"Tell me I'm awesome 'cause I am."

I sat up straighter and gripped my phone closer to my ear. I was hanging out in my room when Frisco finally called with some news.

"You got it?" I demanded, getting straight to the point.

"Yep," he replied from the other end.

"And?" I urged.

"Shirley Walton," he started, "was the name of the user who DMed the photos to that gossip page thing."

"That bitch," I muttered. I fucking knew it.

"You know her?"

"Yeah, I had a feeling it was her. That skank had it in for me for some time now. Just thought she'd do better than this lame ass shit."

"Right, well... I figured you could use some ammo since I'm sure you're gonna come after her so I had my friend hack into her iCloud for good measure, which is the reason why it took this long. And there's some... disturbing shit you could use to your advantage."

I frowned. "What kind of shit?"

"The kind that could still get her an A without studying."

Did he mean bribery or something?

"Send them to me," I told him.

"Already did. Check your email. I sent them all."

"Awesome." I paused, biting my lip. "Thanks for having my back, Frisco."

I didn't know if I deserved his friendship, but I was really glad he was one of my closest friends. I couldn't imagine not having him in my life.

"I'm the best?" he offered.

I snorted, rolling my eyes. "You're the best."

"I'll take it," he laughed. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"I will." I nodded, even though he couldn't see.

As soon as I hung up, I texted the squad to meet up.

After that, I pulled up Scout's name on my contacts. My thumb lingered on his number, hesitating if I should call him and let him know what was going on.

Ah, fuck it.

I pressed the call button and waited. On the third ring, he answered. Hearing some gunshots in the background and maybe some growling zombies, I realized he was playing video games with the guys.

"Hey, what's up?"

"It was Shirley," I stated, not bothering with the greetings. "It was all her."

Scout didn't answer right away. Instead, I heard some shuffling noise before a door closed. And then, there was silence.

"You okay?" he asked, after a moment.

Sighing, I admitted, "No."

"Wanna grab a froyo?"

I smiled. "Thanks, but I can't right now. Gonna meet up with the girls in a few to talk about... yeah." When he didn't speak, I added, "You can pick me up after?"

"Sure, text me when you're done."

"Then..." I bit my lower lip, hesitating. "Maybe I can tell you whatever we come up with – as long as you don't lecture me on what I should or shouldn't do."

I knew he wouldn't approve of what I was about to do, but he knew I needed to do this. I wouldn't let some skinny little bitch walk all over me without a price.

"I don't wanna hear any of that shit," I deadpanned. "The payback's happening, whether you like it or not."

Scout needed to know that I was that kind of girl. But then again, he was already aware of who my friends were in high school. The crew didn't do payback like it was a hobby. We treated it like a motherfucking mission.

There was a small chuckle, before Scout said, "Yes, ma'am."

"And..."

I had to say it. I had to bring it up. I had no choice but to do it.

"You know in junior year, when Oz told Snow that they were planning to trash the basketball court to get back at your friends?"

"Yeah," he answered carefully.

"Snow ratted them out."

Silence.

"I know," he sighed.

I nodded, looking down. "I don't want that to happen to us."

"Snow had her reasons."

"She still betrayed them."

"She did the right thing."

I scoffed. "By betraying them?"

"She didn't—" He paused. I could clearly imagine him shaking his head, with a hand running through his red hair. "She thought Oz wasn't thinking clearly. She didn't want things to get worse for him."

"Well, it did," I bit out.

There was a moment of silence, until he whispered.

"I will never break your trust, Connie."

God, I hope he was right.

* * * * *

I was going to skin her alive.

"This stuff is grounds for expulsion," said Madeline.

Too bad I couldn't just march to where the bitch was and bash her face in. This wasn't high school. The rules were different. These girls played differently.

"I know that what she did to Connie was beyond horrible," replied Jamaica. "But isn't getting her expelled a little too extreme?"

Do I conform?

"We've been given this leverage," argued Madeline. "It'd be a waste not to use it."

Fuck no.

I followed my own goddamn rules.

