Courtney walked down the sidewalk as tears pummeled the pavement below her feet. She held her cold, wet, and sticky body and rapidly walked down an unknown street. She looked at all the lit-up fast food signs and heard all the cars speed down the street. She reached for her pockets and felt around for her phone. To no avail. Then she remembers she left it behind on the couch at Carlos'. She didn't care. She just wanted to get far away from that house and the people there. Ashley's words hurt. So did the slap. All of her thoughts are so convoluted. Was she wrong to dance with Ricky? Is her whole crush on Ricky wrong? Should she just have left like this? Everyone there saw her run after Ashley. What are they gonna think? Does she care what they think? Is she a terrible person? Well. She knew the answer to that one. It may not be true, but she feels like she is the most dirtiest scum to set foot on this earth. Also, she's cold. She rubs her face full of tears and walks into a McDonald's.

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Ashley hauled ass back to the house. Not caring where Courtney was going. She saw Lauren and Isabella standing out in the driveway. Ashley quickly tried to dry her tears, but the two girls saw them nonetheless and ran over to her. "Ashley! What happened?", Lauren asked, "Are you okay?", Isabella asked. "I'm fine!", Ashley spat. "Where's Courtney?" They both asked, "I don't know and I don't care", Ashley responded, "I just want to get the fuck out of here." She finished.

Back inside, amidst all the hushed whispers about Courtney running after Ashley. Stood the confused and concerned posse. Half of them couldn't keep their mouths closed. "Should we go after them?", Amanda finally broke the loud silence, "I don't know.", responded Carlos, Jason, Danielle, Ryan, Jordyn, and Ariel. "I do know.", said Bea walking to the door, followed by Willow and Aaron. Ricky soon made his way outside as well.

As the foursome walked outside, they saw Ashley, Isabella, and Lauren get into Isabella's car. Ricky ran ahead, "Ashley! Wait!", he yelled running to the car, Ashley rolled down  her window, "What the fuck do you want?", she said through gritted teeth. "Ashley, please, let me explain, can we talk? Please?", Ricky pleaded, Ashley looked down and then back at him, "Fine.", she said getting out of the car, the tattered couple began to walk to Ricky's car, but Bea stopped them, "Wait! Where's Courtney?", she asked, "I don't know. She ran off that way.", Ashley said pointing to the direction in which Courtney left, with that, Bea, Willow, and Aaron took off to look for her. Ricky stared at them walk off for a second. He hopes she's okay.

Once they got to the end of the street, concern began to grow as there was no sign of Courtney. Aaron took out his phone, it's 11:45, where could she be? He thought. "Should I call her?", he asked the worried friends, "There's no use. She left it back at at the party.", Willow said. The three of them stood at the end of the sidewalk, it was a four way intersection, "Well, there's three of us. And three ways she could've gone.", Bea said, "It's late, we shouldn't wander down streets by ourselves", Willow said, one second later, two cars pulled up to them, The first one rolled down the passenger's window, it was Carlos driving and Danielle in shotgun, "Hey, we'll help you guys find her.", Danielle smiled weakly, "There's room for one more person in each car, that's Jason behind us", Carlos said, "You guys each get in one and go down the other two roads, I'll walk down the right one", Aaron said, "You sure?" Bea asked, Aaron nodded. Bea hopped into the back of Carlos' car where Amanda and Alex were sitting, Bea told Carlos to keep going straight. Willow got into the back of Jason's car, Ariel was in the front and Jordyn and Ryan were in the back with her, Willow told Jason to turn left.

