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[sup][color=gray]Collab with:[/color] [@Universorum][@Silent Observer][@Lovely Complex][@melissahart][@smarty0114][/sup]
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[/center][indent]Truly, all Owen Lyon wanted in life was a moment of clarity. At this point in time, it seemed no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, that moment of clarity would escape him. It started with Kayleb and Sol beefing — because of Shauna (fuck Shauna). They were coming, and he [i]knew[/i] they were coming because he could sniff them in the air. No, seriously. Their perfume, their [i]scent[/i] was wafting in the air. Even that fucker, Marshall.

He could even pick out their different scents. Ophelia’s — that of a snake. Brynn’s — that of an Airhead, watermelon flavored. Marshall’s — that of a sour grape. Hailey’s — that of a burnt piece of toast. Selena’s — that of a spoiled glass of milk. And, of course, Trixie’s — that of a delicious key lime pie.

Aright. Maybe he was pressing a bit; Trixie’s was the most accurate of his mental descriptions. The rest of them? He just smelled what he wanted to smell. They were nonetheless [i]distinct[/i]. Though, as they approached he could see [i]other[/i] people with them. A tall blonde boy, and… Jamie. He knew Jamie. Here we go…

Once they were close enough, Owen held up a hand and shook his head. [color=a52521][b]“Uh-uh. We don’t want what you’re selling. Get back in the limo and let it take you to the depths of Hades from whence you came.”[/b][/color]

Sean leaned down to his sister. [color=a5a5a5][b]“[sub]Who’s that?[/sub]”[/b][/color]

[color=ffb5fd][b]“Our cousin’s ex, Owen.”[/b][/color] Selena responded quietly to her brother. She followed up with the more sensitive piece of information in an even lower voice, speaking in spanish now. [sub][color=ffb5fd][b]“Hay fotos de él con otra chica. El infiel.”[/b][/color][/sub] Speaking of cheating, Owen was looking awfully cozy with Soleil in that moment. This was going to go swimmingly, you could tell by the wat that you could practically cut the tension with a knife.

If a stare could kill, oh boy, Trixie’s would. Her dark gaze was rigid, cold, distant. The once so bubbly, happy, and ready to drink girl that was in the limousine moments ago, was now [i]heated[/i]. She knew Owen and Soleil were [i]close[/i], like kissing his cheek and pressing her breast on him close, but add alcohol to the mix? Beatrix’s emotions seeped out, where her eyes were sharpened knives digging into the victim’s ribs, digging deeper, and deeper, right where it hurt. Those eyes that once had love in them only two months ago, before everything fell apart, were completely empty. The unmoving gaze was accompanied by slow, patient breathing. Here, standing before her, was the man she loved, and regrettably, still did.  Unapologetically, and with a pinch of bitter spice, Trixie scoffed, [color=15603A][b]“Already moved on from the last one, [i]Owen[/i]?”[/b][/color] With a sloppy, yet confidant saunter, Trixie went beside her beloved Hailey. 

Brynn couldn’t help but cringe at the entire situation that was occuring in front of them. Not only was Owen being absolutely terrible, but Soleil just happened to be perched right next to him, looking quite enamored. Talk about throwing salt in a wound that was still fresh and bleeding.  [sub][color=cornflowerblue][b]“This is [i]much[/i] worse than I thought it was going to be. I should’ve finished that bottle of tequila when I had the chance...”[/b][/color][/sub] She whispered to Marshall, who was standing to her left,  in a hushed tone, making sure no one else was listening.

The world around Jamie was moving, very, very, slowly. [i]Too[/i] slowly, some might say. [color=31ab9f][i]Holy fuck, am I high?[/i][/color] Jamie thought as he followed the group up to the front steps of the beach house, a trek that felt like it took fifty minutes, instead of ten seconds. Jamie wasn’t one for weed normally, in fact he’d only ever been high once, in sophomore year. This was new. And it was terrifying. He could feel the emotions of the group wafting off of him, intensified by the weed. Owen was angry, but hurt, and he could tell. Wow that one was hitting hard. Trixie on the other hand, was...sad. Like, really sad. [color=31ba9f][i]This is soooooo bad. So bad. So bad. Oh my god, I’m high. Oh my god. Oh my god.[/i][/color]

Ophelia stepped up to the plate, perhaps foolishly. She had this, easy. She was a wordsmith, a silver-tongued goddess. Not even [i]this[/i] guy could say no.  [color=eda946][b]“Owen, we’re just here to enjoy the New Year’s! It isn’t [i]our[/i] fault all of our friends are here —”[/b][/color]

[color=a52521][b]“You don’t have any friends.”[/b][/color] Owen said before Lia could even finish her second sentence.

