. The girls tried to con him into doing so, but no luck. Rachel made it so he only listens to her family or Bridget. The girls think we can use Cadence, but I don’t–”

Brandy abruptly stopped as Tuesday stormed off. She watched as the redhead strode straight over to an embarrassed Cadence, who observed her teammates with a sickened expression. Words were exchanged before Tuesday grabbed the sophomore by the upper arm, dragging her over to Brandy.

“Here! I’ll allow you to order Cadence around,” Tuesday stated.

“Thank you, Brass,” Brandy said with an actual smile. “Okay, get over there and tell the DJ to play several slow songs.”

"I'm not doing that," Cadence replied sulkily while defiantly crossing her arms.

Tuesday beat Brandy with her response.

“Stop being a little bitch. You’re the co-captain. It’s time to show a tiny fraction of leadership.”

“I’m not getting involved in whatever nonsense you people are pulling,” Cadence proclaimed, raising her head in further defiance. “It’s beneath me.”

"Yeah? How about I talk to my mother about replacing you as co-captain? I bet that would wreck whatever you're scheming," Tuesday threatened. "You either do as Brandy wants, or you can get out there and join your cheermates."

A range of emotions showed on the young blonde’s face. Finally, with an extremely loud sigh, Cadence stomped her foot into the floor before uncrossing her arms.

“Fine! But my mom is going to hear about this.”

“As if your mom scares any of us,” Brandy remarked. She watched as the sulking and complaining teen slowly walked over to the stage.

“Show some hustle, Aylward!” Tuesday bellowed.

“What’s this about Tuesday’s diaper? I can hear you clear across the room,” Fawn said, appearing again out of thin air. “Is this about the time that Tinny–”

“No!” Tuesday interrupted.

“Gawd, stop doing that!” Brandy told her best friend. “I keep expecting to find a Klackhurst with a knife in my back.”

“I see that you’ve joined Operation: Niece Nookie. Welcome aboard,” Fawn greeted.

“Niece Nook…nothing ever changes with you, does it, Dee?” Tuesday remarked.

“Did you see that?” Brandy questioned Fawn as a new song started.

“They were adorable.”

“They aren’t adorable. They’re thieves! They stole my song and dance routine. Who taught them that?” Brandy questioned. “Who?!”

“Hey, you got Cadence to help?” Kizzy asked as the girls returned. Kaitlin, Yumi, and Roxanne were with them.

“Are we playing Lacey?” Yumi asked, nearly bursting with excitement.

“It takes all of us to match her matchmaking abilities,” Roxy joked, but Yumi nodded wholeheartedly.

“Maybe. Cadence’s at least going to try,” their coach replied to Kizzy’s question.

“Oh, it must have worked,” YoYo snickered.

“That’s Cadence’s I’m-super-pissed-as-I-had-to-something-that-worked face,” Beatrice commented from experience.

“Did it work?” Brandy called over to the teenager as she left the stage.

A sharp, sullen nod was the only response before Cadence veered off in another direction.