The Ariza Special (Original)

The blonde huddled in the corner, gripping the two railings on each side of her while the drop motion played out. She alternated between closing and opening her eyes whenever she felt nauseous enough to worry. Eventually, the rollercoaster ride came to an end with a blaring ping.

With the doors open, the blonde staggered off. The next dozen steps proved to be rough. Her internal balance struggled to recalibrate after the ride’s motions. However, once she reached the long hallway, a hand on the wall helped support her walking.

Unfortunately, a new dilemma appeared once she reached the end of the hallway. Throwing up her arms to cover her face, the blonde fell against the wall. An alert employee spotted the difficulty.

“Ma’am, are you alright?” he asked.

“Lights. Bright lights,” Brandy replied, attempting to open her purse with one hand while using the other to shield her closed eyes.

“Ah, yes. It’s quite bright outside today with all the ice,” the hotel employee stated, realizing the blonde was hungover rather than ill. He waited just in case while she rummaged through her purse until a pair of sunglasses emerged. Waiting was never an issue with an attractive woman. “Better?”

“Barely,” Brandy grumbled, able to see she was in the T-intersection of the lobby and the hallway that led to the elevator banks. She blamed those damn long glass lobby windows for her earlier pain more than the ice or the liquor. I need to yell at a Pierce about those monstrosities. I don’t care if they were from the old days or not.

Taking a right, Brandy shuffled her feet until she reached the hotel bar. Several familiar faces wished her a good morning before realizing they should shut up after Brandy responded, ”What’s good about this damn morning?”

Mumbling to herself about hating chipper people in the morning, Brandy impatiently waited for the bartender at the side of the bar. If she'd bothered to scan her surroundings as usual, the grumpy blonde would've noticed another blonde seated about forty feet away in the dining room, watching her through the open French doors.

“Well, she’s alive and not in jail,” Fawn commented softly.

“Who? Odette?” Norah asked, looking up from her phone.

“Sorry. I was talking to myself about Brandy,” Fawn replied, motioning with her head toward the bar.

Norah glanced over before shaking her head in minor disgust. Fawn picked up on the expression, which caused her to lean over to watch her best friend again. Immediately picking up on Brandy’s body language, the school librarian shook her head.

Brandy and the bartender appeared to be engaged in a bit of back and forth. Fawn watched as the argument grew heated, with her BFF gesturing around as if explaining what the bartender should do. It hadn't reached the level where Fawn might need to intervene, but it was rapidly headed in that direction.

Only everything changed when Brandy pulled an item from her purse and slapped it down on the countertop. She pointed at the item before pointing at herself. The bartender's gaze went back and forth between the bartop and the irate blonde. He appeared to ask a question, which caused Brandy to throw her arms out to the side. The bartender then threw his hands out as if to calm his customer down.

Fawn couldn't be sure about what transpired. She had an inkling of an idea and wasn't happy if it proved true. Still, she half-waved at her best friend when Brandy finally stepped back to scan her surroundings as she waited for the bartender to finish his chore.

Ever thinking several steps ahead, Fawn correctly predicted what happened next. With a tall glass of red liquid in her hand, Brandy entered the dining room, only to hear her name called out within two seconds. Not needing to turn around, Brandy held up a finger while barking out, "Hold on a sec."

Continuing to walk toward Fawn's table, Brandy tossed her purse on it with an annoyed huff. While the purse tumbled over, she placed her glass down in front of an empty seat.

“Don’t even think about it, kid,” Brandy warned, jabbing a finger at a confused Norah. Then, she nearly fell over as she spun around to head over to the other table.

“She’s not going to touch your hangover cure!” Fawn called after her BFF before turning to face her student. “You wouldn’t want to even if you drank. It’s a foul concoction.”

“I’ve had a sip of a Bloody Mary before. I don’t like them,” the brainy sixteen-year-old revealed, surprising the older woman.

