Monday soon rolled around, and with it came the start of a new school week and the ire of change. The mix-and-match teenagers had met up at the agreed-upon spot, a large oak tree to the side of the main gates to the school. Each of them displaying an array of emotions, some with uncertainty, others with nervousness, and even a few with confidence. Brie and her girls had been the first to notice the unusual gathering, quickly she had called a group meeting with their counterparts in the jocks. Although neither Maryse, Miz, Drew, Seth, Dean, or Roman showed, nor did Carmella.
"Time to go destroy the status quo" commented Miz, as the newly formed group began to make their way through the recently repainted black gates. The sun above them shinning bright as if approving of the message they hope to convey. A smile placed firmly on Miz's features as he lead the way with Maryse. Cross bounced along behind, once again on a sugar rush from the energy drink Aleister had given her, her excitement was likely mixed in too. Echo and AJ on the other hand deciding to skip with their crazy grins, Dean joining them much to Renee's amusement. Seth walked behind them with Roman and Drew, all of which attempted to hold back their laughter, as Aleister announced he was filming the trio who skipped along, Becky agreeing as had Carmella. Finally Finn, Punk, and Corey followed behind as if ensuring nothing happened and nobody snuck up on the others
Brie and Daniel stood in their normal group meeting spot, at the tree truck near the lake running through the back of the school. Surrounding them was their close circle of friends, excluding those who had opted to leave in favor of the mix-and-match group, the couple named Beauty and the Goat had branded as a problem. The conversation at hand was the plans they'd been making over the last day or so. Some were to tear apart the newly formed problem group, with the others being to take control of the Homecoming Committee. Serenity stood with the group of Cheerleaders and Jocks, obeying the dress code Brie had set for her loyal girls but still in the midst of a tantrum about not being able to attend her first pool party, due to the majority of her newly found friends being grounded. She had however had her spirits lifted slightly, by finding one of her classmates attractive. Although she'd yet to actually admit it to anyone or share the name of the teen to gain her attention.
"Nikki" yelled Brie, upon seeing her older twin passing through the area with the rest of her group. Laughter echoed from each of them, as they made their way to a specific destination. No doubt the bleachers on the sports fields, or the basketball court where the back entrance to the changing rooms was. The older Bella twin paid little mind to her selfish sister calling her, or the demanding tone that was sown through her voice as she repeatedly called for her as if she was a dog. Brie made her way toward the group, following being ignored. Eva, Serenity, Kaitlyn, Natalya, Mandy, Lana, Cameron, Charlotte, and Dana followed along, almost as if Brie was a queen and they were her loyal handmaidens. "I want to talk to my sister, now move Bitch" casually demanded Brie, upon finding her path blocked by AJ, the petite brunette ignoring Kaitlyn, Eva, and Serenity laughing at the petty naming calling. Although it soon faded upon noticing AJ stood her ground and Brie's growing frustration.
"If you want to get to Nikki then you have to go through me first Pumpkin" giggled AJ, her famous crazy smile painted on her lips, with a glimmer in her dark eyes to match. Kaitlyn had predictably been the one to make a move against her former best friend. Not thinking twice before reaching out to slap AJ for her defiance, only for Echo to catch her wrist before Kaitlyn's intended strike could find its target. The dark-haired teen with fury in her icy eyes, Natalya had attempted to come to Kaitlyn's rescue only for Echo to turn her deadly glare to her, thrust stopping the blonde in her tracks.
"I'm done ignoring Beauty and the Goat, and their mindless followers. If they want a war, then I'll be happy to give it to them" voiced Echo, as she let Kaitlyn go, noticing the uncertainty to shine in Brie's eyes, for so long she had tormented several of those apart of the group she'd branded as trouble, including her own twin. Never once had she considered the idea of them retaliating let alone banding together to stand against her, to break the rules she and Daniel had put in place, to destroy the status quo and hierarchy. "How long do you think it would be before you break from your own games being played back at you?" asked the dark-haired teen, finally reaching her breaking point, although her calmness only served to creep out the group of girls before including her cousin.
"You do know who you're talking to right?" called Serenity, her voice full of her standard entitlement and self-righteousness. Her attention turned to her cousin. She didn't spare a second thought before walking over to Echo, her hips swaying as if to catch the attention of the one she found herself crushing on. Upon reaching her cousin, she pushed her back with all the force she could muster, expecting her to tumble to the slabbed ground below. Instead, Seth had quickly reached out to catch her, ensuring to keep a gentle hold on her, as Aleister stood between the two girls as if to prevent a fight from occurring, even when he knew there was little to stop it at this point.
