As planned, when school ended that day, the girls each returned home to drop off their things before leaving for the shopping trip. Echo, Maryse, Carmella, and Rhea had been chosen as the designated drivers for the carpool trip, each already aware of whom they were paired with. Almost as soon as the journey to the mall began, so did Serenity's complaints and unfavorable comments about several students around All-Star Academy, some even about her mysterious old friends from previous schools. Becky and Carmella struggled to drown at her remarks and can the subject without making it overly obvious. Both share the same thoughts of the trip already felt too long despite it only beginning moments prior.
Carmella had her phone on loudspeaker, and conversations with others in the remaining three cars were ongoing. Cross's almost iconic laugh rang through on several occasions. While others shared the ideas of the perfect dress, Rhea's had been the most simple, one that suited her and she loved. Serenity, on the other hand, soon turned the conversation to Prom dates, quickly remarking she'd find it embarrassing to go alone while once again poking fun at some of the less popular students, naming some of her supposed friends in the process.
"I wonder what the guys are up to?" voiced AJ, between singing along to the song playing in Echo's SUV. Summer could be heard singing in the background as well. "You know, other than ribbing each other and stressing about all the upcoming events," she added with a light chuckle, recalling the prank war that had been going on for quite some time. Dean always had a literal bag of tricks, while Seth's were more elaborate, Drew's, on the other hand, tended to be more simple, and punks were just the old classics like whoopie cushions and stink bombs.
"Miz mentioned they were heading to the park for a little bit before decorating the treehouse," commented Maryse, looking out the rear window in the hopes of spotting the other either Echo or Rhea's cars. Carmella was just ahead of her own, the girls inside seemingly having a bit of an argument, or at least that's how it appeared from the outside. "You girls alright in Car one?" asked the blonde beauty, concern in her voice, even more so when she was aware none of them were particularly thrilled about Serenity joining them, especially when the mother-to-be insisted she not drive due to her condition.
"Yup, just a heated temper and Serenity complaining," replied Becky, her voice usually serious, suggesting she just wanted the drive to be over, at least before she became tempted to throttle the troublesome teenager.
"I'm not complaining," added Serenity, "Just asking if we were there yet and if we were stopping somewhere to eat," she continued, expecting each of them to bend over backward to fulfill her demands, no matter how pointless those demands would be. After all, she saw herself as a queen, even if she didn't publicly have her desired entourage or with her king. "I'm curious what sort of dresses you underlings are going for, too," she voiced as if knowing was paramount to her. However, despite thinking she was succeeding in her hidden plan to be better than each of them, she was failing miserably.
"I was planning to wear a sequin bikini," replied Summer, clearly ribbing Serenity while subtly telling her she knew what the momma-to-be was up to. Not that Serenity would notice. "Complete with a lace shawl, beaded decorations, platform sandals, and a super dark spray tan," she added, receiving a few chuckles. "Thinking red and white to match Finn's style," she said, confirming the two were going to prom together.
"Echo, you still planning on that frilly pink number?" asked AJ with a chuckle of her own, more at Echo's horrified reaction and momentarily swerving the car.
"Yup, the sparkly one," added Echo, with a bright smile of her own once she'd recovered from the fright. "Figured I'd scare the poor bastard who's daring enough to ask or get everyone there to question their sanity," she added, imagining the shock she'd receive from such a dress choice. After all, everyone who knew her knew she wasn't a fan of pink or anything particularly girly.
"I'd give you a hundred bucks if you had blonde hair, too," commented Nikki.
"You're on," quickly replied Echo. "Dyed or a wig?" she asked shortly after that, determined to keep the joke going for a bit longer. "Cross, you still looking into that neon catsuit?" questioned Echo, receiving Cross's almost demented but amused laughter in return. Others could also be heard giggling to themselves, even if it was from their imagination, conjuring up weird and wonderful images of the described ideas.
