The Other McCall

a bitch and a throne

Courtney McCall ruled Beacon Hills High School. She had since day one when she first stepped through the doors. She was pretty, smart and bitchy; her reign went uncontested. Well, except for her first year when kinks were still being worked out and Lydia Martin laid claim to the throne, but that only lasted a week. Why would a teenage bitch fight last only a week? Because Courtney wasn't stupid. She knew that one needed allies if they were to rule, and Lydia was very nearly her equal. By week two of high school the word was out: Beacon Hills now had a monarchy.

Lydia ruled alongside Courtney, and Courtney found a friend in Lydia. Nerds trembled at their feet, girls gave anything to be in their good graces, and men... well the boys were easy to control. A smile here, a wink there and the menfolk were putty in their hands. And all the while, while social lives were ruined and friendship groups were made subservient, the two Queens kept smiles on their faces, gossiping together as they brought the school to its knees. There was no official higher up between Lydia and Courtney, but the school feared Courtney more. She was cutthroat, she was cruel, she was popular.

The new system was harsh. Examples had to be made and sacrifices freely given. One could only look out for oneself in the broiling mess of betrayal, lies and gossip. The Queens were no exceptions to this rule; Lydia sacrificed her brains and Courtney sacrificed her brother. Scott had no value in the politics of high school, and burdens had to be cast off. Cheerleading was more important than family priorities. Appearance was more important than food. The kingdom was more important than a snivelling, untalented twin.

Of course, Courtney still loved Scott. They still had a special twin bond, and that was the only thing stopping his high school career from being absolute hell. Courtney held off the bullies, but even she couldn't bring Scott up in the ranks if he continued to fail at everything. Scott never knew that Courtney was protecting him. If he did, he'd probably have complained about her to Stiles less.

And Scott still loved Courtney. Much as she may be a bitch at school, and much as she still prayed for their father to come back (an idea which Scott detested), she was his sister. At home she was the same girl he'd known since conception, and nothing could take away his love for her, not even her.

At school the twins were opposites. Where Courtney aced her classes, Scott flunked. Where Courtney wore the latest fashions, Scott threw on the first thing he saw. Where Courtney was popular, Scott only had one friend. Where Courtney rejected every male who braved to ask for her hand, Scott wasn't exactly the man of the hour.

At home the twins were equals. There was no favouritism in the McCall household. Their mother knew nothing of Courtney's status, and Courtney was sure to keep it that way; heaven knows what would happen if her behaviour came to light. So parties were thrown when her mom was away, or at someone else's. Clothes were bought using a monthly allowence Courtney had managed to weasel out of her dad without her mom's knowledge. Cheerleading practice became the cover up for life ruining.

Everyone who attended Beacon Hills High School knew who the rulers were. Lydia Martin and Courtney McCall were queens. Jackson Whittemore was their king, and they had a multitude of Lords and Ladies. Jessica, Chloé, Kaitlyn, Rueben, Ben, Danny... Showing a lack of deference to any of these faces could get you kicked out of school; even teachers knew to obey Courtney McCall.

In the end, Courtney ruled, and she made sure everyone knew it. Sure, a family court might be nice, but until Scott did something spectacular like making First Line on the lacrosse team it was impossible. One can only do so much for the bonds of family.