Thanks for all the support so far, it's great x
Chapter 4
Becca always knew when Bree was formulating one of her plots, simply by that expression on her face. Smirk on, eyes slight and head slightly cocked, it was what her blonde bestie liked to call 'The Bitch Bree Look,' much like Spencer called Becca's bitchy side 'Queen Bitch mode.' When Bree had that expression, Becca got worried because she knew what her co-captain was like when she had an idea in her head. There was nothing much Becca would do at this point; she would just have to see what Bree wanted to do that day. She'd learnt pretty quickly that Bree was not to be stopped, especially when she was ready for revenge- such as when she'd got her own back on the losers who had messed up prom earlier in the year.
Today was one of those days. Becca was in the corner of a corridor pouring over her notes when Bree strode over, expression on her face from the first moment. Zipping her folder shut, she waited for Bree to come over.
"What are you planning?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Bree, I know when you've got something in mind," Becca gave a half laugh, "Spill."
"I was thinking we could have a little fun in the Class President election," Bree did a little half shrug, smile on her face.
"Why?" Becca asked, fairly confused. She had absolutely no interest in who would become Class President- she'd vote of course, but wasn't campaigning and wasn't fussed about signing up, even though it was one of those things many Harvard hopefuls would. Besides, even if she wanted to, the sign ups had already finished and everyone who wanted to was now signed up. Bree's interest made her even more suspicious, her friend tended to mock student government as a cohort of losers trying to be Senators one day.
"Because Kitty's running," Bree almost squealed with delight at the thought of one-upping her rival.
"Oh God really?" Becca groaned, rolling her eyes.
"So I think we know what that means..."
She motioned for Becca to follow her down the corridor.
"Right, so the other contender is someone called Jessica Dawson."
"Oh I know her, she was my table buddy in English, she's chill. I really like her."
"Fabulous. Well, the plan is to campaign for her, not campaign against Kitty necessarily even though we technically are. Still, we are going to make sure that Kitty Wilde and her VP, Medicaid Marley will not be getting their hands near the presidency. I am going to make sure that not only do the school turn to Jessica, they will turn against Kitty. The Glee clubbers get everything in this school and this is something they will not get. When they see how much her own cheer mates are against her, they are going to see what she what a vile, vicious little creature she is. If Kitty Wilde gets class president, she is going to use absolutely everything in her power to destroy us, but she will not get that chance. Class Presidents are those you can trust, who you want to see in power- and those popular enough to get votes in some lame ass contest. We need to make sure that Kitty is seen as the person that no one can trust. It's easy because we don't even have to make stuff up, I mean, she gave Marley Rose an eating disorder. I can't stand the walking Les Mis poster, but still, that's something. You and me, we're a forced to be reckoned with. I'll be the campaign manager like I was with your almost successful prom nomination; you'll be the charming face, winning the little people along with Jessica. Her VP is that Marissa Lake, you know that super pretty blonde? Anyway, we can pit two blondes and two brunettes against one another. There's so much we can plant in their ear, what if the fat lunch lady's daughter got power? It'd be like the less violent, high school version of Kill Bill. Still, we can't do too much against Marley because it'd be like kicking a puppy. We'd be like the puppet master and the brilliant thing is that Kitty couldn't complain about personal attacks, because it's all above board."
She did a little happy dance in the corridor.
"Are you sure about it being above board? It seems like a bit of a smear campaign to me," Becca asked, concerned. She had no intention of getting into trouble; she was too much of a good girl to the teachers.
"I wouldn't get my Harvard girl in trouble, don't worry," Bree linked their arms, "That's why we're going to be cautious, our little plan- just Aimee and Jordan need to know the specifics of it all. It's not going to be spreading stuff openly, like posters on the wall or anything- it's whispering in people's ears. We'll be careful, making sure that it doesn't go back to Jessica and Marissa. Start with kids who have no relation to the girls, spread it around. Remind them what Kitty Wilde is really like. Then we do everything else perfectly, nice posters for Jessica and Marissa, cheering for them at lunch and handing out cupcakes. It's perfect and it's simple."
"God you are a calculating bitch."
"Aww, thank you," Bree put a hand to her heart, "Do I need to ask if my best girl is going to help?"