"Wait, she speaks?" questioned Punk from behind, surprise lacing his voice over the occurrence. Despite sharing classes with Serenity over the previous week, he hadn't heard her speak before, nor seen her display anything in the form of intelligence. She barely paid attention in class, instead reapplying her caked-on makeup and flipping through magazines she'd brought with her, in place of the required school books. During the IT classes, she'd been on social media or other sites, neglecting her assigned work, as she had with every other class before and after. Punk's words offended Serenity as if he'd insulted her, rather than stating his obvious surprise.
Miz and Maryse soon took charge of the situation, deciding it was best to defuse the tension as best they could. Quietly they sent each of their newly formed social group to complete the journey to their predetermined destination. Watching as they rounded the corner before turning their attention back to the others in their company. Miz quietly made his way over to Daniel and the remaining jocks, with Maryse turning her attention to Brie and the cheerleaders flanking her.
"They've reached their breaking point, they've had enough of what all of you and those boys. Think carefully before continuing. They will fight for their own. This won't be a war you can win easily Brie, if at all. They have something you cheerleaders and jocks don't have. That's why me and Miz chose them" respectfully spoke Maryse, before leaving the group of girls behind, effectively showing her choice to walk away from the group of teenage girls who believed they were above all the rules. Showing her choice to leave the toxicity and fake friendships in the past. As Miz had also done with his words to the group of Jocks he'd once mistakenly believed were friends. The two opted to ignore those calling for them to come back, instead, they continued their walk to reunite with the newly formed mix-and-match group of teenagers. A group that effectively offered acceptance and friendship, free of judgment.
A soft grin graced Maryse's lips to see what each of her friends were up to, upon turning onto the sports field. How Aleister was racing Cross up and down the bleachers in order to spend some of her energy. Finn sat near the top with Becky, deep in conversation with her about something. Corey and Carmella near by with Renee and Dean. Roman was acting as the referee in Aleister and Cross's race Drew was close to Nikki as if protecting her from an unseen threatening force, whereas Punk was laughing at something AJ had done, Seth was in the midst of a random game with Echo, a cartoonish smirk on his lips as he did so. Music playing found someone's phone, the normal mix of songs from all genres, even a few movie themes thrown in. The two soon joined in, quickly becoming engaged in a conversation with Renee and Dean, while cheering on Cross and Aleister.
Before any of them knew it, the bell signaling the beginning of the school day rang out. Each knowing the many other students to attend the school would be filing into the sickly orange and yellow halls, in a mad rush to get where they should be before the next bells rang out in five minutes' time. The students who had the first period on the up floors were sure to make the quietest route there, to ensure it was as hassle-free as possible. Most likely choosing to take the back staircase others seem to forget existed. The senior year students, began to make their way toward the changing rooms, having the choice of which entrance they entered from, as both would have been unlocked by now. All of them likely tried to avoid any humiliating incidences, if only to save the embarrassment of being the talk of their year group for the next few days.
Carmella soon linked arms with Maryse, bidding the boys farewell for the time being, promising to meet them in the sport hall minutes later. She sealed her promise with a kiss for Corey. The other teenage girls in the group slowly made their way down the bleachers, excitement with every step. AJ, Renee, Echo, and Cross opted to skip with Nikki and Becky walking along behind, switching their conversation to the activity in sports class, and their thoughts on how the boys would handle the little game the girls often played as a warm-up during their separate classes before the senior year had begun.
"What a difference a week makes" commented Roman, upon entering the boys' locker room, noticing Bray and his little family were hidden in their normal shadowy spot, some of the others also in their normal spots dotted around the large tiled room. The jocks suspiciously missing, although there was little doubt Booker would collar them eventually and march them to the locker room with style. Some of those in the immediate group, nodded to Roman's words, as the conversations with other students started up between some of the others. The confrontation earlier seemed to be a hot topic at the moment.
"Sports hall, when you ready guys. Let's see if we can beat the ladies this time" called Booker, his voice booming off the tiles walls and metal lockers, as he noticed the suspicious quietness and the group of rowdy Jocks missing. He sighed before storming from the locker room in order to find the missing teenage boys. Showing his trust in those there, to do as they were told and get where they were meant to be without any fuss. The short journey to the designated sports hall had been filled with wonder, most curious about what they would be doing during the sports class. There had been whispers about it, but nothing had been confirmed, instead like the previous week, Booker and Lita kept the activities under wraps until the time come to participate in them.
"And they beat us again" commented Drew, a soft chuckle escaping him upon seeing the senior-year girls already on the bleachers, minding their own business as they waited. Although it was already clear they knew what was coming, from the ropes and benches set up in the middle of the hall. Lita soon instructed each of the boys, sending them to the opposite side of the hall, on the other bleachers set up. Booker all but yanked Daniel and the jocks back when they ignored the specific instruction and attempted to join the girls of the cheerleading squad.