Aaron walked down the sidewalk, looking at all the fast food places he passed by. He looked to his right and saw a big yellow "M", he looked at the big window in the front of the McDonald's, he kept walking, but stopped in his tracks when he made out a redheaded girl wearing a green jumper. He didn't notice, but he let out a big sigh of relief, he quickly walked in and made his way to Courtney. She was sitting at a table for two, drying her tears, Aaron sat down across from her, "Hey Red", he said in a soft voice, Courtney looked up and she didn't notice either, but she let out a sigh of relief, then without thinking pulled Aaron into a much needed hug. They embraced each other from across the small table for a minute, Courtney let out tiny sobs here and there, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm here", Aaron said rubbing the back of her head and back. They let go and sat back, Courtney tried her best to compose herself and Aaron texted both Bea and Willow to notify them that he found her and she was okay, and that he'll tell them where they are later, he wanted to talk to her and calm her down for a bit.

"Red, what the hell happened?", Aaron asked, Courtney explained everything, from the dancing, to the argument, to the hurtful words, to the mutual slap, "So then I just walked away, I didn't want to follow her back to the party, nor did I wanna go back to the party. And i ended up at your friendly, neighborhood Mickey D's", Courtney finished with a slight chuckle. Aaron smiled a bit, "Well that was a lot, but I'm happy you're okay, don't just leave next time, you'll worry a lot of people", he laughed, "I know, I'm sorry", she replied, "Is Ashley alright?", she asked, "Yeah, Ricky stayed back to talk to her", Aaron replied, Courtney gulped, "Oh, okay", she said quietly, "But why do you care? Red, she doesn't care if you're okay or not, she was about to leave when we walked outside!", Aaron said, "It's just who I am. Plus I ruined her night", Courtney said, Aaron stared at her, "Really? No. You were just dancing with her boyfriend, that's it. It's not like she walked in on you delivering his child", he said, Courtney laughs. "I know. But, we are both at fault here. She maybe shouldn't have reacted the way she did, and said what she said, and do what she did, but, it's honestly valid-", "Red..." Aaron tried to  interrupt her, "No, Aaron, I mean, she told me to stay away from him. I told myself to stay away from him! Yet, there I was, feeling bold and asking him to dance.", Courtney finished, and yawned. Aaron looked at her yawn, how cute, he thought. "Red, It's been a long, unnecessary night, why don't we get you home?", Aaron asked, she agreed. He texted Bea and Willow the McDonald's that they were at, Willow said to hang tight and that she'll pick them up soon.

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Ricky and Ashley got into Ricky's car and as he drove off, he saw Carlos and Jason get into their car with the others, he drove the opposite way and parked at a nearby park. The couple sat in extremely awkward silence for a few minutes, neither of them knowing what to say first.

"I'm sorry", Ricky said quietly, Ashley rolled her eyes, "No you aren't", "Ashley, I am, I knew I shouldn't have talked to her, or been near her-", Ashley cut him off, "I don't care that you two danced together! Imagine if I was! I'd be crazy!", Ashley yelled a bit, "Then what bothered you?", Ricky asked, Ashley got quiet and sunk in her seat. Tears began to form in her chocolate brown eyes once more, but she fought them back as much as she could, "Seeing you two together", Ashley's voice faltered, "Laughing, having a good time. Seeing you happy for once", she said as a tear escaped her right eye. Ricky felt a lump in his throat and guilt take over his body. "Because I know you don't love me. In a romantic way at least", Ashley continued, "Not anymore. And I knew you and Courtney connected ever since you two met.", she finished, Ricky's eyes began to well up with tears, "Then why are we together?", Ricky's voice shaked, "Because even though you don't love me anymore. I still do.", Ashley said wiping away more tears, "And I care about you, and I wanna be with you almost as much as you don't wanna be with me", she said, Ricky was wiping away tears as well, "Ashley, I care about you and I don't want you to get hurt. That's why I never broke things off", he said, "But being with someone you don't love and don't wanna be with, while the other person does love you and does want to be with you and has tried so hard to keep this relationship going, hurts so much more", Ashley said as tears overflowed her face. Ricky looked down as tears flew out of his eyes, "So..", he gulped, "I think it's best if we just break up", Ricky said, Ashley nodded in agreement, "We should have a long ass time ago.", she said, "But, you know what hurts though?", Ashley asked, "What?", Ricky responded, even though he was pretty sure he knew the answer, "The fact that you like her", she said, tears still flowing quietly, "I told you that I don't want the daughter of my dad's new wife to invade my life. That I would gradually accept it and her, yet, here she is, invading my life, taking my boyfriend", Ashley stopped herself, "Ex-boyfriend", she said. Ricky wiped away tears, "I know, I know", he started, "But, you hadn't met her yet. And then you saw her flaming locks of auburn hair, ivory skin, and eyes of emerald green", Ashley said with mocking eyes, "Her eyes are brown", Ricky said quietly, "I know idiot. I was referencing a song", she said, "I knew that.", he retorted, "Ash?", "Yes?", "Can you promise me this won't affect your life at home?", Ricky asks, Ashley glares at him. "I still don't like the bitch. So I'm gonna continue to ignore her", she said, "Don't worry, I won't kill her in her sleep", she says, "At least not tonight. I'm exhausted.", she said. Ricky looks at his phone, "It's 12:15. We should get you home", he said starting up the car again, "Let me text Lauren and Isabella, I'll tell them you're taking me home and that they could leave", she said typing away, "Yeah, also, by the way, it was annoying when you told me to pick you up, and when I got to your house, your dad told me they picked you up", Ricky said leaving the park, "I changed my mind. Get over it.", Ashley said rolling her eyes.

