Chapter 27 - "Have you ever beaten someone up?"

Courtney sank back onto her bed and typed out a caption for the photo of her outfit. An outfit that was matched by the colorful fabric she'd wrapped around the brace on her ankle.

Embrace the hardships.

Em-brace. Haha!

She smiled at the stupidity of her pun but who didn't need a dumb pun on a Monday morning to cheer them up? As she posted, a notification from the school app popped up. She opened it and froze.

It was a meme. The title: Going from a great weekend into Monday be like...

What followed was her tumble routine into her spraining her ankle. She stared at it, watching over and over how she'd performed flawlessly up until the point she hit the ground and cried out.

"You have got to be kidding me!" she shouted.

Tossing aside her phone, she buried her face into her comforter and screamed. The result was a muffled sound of anguish and despair. Okay, that was a bit on the exaggerated side but she didn't care. She wanted that video to be murdered and buried. No, she wanted it to be buried alive and she'd derive pleasure from its screams...

Which technically would be her scream so...

Freaking fudge buckets!

She screamed again and when out of breath, kept her face pressed into the bed. Two weeks. But what did two weeks matter when that video would live on after she healed.

"Hey, Sunshine," Heather said. "Are you all right?"

Completely. I usually start Mondays by having an emotional breakdown. I mean, doesn't everyone? I can't be alone in this?

The bed dipped as Heather took a spot beside Courtney. Still, Courtney didn't lift her head. She wanted to be buried alive. Okay, that was extreme and possibly the worst way to die. Ever! She wanted to not be the girl in the video.

Not possible.

That left accepting it and moving on.

Embrace.

Ha! The pun isn't as amusing as it was five minutes ago.

"I see," Heather said.

At this psychic moment of her sister's, Courtney lifted her head. Not a psychic moment, she merely held Courtney's phone. Courtney rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.

"Is it just this?" Heather asked.

Courtney shook her head, which she knew was undoing the work she put into her hair. But who cared?

"What else?" Heather asked.

"A gif and Youtube video of my scream overlapped by a goat's scream."

"Ah." Heather peered down at Courtney with a concerned look. "You know, you could have told me about this."

"To what end?"

"I think I can do something about it?"

Courtney slowly rose like her hope. "Can you?"

"I can try." She smiled softly. "I know you are the easy-going child but that doesn't mean you have to be alone all the time. You can ask for help."

"Oh."

Heather stood. "Leave it to me." She stopped at the door. "Next time, you don't have to get to the point of screaming into your bed."

"But it was so dramatic and entertaining," Courtney said.

Heather didn't laugh, her eyes piercing Courtney. Right, can't hide behind humor with someone heard me screaming into my bed.

"Thanks, I'll remember."

Heather left and Courtney took in a breath. Now to face the rest of the day with this being a topic of conversation around her. She pulled up a smile but dropped it as Micah telling her to be real came to mind. She reached for her phone to message him but stopped, remembering how he looked driving away.

He said he wasn't mad at her. He hadn't looked mad, but something had shifted. And not in a yay-we-have-shifted-to-a-new-gear-and-are-proceeding-to-a-fun-destination-like-Disneyland type way.

More of a we-have-downshifted-into-second-gear-right-as-we-are-going-up-a-mountain-and-the-chances-of-stalling-out-are-very-high type of way. Oddly specific ways if Courtney was being honest.

She was not looking forward to this day in the least. Oh, how nice would it be to have a jump shot to that night and she gives a monologue of what the day held. Much more bearable that way. Still the day, she must face.

She stood and her phone pinged with another notification from the school app. Someone had posted a comment.

Lynn_J_Cho35: Take this down right now or I will make sure you never get a date the entire year!

Courtney smiled.

Courtney:

Thanks.

Lynn:

I could kill Kyle for this!

Courtney:

You could but then you'd go to prison

and we both know you're too pretty for that.

Lynn:

True.

I'll just destroy his dating life instead

Courtney:

Brilliant plan.

Are you picking up the

extra fabric?

Lynn:

On my way now.

Your right-hand man is on it

Courtney:

🫡

Lynn:

🫡

See you at school.

Courtney nodded at her phone, bolstered that she wasn't alone.

By the time she'd pulled into her parking space at the school lot, she'd made peace with whatever was to come. One couldn't die of embarrassment after all. If so, she'd probably have conked over when the video first came out. She'd show no sign of her embarrassment so the cause of her death would have been a mystery that not even Sherlock could have solved.

