A/N: I'm back! (over a whole three months later :I). I'm sorry about the long update time, I've had a crap ton of stuff to do and so I ended up pushing this to the back of my to-do list. Like way back. Anyway I had fun sorting through this and writing it up. Like stated before, I love writing Heather and Courtney's characters! They're both absolute QUEENS (always will be and always were). As a result I love this story as it puts all the queenliness into one plot line.

But I'll just skip past that and thank you all for the support. You're all amazing people and thanks for reading, reviewing and supporting the story!

JustaFriend - I'm glad you're enjoying the story that much XD. Also thanks for the kind words, they always put a smile on my face. Make sure to stay safe and well too :)

Izzy - In many ways, yes. But I like both :I (It's just how it is T^T)

FanGirl01 - Yes this is an AU. Thanks for reminding me of that! I've now changed the summary cause I forgot to add it :P

Till next time,

D.L.D

~Heather~

"So...you accepted the invite?"

A plain expression forms as I look at the mopey brunette beside me, her expression displaying depression and something else as she focused on her work. A small frown sat on her face; her tanned, freckled nose scrunched as she scrawled furiously. If I didn't know any better I'd think she was majorly pissed. In fact Courtney seemed a little off right now, too quiet to be happy but also too expressive to be sad. Instead it seemed like she was withholding something purposefully, her basic features disguising something that I had to dig into to distinguish. (Which is A shit ton of work).

But that makes perfect sense in a way. To Courtney, I can't be trusted (even dogs know that). I'm someone that's as slippery as a glass slipper coated in oil, the thing being impossible to grasp but also absolutely fabulous. So for Courtney to place full trust in me like Bimbo Lindsay was like asking for a miracle. After all I'd selected her for my scheme because she was so sharp and intelligent. I knew that I needed someone who wasn't retarded to help me for once. So naturally a smarter person comes with more complicated issues.

The thing I didn't like was the work tied to those issues.

"Yeah, I did," Courtney continued to write, not bothering to stop. Her tone was plain, simple, a shrug paired with its overall basicness. "I thought it'd be nice to have fun with someone my age for once instead of moping about. Plus I need new friends - the old ones were... you know."

A nod is given in response to that, a slight smile forming as I glanced at her. Ok, now that excuse explains the obvious depression/anger. Courtney was tight with her little haggle of nobodies, so separation must be tough. It must be similar to removing a crackhead from their supply. Totally tragic and totally tough. But then again, it's for the best that Courtney drops those dead links. I mean they weren't going to get her anywhere anyway, plus they were dragging down her social life. Not to mention they were constant reminders of Gwen and Duncan's horrible betrayal. So in realistic terms Courtney was right to ditch them. In fact she was doing as expected.

It was all part of the plan.

"Well, that's good to hear," The smile on my face seems a little forced now, my eyes darting back to my work. I try to keep the look natural, humming slightly as I pretend to think. "You know Courtney, I was beginning to think you were backing out of the plan. You were just acting so bitchy today."

A small hum comes from Courtney at that, the brunette nodding slightly. Clearly she wasn't paying much attention, instead playing the game in one of the best ways possible. She was using one of my very own tactics: the art of acting like you agree with everything someone says.

What a basic bitch.

I grimace slightly at that thought, knowing that basic bitches were the worst to deal with. Basic Bs were more or less the clones of the school, often taking ideas and using them for their own advantage. Great examples of these are Anne-Maria, Zoey and even Bridgette - all of them having some sort of copied trend or idea. The Basic Bitches are more or less the threats to my throne, them often having a lot more thinking and will power than the worker drones of the school, despite being so basic. As a result I often have to look out for them during events such as prom: they always find ways to turn up out of nowhere.

Just like last year...

God it took so long to fix the mess of last year. I almost became a nobody - that absolutely can't happen again. Definitely not. I'm Heather the bitchy, boss queen of all things to be ruled over until I leave this crappy high school. Once I leave the school can burn for all I care. I just want my name to be preserved.

As I grimaced Courtney looked up from her work, brown eyes seeming clear for the first time today as she looked me dead in the eye.

"I'd never back out of that," The convection and strength in her voice swept away all 'doubt'. In fact it demonstrated how she was prepped to go all the way. It showed how Courtney was ready to do the irreversible. That she'd become a martyr. A mythic bitch just like myself.