"Glows in the dark too," called Cross through the phone, "Gonna take glowsticks too to add to the effect,"
"What is wrong with you people," came the vicious voice of Serenity, her words sharp and intended to be harsh as she launched into a lecture. "You're all acting like wild animals instead of taking this seriously. This is our senior prom, not some freak show traveling with a pointless circus. Prom is a time to be elegant, classy, and stylish. It's a time to dress your best and be graceful for one frigging night. You're not supposed to be dressing as a stripper or like you're some tramp on the street," yelled Serenity, quickly noticing everyone had fallen into silence. No snide or sarcastic comments, no jokes over her words or arguments, just plain silence void of all the joy previously present.
"I'm on level seven," called Rhea via the call, ensuring the others knew what level she'd parked on. Following that, the call from her car ended; Summer informed those still on the call that her trio would soon arrive before she ended the call. Six remaining girls stayed on the line, although barely any words were spoken between them. Instead, a sour note remained and filled the defeating silence with dread of what the rest of the trip would be like.
"We know," said Becky before grabbing her bag and exiting Carmella's car, ready for the fun ahead, even if that meant she had to ignore Serenity for the rest of the trip. Serenity, on the other hand, gulped down the lump in her throat as she questioned what it was and who knew. Did they know she and Roman were still together, acting like they were at odds? Did they know what she had planned with her old friends from her previous school? Did they know she intended to rig the voting system so she was voted Prom Queen? What did they know, or was it just a trick to get her to admit to something, and they didn't know anything?
"Know what?" Serenity asked, following Carmella from the car and grabbing her designer handbag before doing so.
"All the drama between you and Roman is an act," replied Brie, "You're still in a relationship with him and friends with Daniel, Bobby, Eva, and Kaitlyn. I'm personally trying to work out what game you're playing, and why," she added with an ire of confidence, a tinge of protectiveness there also. The other girls in their company were her family, who guided her in the right direction when she went on her redemption story and now encouraged her to keep being her best.
"Whatever, you caught me, so what if I'm still dating my man, and it doesn't matter who I'm friends with," replied Serenity as if she was trying to defend herself or deflect from something else. "You know what, I didn't want to hang with you losers anyway. I will meet up with the cool girlies who understand me. I'd have a better time looking for a dress with them who understand the importance of prom than you sad bitches," she added as if her words were meant to offend those surrounding her. At the same time, she hoped they'd beg her to stay, if only so she could continue her little games with them, mainly critiquing each to make them self-conscious, if only so she could eliminate them as threats to the title of Prom Queen.
"Have fun," replied Rhea, waving Serenity off as if she were a parent seeing her child off for the first day of school. On the other hand, Serenity whirled around on the spot, shock written across her face when she faced them again. This was different from how it was supposed to be. They were supposed to beg her to stay, say they'd do anything if she didn't leave. They were supposed to do everything she wanted, treat her like the queen she was, compliment her, take her criticism, play along with her whim and games, anything to make her happy, not let her walk away like they were apparently willing to do.
"I thought Eva and Kaitlyn were staying behind to help with the open day next week," spoke Carmella, recalling the two posting about it on their social media pages. "Something about wanting to make up for their wrongdoings and start afresh," she added. She knew the two would likely have gathered the rest of their girlfriends and gotten their prom dresses. After all, prom was a big event. They were going to get a good dress.
"You're not gonna beg me to stay?" Serenity asked, hope sparkling in her eyes that things would go as she had thoroughly planned.
"Nope," replied AJ, her crazy grin appearing across her lips,
"Or promise you'll do anything I ask?"
"Hell no," commented Echo, knowing that was likely Serenity's plan
"Not gonna ask for my advice on the dresses?"
"And be told your choice suits us better? Yeah, no, it's not going to happen," Nikki said in response.
"I think criticism would be a better choice of words," spoke Becky, rolling her eyes. Already tired of the games Serenity was trying to play and again failing at.
"Look," signed Brie, recalling when she was once like Serenity, cold, cruel, and heartless towards those she named as her enemies, even her twin. She regretted it now, but from it, she knew what Serenity was aiming to do. "This trip is about bonding, lifting, and encouraging one another. It's about having fun together before life takes over and we drift apart. We don'twant pointless criticism, hurtful comments, or advice meant to cause damage from someone who thinks she's not only above everyone else but doesn't know us or anything really," she added, determined to protect her family. "You may not think we take this seriously, but we do. We rib each other and have fun while doing it. So if you want to stay and hang around with us bitches and losers, then fine, but keep your nasty comments and judgemental opinions to yourself. Otherwise, you can find something else to entertain your time. Perhaps reflect on how you could be a better person for yourself and your kid."