"Of course not, I'm in," Becca assured her, a delicious sneer on her pretty face, "Besides, it's something I can put on my college application, helping out in an election."
"Exactly, silver linings," Bree patted her arm, "Now, I think we need to find Jessica and Marissa to lend our support. I think we can be pretty persuasive, can't we? I think I know what they look like, I checked my Facebook."
"They're over there," Becca pointed to some lockers, where Jessica, Marissa and their group of friends were stood. Their little group was nice, friendly but not overly well-known. None of them were super popular, but all were well liked in the school community. They'd do well.
Nodding at each other, they walked over to the others.
"Hello ladies," they chimed simultaneously, biggest smiles on their face.
All of them looked at the Cheerios, confused. They'd never had a problem with them- in fact Jessica was friends with Becca- but they didn't really know them that well. Besides, Bree didn't have that much of a reputation for being the friendliest person.
"Hi," Jessica finally managed.
"We just wanted to say congratulations on getting to the final ballot on the student presidential elections..." Becca started.
"Thank you," Jessica started.
"...And we'd like to help your campaign. In fact, we'd like to run it," Bree continued.
The girl group looked at each other, shocked. That wasn't what they expected.
"What...really?" Marissa asked, clearly sceptical.
"Now, I know what you're thinking- why would two super hot, popular girls want to have anything to do with the campaign?" Bree asked.
"Bree, not helping," Becca shook her head, "Look, I know we're not exactly your best friends but I'd say we get on well at least. I for one believe in you Jessica and I don't think it would hurt if we got involved in this. Both Bree and I have experience in running campaigns, we both have a lot of pull in this school and we're leaders as well. We can get the Titans bloc and help you get any swing voters, just like you can get people that trust you. Bree likes bossing people around and she's the one who said it would look good for applying to college. It's a great example of unity between the fairer sex, girls supporting girls- which is super important. We'll both listen to what you want and not boss you around; we'll do things your way but with our touch. The Cheerios printer is ours, our squad will help and Bree is a sick artist, she'll do a great job on posters and stuff."
'Damn, you made that up on the fly?' Bree thought, 'Go girl.'
"So this has nothing to do with the face that Kitty Wilde is the opponent and you hate our damn guts?" Tori, one of their friends ask.
"Well, when you put it that way," Bree agreed vacantly, tilting her head to the side.
"This won't get personal," Becca assured, "We promise, nothing to get you in trouble. It's just us helping out. Yeah, we don't like Kitty but we really believe you'll be a better candidate than her. The best way to get that message out is for us to tell it- people will listen to us, and by extension listen to you. So, what do you say?"
She looked at them pleadingly, sincerely even.
Jessica and Marissa had a non-verbal conversation before the former broke out into a nod, "Ok, that sounds really great."
"Aces," a smile ignited on Bree's face, "Perhaps we should get together sometime? We can do the Lima Bean after school tomorrow- we'd do tonight but we have Cheerios practice."
"Sounds great," Jessica nodded, "I have Becca's number, we'll work something out. Thanks guys, you're the best."
"We know," Bree did a light shrug, "We'll see you later."
Turning on their heels, she and Becca headed down the corridor side by side. A simultaneous smirk appeared on their faces as they linked arms and did a fist bump. They were going to kill it and in a big way.
-FALL APART-
Two days later
Kitty was brimming with confidence when she strode into McKinley High that morning, her friends around her. That confidence stopped when she froze, seeing what was in front of her. There were wall to wall posters of Jessica and Marissa, as well as banners and other decorations. Stalls on either side of the hall were being manned by several volunteers, badges, flyers and delicious sweet treats on the tables. The energy in the room was electric, students clearly getting excited and learning more about Jessica and the election.
"What the fresh hell is this?" Kitty hissed.
"It looks like a campaign to me," Jake retorted.
"Shut it Puckerman," the blonde ex snapped, "Since when did Jessica have this much support? There are Cheerios here."
"Ugh, I think our answer is walking over here," Unique prompted, nodding her head towards the incoming Bree.
"Hey guys," she gave a fake smile, "How're you doing?"
"What the fresh hell is this?" Kitty repeated.
"It's Jessica and Marissa's campaign," Bree chipped in lightly, clutching several folders to her chest.
"I know that- what are you doing here?"