Courtney opened her door and got out, taking a small amount of happiness in the fact that she could drive again. There! Silver-lining found! Mission accomplished, I can now go back to bed.

Glancing at her phone, she found twenty-six unread messages all in the Squad Goals group. As Courtney scrolled through them she found them all full of what bodily harm or violent action each girl planned to do to Kyle for making and posting the meme.

Creative and mildly terrifying, never get on the wrong side of this squad. Still, even with the violence of it, Courtney couldn't help but smile.

Putting her phone away, she hopped out of the car and grabbed her crutches out of the back. She hopped gracefully, obviously. She ducked into the back again and pulled out two large posters for her history project out. Awkwardly, she tried to back up, keep a hold of the posters, and manage to close the door. This she did not do so gracefully, or successfully for that matter.

"Hey beautiful, need help?"

Courtney stopped in her tiring endeavor and held up a hand to Blake.

"Don't," she said. "You can play the Bad Boy role with other people but don't play it with me. Now, let's try that again. Good morning, Blake."

Blake let go of his charming smile. "Hey, Cory. Do you need help?"

"I do in fact, thanks."

Blake took hold of the posters and when Courtney retreated, he closed her car door.

"Helmich's classroom?" he asked.

"Yes."

They set off together, Blake slowing his normal long strides so Courtney could keep up with him. His presence and bulk had the added benefit that people didn't approach Courtney about the meme circulating. Though he did attract looks, which was normal due to his calculated Bad Boy persona.

"Blake," Courtney said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why the Bad Boy persona? I mean, I've known you since we were little and this wasn't you back then? Where is the chubby boy who loved anime and ate ice cream with me?"

Blake pressed his lips together. Oh clearly doesn't like that memory.

"Do you know how many dates that chubby boy went on? None. Do you know how many times that chubby boy was rejected? Too many to count."

They stopped outside of Helmich's open classroom door and Courtney stared up at him.

"And so you decided to change who you were."

"Do you know how many times I get rejected now?" he asked.

"Not enough, it's gone to your head."

Blake smiled, a smile said that he was too pleased with himself and his life.

"What's the endgame here?" Courtney said. "No one knows you."

Blake shrugged. "So? At least this way I don't get hurt."

"But girls get hurt."

Blake set down Courtney's posters inside the classroom and smirked. "I think that's on them. After all, everyone knows you're not supposed to trust the Bad Boy."

He started to move away but Courtney called out to him. "I miss the chubby boy."

He turned around and walked backward. "You're alone there."

Courtney remained there, watching him cut his way through the crowds of students.

"I find this ironic."

Courtney wanted to roll her eyes at the voice. Not what she needed today.

"How so, Max?" she asked.

"You were the one who wanted to warn me about Blake, but there you are chatting him up."

"Yeah, I can warn you because I'm under no delusion about him, I know exactly who he is."

Max crossed her arms. "And I don't?"

Courtney sighed. "No, Max you don't."

Before Max could retort, Courtney walked away as the first bell rang. I almost feel bad for her being deluded. Almost. Courtney could still clearly remember all the things Max had said to her.

As Courtney entered the Council room, Miguel peered up from his phone. His brow wrinkled. Bleh, he's seen the meme.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Can you please ask me something to do about how Homecoming is going or anything else?" she asked. She heard Micah's voice in her head, encouraging her to be real. Oh, but fake is so much easier. "It sucks. I want that video to die."

Miguel nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

This time Courtney nodded. It wasn't much but Micah was right, it felt different admitting it than making light of it or hiding it. Didn't change anything but at least someone else acknowledged what she was going through.

"How is Homecoming going?" Miguel asked.

Phew, now we can move on.

"We're in good shape. All the leaf outlines are cut and ready to be hung. It's not as much as expected so Lynn is picking up new fabric and more will be cut. I'm checking in with Juan and Sophie on their progress with the set pieces. I'll measure them, more might have to be made but I'll see what they are up to doing."

"Sounds good." Miguel glanced at his watch. "I have a meeting with Principal Rice this morning so I won't be here. If you hit problems let me know and we'll work it out."

"Got it."

The bell rang and Miguel headed off. As he exited the room, Lynn entered. Courtney crossed over to her right as Aiden walked in, hauling rolls of fabric.

"Manual labor, I see," she said.

