What A Way To Start A Day

Takes place Day 3, Sunday (last morning of beach trip)

Joint post with Redsword7 and Cindy

Courtney had managed maybe an hour and a half or so of sleep. Between being keyed up from the night before and Melissa having a nightmare or two; much sleep just wasn't in the cards for the girl.

There was no surprise that the other girl had nightmares given what had happened to her but there was just something about it, maybe it was that the nightmares came on the same night though Courtney, not being an expert on the subject, could only go by what she had read as that not being typical but there were things that Melissa said in her sleep that made Courtney wonder, that maybe there was more, some kind of history that played into all of it, as well. It was just speculation and Courtney wasn't going to ask Melissa about it so she was just left wondering.

Right now though Courtney was wide awake and Mel was fast asleep. She had told Mel, last night, if she wasn't in the room when she woke up to text her. Courtney, though, was antsy and in need of a run. So, she got ready and stepped out of the girls' guest house into the morning air.

She made it to the beach where she spotted Carter, who was running, apparently Doug had woken Carter up early this morning via text. She caught Carter up on Mel without giving too many details. Carter caught Courtney up on how much trouble Doug got into. He also said that all of Doug's group was going to the boardwalk today minus Doug, who was now back at the school and on restriction, and Mel who was too injured to go.

After that conversation was over Courtney proceeded on her run. She got down to one end of the beach and was on her way back when she stopped to fix her shoe. She had her ear buds in so it wasn't until six pairs of shoes came to her that she looked up and realized she was surrounded by the group of girls who hung out with Doug. Well, some of them.

Courtney stood up and while she knew their names, she didn't refer, in her mind, to them by name. Nope, starting at the noon position, they were just girls one - six. It made it easier for her if she had to fight them. Something she hoped didn't happen.

As she stood up she was facing girl number 5 who said. "Hey, Courtney. Or we call you scholarship girl."

Girl number one said. "I bet you got really fast running through 'them cornfields'. The girl attempted and failed to make the last part sound southern.

Girl number six then said "We have a message for you from Doug."

Girl number 4 said. "Yeah, Doug doesn't like you butting in."

"Y'all are makin' me dizzy. " Courtney said. "Can just one of ya talk? Or is that to much for ya?"

She was sounding particularly southern which meant she was annoyed but she was also incredibly calm.

Girl number five spoke up. "Fine. Doug said he needs someone to stay with Mel today but after today he doesn't want you hanging around Melissa any longer. "

Courtney wanted to say a lot of things but for Mel's sake she didn't.

Girl five spoke up again. "He figures you probably need the money. And being Mel is hurt he's willing to pay you to hang out with her. Keep an eye on her. Let him know how the day went."

Courtney had to take some deep breaths. "I don't care how much money
Doug or anyone wants to pay me. I'm not spying on Melissa. And I'm hanging out with her because I want to."

Girl number six said. "And here I thought poor people would do anything for money."

Girl five spoke up again. "Fine, don't take the money. Just today though after that he said for you to butt out"

Courtney then asked, "Or what?"

"Or he said he'd make you sorry." Girl five added a menacing tone to her words.

"Well, you tell Doug he doesn't scare me." Courtney stood her ground. Even if she knew Doug was unhinged so she really didn't know what he was capable of.

Girl 5 who was about Courtney's height stepped forward and got in Courtney's face. "He thought you might say that but he said to tell you . He won't be alone."

That was disturbing and while Courtney never let it show it hit the pit of her stomach. The other girls then left. Courtney took a moment to gather herself and was about to continue on her run when she spotted Conner who she was certain had seen at least some of what had just happened. She went over to where he was. "Hey," she said. Her southern accent still apparent.

Conner did not have a happy look on his face. He looked at Courtney and could tell she had been up most of the night. He wanted to say something flirting with her. Matt popped into his head and changed his mind. "Hey girl, what did they want I could not hear what they said but it did not sound nice." He said, giving a reassuring smile.

If it had been, almost anyone else, Courtney might have lied and said it was nothing but she was awful at lying to Conner. She sighed and said. "I'll tell you but I should first tell you Doug's not here. He's back at the dorms, under restriction." She said that so Conner wouldn't go looking for him. "They had a message for me, from Doug."