[color=eda946][i]Okay… not going well so far.[/i][/color] Ophelia prepared for round two, but Owen was talking faster than she could. Which was… a new experience for her, to say the least.

[color=a52521][b]“Why does Trixie smell like cheap vodka and bad decisions? You two [i]know[/i] she’s a lightweight; you’re supposed to be her friends, and you let her get like this before trying to get in here? What is [i]wrong[/i] with you?”[/b][/color] He demanded, staring at Hailey and Ophelia with an undeniable anger in his eyes. Seriously? She was almost falling on her ass just walking here. Idiots.

Hailey, who was sipping from a can of Sprite through a bright green bendy straw, shook her head. [color=922b2b][b]“I’m sorry that we allow her more freedom than [i]you[/i] did, but unfortunately for you, your ability to control Trixie went up in flames the minute you [i]cheated[/i] on her and [i]betrayed[/i] her. Your own fault, really.”[/b][/color]

[color=eda946][i]NOT. HELPING.[/i][/color]

Marshall, who had been observing the situation from the vantage point of Ophelia’s right hand side, stood with his arms crossed over his chest. This was some juicy shit, and he was into it. He cocked up an eyebrow following Hailey’s words, as if challenging Owen to attempt to defend himself. The lecherous cheat, whatever would he have to say for himself?

[color=a52521][b]“Hailey, why don’t you shut your fucking mouth?”[/b][/color] Owen said, not noticing his left hand’s fingers begin to tap against each other. [color=a52521][b]“Look, man, you might have those clowns —”[/b][/color] His right hand gestured at the rest of the entourage that surrounded her, [color=a52521][b]“fooled, but I’m not falling for it. So, get back in your car, and get the fuck out of here. And make sure Trix doesn’t choke to death on her own vomit, you bitch.”[/b][/color]

Hailey silently sipped at her Sprite. [color=922b2b][i]Keep going.[/i][/color]
 
As much as her defenses wanted to drop, as much as she wanted to drop the act, Trixie’s gaze was no longer on Owen’s face. He was doing the thing. His fingers. He was getting exceedingly angry, which could lead to…  [color=15603A][b]“Guys, come on. He’s not worth our time. Why don’t we just go back and have our own party?”[/b][/color] Desperately, she looked at Hailey, whose expression was stone cold, and then she scurried to Lia, [color=15603A][b]“Do you really think all this is necessary? Come on, Fifi. [i]Please.[/i]”[/b][/color] 

Ophelia though, had her eyes trained on Owen, looking for [i]something[/i] she could play off of. It definitely wouldn’t be sex, that much was for sure. Owen looked like he’d rather bite all of their throats out then fuck the wounds, rather than fuck them the [i]right[/i] way. There was some kind of play, right? She leaned down to Trixie, [color=eda946][b]“[sub]Hey, what’s he doing with his hand?[/sub]”[/b][/color] She asked, pointing.

Hailey rolled her eyes at Trixie’s request, pulling the straw from her mouth. [color=922b2b][b]“Why on earth would we do that, when we have a perfectly fine party going on here? [i]Besides[/i], Trixie. We could find you a [i]nice[/i] boy here. One that will treat you right and respectfully.”[/b][/color]

Owen’s hand moved faster, and Lia furrowed her brow. Was that the play? Worth a shot! Couldn’t get [i]any[/i] worse. [color=eda946][b]“You should let us in, dude. You don’t need to stand here all day. It looks like you’re having a seizure, or something, with your hand there. You need weed! Go inside. I’ll light the joint for you.”[/b][/color]

Owen’s fingers moved faster.

[color=eda946][b]“Hello? Earth to Owen Lyon. Are you there? It’s me, Ophelia. Jesus, Trixie, you never told us he was [i]autistic[/i]. No wonder he cheated on you! Didn’t realize what he had.”[/b][/color]

Owen’s hand turned into a fist.

[color=a52521][b]“TRIXIE WHY DON’T YOU SHUT THAT CUNT’S MOUTH BEFORE I COME OVER THERE AND FUCK START HER HEAD?”[/b][/color]

[color=15603A][b]“OPHELIA, FUCKING STOP IT.”[/b][/color] Trixie’s face turned a pale white. 

