Courtney wakes up to a bright and sunny morning. But, she doesn't feel bright and sunny at all. She finally understood why people dislike her step sister. After the incident that happened in the car, she didn't know how to feel. Was Ashley in the right to be protective over her boyfriend, or was Ashley being downright cynical? Maybe it's the latter. Either way, things have been incredibly tense, she barely wants to even glance at Ashley, she's been ignoring Ricky, Courtney's friends are disgusted with what Ashley said, and the car rides to and from school are SO awkward! And, needless to say, Courtney is dreading going to the party today. She promised Bea and Willow that she would go, and Courtney does not like to break promises, so she's going to have to suck it up and lay incredibly low.

She walks out into the hallway en route to the bathroom, when Ashley opens her door as well, the two make awkward eye contact, "Good morning Ashley", Courtney says in the nicest way possible, "Hello. Are you gonna shower?", Ashley asks, "Um, yeah", Courtney responds, "Well you're gonna have to wait", Ashley says walking to the bathroom and slamming the door behind her, "Alright", Courtney says walking down the stairs to eat breakfast. As she is pouring her big bowl of cereal, her mother walks in, "Good morning sweetheart", "Good morning mom", Courtney responds, "Everything ok?", Audrey asks, "Yeah, it's just, I don't know, I really don't like parties", "Well sweetie you don't have to go if you don't want to", says Audrey, "I know but, I promised Bea and Willow", says Courtney eating a spoonful of golden hoops, "You'll survive, how's it going with Ashley?", Audrey asks, "I think we both know that she can be a little, tough", Courtney says, "That is very true, but I feel like deep down, she has a soul", Audrey laughs, "Oh mom, you're always trying to find the good in people", Courtney says, "Well, if people can't find it themselves, they'll always need a little bit of help".

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Bea is in the cafeteria doing some homework waiting for her friends to get to school, she looks for a moment and sees Alex walk in as she gives him a big smile. He walls over and sits down in front of her, "Good morning Bea", he says with a grin, "Morning", she replies, "What are you doing?", he asks staring down at the papers in front of her, "Just Mr. Henleys homework from yesterday", she says, Alex continues their small talk, and Bea barely hears any of it, she looks at him talk and smile between words, she stares deep into his brown eyes admiring every little twinkle they make when the lights hit them just right, she really does like this boy, "Bea?", asks Alex a bit loudly snapping her back to reality, "What? Oh, sorry", Bea says letting out a nervous giggle, "Um, sorry, what were you saying?", "I said are you excited for tonight's party?", Bea takes this as a chance to find out if Alex likes anyone, "Oh, yeah, are you? Are you hoping to see anyone special tonight?", Bea asks full of hope. "Not really", Alex responds, sadness fills Bea's brown eyes, "But I mean I am happy that you're going", Alex says with a gentle smile sprawled across his face, Bea quickly cheers up. "Yeah, I'm happy you're going too", she says, trying her best to not blush.

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Danielle walks in through the main doors, she sees a few students walking around waiting for class to start and for the day to end. As she turns a corner to head into the cafeteria she spots Carlos leaning against the lockers talking to two guys, his eyes quickly glance over at her, and they linger. Danielle can feel herself quickly blushing. She let's out a little squeal and her eyes quickly scan the area for a place to retreat. She spots the girls restroom and makes a break for it. Carlos notices all of this and chuckles. Danielle leans on one of the sinks and stares at herself in the mirror. "Ugh, really Danielle?! Come on, you can do this", she thinks to herself. She takes a deep breath as she tightens her ponytail and adjusts her glasses on the bridge of her button nose. She hesitates to back out. Then she walks back to the mirror and slings her brown leather backpack from her shoulder and begins to dig through the depths of where most things go to die for any high schooler. She then pulls out a tube of lip gloss that's barely been used. Danielle isn't quite the makeup type, mostly because she knows nothing about it. If she's feeling a bit bold then she does try her best to work with some mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. She gently opens the tube and begins to apply it carefully on her plump lips, enjoying the pleasant artificial strawberry scent.