"Shipwrecked" was all Lita uttered in the large hall filled with teenagers. The girls soon cheered, finally being able to return to their normal warm-up game, after participating in the boys' dodgeball the week prior. The gathering of teenage boys on the other hand looked confused, as if unsure what the challenge before them was. "You'll be split into groups of nine. Your challenge is to use the rope to get from one bench to the other directly opposite. Once the game begins, make sure your feet don't hit the floor. If they do you're eliminated. After every member of the group is across the benches will be moved further apart. The last team remaining will be the winners" explained Lita, a chuckle escaping her and Booker to see how the Jocks once again believed it would be easy, either they were underestimating the strength needed or were overestimating their skills.
"First game will be girls vs. boys like last week. After that, you choose your own teams" announced Booker, watching the senior-year students split into teams. After which each was directed toward a set of benches. Carmella, quickly scooped the girls of the mix-and-match group together, noticing they were one short, to which Echo invited Alexa to join them, the petite teen known as Twisted Bliss, seemed all too happy to take up the offer, even more so upon noticing Brie once again trying to get things done her way. Miz had done something similar with his own set of boys, upon realizing they had the right amount for the game. Much to Daniel's clear annoyance, as it was clear he was aiming to have the star athletes on his team.
With the blow of a whistle, the game began. The first couple of rounds were easy to complete, as simple as grabbing the rope and stepping over the gap between the benches. When it came time to swing over the gap, a few boys made noises similar to Tarzan, and a few other jokes were made too. Not surprisingly Serenity was once again the first to be eliminated, her feet hitting the floor, as if she had forgotten how to play the game. She ignored the comments of her teammates, the moment her eyes landed on the Samoan teen she'd found herself attracted to. How he effortlessly swung across the gap and even helped his teammates across, whether that be by giving them a helpful push or catching them on the other side.
Despite the loss of their teammate in Serenity, Brie's team won the first game. The games following had been a mix of both genders. Roman, Seth, Dean, and Drew had opted to team with Rhea, Echo, Renee, and Nikki. Serenity all but threw a tantrum at Lita telling her to find another team to join. An act she'd quickly been told to stop, and eventually received detention for when she refused. Serenity's actions were made almost famous, when Heath mimicked her actions upon being eliminated from the game, Alexa doing a similar thing, although both had done it in a teasing manner to lighten the mood. Serenity had simply shouted at them to go screw themselves.
"God, how do you girls do this on a daily basis?" questioned Miz, as he shook his hands in order to get some sort of feeling back into his fingers. His grip on the rope had been tight in order to stay in the game. Although had resulted in a rope burn when he'd lost his grip and tumbled off the bench before Punk had a chance to catch him. Maryse and a few other members of the new group, close by with that knowing look, all had suffered through the tender burn before. But had grown used to it over the years they played the game.
"Used to it" simply replied AJ, noticing Gallows and Anderson nearby cheering on their own group, being sure to state the names of those they were the cheerleaders for. A few of the Jocks shouted back, either for them to shut up or cheer for them. Which both had changed to cheering for Lashley, Cena, Daniel, and Andrade to fall off, doing a similar thing with Brie and some of her girls moments later. Tommaso Ciampa and Johhny Gargano joined in, along with Shayna and Shotzi. Booker tried his best to hide his smirk as if it was clear some of the sophomore students didn't understand when they passed through in order to reach their own class, towards the back of the large hall. Lita on the other hand ignored the off-handed cheering for a little while, before telling the group to knock it off.
"Got to love being a senior" laughed Dean upon joining his group on the bleachers. "You lot heard the rumors?" asked the shaggy-haired teen, recalling hearing the whispers on the way to school that day. How Booker was shaking up the sports teams and the school had once again been entered into the wrestling tournament that took place every year. Stephanie was sure to win back the titles of champions, as well as compete in the friendly competition All Star Academy had with the other four schools to compete in the tournament.
"The wrestling team, Daniel being banned from the basketball and swim team, or Brie being replaced as head cheerleader?" asked Nikki, recalling her twin screaming about the latter upon being told about it. Even more so when her replacement was looking to be none other than Carmella. "Or Trish have something specific in mind for Homecoming Committee?" asked the older Bella twin, recalling hearing whispers about the committee too, although she knew that would be confirmed following the break when Echo and Seth returned from the committee in question.
"Daniel and Brie" politely responded Dean, watching as Finn fell off the rope, Aleister had fallen from the bench during his attempt to catch him, resulting in the entire team being eliminated. "Think Stephanie and Hunter have something to do with it?" asked the teen often referred to as the Lunatic. Everyone knew Stephanie had made a lot of changes since taking over the position of Head of the school from her father. Her attention now seemingly turned to Brie and Daniel, as well as their mindless followers. Hunter helped her by serving as the wrestling coach, whereas her brother Shane had taken the position their mother had previously occupied. Deputy Head.