Brynn gasped. She gasped so loudly that god could probably hear her. Stunned couldn’t even begin to describe how she was processing this situation. What had gotten into Owen? More importantly, how was Trixie coping with this interaction? Turning to see Trixie’s face, which resembled that of the ghost of Christmas past, she tugged on Marshall’s sleeve. [color=cornflowerblue][b]“I think we should probably abandon ship.”[/b][/color]

Meanwhile, standing behind the others, Hailey sipped at her Sprite. On her face, was a ghost of a smile. [color=922b2b][i]Perfect. There you go. End this, Owen.[/i][/color]

Marshall heard the gasp to his right. Hell, even his own initial response was to gasp alongside her. This pathetic [i]boy[/i] in front of him used to be a man that he considered a friend, a good friend, even. But what he just said about Marshall’s Candy Queen, after all of the hurt that he has and still is putting Trixie-pixie through, this… this was completely unforgivable. Not heeding Brynn’s words in the slightest, Marshall stepped forward, feeling Brynnie’s fingers release his jacket sleeve as he did so. [color=997fdb][b]“How [i]dare[/i] you say that. Apologize, now.”[/b][/color]

There were a lot of noises and Jamie was not having it. His eyes were wide as he took in the scene before him: the shouting, the tension, the storm brewing over the horizon. Marshall stepping forward caused his stomach to drop. He could see this going south quickly. [color=31ba9f][i] Oh no, oh no no no.[/i][/color] Jamie was scared, terrified of what was happening. Music blasting, voices shouting, everything spinning. [color=31ba9f][b]”Hey, uh, let’s just, chill guys,”[/b][/color] Jamie managed to eek out, joining Brynn on the road of peace.

The road of peace would not be reached, as Marshall Radley had done perhaps the dumbest thing in his arsenal. Brave, certainly. But not intelligent. He picked a fight with Owen — someone Marshall knew damn well spent half of his fucking life at the gym, training to fight. And he did it while Owen was already mad. In the blink of an eye, Owen had his hands on Marshall’s collar, and had lifted him up and spun him around, pushing him back against the wall, hard. Owen, as it happened, had a lot of practice with pushing feminine bodies against  walls. Thanks, Trix.

[color=a52521][b]“WHAT. ARE. YOU. GOING. TO DO? [I]WHAT[/I] THE [I]FUCK[/I] ARE YOU GONNA DO, MARSHALL? HUH?”[/b][/color]

[color=31ba9f][b]”Oh wow,”[/b][/color] Jamie said, taking a quick breath when he realized he hadn’t been breathing thanks to the tension.

[i]He fucked up.[/i] 

In hindsight, Marshall could recall the exact moment where this all went wrong. He shouldn’t have stepped up to Owen. It was a stupid move, so [i]incredibly[/i] stupid. But he did it, for the sake of his girls, he would do anything for them. No one deserved to be treated like that, and yet, where would such chivalry get him? Marshall [i]knew[/i] Owen, he knew full well that the coiled muscles of his arms — arms that were currently pinning him against a wall — could make quick work of literally [i]any[/i] man at this party. 

Owen’s strength wasn’t even the worst part, though. Sure, the thin dancer boy was outmatched in every way possible right now. That was fine. Sure, he was just blatantly screamed at, from not even centimeters away from his own face — that was... a new experience. But the worst part was the cold, dead look in Owen’s eyes — the eyes of a person that used to be one of his closest friends. He was… he was going to kill him. Marshall was quite sure, in that moment, that he was not making it to see the year 2043, and the only response that he had to that knowledge, was to shake.

Instinctively, as if it were second nature to her, Trixie attempted to rush toward Owen’s side and absentmindedly called him by the nickname she gave to him when they first started to date, [color=15603A][b]“Kitty! He didn’t mean any harm.”[/b][/color] And as if she predicted this moment coming, Hailey reached for Trixie’s wrist and gripped tightly on it, like a dog on a leash.  [color=15603A][b]“Please don’t hurt him.”[/b][/color] Her voice started to shake. 

Sean realized that now was his time to step in. He had planned to give them the space to work things out themselves, and not really interfere. Unfortunately, he could tell that Owen would slaughter Marshall if given a reason — and he’d been given a reason. He glanced down at his sister and shrugged his shoulders, almost apologetically, before he took a step forward, placing a hand on Owen’s shoulder. [color=a5a5a5][b]“You need to stop.”[/b][/color] Sean said firmly, but gently.

The response from Owen was almost immediately. He dropped Marshall, letting him collapse to the ground, and spun on his heel, immediately turning his fury onto the new boy. [color=a52521][b]“You don’t know what’s going on here, so you’d better back the fuck down before I knock your fucking teeth down your throat.”[/b][/color] Owen walked toward him, but Sean did not back down. Owen got in his face, and their foreheads touched.