I'm so proud.

"That plot - this scheme - is ALL I have left," The words are practically spat at me, the brunette scrawling even more furiously. "I won't give it up for jack. I'm in it to get back at those backstabbing scum I called friends, so remember that Heather, or I'll just do it on my own."

A final huff was given in response to that and we fell into silence. It hung thick and heavy, me slightly shocked and Courtney continuing to mutter things. The mutterings were only bitter words, most likely used to mask the extreme hurt she was feeling inside. If anything I bet Courtney's just bitter, feeling all bad and used because her scumbag boyfriend cheated on her. Oh well. That's how life goes. One minute you feel like you're on top of the world, and then next you realise you're waste deep in dog shit.

Life likes to let you down. It screws everyone.

Subconsciously I let out a sigh, feeling pity for Courtney. She went through a lot this week, a lot of unnecessary as well as necessary shit, but still scarring shit all the same. I should feel bad, I should feel guilt or remorse, but I don't. I don't feel anything, not even empathy. All I can think is how pathetic and pitiful she was all because of one douchebag punkball.

It was only after Courtney's mumbles died as the seconds wasted into minutes, that I blinked and shook my head. It took a while, but I shook my head and turned away from the brunette. It was then I got out my phone and swiped through the contacts, knowing which name to select.

I then sent them a message, the signal sent to initiate the plan to grab information. I then look up at Courtney again, this time biting my lip.

This scheme is ALL I have left...

She truly is a sad and pathetic person. This discovery, this betrayal by her two closest associates, has ruined her. It has truly broken and scarred Courtney, her mind fixated on only revenge and hurting the people who had so deeply wounded her. All she cared about was protecting her already hurt form. And for that I felt pity.

A hand reaches out to tap her shoulder, however it quickly retracts, my mind scolding my emotions. I know that I shouldn't feel sorry for her. I know that Courtney had this coming. I know that she needed to be like this for the plan to work. But of course a human part of me always liked to meddle with the flawless plan. My freaky right brain always liked to mess with my perfect left brain.

"Are you ok, Heather?" Courtney frowned slightly, slim brows pinched as she studied my face. She seemed concerned, however I felt as if it were all an act. It had to be. No-one really liked or cared about me - that includes this basic bitch.

"I'm fine," The look of pity is quickly wiped from my face, a grumble escaping as I look at my book. "I was just thinking about something. That's all."

We then return to silence, the bustle of our classmates being the only background noise.

That slip up was close. I can't get carried away with emotions anymore - I can't let my right brain take over from my left. In fact I need to stop caring sometimes. I just need to focus on the end goal and the rewards I will reap from it.

So from now on the only thing I should care about is the plan. My perfect, reliable plan.

~Courtney~

A sigh escapes at the bell rings, students rushing to pack away their things. I go to follow this, silently but diligently closing my book and tucking in all the loose sheets. I focus on only the paper, not daring to look in front of me as I know I don't want to see who sits there. In fact I want to avoid looking at them at all costs, the lesson being absolute torture as I had to stare at the back of their head. For two hours I had to look at her teal and black dead ends.

All that did was remind me of everything that was wrong.

Suddenly a pile of books land on my desk, a pair of pale arms matching them as the small thud breaks my thoughts.

"Courtney, we need to talk."

I take in a deep inhale, eyes wandering upwards to meet the frown of Gwen. Not unusual for her, dark brows were furrowed along with her frown. Teal lipstick followed the curve of her mouth, dark eyes seeming accusing as she slammed her hands down on my desk. If this happened a year ago, I would've thought she came here to intimidate me; it turns out that she was here to talk. As in TALK talk. Gwen wanted to clear the air, her most liking suspecting something was up and wanting her bestie back.

Problem was I didn't want to talk.

"About what?" I blink, playing a sheepish look as I carefully pack away. I move with grace, movements calculated as I eyed the clearly pissed Gwen. She wasn't in the mood for mind games, let alone denial of emotions. She was getting answers here and now, probably tired of my constant bipolarity.

"About what's upset you of course!" Gwen seemed to growl in response, her anger mixing with frustration. Pale arms crossed her chest, the frown turning into a scowl. "I know something serious happened, Court. You've pulled all sorts of random shit since Monday. So now I'm getting to the bottom of it. I'll ask all fucking night if I have to."