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Willow and Bea rolled up to the McDonald's that Aaron and Courtney were at, they had just gotten her phone from Carlos' house and were ready to go home, Jason was behind them as he was Aaron's ride. Courtney and Aaron walked outside, said their goodbyes and got into the respective cars.

Courtney told Bea and Willow everything that happened. After that it was a quiet ride as they all just took in what had happened in a short amount of time.

Ricky arrived at Ashley's house and parked the car, both of them got out, "Well, good night", Ricky said, "Good night", Ashley replied. Without thinking, they hugged tightly one last time. They held onto each other for a moment. They both did love one another at one point, and they had been together for some time, on and off, it's hard to let go. However, they still did. And Ashley made her way inside and Ricky began to drive home, just as he left, Willow's car arrived.

"Looks like Ricky dropped Ashley off", Bea said, Courtney looked on as Ricky's car sped away, "Yeah, I hope they sorted things out", she said with a gulp, "Well, this was an experience", she said, Bea and Willow looked at each other, guilt ridden, "Court, we're sorry", Willow said, "Yeah, if you didn't want to come the party, we shouldn't have forced you", Bea continued, "I mean look how this night turned out", Willow said. Courtney looked at her two friends and chuckled, "Guys, It's not your fault. Besides this whole mess, I had a good time. And I'm really happy I went, you guys are amazing. I'm so happy to call you guys my friends", Courtney smiled, "Really?", Bea and Willow said at once, "Really.", Courtney said earnestly as she went in to hug the two Latinas. "Okay, I'll see you guys on Monday", Courtney says stepping out of the car. "Text us if you need anything. Especially now.", Bea says, Courtney nods and makes her way to the door, she checks her phone, it's only 12 minutes past her curfew.

Courtney walks in and sees her mom in pink pajamas, walking to her room, mug in hand, most likely full of tea, "Oh hey, sweetie, Ashley said you were right behind her", Audrey said, Courtney suddenly got very nervous. Did Ashley say anything about what happened? "Well, I hope you had fun honey, good night.", Audrey said walking into her room, Courtney let out a sigh of relief, "Good night mom, love you", she says ascending up the stairs, "Love you too", Audrey says closing her and Thomas' bedroom door.

Filled with questions, Courtney gets ready for bed. This night was just, insane, to say the least. But, It's now the next day, so she can begin to move forward. Even though she just doesn't know what that means.