"I'm their campaign manager."
"You're what?"
"Campaign manager," Bree repeated with a mocking chuckle, "See, I have great organisational skills and thought they would be best served helping Jessica win the election. As you can see, we've already got a great campaign going. Everyone loves the muffins and the cupcakes. Our buttons are flying off the shelves, you can see everyone wearing them- supporting Jessica Dawson, it's a really great photo of her, see? Ben-Israel has our poll numbers sky high this morning; it's all anyone is talking about. We're making student government interesting. I have to say, I think we have a real good shot of getting Jessica to the top. She'll make a really good student president, don't you think?"
Kitty couldn't stop her shock.
"What do you care about student government?" she eventually stuttered out, "I mean, why are you doing this?"
"Because I don't like you," Bree admitted easily, "And I don't want you to win because it would make you happy and I think McKinley deserves better than you. It's so easy to do as well, because it's so easy- we're defeating you through a campaign and there's nothing you can do about it. This is politics baby and we're playing like real campaigners. Everyone is going to learn that Kitty Wilde does not deserve to rule this school. Simple really."
"So you're doing this for revenge?" Marley asked.
"It's not really revenge as it is wanting to one up you. Besides, I have the best help a girl can get."
She turned around, indicating Becca chatting to people from behind the stall. Merrily laughing, the blonde Cheerio was clearly getting people in with her charms, leaflets extending from her palm.
"Your girlfriend's a real asset," Bree smirked at Ryder, who looked dumbfounded, "She's our Communications Manager, in charge of outreach and getting people on side. A gold star for that one, she's so witty and personable, unlike a certain girl running for President. I mean, she was more than eager to help on this campaign. I guess she's got an unknown hand for politics like me, I never thought it would interest me but here we are. I'd love to stop and chat but we've got the Muckraker doing some coverage and I need to prepare. Ciao."
Hair flicking behind her, she headed back to the stand, leaving five dumbfounded people behind her.
"We'll be ok, right?" Marley asked, "We'll just have to campaign better than them; that's all."
"I'm not so sure," Kitty frowned, "Bree plays dirty and that's exactly what politics is. She's out to get me. Come on, let's go."
The five managed to push their way through the crowds. Ryder looked back, catching Becca's eye and smiling back when she waved at him. Frowning when he turned his head around, he wondered if Becca was naive enough to think that this was just about an election. He wished her heart was in the right place, but something in him knew that Becca was completely aware of what she was doing. All Ryder hoped was this wouldn't get dirty, because Kitty, and Marley especially, didn't deserve mudslinging. Still, he felt like this was going to turn into an underhanded war.
-FALL APART-
Three days later
Ryder was right. Kitty had called an emergency meeting in the choir room to discuss what had gone down. The promise of the campaign being above board was all nonsense, at least on Bree's end. Jessica and Marissa had pulled it off marvellously with debates and campaigning, so had Bree and Becca at least on the outside. Then the whispers had started. First it was basic stuff, about why someone who had been so nasty in the past was going for class president. Then it started getting darker, the story about the Kitty/Marley bulimia gate spreading around again. That was the true stuff. Then the rumours started, but nobody really knew the source. Kitty apparently said this, did this. Apparently she didn't care about this at all. People were whispering about having Marley campaign separately, because at least she deserved it. Unfortunately, some of the scandal was sticking to Marley, people questioning why she'd allied herself with someone who had been so horrible to her in the past. Furthermore, everyone was hearing that Marley wanted retribution for how her mother had been treated, starting by passing things that would affect the jocks and groups who were cruellest to the kind hearted lunch lady. Even though Marley had countered these attacks beautifully, such as a great speech at the debate about friendship and forgiveness that had upped their poll numbers. Still, the rumours stuck like mud and their numbers were down. In the choir room, Kitty and Marley had summoned Unique, Ryder and Jake to discuss their options. Nobody could quell rumours when they were at McKinley, especially five of the biggest losers. Kitty could go to Sylvester or another authority figure to complain about a smear campaign, but there was no proof Bree or Becca were behind it and even if that was proven, Jessica and Marissa could just drop them like a hot potato and continue without them.
In the end, no one could come to a decision about it. Kitty standing up and apologising at the debate had done nothing, because the few claps she received were drowned out by the entire Titans bloc, brought along by the cheer co-captains.
