Glitz Gurlz on Deck

Ch. 7 - Breaking Bree

Maddie rounded up the girls like steer. Leading them back through their dark hallway and into her popcorn scented room. No one spoke. Faces white and wide stared at her with open mouths.

"Listen up baby birds. Close your mouths and wipe your chins. It's time to be a grown up. We all know what a tough world it is out there. Especially for cheerleaders and news anchors. But this isn't skipping calories. This is making a future. We may have sent Jen over the edge to a watery grave but we did it for the good of so many others. Think of all those people who need us to perform. We save them from watching waves, getting depressed, and jumping overboard. We are messengers. We have to put that first!"

Claudia brushed her hair as she nodded. Causing the brush to be tangled in a web of matted hair. "Ugh. A little help here."

Sabrina sat behind her Indian style and started pulling small pieces out of the hair ball bit by bit.

"Maddie?"

"What is it Bree. God I even forgot you existed. Bravo for that. Until now."

"Ummm. Thank you? What if Claudia was right. What if there's like a curse on us and everyone is getting (sniff) killed. What if that axe (sniff) was swung into Jen's back and one of us are next?"

"First off. We don't cry. We are athletes. Tougher than tears. Crying makes wrinkles and spreads feelings of sadness. Not to mention looking at someone crying is a hideous experience that should never happen to anyone. So many fluids. Secondly. No. Listen girls. We're popular. And hot. And talented. And most of us can tie our shoes without giving a boob flash even in low cut shirts. But we aren't superstars yet. And think about it. If there were some psycho killer on the loose why would he pick people people who make the world a better place and add so much to the gene pool?  He'd kill off the ugly people."

The girls all agreeing with their guru leaders logic turned on the television to snow and static and spread their sleeping bags around the room. In minutes the room was still and silent except for sniffling from the corner. Maddie couldn't sleep with sniffing.

"Sabrina. Get into bed with Claudia. Stop the sniffling or go sleep in the bathtub. I will not be lugging eye baggage around tomorrow."

Bree climbed beside Claudia and finally Maddie heard the golden sound of nothing. She dreamed of trophies and tiaras and hours later was just about to give her dream acceptance speech when Claudia's screeching voice ripped into her happiness.

"Omg Bree. Ever hear of a pad?  So not cool. No wonder you were so emotional last night. I'm going to the shower. So disgusting!"

Maddie rolled over and looked for the ruckus. Claudia stood in the middle of the room. Her pale Pink! Pajamas covered in red. Sabrina's form was still snuggled below the covers. 

"No, no, no. That is not how a Glitz Gurl does things Sabrina. Your bed is not a tampon. Especially when your sharing it. Go to your room and shower. That is an order."

When the sleeping form didn't move Maddie sprang from the bed and yanked back the covers. There, lying on a blood soaked water sogged mattress was Jen. Eyes clouded over and grey, teeth broken and lips still frozen in a forever camera shot photo pose.  Seaweed hung from her unkempt curls and her wet clothes smelled like yesterday's fish tacos.

Squeals filled the room. Bodies flew at warp speed to the opposite side of the room. Maddie surveyed them all looking from Jen's body to the line up.

"Ok, that was a surprise. But so not funny. Whoever is responsible speak now. Or face my wrath."

All the girls stayed statue still. No one dared moving.

"Ok. I see. Obviously someone wants to screw with me and ruin our chances of greatness. I expected so much more from you all."

She sat on the side of the bed. Unaware or uncaring that blood and saltwater were being absorbed by her Calvin Klein sweetheart camisole. The girls watched in horror as the placed her palm on the middle of the stain.

"I will not be stopped. I will not give in. This is my year. Do you bitches understand that?!! I will kill you myself before I give Glitz Gurlz a tarnished reputation on my watch. Wrap her up in a blanket. Put her in Chelsea and Deneise's bathtub. Get the sheets from the closet and remake this bed. We have practice in one hour. Understood?"

The girls scrambled. More afraid of Maddie's temper than a body they had already laid to rest.

Maddie continued to be a fearless leader.
"Tonight we dump her. And take turns sleeping. Someone is going to pay for this. I'm taking a shower. Have it done before I get out. Where the hell is Sabrina?"

She closed the bathroom door and filled the room with steam to cleanse her pores and clear her head. As the water ran with pink soapy bubbles she let her brain wander to places she could find advice. 'High School Musical'. 'Total Drama Island'.  'Pretty Little Liars'. Yes! Friendship Goals for sure. What would those girls do now. She had her own A to catch in the act.

When she got out of the shower all the girls were staring into the closet. She pushed them out of the way and looked in. Sabrina lay haphazard on the bottom. Arms and legs tied. Clear laundry bag tied around her head. Open fish mouth a giant circle of blue.

"Well, at least we know where Sabrina went. Let's face it. Most of us didn't remember her existence until last night when she started sniveling. One less person to be the guilty party. I say we have some real food this morning. We can't dump these girls until tonight. Then we review 'Pretty Little Liars' and solve this ridiculousness. Open the window so it doesn't smell more like dead fish than it already does. I say we splurge and have a pancake."

The girls, excited for the promise of pancakes and role playing 'Pretty Little Liars' quickly got ready for breakfast and practice. Windows open, closet closed, clothes on point, they marched single file following their leader to syrup and beyond.

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Someone has been very busy (no Ann, I meant the killer- although you are productive and hilarious and my total bae).

Who is killing off Glitz Gurlz?  Will Maddie actually let them use syrup?

No cheerleaders were actually hurt in the making of this chapter.