[color=a5a5a5][i]Oh, Jesus, here we go.[/i][/color]

Owen stared at Sean for a few moments, pressing his forehead against his, before he spoke. Owen’s voice had morphed and changed over the last few seconds. While at the beginning of their meeting, he may have been called ‘calm,’ or even ‘collected,’ that was gone. Now, Owen Lyon spoke in a voice befitting of his name: a low, dangerous growl. [color=a52521][b]“[i]You[/i] had better hit me or kiss me, pussy.”[/b][/color]

[color=a5a5a5][i]Yikes. Okay.[/i][/color]

Sean curled a fist up and swung for Owen’s head, and it looked like Owen, for all intents and purposes, was fully prepared to take the hit… but halfway through the air, Sean’s fist uncurled and instead went to the back of Owen’s head, pulling him. Sean, had chosen option B. He kissed him.

Now it was Selena’s turn to gasp. Since when did her brainiac brother interfere with fights? Since when did he do so by [i]kissing[/i] the offender? Her wide blue eyes studied the display before her. Eventually, her brain caught up to the times. She flicked her gaze over to Marshall, who was literally still on his ass where Owen had dropped him. The poor thing!

Trixie froze at the scene. What?

[color=31ba9f][b]”Oh wow.”[/b][/color]

If it was even remotely possible, Brynn gasped even louder than she had before. If god had heard the last one, probably all of the aliens on Mars could hear this one. [color=cornflowerblue][b]“You can’t make this shit up, I swear.”[/b][/color]

Hailey sipped at her Sprite, and her nose crinkled in disgust when it returned only the noise of an empty can. Casually, she dropped it to the sandy floor beneath her, and looked at Ophelia, who had pulled Trixie over to her. Hailey let go of Trixie’s wrist and shrugged her shoulders. Meanwhile, Owen broke out of Sean’s grasp (that had lasted MUCH longer than he was comfortable with)...

[color=a52521][b]“[i]What the fuck?! GO AWAY![/i]”[/b][/color]

From behind all the chaos, a small girl with newly red hair pranced past the shocked individuals, having no idea what had just happened - and not really caring. [color=6174ff][b]“Owen. Permission to come in?”[/b][/color] Joy Darling beamed her dimple smile and then glanced around her at everyone else, [color=6174ff][b]“Oh hey guys. Trixie, long time no see!”[/b][/color] Trixie simply responded with a nod, as she held tight to herself… wanting to fall, but knowing she had to stand tall and be strong. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YvnZhos.gif[/img][/center]
Owen turned his attention to this newcomer, and… truth be told, given how his night had went so far, he had no idea who it was. [color=a52521][b]“Who the [i]fuck[/i] are you? We’re not taking anymore stragglers. Get lost kid, maybe Hailey can give you a ride home.”[/b][/color] As he spoke, Sean, realizing that the situation had been appropriately defused, returned to his spot beside his sister, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets.

[color=6174ff][b]“Oh shut the fuck up before I tell Daddums on you. Now let me in, this isn’t funny.”[/b][/color] Joy crossed her arms, giving her brother an impatient stare, [color=6174ff][b]“Oh and stop being petty. These people are my plus ones. It’s the New Year. Ya’ll need to get over yourselves and enjoy the damn night. The invitation was basically a declaration of war. [i]Stupid[/i]. Only an idiot wouldn’t expect them to come.”[/b][/color] 

Owen knew who it was. Bitch. Blood traitor. He’d deal with her later. There was only one thing to do, to ensure that none of them made it past the velvet rope he’d been set to guard. Owen pulled a walkie-talkie off of his belt and held it up to his mouth, breathing rather heavily (a bit exhausted from emotions), and hit the button. [color=a52521][b]“Damian, Joy’s here. At least, I think it’s Joy. She has red hair now, which is stupid.”[/b][/color]

[color=309b75][b]“...does she?”[/b][/color] Damian’s response was loud enough to be picked up by the others present.

[color=a52521][b]“Yeah.”[/b][/color]

[color=309b75][b]“Well, what’s the problem? Just send her in.”[/b][/color]

[color=a52521][b]“She wants to bring Hailey and her bitch brigade in as plus ones.”[/b][/color] This elicited a long pause from El Jefe. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, there was a response.