As she walks out she does her best to look sexy, she forms a seductive smirk on her face and she feels invincible. But all of that quickly dissolves into thin air as Danielle slips on her own feet and falls backwards. Carlos sees her fall and quickly rushes over to her, "Oh my God, Danielle are you okay?", he asks as he helps her up, "I'm fine, but my dignity is very much nonexistent", she mutters dusting her self off, "Thank you", she says about to walk away in embarrassment, "Well wait", Carlos says holding her back, "How you been?", he asks with a smile, "Um, I've been, uh, good, yeah, what about yourself?", she replies, "Well I'm sure you know why I haven't been feeling so hot", he chuckles reluctantly, "Yeah this whole thing is really awkward", she says smiling sheepishly, "Yeah, it really sucks, but the worst part is that people see me very differently now. Even though I don't get it because all I did was kiss that girl that goes to Porter High", Danielle nods aggreeing with him, "I understand, but cheating is cheating no matter to what extent, but just so you know, I still think your a pretty good guy", Danielle smiles at how good she just flirted with Carlos, he visibly blushed. "Thanks Danielle, so, um, I hope to see you tonight", "What? Oh. Right. The party, um yeah I don't know", Danielle frowns, "Oh come on, I've done this since seventh grade and you have yet to attend one", Carlos playfully scolds her, "But, please come tonight? For me? You could even come early and help me set up", "Really?", Danielle asks, "Yeah, I'd love your company", Carlos says giving Danielle a caring smile with all the sincerity in the world in his eyes. Danielle feels her knees get weak. She blushes as she says, "Ok, ok, I'll go", she says covering up her rosy cheeks and walking away.

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In first period, after Ms. Jenkins finishes a slideshow about the Paleolithic era, she gets up turns on the lights and gives the students instruction, "Alright guys, since its your first Friday I will go easy, for the rest of the period discuss with your classmates, quietly, about the Paleolithic era and write a one page summary of the most important points", she finishes taking a seat at her brightly decorated desk. The classroom is quickly filled with voices and conversations, a small fraction about the assignment, but mostly about other things, especially the party that's happening tonight.

"So, are you excited for tonight?", Willow ask turning to Courtney, "I mean, I'm basically going against my will so I don't know how to feel", Courtney responds, "Oh come on, you're not the least bit excited? I'm excited solely on the fact that you're going", Aaron says turning to Courtney and Willow with a smile, "Wow, way to be subtle", Willow chuckles. Courtney looks down with the rosiest cheeks on the planet, "Thanks Aaron, I guess I'll try my best to have fun tonight", Courtney replies, "Stick with me, and you will", he says with a giant grin on his face. "So, I am pretty close to getting my license, so my parents are willing to lend me the car, so I will pick you up at eight", Willow states, "Ok, sounds good and you are my savior! That means I won't have to get a ride from Isabella anymore!", Courtney says excitedly, "Oh right, Ashley is your stepsister", Aaron says, "How is that going?", he asks Courtney with a sarcastic look of pity on his face, "I mean, I don't wanna be mean, but she isn't the easiest girl to have as a stepsister", Courtney answers, "I would imagine", Aaron laughs, "especially since she thinks you want her boyfriend", Aaron finishes off, Courtney gulps, "And that to me is insane because I don't want to steal Ricky from her", Courtney replies. Willow looks over at her with confused eyes, "Yeah I guess it's best if you just stay away from him", Aaron says, as Courtney reluctantly smiles.

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Ashley sits in her first period, Geometry with Mrs. Yañez, and makes her best attempt at hearing her talk about line segments, she looks over at Isabella sitting next to her, "What are you wearing tonight?", she asks, "I don't know, you?", Isabella responds, "I'm wearing the blue dress that Ricky likes", she answers, "Hopefully that'll stop him from even looking at Courtney", she says gritting her teeth, "Ashley, why do you think everyone is trying to steal Ricky from you? You two have broken up God knows how many times and he still gets back together with you, doesn't that tell you something", Isabella reasons, "Maybe it does, but this time is different. I know he doesn't feel the same about me anymore. And I just don't want to lose him", Isabella sits surprised at the amount of vulnerability that Ashley exposed in that sentence, "And I know it's because of that stepbitch, so I just have to make sure she stays away from him" Ashley says, "There she is, nevermind", Isabella thinks to herself rolling her eyes.

Across the room, Jason jotted down some things Mrs. Yañez said in his notebook then he sits back and thinks about the party tonight. Amanda looks over at him, "You seem very, thoughtful", she says, " What? Oh, um, nah I'm just thinking about the party tonight", "Isn't everyone?", Amanda replies, "Yeah, I guess, are you going?", Jason asks, "Duh", she replies, "Oh. Really? I thought you wouldn't because of the whole Carlos thing", he said, "Oh please. Everyone needs to get over that. I am. I'm ready to move on", "Well that's good, going with anyone?", Jason asks, "Hell no, I don't wanna date for a good long time. Boys suck", she replies, "Not all boys suck", Jason says in defense of boykind, "Do you want me to believe that you don't suck?", Amanda asks tilting her head, "What? Oh no. Amanda, no, why would you think I like you?", he says, "I didn't say I thought you liked me. You said you thought I liked you", she replies with a sly smile. Jason chuckles nervously, "Well I don't think you like me and I don't like you. I think I have my eyes on someone else...", Jason trails off, Amanda squints, "Who?", she asks, "The new girl...", he replied and Amanda's eyes widened, "My God! You too?! I mean don't get me wrong, Courtney is a nice girl and beautiful, but first Ricky, then Aaron, now you?! She really has this damn school whipped", she says, Jason quickly shakes his head, "No not her! The other new girl", he quickly says, "Oh! Ariel", Amanda says with a sigh of relief, "Yeah", "Well, she is going to be at the party tonight, so tonight may be your best shot", Amanda says playfully punching his arm, "I don't know I mean, I've never really been good with girls", "Oh come on. One, you got an accent, two, you play football, three, you're just a really sweet guy Jason, just be yourself", Amanda says, "What if she doesn't like me", Jason says, "Jason, Ariel is really cool and down to earth, I'm sure she'll give you the time of day", Amanda smiles, "Thanks Amanda", Jason smiles back, "Anytime, now help me with these damn points", she laughs pointing at the worksheet in front of her.

