The day of the pool party arrived. Brie had been angered to find her identical twin hadn't returned home the night before and that JJ had been sent off for a fun weekend with their grandparents. Brie's mood only soured more upon being given the lecture about her recent behavior towards her siblings, her mother being clear her future actions would have consequences if she continued down her current path. Something the younger Bella twin had ignored, while her focus had returned to the party she was now well aware she'd not only couldn't host but also couldn't attend due to the new curfew in place for her.

"Unfair" yelled Brie when she ran from the dining room. Nikki had been allowed a sleepover Friday night and would be due back later that day, after attending her own party with friends. Whereas JJ was due back Sunday morning. Both of them got a fun weekend and spent time with friends, whereas she had been grounded and denied any sense of fun. "If I can't do things then Nikki and JJ shouldn't be able to either" rambled Brie, seeing her siblings should be punished too, although her song would quickly change if the circumstances should be the other way around.

"They haven't broken house rules or had been called into the headmistress's office because of their behavior" retorted Cathy, as she looked to one of her daughters with disappointment. Only then did it hit Brie, the antics she believed she could get away with, weren't as secret as she believed? Just as it was dawning on her, the new headmistress wasn't going to take the cruelty she so often dished out to other students. "Yes, I know about that. And I've been in touch with your friends' parents as well. None of you are hosting the party, in fact, the rest of your friends are grounded from today. Serenity is the only one not to be punished, although if her attitude continues she will be" added the mother of three, showing it wasn't just Brie who got the punishment, but the others in her social group as well. With the exception of Serenity who was given the benefit of the doubt.

Elsewhere, the group of boys invited to the Pool Party were on their way to Carmella's family home, with the exception of Corey who was likely already there. Seth, Dean, and Punk all carried a drawstring bag with their swimming trucks in and a towel of their own. Whereas Finn, Aleister, and Miz all carried their things in a normal rucksack. Drew had a cross-body bag with his things in it and a few treats for the group to share. Whereas Roman had opted for a carrier bag, at least so he didn't have to worry about ruining anything with the wet trucks at the end of the day of fun.

When the group arrived, they were greeted by Carmella's father, who lead them to the back as well as informing them of the location of several things, such as the downstairs bathroom and kitchen in case they needed anything. The group had been greeted with the sight of the girls, each clad in a bikini or one piece, some with a baggy t-shirt covering them for comfort. Some were at the poolside, whereas others were in the pool already. Laughing and joking. They'd arrived just in time to witness AJ go through with her playful threat and push an unsuspecting Corey into the pool.

"You boys just gonna stand there?" asked Carmella, a friendly smile on her lips. Her hair was done up in a messy bun, a rare occasion where she chose to be make-up-free. "Can either change in the indoor bathroom or convince Echo to come out of the outdoor one" added the beautiful blonde, as she pointed to the door of the outdoor bathroom, a smile on her lips. Aleister was the first to head over to the outdoor bathroom, gentle knocking on the door, knowing the teenager inside was likely self-conscious.

"Echo if you come out you can throw us guys in the pool" spoke Aleister in an attempt to coax Echo from her hiding place, as the others with the exception of Drew and Seth disappeared one by one into the indoor bathroom to change into their swim gear. "I brought the floaty you girls love so much" added the Dutch teen, recalling the pool floaty most of the girls had come to love. Shaped like a sprinkled-covered doughnut.

"E, if you don't come out, I'll come and get yah then throw you in the pool" added Drew from behind Aleister, noticing Echo's quiet response of daring him to do so. Carmella chuckled as she walked past, knowing the antics were normal, although it was new for Seth, Roman, Miz, and Maryse, as well as Summer. "Or maybe if we send Seth in there, you'll come out willingly" continued the Scottish teen, only receiving the response of a sarcastic bite me. At some point, Seth had changed into his swim trucks and old t-shirts. Ready for when the inevitable took place.

"Can throw us both in the pool" stated Seth, curious about what would happen now. Like Roman, he could recall Dean telling them stories, how there was always mischief and a prank or two. Drew too had told them stories of times with the group, although his were more focused on Nikki, occasionally including the others. Over at the poolside, Dean had quickly fallen victim to AJ throwing him in the pool, Renee willingly being the distraction. Finn too had been pushed in, although this time by Becky who had been all too happy to join in the fun. Even if she was pulled in by Finn, who had quickly grabbed hold of her arm as he fell back.

"I regret my decision" laughed Aleister, after resurfacing. He'd all but thrown himself in the pool, in an attempt to escape from Echo. His playful taunts had finally gotten her out of the outdoor bathroom but come with a price. "Maybe we should switch your nickname from Princess of the Empire to Demon" added the Dutch teen, knowing well the single word would probably suit her far more than her current one. After all once she was motivated to do something, particularly against her tormentors, there was no stopping her.