'That'll get you far.'

It's difficult to hold the words back, a glare almost escaping as my blood begins to boil at Gwen's words. It bubbles and pulsates, urging me to just lash out and pounce on her here and now. It tells me to rip her fake ass hair out, then aim to place a black eye on her putrid, pasty face. It tells me to just forget about Heather's plan and just do my own thing - pulling my own shit for once instead of waiting. It tells me to just feel something.

But I somehow resist the calls. In fact I bite down on the back of my tongue, teeth almost puncturing it as I try my best not to say the must vulgar and vile thing I can think of. Something that proved hard when I had so many insults saved up over the days...

"What went on between you and Duncan?" Gwen raised a brow, her anger fading as concern took over. She sat in the desk beside mine, right leg crossing over her left. Her tone was slightly calm yet authoritative, the goth watching my eyes move. "And don't say 'nothing' because I know some form of drama went down. You wouldn't defriend us all over some petty shit after all."

I roll my eyes at that knowing that to be true. But still I can't help but laugh at how well she knows me, making it all the more painful that Gwen betrayed me. You'd think someone who knows you so well would know how much their betrayal could destroy you. Especially since I trusted them both when they said nothing was going on. They always denied they had something going on, and I always believed them - even when the signs were right in my face.

"So you know about that, huh?" A dry chuckle escapes at that, a few tears slipping past my eyes. I then look at her, eyes swimming with tears. "You know what I did."

"Well yeah, you did it right when Duncan and I showed up," The goth grimaced slightly, some sort of invisible mechanism working inside her mind. Gwen then glowered deeply, some sort of hidden emotion masked behind her concern. Fingers tapped her her chin, the goth seeming thoughtful as she hummed. "What was that about by the way? You were cool on Monday, but now you're acting like a bipolar bitch on crack."

"Am I really that crazy?" I raise a brow, trying to smile but it fails.

Instead of laughing like old times, I find myself welling up with anger and tears - bitterness and sorrow. I don't feel anything warm or friendly, or the cheerful banter we shared. I didn't want to nudge her or laugh it off - I felt it as an actual attempt to keep normality. I saw it as a way to make it all seem fine when it wasn't. It was an attempt to fix what was already broken, when really it would hurt more to fix it.

I had to admit, sitting right here next to my 'best friend', that all I felt now was loneliness. Cold, empty loneliness.

I no longer had a friend in Gwen.

"Yeah..." She trailed off, dark eyes seeming to look away. The Goth then breathed another sigh, a hand coming to her forehead. "I'm really worried about you Courtney. Everyone is..."

Those words were the trigger. They caused me to go from 'ok-ish and reflective' to 'enraged and hurt'. In fact they made me worse than hurt. I wanted to let Gwen know that I didn't want her pity or sympathy. I didn't want her to worry about me, or to feel bad. I mean, why should she? She was just fine with the cheating before I found out. She was fine with betraying my trust and stealing my boyfriend before. Why should she feel different about it now? Why should she care?

Why should she -

"You care that much?" The words escape before I can bite them back.

I turn away from Gwen at that, tears welling in my eyes as I ball my fists. My body shakes from the emotion, shoulders and arms quivering as I stifle sobs. It takes all I have not to crumble and destroy - not to breakdown and spill it all right then and there, or lash out. Instead I sit there shaking, holding back tears as I try not to kill the Goth beside me.

"What?" Gwen looked bewildered, dark brown eyes wide as she stared at me. Her mouth was slightly agape, a light dust of red coating her cheeks as she reached out to me. A hand landed on my back, rubbing it in comfort. "Of course I do Courtney I'm your friend - "

"No you're not!" I push away from the desk, anger taking over from sadness. I then point a finger at the pale bitch, a deadly glare sent her way through tears. "Best friends don't do what you did."

From those words, the look of shock and remorse was so clear on her face. The way her dark eyes widened with shock; the way her mouth formed a perfect gasp; the way she looked at me and only me - it said it all clear as day. It was the answer I needed. It was the proof I had been waiting for to see if Heather's claims were truly true.

I guess it was.