Finally, Ryder promised to talk to Becca and Kitty had agreed, mainly because she knew how her friend was feeling. In truth, Ryder wasn't pleased with Becca. He knew his girlfriend had her differences with her fellow cheerleader, but he also knew that Becca was behind this, though not wholly. She'd been very coy about the whole thing, just telling him she liked Jessica and wanted to campaign. Nevertheless, he'd seen Becca whispering in the hallways to students at the stand, as though they were all gossiping like hens. If it had been a straightforward campaign, Ryder wouldn't have cared that Becca was campaigning, but she was helping spread horrible stuff about some of his best friends, even if she didn't intend for it to be so cruel like Bree did.
Hopefully his girlfriend would take his side, they usually communicated pretty well. Walking down the corridor, he spotted her at her locker. Mentally deciding on the approach to take, he decided that the best thing for him to do was just be straight out with it so that she didn't have time to lie or weasel her way out of it.
"Hey babe," he strode over.
"Oh hey," she smiled as she arranged books in her locker.
"Can I ask you something?" he requested as he stood next to her locker.
"Oh that doesn't sound good," Becca joked, closing her locker and leaning against it with a smile, "What's up?"
"Are you purposefully trying to wreck Kitty's campaign?"
"I'm just helping Jessica, wrecking it's a stretch."
"Well, it's just that there's been more than a few rumours spreading around all of a sudden, it's like they appeared from nowhere. I don't think it's Jessica. Bree straight up admitted you guys were doing this because you don't like Kitty, so I'm asking you if you're doing this to ruin her because it's a pretty shitty thing if you are."
Becca rolled her eyes, "What's this about?"
"This is about all the rumours spreading through the grapevine about Kitty," Ryder responded, "For the last few weeks all I've heard is about how Kitty ruins lives, a vindictive bitch and is just a general bully. Digging up stuff from sophomore year, when Kitty was a much different person is pretty low. Then I've heard all sorts of crap, stupid rumours like her continuing to backstab and try to undermine Glee club. Everyone is acting like she's a social pariah, it's ruining her life. I've seen her poll numbers; they are plummeting like the Titanic. Marley, she's already treated like shit and now everyone is associating with her Kitty like she's some dumb bullied girl who wants a taste of popularity. Whether or not they win the election, this is gonna stick to them like glue. High school is a shit place. I've already heard about the bullying the Glee clubs got before me and I've seen Tina get slushied at her senior prom, Unique's wigs flushed down the toilet and Roderick get wide load taped to his back. Kitty and Marley are my best friends, yet they are being smeared like nothing else. What I'm asking is if you have anything to do with it."
"Ryder, I just listen to the gossip like everybody else. I don't really listen to where it came from," she shrugged.
"Well it's funny it's all cropped up when the race has started and when Bree is chairing the campaign."
"Excuse me, what exactly are you saying?"
"I'm saying that Bree is spreading lies about two of my best friends."
"You know I don't control Bree, right?"
"I know that. Thing is, I have seen you whispering and giggling with people at the stand. I may not be as smart as you but I'm certainly not dumb when it comes to my friends. I get you're trying to help Jessica win and I do believe you care, but you can do this by not helping peddle lies about my friends. You're not a malicious person Becs; I wouldn't be with you if you were. Can you just please stop all this nonsense?"
"Nonsense?" Becca snorted, "You are aware Kitty encouraged Marley into an eating disorder right?"
"Yeah, what Kitty did was pretty shitty but she grew the hell up and realised it was wrong. She never meant to physically hurt Marley, it doesn't make it right but she wasn't as cruel as she needed to be," Ryder defended.
Becca let out a harsh laugh.
"Oh so it's ok then? I had a friend in Spokane who had bulimia, it ruined her. She was a walking zombie, she was completely bloated, she fainted a lot from malnutrition, they wondered if she would actually become infertile- it was awful. Kitty may have been naive as to what it would have done to Marley, but she still did it out of spite, simply because Jake liked another girl better. Rumours are basic; this is the truth being spread. I didn't start this, it's not my problem."
She shrugged dramatically.
"Don't lie, you know Bree started it."
"So what if she did?"
"Look, I get you and Bree haven't had the best time with Kitty," Ryder reasoned, "But this is..."