"I don't need to self-reflect; I'm proud of who I am, thanks," threw Serenity in response, a proud smirk appearing across her painted lips. "And you all need my advice, especially if you want to be as good as me," she added confidently, twirling on the spot as if she were a Disney princess. Once again, her delusional expectations fell flat; instead of reacting to each telling her she was right, she was met with a collection of unimpressed teenagers wishing to be anywhere but standing in the chilly parking lot. "Where are you going?" she asked, watching as Echo, Rhea, Renee, Cross, AJ, and Nikki walked past her, neither bothering to say nor answer her question.
"They're done with your crap," replied Carmella, "To be frank, so I am. If you want to tag along, then fine, but it's not gonna be all about Queen Serenity and her delulu perspective of reality," added the blonde teen, spilling the truth. However, still being kind with her words, something she's sure was a miracle.
"Makes you wonder if Roman is trying the same games with the lads," worded Becky as she walked off to follow the others. Somehow, she suspected the group of boys would be less kind. After all, their patience and tolerance for things had been worn down, so much so that most didn't even care for the drama, Roman or Serenity, at this point. They just wanted to spend what time they could with the people they loved and focus on the upcoming events and life after high school. Drama wasn't a priority.
"Maybe we should skip prom and throw our little party," called Summer, more than happy to skip the event. Serenity was becoming more insistent about her and her pity party. After all, the judgmental brunette had already started to plan her prom queen campaign. "Music, drinks, food, maybe a few games, all the fun stuff we haven't done for ages."
"Fun in frocks," commented Renee. "Boys will be trouble in tux," she laughed just seconds later. "We should bring the Lame Game back, too," she added. Recalling when she witnessed Nikki, Echo, and AJ playing it, Finn and Aleister sometimes joined in or made up the daftest of things for the lists.
"Oh my god, how much lower can you lot fall? The Lame Game, seriously, that's a new level of pathetic," called Serenity as she followed behind the girls at a distance. Close enough to hear their conversations and inject, but not close enough to be immediately recognized as a part of the group. "Let me guess the winner gets their head flushed down the toilet,"
"Egg and floured with a medal and trophy," replied Echo as if to correct the comment.
"Ah, so that's why you were ghostly white that day," commented Rhea, breaking into giggles. However, she'd admit watching Aleister and Cross compete in the championship version never failed to pull laughter from her, especially when their list comprised the most ridiculous things.
"Don't be daft. That was my argument with the self-raising flour in catering," retorted Echo. "The flour won that battle."
"Cookies sure did taste good, though," added AJ shortly after, receiving a round of laughter.
"Weirdos," muttered Serenity under her breath,
"You forgot oddballs," called Nikki with a proud smile.
"And freaks," added Maryse, throwing her arm around Becky at her side.
"Don't forget outcasts," added Carmella.
"And rejects," countered Rhea.
"Castaway," added Brie
"Pariahs" called Summer, as if remembering all the insults others had called them, mainly those who saw themselves as the popular trendsetters.
"Exiles," quickly added Becky.
"Although we prefer more simple terms, you know, like foundlings," spoke AJ
"Or Rebels," voiced Echo.
"But more importantly, we're family," commented Cross, smiling as she ran ahead. Scaring a few kids as she yelled out, she broke into another fit of maniac laughter shortly after. Once the rest had caught up, Cross took a few seconds to recompose herself before they headed into the first dress store. Serenity stomped along, this time quickening her pace to catch up; after all, she didn't want to be the loner looking for a prom dress, even if she practically hated the girls she'd chosen to be with.
A smile graced Serenity's lips upon reading the messages she'd received from her old school friends. Finally, the next step of her plan would soon be in motion. She would be the queen, not just of prom but also of senior year. Soon enough, she could drop her sympathy act, and people would know not to mess with her, especially the group of girls before her, the girls she'd branded her enemies.