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For the rest of the weekend, Courtney lived in pure anxiety. She never knew if Ashley would say something during dinner, or breakfast. She didn't know if she would mention the party, or their argument, or anything. Frankly, Ashley didn't say anything at all. She kept her vocabulary down to the simple, "Yes", "No", "Thank you", and "Please". That's it.

Saturday came and went, and it seemed like Sunday would have the same fate. Bea and Willow, and other people texted Courtney to see if anything happened, and she sent them all the same response, "No. Not yet." One person who never contacted her was Ricky. And she didn't know if that was a good thing or not. "If he texts me, then he wants to make sure I'm okay. But, if he doesn't, he doesn't care. Do I want him to care? Is he just too scared to reach out? What happened between him and Ashley? Are they still together?", Courtney thought over and over again.

Besides that, Ashley just avoided Courtney, and she returned the favor. Courtney just wishes this never happened. And not the fight, or the party, but everything. She wishes her parents never got divorced, because if they never did, she wouldn't have moved to Miami, she would've stayed in Orlando and this whole mess wouldn't be happening. She stops her over thinking and decides to get out of bed. She sits on her vanity and as she does, there's a knock on her door, "Hey honey, it's me", Audrey says on the other side, "Come in", Courtney responds.

Audrey walks in and sits on her daughter's messy bed, "Good morning", they greet, Courtney begins to brush her hair, "So, how is everything?", Audrey asks, "Pretty good", Courtney replied nervously, not knowing where the conversation was going, "How about with you?", Courtney asked her mom, "Everything is great!", Audrey says happily, this makes Courtney giggle, "Well that's good", she laughs. Audrey gets up and goes to embrace her daughter, she kisses her cheek as they both look into the mirror in front of them, "I'm so glad the move here has treated us well", Audrey says as she rest her head on Courtney's neck and rubs her shoulders, "Yeah mom, me too", Courtney lies, Audrey let's go of Courtney and begins to walk to the door, "Oh, by the way, Ashley is going out with some friends later, and Tori wants to go see a movie, wanna come?", She asks, "Sure, it'd be nice to get out of the house", Courtney smiles.

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Ricky laid down on his bed while he listened to music. He took this breakup really hard, mostly because he felt terrible that it was his fault. "But isn't this what I wanted?", he thought. And it was, for a long time. He wanted to end his relationship with Ashley for good. Once and for all. It was just toxic. Yet, he never thought this would happen. And he especially didn't think the reason would be another girl. As much as Ashley drove him crazy, he knew he would never cheat on her. The whole reason he stayed with her was because he didn't want to hurt her. Besides, no girl made him feel the way Courtney made him feel. He knew he really liked Courtney. She was smart, funny, kind, caring, and so down to earth. If he really thought about it, she was his dream girl. "I need to stop thinking about this", he thought, and almost as if on queue, he got a text from Jason.

Hey man, how you doin?

I could be better ngl

But I thought you couldn't wait to be completely free from Ashley

I didn't think it would ever happen. And I feel like an asshole.

Why? Because you like ur ex gf's new stepsister that she totally does not like and wants to strangle on a daily basis for no reason? That makes you feel like a dick?

...

Or is it the fact that you KNEW she didn't like Courtney but you still talked to her and fell in like with her?

Ok you are not helping. Your officially the worst best friend ever

*you're

I hate you

Ahh come on, I'm just playing mate. You know you love me

mAtE, the Australian jumped out

-_-

Anyways. Carlos, Aaron and I are going to watch a movie, wanna come?

Sure, I need to get out of the house and out of my head for a while

Alright. The movie starts at 12, the theatre is the one next to the school and the only reason I invited you was to buy me popcorn

WOW

fine I'll see you in 15 min

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Ashley, Lauren, and Isabella were sitting on Lauren's bed in her blindingly pink room. The three amigas were all painting their nails, and it was awfully quiet. Isabella and Lauren kept looking at each other to try to find a good time to ask Ashley about Ricky.

Asgley felt oddly positive right now. No matter how she treated the other two girls on the Queen sized bed, she knew she could always count on them to cheer her up. Even when she didn't admit that she needed cheering up.