"...This is high school," Becca interrupted, "In a year's time nobody is going to remember this. I don't know what you're reacting like this. It's just some dumb school election, it doesn't mean anything."
"Exactly, this is high school," Ryder snapped, "So I don't know why you're doing this. It's easy for you. You've got Cheerios, you're on track to win a National Merit Scholarship, you have Mathletes, all that stuff. Harvard will be begging for you, any good school will be. Bree has Cheerios too, she's won art competitions, her portfolio for architecture school is amazing. It's not so easy for Kitty. She is on Cheerios but she isn't captain and she has Glee, but what else? It's even harder to Marley. Marley and her mom have to work super hard to get by; she doesn't have the same college opportunities because she is relying on scholarships or finance. Being Class President can make or break their application. You don't know what this is doing to them."
"I don't have a magic wand to fix this," Becca shot back, "I can't stop the rumours, can I? Like I said, this isn't to do with Jessica or anything; I don't know where this came from."
"Please, your friends are always the first to know anything- it always comes from them."
Becca raised her eyebrow, arms folded, "Fine, whatever, we gossip. Get over it."
"I'm sorry, but I'm not getting over this. This is more than just gossip, this is consistent mean comments designed to tear down Kitty, it's hardly effective campaign posters or buttons. Even though you don't like Kitty, can you not see what this is doing to Marley? Kitty may deserve some kind of dressing down but Marley has been nothing but kind and gentle."
"She's just collateral damage," Becca dismissed, "I'll make sure Jessica gives her a job."
Ryder was flummoxed. This wasn't like Becca at all, she was usually so nice to his friends, always defending them and treating them with respect, even if they weren't best pals. He'd never seen her in Queen Bee mode; he'd convinced himself that it didn't exist. Now she was happy to stir shit and watch his best friends suffer, all because she had a vendetta and wanted to do what Bree did. Becca was always so kind, the normal blonde wouldn't have the cold face and unrelenting nature that she did now. He felt anger rise up, anger that he'd never felt towards her. This was the girlfriend that defended him from bullies and was nothing but understanding about the babysitter thing. Now she had gone behind the popular girl mask.
"Collateral damage?" he repeated, astounded, "Is that what my best friend is to you? Just some pawn in your little Cheerios games."
"I said I'd get her a job, chill the hell out. I don't know what you're getting at me for anyway. I'm your girlfriend."
"So if Spencer and I got into an argument, you wouldn't take his side immediately?"
"I'd see what the argument was about first," Becca defended.
"Bullshit, you'd be on me like a rash if I upset Spencer."
"So what?" Becca sneered, "It's a political campaign, politics is dirty- if Jessica had done some bad stuff before, it would come up immediately."
Ryder shook his head, "So what about Bree? Yeah, Kitty helped Marley get an eating disorder and that sucked. Bree humiliated Tina, slushied her at prom when it was her one chance to shine. You've seen all the bullying PSAs in health class; you know what it does to people. It was cold and calculating, designed to humiliate Tina. Yeah, it was right towards senior year but this will stick with her forever. Also, Bree slept with Jake because Marley refused to put out. Imagine if that was me? You were so understanding about us, you were totally down for sex when I was and not a moment before. So what if Marley just didn't feel ready? It was her prerogative, yet Bree was still cruel enough to continue helping to cheat."
"First up," Becca held a hand in the air, "I have never said Bree is a perfect person. You know how I feel about adultery, it's a sin and you'll also know what I have never been ok with what she did to Tina, much like you've never been ok with the Kitty thing. Also, you're forgetting one key component in this little saga: Jake. Bree didn't use a love potion, Jake willingly found Bree to get sex. He wasn't 'nice' enough to do it once, he and Bree continued to do it. He who is without sin casts the first stone. Stop acting like Bree is evil when your friends are hardly brilliant. At least Unique and Marley are nice people."
Ryder frowned; he wasn't getting through to Becca.
"Just stop with this whataboutary, ok?" he eventually snapped, "Kitty has done some crap things. Jake has done some crap things. Fine, I admit it. Hell, I kissed Marley when she was in a relationship with Jake and it wasn't cool. Glee club helped us, we are all better people. Kitty had openly looked after and protected Marley and Unique, she's changed from what she used to be. Quinn, Puck and Santana were all like that before they shaped up and became better people. You and Bree are engaging in some Mean Girls warfare just because the person you don't like wants to become Class President."