[color=309b75][b]“...she cute?”[/b][/color]

Owen let out a long sigh, glancing over at Joy. [color=a52521][b]“Yeah… she’s alright.”[/b][/color] Behind Owen, one of the blinds of the house was pulled back, and Damian (making a terrible attempt to hide himself) could be seen peering at the scene.

[color=309b75][b]“Yeah, alright, dude. Executive call here. We yield. Send ‘em in. BUT. Send Joy like directly to me.”[/b][/color] The walkie talkie cut, and Owen threw his against a rock, shattering it. Then, he took his free hand and unhooked the velvet rope.

[color=a52521][b]“You heard him.”[/b][/color]

Before anyone could react, Trixie was already bolting inside, away from everyone and through the crowd. She disappeared from everyone’s sight. 

Jamie couldn’t believe he’d survived this encounter. The Cowardly Lyon was clearly no coward. He looked around at the others, his eyes bloodshot, and quickly followed Trixie in, giving Sean a thumbs up as  he passed by and disappeared into the living room, nowhere near a sufficient thank you for what he’d done, but all that Jamie could muster at the moment.

Brynn rushed over to Marshall’s aid, helping him off of the ground and brushing off his leather jacket. [color=cornflowerblue][b]“Oh my god, are you okay, boo?”[/b][/color] After checking him over for any bumps or bruises, she turned to Sean, who was clearly the knight in shining armor of the evening.  [color=cornflowerblue][b]“Thank you.”[/b][/color] She endearingly stated, being extra careful not to look at him the wrong way. Turning back to Marshall she began to escort him inside. [color=cornflowerblue][b]“I think we both need a drink after that one.”[/b][/color]

Sean, noticing that Hailey was pulling his sister away from him (like, physically away from him), quickly stepped up next to Brynn and Marshall, wrapping an arm around Marshall to support him instead of Brynn. [color=a5a5a5][b]“Look, I could use a drink too. Why don’t we just get one together? I got him. It’s easier for me.”[/b][/color]

The brunette’s worried face became at ease immediately, as the weight was lifted off her shoulders, quite literally. Turning to the blonde boy, she gave him a small appreciative smile. [color=cornflowerblue][b]“Yeah, that’d be nice.”[/b][/color] Brynn simply replied, treading the waters cautiously and following Sean inside.

Marshall’s soul was slowly, very slowly, returning to his body. What the fuck just happened? Why did the back of his head hurt? Whose arm was around his waist? He glanced to the source of his hand and gasped. Angry kid that yelled at him for gawking in the limo — the same one who just saved him from being literally murdered — had his arm around his waist? What the [i]fuck[/i] just happened? [color=997fdb][b]“Uh… er… yeah, okay.”[/b][/color] he stammered uncharacteristically. He felt like he’d be able to walk on his own just fine, but he wasn’t about to admit that.

Whilst the rest of the group headed inside, Selena felt herself being pulled aside by none other than Hailey Green-Locke. Her predecessor. Queen Regent of Beverly Hills High. [color=ffb5fd][b]“Wow, listen, I had no idea that Sean would do that. But… it worked out pretty well?”[/b][/color]

Hailey shrugged her shoulders, kissing Selena on the cheek. [color=922b2b][b]“I don’t care. It worked, and frankly that’s what’s important. Thank him and that Joy girl for me, when you get a chance. I, on the other hand, am going home. My work here is done, and I don’t much care for parties… I despise interacting with people I’ll send a car to fetch you all when you call. Have a wonderful evening, Selena, you’ve earned it. Drink, smoke, loosen up. Relax. Help your brother re-adjust to normal life. I’ve heard about the Academy he was at, and from what I understand, it’s almost culture shock to come back.”[/b][/color] Hailey smiled regally, and kissed her cheek again, before turning to leave.

Selena stared after the queen bee as she turned to leave. [i]Her work here is done?[/i] What did that mean? The blonde stood there in thought, before deciding that it was probably in her best interest to [i]not[/i] try to understand the workings of Hailey’s mind. If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you — or something like that. [color=ffb5fd][b]“Thanks, Hails. I’ll talk to you later.”[/b][/color] Selena called out before turning to walk inside and, most importantly, to find her cousin.

After everyone marched in, ideally enjoying the rest of the night, Joy looked up at her brother and smiled,  [color=6174ff][b]“You know, maybe you need to dick someone to feel better? Mitty says it’s a good stress reliever.”[/b][/color] Quickly, she patted her brother’s back and stuck out her tongue,  [color=6174ff][b]“Daddums says you’re taking me home after this. Love you.”[/b][/color] And with that, the oblivious nerd pranced inside to find her childhood friend and host of the night. [/indent]