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The lunch bell rings and Danielle walks out into the halls and heads towards the cafeteria, she sees Amanda at her locker and runs up to her, "Hey!", she says giving her best friend a hug, "Hi! Wow, someone's in a good mood", Amanda laughs hugging her back, "I'm in a great mood! But, I do need to talk to you about something", Danielle says, "Of course, I'm all ears babe", Amanda replies, "So, I ran into Carlos this morning, and, um, he asked me if I would want to help him set up for the party...", Amanda looks at her empathetically, "Dani, don't worry, I know you like him", Danielle looks up at her in shock, "You do?!", "I mean yeah, I'm your best friend, I know when you like someone, especially when you've liked someone for four years!", Amanda says with a sweet smile, "I knew you liked him even when I was dating him", Amanda says. "What? No! I told you I was over him", Danielle says, "Even if you were, I knew deep down you liked him, and it killed me to he dating him", Amanda frowns, "Amanda, don't worry, I really was happy for you. As long as you were happy, I was, trust me", Danielle says hugging Amanda once again, Amanda holds her best friend tightly, "Thank you, now, it's time for me to be happy for you", she says pulling away, "So go and help him set up, I just don't want you to get hurt", Amanda says, "Don't worry, I will tread carefully, but I just wanna make sure you're over him because if your not then I won- ", Amanda cuts her off, "Dani! I have been over him!", she laughs, "And thank you for coming to me first", Amanda says, "Its only, like, the rules of feminism", Danielle laughs, Amanda puts her arm around her best friend and they walk together to the cafeteria.

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Later that day, after school, Isabella drops Ashley and Courtney off, "Alright, I'll pick you up at eight", Isabella tells Ashley, "Ok, see you bitches later", Ashley says blowing Isabella and Lauren a kiss. As Ashley and Courtney approach the front door Courtney asks Ashley, "Not to be rude or anything, but why does Isabella drive you around? You have your license right? Why don't you get your own car?", "What's with the interrogation Whorelock Holmes?", Ashley tells Courtney, "I do have a license, but..." Ashley trails off, Courtney looks at her and she sees her get teary-eyed, "My mom always said that she would get me my first car and that the first thing we would do after getting my car is go shopping...", Ashley wipes a single tear away, Courtney looks at her with tears welling up as well, "But I guess that won't happen now that she lives on the other side of the country", "Oh, Ashley I didn't know she moved away after your parents got a divorce", Courtney says empathetically, "Yeah, well, as soon as the divorce was final, she jumped on a plane to L.A. and never looked back", "I'm so sorry Ashley", Courtney said rubbing her back, Ashley shuddered at Courtney's touch and basically lunged to the door to unlock it. Courtney slowly walked into the house and felt good that Ashley let her see her emotional side, even if Ashley didn't mean to, it showed Courtney that Ashley does have feelings. "Well I'm gonna start getting ready for the party, do you have a ride or do I have to endure another car ride with you?", Ashley asked Courtney as she ascended the stairs, "The party starts in four hours though", Courtney reasoned looking up at Ashley, "Yeah. So? You can't rush perfection" Ashley said, Courtney rolled her eyes, "Okay, well don't worry I have a ride, Willow is gonna pick me up", "Oh thank God, now I don't have to walk in with you and have everybody stare at my new stepsister", Ashley said with disgust in her voice, "Whatever Ashley", Courtney told herself.