He shrugged. "I can't only be good looks."

He set the fabric down and Lynn thanked him then focused on Courtney.

"How are you doing?"

"Encouraged by the squads' threats. Who knew Rosa was so creatively violent."

"She is an author."

"You have a point, they are all sadists."

Lynn laughed but sobered. "So you're okay?"

Be real. It's okay to be real.

"I will be eventually. I'm going to check on Juan and Sophie. Are you good here?"

"I'm on it," she said.

Lynn quickly called everyone to attention, announcing that they would be doing more cutting and outlining for the day. Glad that Lynn had it well in hand, Courtney left.

"Hey," Aiden said, standing just outside the door. "I saw the meme. Are you okay?"

"I wish it wasn't made."

"I already told Kyle off but I could beat him up for you?"

Courtney laughed. "Have you ever beaten someone up?"

"No, but I figured I could learn along the way."

"I'm pretty sure he'd win since he's bigger than you. But thanks. It's the thought that counts."

Aiden nodded. "I am sorry about it." He gave her a little wave and headed off.

Courtney watched him go, feeling strangely comforted by his concern.

After a slow journey across the school, Courtney found Juan and Sophie already at work. Instantly, she searched for Micah but he wasn't there. Which is fine. Maybe he wanted to sleep in. She wanted to sleep for the entire day in the hopes that it hadn't happened. Can't blame him for not being there.

"How's it going?" Courtney asked, eyeing the completed sets.

"Great," Sophie said. "Only one left to finish."

"We've had fun," Juan said. "Almost feels like we're cheating class."

"So if more sets had to be painted, you wouldn't hate me?"

Sophie and Juan exchanged a glance then looked at her. "Not at all."

That's a relief because that may need to happen.

Which it did need to happen after Courtney got the couple's help with measuring the bleachers and the sets. Four more needed to be made but neither Sophie nor Juan had a problem. And two weeks to finish them didn't seem to be a problem.

"You both are amazing!" Courtney said after they agreed to the additions. "Thank you."

"It means we're not stuck in class and we can talk all we want," Sophie said. She smiled at Juan with a tender expression. "A great way to start the day."

Juan leaned over and kissed her.

Aww. Way too cute.

"I'm surprised Micah isn't here," Courtney said before she could stop herself. "Bringing you some food or something."

"I sent him a message to get us breakfast burritos but he didn't respond," Juan said. "Slacker."

Yeah, slacker. Definitely not avoiding me.

Definitely not.

I hope.

*******

"In conclusion," Courtney said, addressing her history class. "Fashion shouldn't be downplayed. It's a part of our history like everything else. Thank you."

Aubrey started clapping which made a few students around her follow. Courtney grinned and shook her head. Girls supporting girls.

"Thanks, Courtney," Mr. Helmich said. He checked his watch. "Go ahead and start packing up. Tomorrow we'll finish up the rest of the presentations." He turned to Courtney. "Do you mind leaving your poster boards with me? I like your 3D effects."

"Thanks and go ahead."

The boards were covered with three rows of fashion through the times, all holding drawings with outfits Courtney had sewn and attached to the board. Maybe a bit over what was called for but this was a project she could put her love of fashion into it. It had also given her an excuse to explore the different trends, which she even got ideas for outfits for. It hadn't felt like work at all.

The bell rang and students jumped to their feet and fled. At least they understood the definition, unlike some people...Miles, I'm looking at you. But in the mental sense.

As the room emptied, Courtney safely retrieved her backpack and exited. But stopped when she found Max waiting beyond the doorway. Oh, this should be interesting.

"Fashion?" Max said. "Really? That's the shallow, superficial topic you went with?"

That? That was what she waited all this time to say to me. Talking to Blake this morning must have really irked her. What better way to get revenge than mocking something I love. Laughs on you, Max.

"You don't believe that fashion has an impact?" Courtney asked.

"You're joking, right? Clothes are just clothes. Not life-changing."

Courtney shifted her crutches, getting into a more comfortable position. You brought this on yourself, sister.

"Why not? Clothes are a part of our lives in a way that's understated but completely important. People say to not judge a book by its cover but clothes tell us a lot about a person. Who is more likely to get the job: a person wearing their everyday clothes or someone who has put in the effort?

"That effort could mean ironing their best worn suit but still, that tells the interviewer that person even though poor, put in the time and energy to look as good as they could."