"Oh boo hoo," Becca mocked.
"Seriously Becca, I think you're a lot of things but I don't think you're mean. I am asking for my girlfriend, who I love and trust, to stop doing this to my friends. You're being a bitch."
"You think I'm a bitch?" she challenged.
"I didn't say that, I said you're being a bitch- present tense," her boyfriend corrected.
"Oh, I know what you're thinking;" Becca stepped forward, "That I'm being some mean cheerleader stereotype, that bitch you see on TV and films. Don't deny it. I've seen the way you look at me, how you speak about Bree and the comments that you make. All you want for me is to be like sweet Marley Rose and dance around the courtyard arm in arm with Kitty."
"I don't think that, I love you because you're not some carbon copy bitch," Ryder practically shouted, "Stop bringing this back on me, this isn't about me. This is about you messing with Kitty for fun."
Becca snorted.
"Ok, you know what, fine? Yeah, we may have mentioned some stuff and not stopped the real stuff. Don't you dare think that this is me being cruel to Kitty and Marley. I've had enough of her raining on our parade, her constant comments about our relationship, not to mention how she treats my friends. She isn't a saint, but neither is Bree so stop pretending we live in a perfect world. I am sorry about Marley, I truly am and I will make sure that she gets a job in the administration. I am not going to be treated like the devil for doing what everyone else has done."
"Do you expect me to act any differently?"
"You could have just calmly asked me to take it down a notch and I would have," Becca replied icily, "Yet you had to come over and create a circus."
"You did a great job of that babe," Ryder hissed.
Becca held onto every urge telling her not to scream, instead deflating her shoulders. Ryder could see in her eyes that she was starting to deflate.
"Do you really think I'd sink this low?" she asked softly.
Ryder shook his head, "I didn't think you would babe."
"You're not going to break up with me, are you?" Becca asked, her voice finally breaking.
"No, of course not," Ryder assured, "Yeah I'm mad at you but I don't want to break up with you. I just want you to know what I feel, and that is that I think you've been needlessly cruel to two of my best friends. I know you Becs, I expect this from Bree but certainly not you."
There was silence for a moment.
"I didn't mean for it to get this far," she eventually admitted, "I just...I do promise that I have done this for Jessica, she's my friend, but I admit that I was out to get Kitty. Sure, I told myself it was just political campaign but at the end of the day, it was about one-upping Kitty."
She shrugged softly.
"I can't expect you to stop the tide," Ryder gave a wry smile, "Only one person can do that. Can you just try to stop gossiping or at least don't let anything new break out? Perhaps you could just campaign for Jessica honestly? I think that would be cool."
"I think I can try."
"Would it be a stretch asking you to apologise?"
"I think so," Becca laughed slightly, "I mean, it would basically admit we've been slandering her every chance we get and that would reflect badly on Jessica, she doesn't deserve that. I promise that nothing more will come of this in the next few days, I will make sure it's clean and honest. Look, the one person I will apologise to is you. I'm sorry for doing this to your friends. I played the victim and it wasn't particularly cool, so yeah, I am sorry."
Ryder held out his arms and Becca went into them, cuddling against his chest. He hugged her tightly against him, swaying her gently as her arms clutched around him. Becca always loved cuddling with Ryder considering how much taller he was than her, particularly when he put his chin on her head.
"I love you so much," she mumbled into his chest.
"I love you too Becs," he smiled down again.
"Our first fight," she commented lightly, "I think it went quite well all things considered, all sorted after five minutes."
"Oh for sure," Ryder agreed, "Kiss and make up?"
"Kiss and make up," Becca repeated, leaning up to kiss him passionately.
"Come on, I'll walk you to your car- you can tell me about how your admissions essay."
Walking off, arm in arm with one another, they chatted away like their argument had not just happened. Satisfied with what had gone down, Becca smiled up at Ryder. It was all so perfect.
But would it be for long?
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed.
Next Time: The Glee club has an invitational, sparking jealousy from Becca when she sees Roxy.
Thanks again, don't forget to pop a review down to let me know how you found it xxx