"We'll use it." I raised my head and looked at them. "I'll use it."

We were sitting in the middle of the sunroom at the KPK house. This was our favorite room in the house, and it was easily becoming our spot.

"What are you planning?" asked Jamaica, more curious than alarmed.

I tilted my head as I turned to her. "I'm planning to teach someone a lesson about keeping their nose out of my fucking business."

"Will it involve a catfight?"

I smirked. "Been there, done that."

Madeline pursed her lips. "I've always wanted to be in one."

I raised an eyebrow at her in question.

"Experience is the best teacher, isn't it?" she replied, shrugging.

"Dude, there's nothing fun about being in a catfight."

"It's fun when you're at the top, though," piped in Lilian, her eyes on her phone screen as she scrolled through her instagram feed. "You get to slap them silly until they're bleeding on the floor."

We all stared at her, like we couldn't believe that just came out of her mouth as if she experienced it herself. Then again, what if she did?

Lilian didn't react, and continued browsing on her phone. Madeline and I exchanged glances. Suddenly, our bushy-haired friend spoke again.

"Did you hear about Shirley's birthday party? It looks like she rented a house off-campus for it."

"Today?" questioned Jamaica.

"Yes, it's all over instagram. Look."

Lilian showed us her phone. Sure enough, sorority girls in miniskirts and crop tops were singing to Ariana Grande as they held up their red solo cups.

It was almost winter. What the hell were they wearing?

Jamaica snorted. "Ballsy."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"It's a school night."

Madeline took Lilian's phone, stalking several different girls and a few guys. She started to shake her head and sigh.

"It's a closed party for Zits and a couple of fraternities."

"Let me guess," began Jamaica, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms, "those frats are the Aces and the Lambs."

"Yup," confirmed Madeline, as she handed the phone back to Lilian.

"Perfect." I nodded. "Let's crash it."

* * * * *

The bitch was taking longer than I expected.

"Remind me, what are we waiting for again?" asked Jamaica, as she fixed up the dress she was wearing. It was a red skin tight number that did wonders to her curves.

Simply put, she looked like sex-on-a-stick.

When we gawked at her earlier, she merely said that since we were entering the lion's den, she might as well look good. I couldn't argue with that.

Madeline turned to Jamaica, looking bored as she replied, "For whatsherface to come out and play."

"Why don't we just go to her?"

"Why bother?" I shrugged. "She'll find us, anyway."

Seeking her out was too much on the offense – and too much work. I wanted to take it slow, and let her come to us. I had no doubt that she would. After all, she wouldn't be able to stand party crashers at her birthday soirée.

Kappa girls, at that.

"There she is," said Lilian, pointing at a distance.

Shirley was in a gold spaghetti strap dress, showing off her big boobs and tiny waist. Too bad there was evil lurking underneath her pretty face.

She didn't look happy as she headed to where we were near the pool. I knew it wouldn't take all night before word got to her that we were here.

She smiled at us, but it looked more like she ate something bad and was trying not to vomit in front of her guests.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember inviting you."

"Apology accepted." I couldn't even bother to fake a smile at this bitch.

One of her eyebrows quirked up. "Leave."

"No."

"Don't make me force you out," she warned.

I raised my chin at that challenge. "Go ahead. I would love to watch you try."

"What do you want?" She stepped closer as her nostrils flared, baring her teeth. "Tell me, so you can get out."

I tilted my head. "Shouldn't I be asking you that, since you're up in my business and all? What, do you wanna be with Scout that much?" I pretended to think about it. "Hmm, I don't think desperation is his type."

"No, it seems like he likes the used up ones."

"We can't all be perfect." I sneered and leaned forward, before whispering, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" she demanded.

"Get straight A's without even bothering to open a book?"

"It's called having a brain, which you lack."

"If having a brain is code for bribing – and sending nudes to the professors, I'd rather not have what you have."

She blinked, taking a step back. A perfect mix of shock and fear was on her face. It was the sweetest thing to see. "How did you—"

"Does it matter?"