“Oh, that is not a simple Bloody Mary. It’s a potion brewed by one of her sister’s oldest friends.”

“A witch?” Norah countered with a rare amused expression.

“Yes, I think you could call her a witch. Most people would just go with bitch,” Fawn chuckled as Norah checked her phone.

“Daisy’s out of the shower finally. I think I’ll go meet her,” Norah said, her glance over at Brandy exposing the primary reason for her leave.

"Probably a good idea," Fawn admitted, expecting a tale of woe or misadventure from her oldest friend. "Maybe once Dex is ready, Brandy will be done. Tell Daisy I need to talk to her."

“Dex won’t be up until at least noon. It’s his vacation.” Norah said, standing up and using air quotes over the last word.

Fawn watched the sophomore leave the dining room before turning her attention to check on Brandy.

“I don’t know!”

“Have you seen Rachel or Gabriela?” Seamus queried, although his wife had another issue on her mind at the moment.

“Brandy, I said to take off those sunglasses. You look ridiculous,” Pepper stated.

Throwing out her arms in a huff, Brandy glanced around at the table for help. Her parents were seated with Theo and Virginia Day, along with Darla Dawkins’ parents. Virginia and Mrs. Dawkins shrugged their shoulders while giving sympathetic smiles.

“Fine! But when I go blind, you’re going to take care of me,” Brandy declared, pulling off the sunglasses while squinting.

“We already take care of you,” Pepper reminded.

"So you haven't heard anything from Bee, Dee?" Seamus questioned again, seeking to return the topic to their original inquiry.

“I just woke up! Don’t you know how to use your cell phone?”

“Yes, we do,” Pepper hissed. “Your sister’s phone is going straight to voicemail.”

“And it turns out that the new cabin doesn’t have the same number as the old one. Which surprises me. I thought Harvey would want to keep his grandparents’ old number,” Seamus said, scratching his chin.

“Maybe he wanted to avoid some women from his past,” an unexpected voice joked.

“Theo!” Virginia exclaimed, lightly slapping her husband’s arm.

“Wait, I thought Graham was going to try and get a hold of them,” Brandy recalled from last night.

"Obviously, he'd know the new phone number if anyone does," Seamus pointed out.

“You could pester your other daughter for once,” Brandy suggested. “What? I wouldn’t put it past Bev to discover Harvey’s new number just to call and yell at him.”

"Brandy, that's just nonsense," Pepper replied as Seamus touched her arm.

"Maybe not. Beverly was quite upset at Christmas about Bee going to the cabin."

“Hell, Bev probably put a GPS tracker on Harvey’s car,” Brandy chuckled. “Wants to catch them in the act.”

Seamus and Pepper shared a long look before Seamus slightly shook his head. However, before Pepper could dismiss her youngest’s idea, Virginia dropped a bomb.

“Oh, that’s what your mom is waiting to hear about. You know she’s been waiting for Harvey to be her son-in-law for decades.”

“Ginny! I am not hoping that they…do that!”

“See? There is your proof that Tinny takes after her mom and not me,” Theo pointed out.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Ginny. We all know that Tinny is just Tinny. Nobody influenced her,” Brandy proclaimed, winking at her neighbor.

“Yet, Tinny certainly influenced you,” Pepper replied.

“Now, let’s not get off topic. Has anyone seen Graham this morning?” Seamus asked.

That led to a discussion about waiting for Graham or Dalton to arrive for breakfast. Or, if it came down to it, asking a hotel employee to find Dalton for them. Brandy thought she saw an opening to flee back to Fawn, but she let it pass as her dad mentioned waiting to see if Peyton knew anything. The remark that struck Brandy came from her mom about her grandaughter’s mature demeanor.