Courtney chocked her head, pointedly looking over Max's leather jacket and all black attire.

"Take you for example," Courtney said.

"Me?"

Yes, you with the skeptical tone.

"You judge me for thinking clothes are important when they are just as important to you."

"No-"

"Yes, they are. You wear your leather jacket and all black clothes to convey something to the world. That you're a girl who wants to stand apart. You're a bit of the rebel.

"You look down on me because I wear outfits I find cute and fashionable. But if I wore all black would you accept me? But if you did that would mean you accept me because you believe us to be similar. And where does that thought come from? Clothes.

"So, yes I chose to do my project on fashion because though you want to deny it, fashion does mean something. You saying it doesn't won't change facts."

Max opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Holy buckets! Did I just have a Miranda from The Devil Wears Prada moment? I did! Best freaking day ever. Mental dance party since a physical dance party isn't possible right now. Also, it would be out of the blue to Max.

"Food for thought," Courtney said.

"It's still ridiculous," Max said, folding her arms.

"Which is your opinion and which you are allowed to have. I merely don't have to accept it."

Courtney took off, wishing she could skip to her car. She couldn't but she settled for a jaunty swing of her crutches. When she got to her car, she angled her crutches into the back and sank onto the seat. Despite the start, not a bad day.

Courtney pulled out her phone and scrolled through the Squad Goals message strain. All through the day, the things that people planned to do to Kyle had gone from violent to ridiculously violent. All of it made Courtney smile. Her smile softened at Aubrey's last message.

Aubrey:

No one gets to mistreat our captain like this.

When Courtney lifted her gaze, she saw Max cutting through the cars to her motorcycle. How many times had Max mistreated her since their first encounter and all because her perception was completely wrong?

Courtney finally stating the flaw in Max's thinking wasn't going to help her case. But having a truly honest conversation could.

Courtney started her car and backed out. She stopped right behind Max's bike, pinning her in. When she rolled down the passenger window, Max was already ready to spout something that probably wouldn't be very nice.

"Get in Angry Biker Girl," Courtney said, cutting Max off. "We're going to finally deal with our issues."

Max crossed her arms. "And if I don't, what will you do?"

Continue to let you live with looking like an idiot every time you talk to me, which is only damaging to you.

"Absolutely nothing," Courtney said.

The honesty startled Max and she uncrossed her arms.

"It's up to you."

Max turned back to her bike and Courtney shrugged. But before she could let up on the brake, Max swung around, scowling, and climbed into the car.

**********************************************************************

WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM!

WOOO!! YES!! Let's do this!! Ish is about to go down! I'm pumped! This is it! Cory, punch her in the throat! Break her front right tooth! Take. Her. Down.

YEAH! So hyped! Am I getting excited to mask my pain over the fact that Micah wasn't in the chapter and there's still holes in the ship?

Duh! Do you not know me at all! I can't handle this turmoil it's killing me!!

*flops onto the floor face first and waves my hand in a go-ahead-and-leave-your-thoughts-here-but-if-you-don't-want-to-I-respect-you-staying-private gesture* 💭🗯💬

(It's a very specific hand gesture that only an odd author like me can really execute well)

Now, let's avoid all the hardships in our life like Cory does and talk about something else!

QUESTION! (Sorry, I'll lower my voice) Question: what is a style or trend you've wanted to wear but don't feel like it would work on you?

I ask purely for selfish reasons because I want to share mine. Girls who can wear baseball caps.

(If you were on my instagram: Joymoment, this week I apologize for the repeat)

There is something completely cool about girls who can wear baseball caps. They are confident, sporty, and whole another entity in my mind.

BUT! I think I might be able to join their ranks. I tried on a baseball cap this week and this is the result.

Tell me, can I be the type of girl I've always wanted to be?

Yes, you totally rock the look!

Nope, I'm sorry to break your heart but you can't.

(Also is it just me or does this photo give off a devilish-cute-at-times-when-she's-having-a-good-day vibe? Oh my gosh! Have we found the evil force behind it all?! 😱)

If you chose to break my heart well whatever, I'm going to wear it anyways. I gotta be me! Well the me I hope to be... I'm going for it!

Also this is my new profile pic, just so you know. It can be startling to see something new when the old photo is how you've seen me for years.

It's a startling feeling I get a lot with readers. It's like you decide to get a new face every time you change your profile pic on me. But luckily I know your username as well so that helps.

Any ways here's a meme for you!