"You have no proof," she said in disbelief.

"Oh, but I do," I sang, dangling the little USB in her face.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"I'm still deciding on that." I moved forward and started pacing around her. "I could post it on social media myself, but I figured I didn't wanna be associated with your scandal. Hmm, any ideas?"

"What, you'll send it to my sorority instead so they can kick me out?"

I thought about it. "No, they won't do that. They'll probably even blackmail you with it if they don't spread it online themselves."

"Like what you're doing right now?" She raised her eyebrows, with her hands on her hips. "Blackmailing me?"

"Oh, I'm not blackmailing you," I told her, stopping to face her. "It's leverage."

Her eyes narrowed at me, trying to understand. Her slow brain must be trying so hard to figure out what I was trying to say. Might as well help her out.

"I want you to stay away from my fucking life," I threatened coldly, with a glare held promise. "Keep your nose out of my business. If not, I'll send this little thing to the dean." I shrugged, before adding, "Who knows? Maybe you'll get expelled."

She started shaking her head, her eyes widening in panic.

"No, no, no! Please no!" she begged, grabbing my arm tight. "I'll behave! Please don't do this! You'll ruin my life!"

My forehead creased, feeling that something was off. And I was right. Because then, the corner of her lips turned up as she pulled away and dropped my arm.

"Is that what you were expecting?" She rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms. "Oh, please. Go and send it to the dean. My father will just pay off the administration, and they'll still let me stay."

"Are you willing to bet your future on that?" I wondered.

I knew her family was rich, but were they really that rich?

Shirley stepped closer. "Why don't you go try and see for yourself?"

A devilish but sweet smile reached my lips.

"Oh, honey," I cooed, patting her arm. "I already did."

She stared at me in confusion.

"Did you really think I'd offer you a deal?" I mocked softly, laughing. "You don't deserve shit. And honestly, I'd rather give you a lesson."

It was as if time paused for Shirley, because she stopped moving. Her odd smile was stuck on her face and she didn't move a muscle from her stance.

I looked at my wrist watch. Any time now...

As if on cue, people's phones started going off. Right at this moment, they were getting an email containing Shirley's very detailed indiscretion with her professors.

Frisco's friend from San Francisco managed to hack into the university's system and get the students' registered email addresses in a matter of hours.

They sent a school-wide kind of newsletter and here we were.

The nudes were blurred, by the way, because I was trying to be nice in the name of a certain Golden Boy. Besides, I wasn't that heartless.

See? I was getting real soft.

Some random girl went to Shirley and held her phone up to the skank's face. That seemed to get her out of the spell, though. She snagged the phone and read the email, her face growing more flushed and frantic by the second.

"Sorry," I leered. "Did you mistake me for someone who will just take your shit?"

Shirley raised her head, looking ready to murder me. Aw, wasn't that the cutest? Without warning, she grabbed my shoulders and shoved me towards the pool.

Motherfucking bitch.

"Connie!" yelled my friends.

I fell sideways into the water, thanking all that was holy that I gave my phone to Jamaica earlier because it was charging with her powerbank back in the car.

As soon as I came up for air, Shirley's stupid annoying face greeted me. I could hear Madeline's enraged voice in the background, while Lilian seemed to be trying to calm her down. I was pretty sure Jamaica was scoping out the area, weighing the odds. But I didn't have to look around to know that we were outnumbered.

I didn't give a shit. I still had the upper hand here.

I burst out laughing, and the squad looked at me like I lost my mind. But I just swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, which was hard as fuck because I was wearing a leather jacket.

Soaking wet, I walked to Shirley – who still looked like she wanted to stab me.

"I'll let that slip," I told her sweetly. "Since we both know I'm not the one getting called to the dean's office tomorrow morning."

Her tone filled with hatred, she ground out, "Fuck you."

"But mark my words, bitch," I continued, as if she didn't say anything. With my expression dead serious, I added, "Pull some shit like that again, and I won't stop with just a little scandal. I'll fucking destroy you."