"Oh, really?! Well, I did my part last night, Mom. Wait until you see the video of Peyton. She'll be dating…no, engaged in no time." The mere mention of a video caused by Brandy's actions led to some considerable leaps of logic. Seeing those concerned and shocked expressions, Brandy clarified. "Not that kind of a video! I'm talking about the dance-off. Oh, you haven't heard? Don't worry; I sent one to Tinny. I'm sure she'll forward it once she wakes up out in Hawaii in a few hours. Maybe one of the brats around here can show you how to watch a video on your phone."

With those words as her cliffhanger, Brandy walked away from her parents’ table. Immediately, she rolled her eyes upon spotting a blonde with glasses chatting with her best friend.

"I mean, wowie wow, I couldn't believe that they were giving a lapdance–right in front of everyone!"

“I did hear something about that,” Fawn admitted before gesturing toward Brandy as she sat down. “And this is Sean’s aunt.”

The yelp pierced deep into Brandy’s hungover brain. She barely acknowledged the introduction of the blonde teen before she scrambled away in embarrassment. All the hurting woman could do was take a sip of her badly needed cure.

“Another of your followers?”

“Not at all. Suzie Unser is the biggest gossip in town these days. Outside of Nosy Nectar, of course. She was in the process of telling me about the lapdance several Sugarbees gave Sean last night.”

Fawn watched in amusement as Brandy choked slightly on the liquid.

“No shit? Wait, did I know that? Last night is kinda fuzzy at times.”

“I heard about it.”

“Wow, didn’t see him as the one to take after Bridget. I thought it might skip a generation. You spend a few days around the cabin with Harvey and see what happens to a sweet kid.”

Brandy didn’t realize it, but she gave Fawn the opening she’d waited for. Her hand slapped down against the table to reveal a driver’s license when she lifted it away.

“And what is this?” the bespectacled blonde challenged.

“You went through my purse!”

“From the looks of it, somebody has to.”

“Busybody!”

“You told me you threw this out. Wait, I saw you cut it up,” Fawn recalled. Suddenly, she snatched the license off the table before Brandy could. Her green eyes widened as she read the details. “This is new!”

“Newish,” Brandy argued.

“Don’t you dare try and split hairs with me,” Fawn warned. “You promised these days were over. Instead, you get a new one made and make a big show of cutting up the old one.”

“I had to. The date on the old one had expired. What’s the use of a fake ID with an expired date?”

“Thirty-year-olds don’t need fake IDs.”

“Some do!”

“Let me guess how this morning went down. You asked for Gabby’s hangover cure and–”

"Hold on! I did not ask for Gabby's cure. That drink is so watered down these days it's worthless. This is The Ariza Special, the original version. Not The Lousy Lockett Disappointment."

“Oh, forgive me for not getting the proper drink version,” Brandy responded sarcastically. “So you asked the bartender for this foul sewage and he refused.”

“Something about it sounding terrible.”

“It is terrible,” Fawn confirmed before continuing. “You probably skipped the sweet-talking effort as you’re feeling like shit. Only your arguments didn’t help. So you pulled out your new fake ID–”

“Newish.”

“And slapped it down in front of his face with a threat.”

“Whenever have I threatened anyone?”

“Bitch, please,” Fawn replied with an eye-roll. “I suspected the truth when I saw him suddenly change his tune and jump to make that witch’s brew. The name Brandy Diamond probably scared the crap out of him.”

“Actually, it didn’t. I had to start screaming about my niece almost dying before he finally freaked out and did what I wanted. I mean, the nerve of some people,” Brandy groused.

“Yes, the nerve of some people for questioning how Harvey can have a sister they never heard of before.”

“Hey, I just realized…I do! I have the new number for the cabin on my phone,” Brandy announced. “I should really try and call to see if Bridget and the rest are okay. My mom is very worried about them.”

“Don’t change the subject on me,” Fawn hissed.

“Shhh!” Brandy shushed upon seeing Darla meander her way towards them. “I don’t need Wrenn knowing.”