"Interesting" commented Echo from the poolside, taking Seth up on his offer and throwing him into the warm waters as well. An innocent grin upon her lips when he resurfaced. The chuckles of several could be heard from around the pool, almost in a Mexican wave effect. Miz soon became distracted, as he followed Maryse's line of stare, as she looked around the gathering of miss-matched teens. It didn't take him long to see what the blonde goddess has taken notice of. How each teenager was so different, but seemed to embrace those very differences as if they were links in the chainmail armor that protected them. Despite their differences, they were opening up to each other, becoming comfortable around one and another. They were bonding, blending together to create something new.

"Is this going to be permanent?" voiced Maryse, hope flooding her voice, as a smile to match appeared on her painted lips. Already she could see the group of teens could inspire younger students to do something similar, already she could see them being a beckon of hope, others didn't have to change themselves to find those who would accept them. They didn't have to hide. "A lot of others would be appreciative to see something new like this. Popular, weird, geeks, cheerleaders, rebels, all mixing together to create their own bubble of inspiration" added the blonde goddess, noticing Summer nodding away to herself on the opposite side of the pool. Although she didn't attend All Star Academy, she could see what Maryse was trying to say.

"I'm down for it" replied AJ, her normal wicked grin in place, displaying her trust in all those around her. Whether they were new friends joining them for the first time or old ones, she trusted with her life. At the same time, the petite brunette thoughts turned to the younger students of the school most of them attended. Even to what her first years at the academy had been like trying to find the place she fit in. In the social groups she'd been a part of, she'd always felt like the odd one out or as if she didn't belong. She'd been thrilled back then if a huddle of mix-and-match students excited.

"Count me in" expressed Roman, the Samaon teen with a calm grin appearing on his lips. Even more so when he remembered the last year or so. How Nikki had gone from one of the most popular girls of their year to one considered weird. Yet at the same time, she never appeared happier than she was now. How Echo had been the talk of the school when she first appeared, so kind and trusting towards those around her. Now she was a force to be reckoned with, more often than not a beckon of hope for those who found the courage to stand up to their tormentors. Although along the way she lost the innocent trust she once had in others around her. Especially those considered to be popular.

"The change will be good for everyone. Plus it would be nice to see some of the more bonkers antics around the school" responded Carmella, a soft chuckle escaping her shortly after. Even more so as her imagination formed a few images of what could be. "We all know Aleister and Finn have one of the best rivalries going with Tommaso and Johnny. Dean and Corey joined that one. Not to mention it would be cool to see some of the secret couples come out in the open" added the beautiful blonde, as she began to relax on the sun bed, enjoying the sun just a little longer before going in the pool for the game of water volleyball.

"I'll send a message to King and Queen B, let them know we've decided to break contact" uttered Miz, sincerity in his voice. To his surprise, neither Seth, Dean, Roman, or Drew argued back. Neither did Carmella, who simply responded she was better off without the constant drama and ear-piercing screeching. Echo's curiosity didn't go unnoticed by Miz either, who seemed just as taken aback by the lack of disagreement. Although she seemed that little bit more trusting towards those once branded as popular. As if the midnight-haired teen was finally seeing past the social group they were once associated with, finally being open to knowing them for who they were rather than the people they had been associated with.

"So what's next in the vengeance for Nikki crusade" laughed Becky, knowing many of them had taken to defending Nikki against those who sort to destroy her new found confidence and self-worth. Echo had been the one to lead it, with Carmella being all too willing to help, especially when it come to the embarrassing videos of Brie and her group of Barbie dolls. Drew had offered his assistance with Daniel and his boys, as had Rusev and Elias. Although the latter two's involvement was kept as a closely guarded secret.

"I was thinking it's time to make Daniel famous for all the wrong reasons" replied Echo, knowing it wouldn't take much for Daniel to slip up and let his good guy act fall. "I think the girls have had enough embarrassment for the time being. Considering their epic fails video is trending around the school discord at the moment" sweetly added the midnight-haired teen. A wicked smile on her lips. Even more so when she knew the more the two to brand themselves as the king and queen of Senior Year, played twisted games with people, the more they would live to regret their actions soon or later. Just as she knew it would only be a matter of time before her cousin, Serenity betrayed the pair, even more so if she saw it as a path to achieving her goal, of being the center of attention.

"See Demon, far more fitting" commented Aleister from his place at the corner of the pool. His feet dangling in the warm water. Finn and Cross's chuckles could be heard moments later, suggesting they too agreed with the new nickname for their close friend. Roman voicing his agreement mere seconds after, shortly followed by Dean and Renee. Echo simply shaking her head with her innocent grin appearing, not daring to voice her own agreement with the new nickname. Even more so when she knew what she had likely done to earn it.