Thriving

Assassination Attempts

Later that evening, after Moira and Walter paid Oliver's bail, everyone made it back to the Queen Mansion. Jessica had Amber go up into her room before an officer came with the ankle tracker.

The man of the hour sat back on a couch in the parlor with his leg out. Moira, Walter, Jessica, and Tommy watched while the officer fitted the device to Oliver's ankle.

"Mom, it's not that bad," Oliver said, noticing her worried expression.

"Okay, this device has a direct line into the precinct." The officer announced. "Stay on the property, you're golden. Any questions?"

"Yes." Oliver sat up. "I'm having a sizeable get-together here tomorrow evening and there is a better than-likely chance it spills into the outdoor pool."

"Pool deck's fine, step on the grass and they're sending a SWAT team to forcibly subdue you." The officer informed.

"Thank you, officer," Walter said.

"Of course." The officer nodded before following Walter out.

Moira stepped up to Oliver. "A sizeable get-together?"

"I'm confined to this house for the foreseeable future. I might as well make the most of it." Oliver argued. "And this party is gonna be themed. I'm thinking prison, uh... burning man meets 'Shawshank Redemption'. The invite says, 'Come before Oliver Queen gets off'."

Jessica scoffed. "Classy."

"Maybe a party's not in the best of taste. You know, considering the circumstances." Tommy suggested, sitting down next to his best friend.

"Tommy, the circumstances are why we're having the party in the first place. I want people to know that I'm not worried about any of this."

"Well, that makes one of us," Moira said.

* * *

The next day, after hearing about Oliver's prison party, Amber decided to go to school. If her father wasn't going to take his trial seriously then she wasn't going to stay at home and watch him make a joke out of it.

That was a choice she would soon regret.

All morning Amber felt eyes watching her and heard conversations stop as she walked by. She tried to shake off the anxious feeling she got but it was hard when she didn't even know what the whispers were about.

She didn't have to worry for long because on her way to lunch, Amber was stopped.

"Saw your dad on the news. What's it like having a psycho parent?" The school bully, Chad, teased.

Amber tried to ignore him by walking around him but he stepped in front of her again.

"Really?" Amber sighed.

"I asked a question." Chad defended.

"And I ignored you. Take a hint." Amber said.

"You're a freak." Chad name-called. 

Amber glared at Chad before she pushed past him with a shoulder check. Chad, unfortunately, wasn't a fan so he turned around and shoved Amber forward.

Now, usually, Amber was a sweet, calm kid. But if you push the right buttons, she will throw hands. And Chad pushed every single button.

Amber spun around, punching Chad square in the jaw. The boy's head turned with the hit. His hand flew to his face as he glared at Amber.

Amber didn't know what reaction she expected but what happened next definitely wasn't it.