Both the blonde’s attentions shifted to the sad state of their other longtime friend. Darla looked nearly as sick as she did before going to bed last night. Jumping up, Fawn pulled out a chair for Darla to sit on. Even Brandy’s face cringed at the brunette’s pale face.

“Jesus. Didn’t you throw up last night?”

“For hours,” Darla moaned, placing her head on the table. “I still feel a little drunk.”

“I know I’m still drunk. What?” Brandy questioned after Fawn’s glare. “You know, maybe you hit the wall, Dawkins. Some people should cut back on how much they drink once they hit thirty.”

“You made me drink more than I wanted!” Darla whined.

“Moi?!”

“Yes, you,” Teddy answered for the other two women as he sat down. “I guess the only positive is that Brandy looks almost as bad as you do, Darla.”

“She does?” Darla asked hopefully, struggling to lift her head to look.

“Oh, Brandy looks awful. Plain awful,” Fawn said, laying it on thick.

“No, I don’t!”

“Pepper made a scene by ordering her to take off her sunglasses. You barely missed it,” Fawn recounted, digging in the knife a bit deeper.

“There wasn’t a scene!”

“I don’t know. Your mom is staring daggers this way,” Teddy pointed out.

“That’s nothing new, and you know it!”

“Don’t shout,” Darla whimpered, attempting to cover her ears.

“Yes, you’ve already tortured your poor friend enough,” Teddy remarked.

“Don’t you have a family to share breakfast with?” Brandy shot back.

“Olympia is taking the kids through the buffet line. Don’t give me that look. They wanted to do that rather than order breakfast. I figured I’d say good morning before she saw you.”

“I’m in her doghouse again?”

"And I'm in there with you," Teddy revealed. When asked why, he explained. "Besides bringing Tenille and Trey into contact with you, I'm also responsible for Tinny's kids, Gabby's girl, and all their friends. She's pissed about the prank they pulled on Crystal and worried the kids are somehow changed now. It also didn't help that Peyton dropped Nate off at our room last night."

“Pey did what now?” Brandy questioned, sitting up a bit straighter.

“She didn’t know what room Nate was staying in. He was pretty drunk.”

“Why didn’t she let him stay with her? Kicking him out of bed wasn’t very nice,” Brandy commented.

“It wasn’t like that,” Nate clarified while Fawn shook her head.

“Peyton herded Nate and Eoin off to bed. They were both in bad shape. I had Norah give her a hand,” Fawn recounted.

“So she slept with Eoin. That’s great!”

“I don’t think she slept with anyone. She planned to help Lacey find Finn after dropping the two guys off,” Fawn added.

“What?! Operation: Niece Nookie failed? Motherfucker!” Brandy screeched.

“Shhh!” Fawn and Teddy shushed while Darla groaned. Other breakfasters glanced over with disapproval at the blonde’s curse.

“Sorry!”

Teddy and Fawn ignored the non-apology and carried on with the conversation.

“Did Olympia trip over Nate in the middle of the night?” the librarian inquired.

“I bet Nate crawled into bed with her,” Brandy cracked.

“Neither. We woke up to Trey screaming about the monster in the bathtub,” Teddy explained with a headshake. “His snore echoes did sound weird. So I can’t blame my kid.”

“Oh, boy. Olympia turned the shower on, didn’t she?” Fawn speculated.

“Nope. Tenille did,” Teddy revealed. “You know, she might not be a daredevil like Tin, but she sure can pull off her bitchy **** attitude.”

“My plan is succeeding,” Brandy declared, playacting an evil mastermind as she rubbed her hands together.

“Not far off what Olympia is thinking this morning,” Ted admitted, standing up to leave and hug Keeley as she arrived.

The youngest member of their group sat down while immediately pissing off Brandy.

“Don’t you look cheery this morning,” Brandy grumbled, still feeling the pain.

"I woke up early and in good hands," Keeley responded, causing Fawn to grin.

“And with whom?” her old babysitter and surrogate big sister asked.