Pushing Gwen away, I left the classroom, ignoring the desperate calls of who was once my most trusted friend.

I stomp out of the school, throwing open the main doors and not caring if I shattered the glass they were made of. Instead I focus on trying to walk straight, tears and anger blurring my vision as I try to make out which car is Heather's. It's difficult since there's a couple red cars left in the car park and my tears block out any minute details. As a result I find myself stumbling down the front steps, sniffling as I adjust my bag and try to cool off.

"Courtney! Please...let me explain!"

Gwen follows out of the building, seeming to look for me. Panic and fear are on her features, brows furrowed and lips pressed as she gnaws on them before running down the front steps. At first I think that she's heading towards me, but luckily she hasn't seen me and heads in the opposite direction. I watch as her teal and black head disappears, her height concealing her within the maze of cars that are parked.

Judging from her reaction, Gwen has pieced everything together. She knows about me knowing about the affair. She knows that I'm not happy about the news. She knows that I'm plotting something as a means of revenge. What Gwen doesn't know is that I'm working with Heather to do that, the fake as plastic Queen Bee being someone I chose to work with. Why? Because I know that Heather can help me and not fail. I know that she can get me the power I want.

And after that I'll betray her before she can betray me.

Releasing a sigh, I begin to head towards what I think is Heather's car. My vision has cleared slightly now, the tears stopping and my reddened face being the only thing revealing my distress. I walk slowly, mind drifting into thought as I allow myself some time to recollect myself. After all, I just had an outburst and so anything could come slipping out my mouth. Much like how I told Gwen about me knowing about what she 'did'. Although I didn't say it directly.

Speaking of that, Heather's going to kill me for hinting. Her whole plan revolved around us operating in secrecy, but now I've revealed why I'm acting so off. So of course her plans are now foiled unless she adjusts them.

Oh well.

"Courtney?"

I break out of my thoughts to come face to face with Duncan. He looks confused, pierced brows furrowed and his expression definitely betraying his thoughts. Green hair falls into his face, his mohawk wet for some odd reason. His lips are spread into a slight grimace. As always Duncan's dazzling teal eyes are captivating, the only thing I still love after finding out about his cheating ways. However the rest of it has soured, my expression betraying just that as my nose wrinkles and lips press.

"If you'll just move, I'll be on my way," I say the words in a professional manner, adjusting the strap of my satchel. An expectant look sits on my face, a brow raised as I look at him. "Duncan? Move please."

He looks at me, incredulous, but doesn't move. Instead he remains as an obstacle in my path, a smirk worming its way onto his face as he stuffs his hands into his pockets.

"I don't think I'll be moving," The words come out lazily, the same sloppy grin on his face. He then jerks his head slightly, soaked green hair following the movement. "Not until you tell me why you're acting like a clingy psycho."

A scoff comes at that, my eyes rolling out of disbelief. Is he really this immature? He can't just move out the way and let me go about my own business? I mean I'm not harming anyone. I'm literally asking to use the public path built so I can walk through the car park. Yet this cocky neanderthal has decided to stall me, requesting I tell him about my own personal matters. Matters that have nothing to do with his stubborn ass.

Has Duncan always been such an annoying asshole?

"That's rich coming from you," I can't help but scowl, arms folded across my chest as my foot taps slightly. "I'm the psycho and clingy one?"

"Well yeah, you ended it, not me," He looks incredulous, done. Bewilderment was the crown of his expression as he gradually grows angrier. Frustrated. I can tell it from the way his features twist; the way his tone has a sharper edge. "Yet you seem to freak out whenever I'm near you. You're the one who's making a big deal out of it all. I don't know what you want from me, Courtney, but acting like a bitch isn't gonna get you anywhere."

It's then something snaps, my already flared anger looking for a reason to lash out. It was ready to do some damage, to make other people hurt in the way I was hurting. I wanted to let Duncan and Gwen know what it was like to feel as broken and used as I do. I wanted them to know what it feels like to have everyone you know more or less lie to your face and hide the truth. Maybe I wouldn't be so hurt if they just confessed up front. If they had just found a way to do this without being dishonest, maybe I would forgive them.

But they hadn't done that.

And that hurt the most.

