The Other McCall

What the hell, Greenberg?

So Scott made first line, obviously. I mean, come on. Did you see him out there? He was actually worthy of associating with me! His talent caused a minor problem with Jackson but I sorted it out. Nobody in the school, even Lydia, will say a single word to him for a week. That includes the party, and lacrosse, and lessons. Greenberg also offered to plant weed in his locker to get him expelled, but I figured that was a bit harsh for Lydia's boyfriend on his first offence.

I went home to grab some stuff before I headed over to Lydia's place. We were gonna get ready for the party together because my mom is a prude and won't let me put of the house in anything less than a nun outfit.

I stuck my head round into Scott's bedroom to see if he had my phone. "Hey, little brother. Sorry to interrupt your nerd sesh with Fence - seriously, werewolves? - but I need to know if you've seen my phone."

Scott turned and growled at me. Yes, growled. "God, Courtney, can you try not to be annoying for five minutes? You're so pathetic, it's ridiculous! Can you do anything for yourself? No wonder dad left."

That was below the belt. I snarled at my stupid twin brother who doesn't know a thing. "Yep, it really is no wonder, isn't it," I snarked. "It's no wonder that dad left you because all he had was a disappointment son. A son who couldn't even make first line on the lacrosse team without the help of steroids, yes, I talked to Jackson. A son who is actually stalking Allison: a girl who's so out of your league it's crazy. A son who literally only has one friend at school, and that friend is only the weird son of the weird Sheriff who's an embarrassment to Beacon Hills. A son who-"

I was cut of when Scott, who had been breathing deeply to control his temper, grabbed me and pinned me to the wall. "Shut up!" He cried. "You don't know anything. You're just the stupid little girl who can't handle the fact that daddy doesn't love her so she acts like a bitch to everyone else. You think you're so popular? Newsflash: everybody hates you. Mom thinks you're a slut, school thinks you're an uppity whore and I think you're a waste of space."

I snapped. "Oh, I'm the waste of space? Dad doesn't love me? Let me tell you something, Scott, while you and mom got the silent treatment, dad's been giving me $60 a month. Where you got radio static, I get postcards and souvenirs. And the birthday cards dad got you? That was me. He didn't care enough about you to send them, but for my last birthday I got a weekend in Paris with two friends of choice. Face it Scott. If anyone in this family is irrelevant, it's you."

Scott glared a me for a minute, then raised his fist and punched me square in the face. He kept on hitting me again and again; face, stomach, arm- it didn't seem to matter to him. I fell to the floor as Fence came over and pulled my twin off me. Scott stared at me for a minute before backing away, staring at his hands and muttering 'sorry' under his breath a million times.

I stood up, straightened myself off, and left without a word. I heard Scott calling after me but I didn't care. Only when I was in the safety and comfort of Lydia's home did I let the tears fall.

After a couple of chick flicks and a bowl of ice cream, I pulled myself together. I had a reputation to protect, after all, and it wouldn't do to show weakness. Concealer covered up the newly forming bruises as Lydia and I prepared her house for the party.

♤♡◇♧

Music blared through the house while I twisted and swayed on the dance floor. Lydia had gone to get some fresh air so I was dancing with Chloé and Kaitlyn. Spotting Scott entering the house, I made a quick exit to avoid him, and ended up bumping into a tall boy with curly brown hair. "Umm... excuse you?" I pointed out when he didn't acknowledge me.

He jumped. "I'm sorry! I just... This isn't really what I'm used to." He was clearly nervous amongst the drunk teens, I don't know why though. He was sort of hot, with a bit of confidence he could totally be popular.

"Get used to it," I advised scornfully. "Who even are you, anyway?"

"Isaac Lahey," he mumbled. "I sit behind you in Maths." I stared blankly at him. "I used to tutor you in Trig." Still wasn't ringing a bell. "I'm on the lacrosse team?"

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Lacrosse is cool. Do you know Jackson?"

Isaac shook his head. "Aquaintances."

I patted him on the arm. "Come sit with me at lunch on Monday. I'll introduce you properly. I like you, Isaac Lahey. You're innocent and naïve, like a little pet dog."

"Umm, thanks?" Isaac replied. "But I can't sit with you tomorrow, I have a Chemistry resit."

I shrugged. "Your loss." I mean, I offered. If he doesn't want friends that's not my fault. If losers are stuck in their loser ways let them live their loser life, but they can't complain to me later.

I ducked around him and headed over to the 'punch' bowl. It was basically just tequila with some red food colouring so everyone knew not to drink too much unless they wanted to embarrass them self, you just have enough to get a good buzz.

Speaking of embarrassing, Scott suddenly came stumbling past me with a pained look on his face. Fences started screaming at him, asking if he was okay, and Allison stood there hurt and confused. God, the way he was acting it was as if he'd never had alcohol before. I made my way over to the new girl. "I don't suppose you happen to know where the hell my brother is going?"

She shook her head mournfully. "He was my ride home!"

"Ugh, mine too," I whined. "Why did he leave so early? Never mind, come dance with me and I'll get Danny or Jackson to take us home later."

"Allison, Courtney," I heard someone with a sexy voice call. "I'm a friend of Scott's. My name is Derek. He sent me to take you home." I studied him. Hot and older, why the hell would he be friends with Scott?

"I have literally never heard of you," I told him. "And you are totally not a friend of my brother's. So why don't you get your paedophilic, child - raping ass out of here before I call the police."

As he frowned, I grabbed Allie's hand and made to go back inside but a hand on my arm stopped me. It was Derek. "Look, you don't know any of your brother's friends, so shut the hell up and let me take you home." His jaw was clenched.

I checked my phone and it had a text from Scott:
so sry i bailed. sending a friend 2 take u home

"Whatever," I brushed off. "It's only like eleven. The party isn't over yet." I flipped my hair over my shoulder and once again turned back to Lydia's house.

Unfortunately, once I got a good view of the house u saw everyone leaving. Apparently somebody *cough* Greenberg *cough* called the police and grassed up that there was gonna be underage drinking. Prat.

"Fine," I muttered as I got into Derek's car. "What are you waiting for? Drive."

He shot me an incredulous look but complied. When I got home Fences popped up acting even weirder than usual. I swear to God that he had been in my room because all my clothes were strewn all over the floor.

I shrugged it off and texted Mackenzie. Basically she had instructions to convince Coach Finstock to look the other way when Jackson breaks Greenberg's wrist next practice for ruining Lydia's party. I mean, come on. Who calls the police on the first party of the year? Eighth I could understand; the eighth party is always dead and try-hard but a Lydia Martin Welcome Back to School Party is lit.

Later that night I heard Scott come in but as he poked his head round my door I pretended to be asleep. It's not the fact that he punched me which scared me; he's my brother, many fights have gotten physical. No, it's the look in his eye as he attacked, he looked like a rabid dog, like if given the chance he would have literally ripped me to pieces. I'm the Queen of Beacon Hills yet I'm scared of my twin brother- how pathetic is that?