“Not in front of She-Who-Must-Be-Not-Be-Named,” Keeley stage-whispered.

“Not in the mood to deal with you two and your sisterly shit,’ Brandy remarked, taking a long sip. She ignored Fawn’s curious expression.

The conversation mainly flowed between Fawn and Keeley. Darla and Brandy only pipped in occasionally. Keeley talked about her parents impatiently waiting for the ice to melt enough for them to leave. Fawn admitted she didn't have a clue as to when it would be safe to leave as she filled in the others about the status around town.

“Great. So we might be stuck here another night,” Brandy complained.

“I’m sure getting our room for another night won’t be a problem. Not with your last name,” Fawn teased, causing Brandy to flip her off.

Brandy's phone immediately chimed with an incoming message, which caused her to throw her hands up.

“I guess Pepper didn’t like that, did she?” Fawn questioned.

“Argh! I need to get out of this place.”

“Key, could you be a dear and take care of Darla? I think she needs something to help with her hangover,” Fawn explained. “How about taking her over to the bar to get it?”

“Um, sure. Are you talking about Gabriela’s hangover cure?” Keeley asked, nodding at Brandy’s nearly finished glass.

“Kinda. Tell the bartender what you and Darla want, but also ask for one of Ms. Diamond’s special versions for Brandy,” Fawn clarified.

“Ms. Diamond?!” Keeley repeated in confusion.

“Don’t worry, he won’t have forgotten what that means,” Fawn assured her.

With a shrug, Keeley helped escort Darla toward the bar. They ended up taking a pitstop over by Darla’s parents at the Fallons’ table first. Fawn barely paid attention as Brandy had nearly all of it.

“What?”

Fawn continued to peer at her best friend with curiosity. The silence unnerved Brandy.

“Why are you staring at me?”

More silence continued.

“Fawn!”

“Who did you hook up with last night?”

“Just a guy. Who did you hook up with?” Brandy challenged.

“Nobody. I was too busy helping send my students off to bed while wondering what happened to you,” Fawn countered. “Who was it?”

“Whoa! I’m not going to enable this perverse fascination you have about my sex life. Worry about your own,” Brandy argued.

“I only care about your sex life when you make mistakes,” Fawn stated.

“But that’s a lot of the time!”

“Way to reinforce my argument,” the librarian stated, sounding amused while she wasn’t.

“Worry about Keeley. She’s a senior in college and could sidetrack her future with a bad one-night stand.”

“Don’t bring Keeley into this. Hmm, you tried to bring Peyton into this earlier. Why?” Fawn questioned.

“Hey, I was just happy that my plan—Fine, our plan might have worked. Operation: Niece Nookie is very important to me. I thought maybe Nate’s move worked.”

“But you said Eoin was your choice for Pey. You bashed Nate as my choice,” Fawn reminded.

“Nate, Eoin, hell, we can even expand the list a little. Maybe we can add Finn. Male best friend turned soulmate has a nice ring to it. Or how about Reece Kittle? A Romeo and Juliet angle could be fun. Heck, Barney might be a klutz, but he seems like a nice guy,” Brandy rattled off. “Peyton doesn’t have a freaky Fallon side that we know of. So she doesn’t need somebody to tame her.”

“Okay, this is weird. You were quite insistent last night about narrowing the list,” Fawn recalled. “Eoin was your choice, with Spencer Vine a close second. You kept on pointing out how he had a nice ass, and Peyton should make a move.”

“Spencer? Nah! That whole high school crush stuff is played out. Not to mention his sister…uh, Sloane could be a little bitch. Those things never work out. Life isn’t a movie, Fawnie,” Brandy argued. “I’m still down with Eoin, with Nate and Reece next in line in that order.”

“Reece? Where did he…no… you…Oh. My. Gawd. You did!” Fawn exclaimed before lowering her voice. “You screwed Spencer.”