The fact that none of them had chosen to be honest with me was what was hurting the most. The fact that my boyfriend and best friend chose to hide the truth rather than tell me. They could've confessed that they like each other. They could've found a way to do this without getting me caught in the middle. But they didn't - and that's why I'll never forgive them.

That's why I can't forgive them.

"Well maybe acting like a bitch is the only way I get you to listen!" The words leave before I can stop them, tears forming from nowhere as I gasp. Hands instinctively cover my mouth, eyes becoming hooded as I turn away from him.

Once again my stupid mouth had let things slip. My stupid, stupid mouth...

"What are you talking about?" Duncan sounds confused and yet it's not fully there. His teal eyes crinkle with concern, a hand coming out of his pocket. I expect him to reach out or to try and comfort me, but of course it was only ideal thinking. After all, I ended what we had and Duncan had every reason to hate me. He had every choice to resent me.

So why didn't I want him to?

I know how terrible I've been. I know how I've mistreated him and proven that I'm not entirely up for forgiveness. I know that I was a terrible girlfriend and that I was really bad. I treated him terribly, made him feel unloved at a point, and even accused him of cheating when he hadn't. I'd put Duncan through Hell and back. So why do I still want him to not care about what I've done?

Why...do I still want him to love me?

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," The words leave in a quiet trail, arms hanging loosely around my form. It feels like I'm trying to hug myself, maybe stop my arms from reaching out to him. But even so the action doesn't stop the tears from slipping through, running down my cheeks and staining my skin. "Don't act like you don't, Duncan..."

A silence fills the space between us, a soft curse coming from my ex. He shifts his stance slightly, teal orbs once again glancing at me, only this time the look is softened and concerned. In fact it lacks the anger it had before, something new blooming in those mysterious and gorgeous irises.

"I'm sorry, ok?" Duncan let out a sigh, a hand running through his mohawk. "I didn't know."

"There's a lot you don't know about me..." I'm still not facing him, silent tears still spilling. "Sometimes I wonder if you ever did."

"Well shit..." It leaves as another sigh, a hand running through his hair again. Duncan then turns to face me, a hand grasping onto my lower arm. "Princess I - "

Fury blooms at his touch, my face instinctively turning red as I think about how many other people he could've done that to. As I think about all those times he'd lied to my face and told me something that wasn't true at all. In fact I couldn't even let Duncan touch me, a feeling of disgust creeping into my gut and soul as I glare into his azure eyes.

"Fuck you Duncan!" My voice then rises, my arm being tugged out of his reach. "It's not about that..."

I walk away, tears streaming as my shoes clack and I find my way towards Heather's car.

~Heather~

"What happened to you?"

Courtney had just gotten into my car, sulkily slumping down into the passenger seat. Her mocha eyes are red, streaks lining her bronze face despite the amount of times she's rubbed away at the skin. Finely trimmed brows are pinched tightly, hot tears falling from her eyes, a small sniff sounded as she folds her arms over her chest and growls slightly.

"Nothing."

I scoff, knowing fully well that something had to have happened. Courtney was fine not more than two hours ago, her crappy mood beginning to lighten with a little of my probing. It was quite genius actually, a few of my hidden comments working well as entertainment fuel. As a result I was certain that the brunette was gonna spill something good at the sleepover, good moods always leading to a naturally lower guard, but now someone has fucked up that option. In fact they've put Courtney into an even worse mood than before, the basic brunette now openly crying.

That means her guard is up.

My gaze lingers on her, watching as Courtney silently turns to look out the window.

She looks so...broken. In fact I'm sure she is, something shattering that usually steel resolve that she always carried. Courtney was someone who wouldn't give up, someone who was capable of being second best to me. However now she was just an emotional wreck, her sniffles and tears not hidden to my well trained ears. They were as loud as alarm bells to me, each sniff making me think of how much harder it was going to be to get Courtney to talk.

I swallow slightly as I put my keys into the ignition. I could demand what happened. I could ask Courtney and tell her that we can't have secrets like this. I could even force the answer out of her, my mind already having an inkling of what had caused this sudden rainfall.

Yet instead of bringing up the obvious problem, I let it slide. I just let it go to the back of my mind, getting buried in all the other thoughts I carried within me as I turned the key in to start the car. Without another word I then pull out of my parking spot, a small smile forming as Courtney smirks and flips someone off from the passenger window.