Isabella looked over at Ashley and saw she finished up her now black nails with holographic glitters spread around them. Ashley carefully closed the nail polish and began to blow on her nails so that they could dry faster. "Well, no time like the present", Isabella thought, she cleared her throat. "So... Um... How did things go with Ricky?", Ashley looked up, she knew she had to tell them what happened at some point. "Oh. We're done." She said with finality in her voice. "For now? Or... I mean not to offend you or anything, but, you two always get back together", Lauren said, Ashley glared at her for a second, "No I mean we're done. We are never ever getting back together", "Okay Taylor Swift, and is this because of-", Isabella was cut off by Ashley, "Yes it's because of that Cheeto haired slut", Ashley said with disdain as she thought of Courtney. "And did both of you want this?", Lauren asked Ashley, "I know I did. I'm not gonna be with someone who hurts me and leaves me for my so called stepsister". "And are okay? Like are you taking it well?", Isabella asked with clear concern in her voice for her friend, Ashley smiled a bit, "Yes. I'm fine. It hurt for a while, but I'm so over Richard Carson", Ashley said victoriously, "In fact, I'm gonna show everyone that I'm moving onto bigger and better things", she smiled deviously.

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Aaron walked inside the big movie theater and took in the delicious smell of popcorn. He was going to buy snack while the other guys bought the tickets. He got in line and he thought he saw familiar red head on the girl in front of him. "Red?", Courtney turned around and smiled at the raven haired boy in front of her, "Aaron! Hi!", she greeted happil as she hugged him tightly, without knowing really. Aaron was surprised but reciprocated the strangely comforting hug, "Hey, how you doing?", he asked, "I'm doing good. I'm over what happened at the party", she answered, "I'm glad to hear that", he smiled widely. Aaron cared a lot about Courtney, he knew that, and he hoped she could see that as well. "Who are you here with?", he asked, "With my mom, my little sister, and Thomas. They're already inside but I wanted some M&M's" she giggled, "What about you?", as she asked, Carlos, Jason, and Ricky walked into the theater.

Ricky instantly saw Courtney and instantly felt his cheeks reddening up. All weekend long he wanted to text her how she was feeling, but everytime he began to type he thought about what it could lead to, and he didn't know if moving on to Courtney thus quick was a good idea. But it killed him not knowing if she was okay.

Aaron gulped, "Uh, that's them, haha", he said awkwardly. He didn't know if Courtney and Ricky had talked over the weekend, and honestly, he hoped they hadn't. Courtney could barely react as she was next in line. She quickly moved over to order her candy, hoping not to run into Ricky. "Um, we'll see you guys inside", Ricky said taking tow tickets from his hand and giving the other two to Jason. "Hey...", Ricky said as he stood next to Aaron. The awkward silence looming louder than ever.

Courtney finished paying and began to walk back to her movie, but before she could, Ricky caught up to her, "Court! Hey. Um. How are you?", he said rubbing the back of his head. Aaron rolled his eyes as he began to order. Courtney took a deep breath, "Um. I'm good. I just gotta move on you know. From what happened, you know? Well, you do know. Cuz you were there", she facepalmed so hard in her head. "Uh, H-how are you?", she asked. Ricky wanted to tell her everything in that moment, but all he said was, "I'm good. I could be better, but I'm-I'm good".

The small silence was interrupted by Courtney's phone receiving a text notification, she quickly took it out and saw a message from Bea.

Look at Ashley's new IG post NOW

"Um, just a sec", she told Ricky. She opened up the app and Ashley's post was already there. It was a picture of her glistening in the Miami sun, Courtney's eyes then looked down at the caption. It read, "Finally free. So happy I let go of toxic people in my life. They can ruin each other's lives now idc 😈".

"You broke up with Ashley?", she asked Ricky showing him the post. Ricky gulped. Courtney didn't know what she wanted the answer to be.