It satisfied me when I finally saw some fear in her eyes. It was mixed with loathe and disgust, but it was still there.

"Let this be a warning," I yelled out to the rest of the people there, my voice dripping with venom. "Don't you fucking dare mess with me – especially if you don't want your shit out in the open."

So much for keeping it discreet.

I looked around. And it seemed like the girls got the message, with the way they couldn't look me in the eye, while the guys just looked awkward and uneasy.

Despite the threat I just laid out, I still wanted to make nice with the Greek community. Mostly so Naomi wouldn't kill me when she finds out what I just did.

Seeing an opportunity, I took off my leather jacket and threw it at Shirley. It hit her right in the face, making her stumble back and lose her balance. Before she could snap a retort, I addressed the people again – who were mostly frat boys, mind you.

"Are you just gonna stand there or live in the moment with me? I swear I don't bite – at least, most of the time."

I winked at them for an added touch, before jumping in the pool again.

When I came up for air, I watched Madeline calm down and exchange grins with Jamaica before taking off their dresses joining me.

"Come on, Lils!" called Jamaica, laughing.

Lilian shook her head in amusement. "It's too cold."

"We'll warm you up!"

For a second, I thought she wasn't going to give in. But then, she bit her lip and finally nodded before joining us in the pool.

It didn't take long before other people started taking off their clothes and diving in. With the dramatic turn of events, this somehow turned into a pool party. Best part was, people were actually enjoying themselves.

Shirley looked infuriated. When she saw me looking at her, she chinned up and stomped off inside the house.

"Envy is a virus, Shelley!" I called after her. "Be careful not to spread it around! Oh, and happy birthday!"

The squad burst out laughing.

* * * * *

I shot a look at the girls, silently telling them to stop giggling.

"Please help me, officer!" I cried. "Some girls are forcing me to take drugs at this party. I — I don't know what to do!"

"Calm down," said the kind officer, from the other side of the call. "Take a deep breath. What's your name?"

"Portia Griffin."

"Alright, Portia. How old are you?"

"I'm fifteen," I choked out, faking a sob.

"Do you know where you are?"

"S — Some house party on Jefferson street. I was invited by my friend and now — now I can't find her."

"It's okay," he soothed. "We'll find you. Don't worry. Just stay put and don't take anything."

"But... Shirley is so persistent."

"Shirley?"

"She's the girl forcing me to snort cocaine," I wailed, minus the tears.

"Calm down, calm down. Help is on the way. Listen, Por—"

That was when I hung up. "Oops, dead battery."

"Oh, my God," gasped Madeline, looking at me in awe. "That's pure evil."

Jamaica was staring at me with her big golden hazel eyes. "I don't know whether to be impressed or scared of you right now."

"Think about it when we're outta here," I told them. "Police are on their way."

I chucked the sparkly phone under the couch, not sorry to whichever Zit owned it, before pocketing the paper towel I held it with (just so my fingerprints weren't on it in case they found the phone).

I was pretty sure they wouldn't find any drugs on Shirley, but at least it would ruin her already splendid birthday party.

"You should've gone to a Performing Arts school," said Lilian, as we hurried out of the house. "You have the talent for it."

I snorted. "Thanks."

"Load up," Jamaica told us, unlocking her car and we quickly filed in. "We need to get out of here. Now."

"By the way," I started, as soon as we closed the doors, "thanks for jumping in with me in the pool."

"Can't let you have all the fun," laughed Madeline.

"We're sisters." Jamaica shrugged, flashing me a smile. "We always got your back, whether you like it or not."

With that, she revved the engine and we were on the road. Just then, a police car drove past us. Madeline, Lilian, and I looked over our shoulder and watched it park at the end of the street where the party was.

"Missed that by the beat!" exclaimed Jamaica, sounding relieved.

"You owe me strawberries, though," mentioned Lilian, from the backseat.

I snickered, before saying, "Let's head to the Brick. My treat."

_____________

Next update: Sunday (March 29)

#SavageMeWP