Conner was relieved to hear what happened to Doug. That guy would be out of the pitcher for some time. Wait he wondered if Doug blamed Courtney. He started to get angry and ball his fist. If he threatened Courtney it was over for Doug that would be stepping over the line The whole football team could not save him and Doug would pay. "what did he say?'' Conner asked sharply.

Courtney paused; she didn't want Conner to get into trouble over this but once again; she couldn't just not tell him. "Well, first he wanted to pay me for watching Melissa today. Like he thought I'd take money to spy on her. I told them I wasn't doing that. The rich kids are going to the boardwalk today and so he said that Mel and I could hang out today but not after today." She was beating around the actual question and didn't really know why. "He said if I don't stop buttin' in he'd make me sorry and he wouldn't be alone." She braced for Conner's reaction, not that Courtney would ever think he'd do something to her, but she also knew he might to Doug.

Conner's posture did not change "Did say what he would do and did the cheer gils threaten you?" asked Conner now looking concerned. He was not playing around anymore he thought of Ash if it came to the Cheer squad. Then letting JD in now on what was going on. He knew JD would be pissed off at him. That would be fine Conner could take it. He growled thinking about all of what was happening. He felt guilty, he should have acted sooner he let out a sigh.

"They didn't say exactly. They just said he had said he'd make me pay and he wouldn't be alone. The cheer girls themselves didn't threaten me. I really think they were just sent to try to intimidate me and because, Doug, must have known they'd not be very nice about it." Clearly that had to be the reason why there were six of them and he picked girls that were all known as some of the snobbiest girls in the school.

"Let me deal with the threat. You should stay around the group until we get back to school. then when we do get back you should not be alone and keep someone around you. Not like we walk alone anyways seems one of the group is around. if you feel unsafe let me know and Matt if we are around he won't try anything. and the cheer girls won't either." he suggested. "Will you do that?" he asked.a million scenarios were running through his head. If she got hurt Conner was not sure if he could control himself.

"Yes. I'll do that." Courtney said. She knew that all hell would break loose if Doug actually did something to her. "Be careful. He's clearly becoming unhinged."

Conner relaxed some, looking around to see if there was anyone else watching them. He glanced at the ocean looking for JD. Spotting him Conner thought damn that guys can swim. He could also see the six girls by the girl's door to the building. Turning back to Courtney. "I draw the line here. I can't hold back if this escalates anymore. you do understand right Courtney?" he asked. almost in a big brother tone.

Courtney sighed. "I know. Let's hope it doesn't get any worse." She didn't know if it would or not but she wasn't surprised, at all, by Conner's response. "Well, Matt said he'd be spending the day with Mel and I so it should be fine."

Conner looked at the ground thinking "OK if you need anything text me I Kaylee, JD and Rose will be out around town. but not too far away so I can make it back quickly." replied Conner looking back at JD.

"I will." She looked where Conner was looking and noticed JD out there swimming away. "How long has he been at it?" She was a little curious to know how long Conner had been standing there.

Conner looked at his phone "swimming most of his life. And 30 minutes that's crazy. He needs a real life, maybe Rose will calm him down some." he says jokingly.

Courtney smiled at that last part. "Maybe." Rose did seem like she might be able to do that. "So, what about you? I know you were talking to Blossom last night but you're going out with Kaylee today? You know you better let me know when you decide?" She smiled at him as she was just sort of messing with him in that sister-like way.

Conner did not answer right away he smiled "Both?" then laugh some. "I don't know yet they have not asked yet either. You know me I look at all my options and then I pick one lucky girl or is it she picks me." He grinds looking up and rubs his chin. "I know in the end it will be either Kaylee or Blossom. it would take me an hour to explain it I think. but this time it's driving me crazy." he replies.

Courtney nodded but already knew he'd choose when he chose. She glanced up towards the girls' guest house, the six girls were gone. Then she glanced around and noticed someone else she needed to talk to. Glancing out at the water, she saw JD emerging from the ocean. "It looks like JD is coming out. I need to get some coffee anyway. So, I'll remember what you said. Have fun on the date. See ya later." She gave a friendly wave to JD before taking off to finish her run.