Courtney walked over to her mom's room downstairs, "Hey sweetie, I didn't hear you come in", Audrey says putting down her book, "Yeah well were home", Courtney laughs, Tori is sitting at the other side of the bed coloring, "Hey sister", she greets Courtney with a big smile, "Hi pretty", Courtney says picking her up and giving her tiny kisses on her cheek. "Where's Ashley?", Audrey asks Courtney, "She has begun to get ready for tonight", "Now? Doesn't the party start at eight?", "You can't rush perfection", Courtney says quoting Ashley, "Oh wow", Audrey laughs. "Oh, mom, Willow and Bea are coming over is that okay?", Courtney asks Audrey taking a seat on the comfy white bedsheets, "Sure hun, are excited about tonight?", Audrey asks her daughter, "Oh my God mom, literally everyone is asking that at school", she laughs, "But yeah, I guess I'll try to have fun", she finishes. "That's good, just make the best of it", Audrey reassures Courtney.

Thomas gets home soon after and Audrey finishes off her infamous spaghetti and meatballs and Courtney and Tori set the table. "Hello", he says giving Audrey a kiss, "Ew", Tori giggles, "Oh I'm sorry Tori does this bother you", Thomas tells her playfully giving Audrey little pecks on the cheek, "Yeah that's gross", she laughs, Ashley walks out of her room and sees everyone downstairs in the kitchen, talking and laughing, she feels sick to her stomach, she frowns and storms back into her room. Thomas walks up the stairs and knocks on Ashley's door, "Hey sweetie, it's me", Ashley opens the door and walks back to her vanity and sits back down, continuing to straighten her hair, "Are you going to join us for dinner?", he asks, "No, I'm not hungry", she responds, "Ashley you have to eat something", "I'll get something to eat later when Isabella picks me up", she retorts, "Ashley, look at me", she stops looking at the reflection on her vanity and looks over at her father, "I know that all this came fairly quickly, okay, and I apologize for bombarding you with it. But I had to learn to adjust with Courtney and Tori, and I know you can too", Thomas says with a smile, "What if I don't want to?", Ashley says looking at her dad, Thomas looks down in defeat, "But", Ashley says and he looks at her full of hope, "Audrey clearly makes you very happy, so, I guess I can try", she says with a sincere smile, "Thank you sweetie that means a lot", "Yeah yeah", "Well come here give me a hug", he laughs, Ashley sighs and gets up and hugs her father, "I love you", he says, "Yeah, I love you too", she says, "But I'm really not hungry", she says pulling away, "Yeah, that's okay" he smiles, "When is Isabella getting here?", Thomas asks, "I don't know, like in an hour", she says glancing at the digital clock on her nightstand that reads 5:13 "Alright well, have fun, please be safe and responsible, your curfew is twelve thirty, not a minute later than that okay?", he tells Ashley, "Yup I got it".

After dinner Thomas helps Audrey with the dishes and Courtney goes upstairs to take a shower. Afterwards she walks into her room with a towel wrapped around her body and another towel wrapped around her hair and put in a nest on top of her head, she slides open her closet door that doubles as a full length mirror and begins to dig through the mass group of clothing hanging on hangers, she nears the end of her closet and thinks aloud, "God I literally have nothing to wear". She gets to the end of her closet and sees a green lace romper that her dad gave her, she's never worn it, it still has the tags on it, she admires it for a moment, but decides not to wear it. She opts for a black flowy tank top and torn lightwash skinny jeans. She starts blowdrying her hair as she hears the doorbell ring. A minute later she hears footsteps approaching her door until she hears a knock, "Come in", she says, she sees Bea and Willow walk in, "Hi, wow, you guys look great", she says admiring their outfits, Bea is wearing an off the shoulder pink top with large bell bottom sleeves and large dark capris with strappy heels, her dark as night hair is up in a messy updo with hoop earrings and pretty, natural, glowy makeup. Willow is wearing a pretty lavender dress with a brown braided skin belt and gold sandals with rhinestone detailing, her beautiful brown hair is down in natural looking waves, and her makeup is bearly there as she lets her natural beauty shine. "So so you, but this is all you got?", asks Bea, Courtney playfully gasps, "Yes! How dare you say I don't look gorgeous", she laughs, "No sweetie you do, but let us find you something even prettier", Willow says walking over to Courtney's closet, "Yeah, I mean, you gotta make a good first impression", Bea says smiling. As Bea and Willow rummage through Courtney's clothes, she remembers the green romper, "Wait! There is one thing I won't wear-", Courtney gets cut off by Bea and Willow finding the romper, "Court, this is it", Bea says, "Yes! Why don't you wear this?", Willow asks, "Well, uh, because my dad gave it to me", Courtney says, "Oh. Courtney", Bea says walking over to her and putting her head on her shoulder, "I know this might remind you of him, but he gave it to you because he wanted you to look beautiful in it", Willow says hugging her, "But, if you don't want to wear it then you don't have to", Bea says, "Yeah", Willow agrees. Courtney thinks for a minute. "No. I'm gonna wear it", she says with a smirk.