Part Two: Down and Dirty

Muffy Crosswire sat in her cavernous bedroom, her eyes focused on her computer screen. She'd contemplated her options since learning her beloved had been stolen from her by that hussy known as Fern Walters. Muffy had no idea why this girl was so good for him. She might've gained confidence after her freshman year breakup, but that was no good reason for Buster to fall for her. She was still too quiet, too mousy, too bookish—far too everything to justify a stud like him being with a future housewife like her. Muffy was going to make something of herself, and she desperately needed a man like Buster at her side.

She moved through social media profiles trying to find a story she could use against Fern. All she could find were praises from friends, people who'd encountered her because of her journalism and good deeds. Clara, the human interest story freshman, was right to pick Fern for her mentor. The two had similar tastes in stories, and they were really a lot alike. Using this logic, Muffy went to Clara's pages to learn more about her. What she found shocked her: Fern's ex was her current love interest.

Fern's ex was now a senior gliding through the halls with women at his tail. He wasn't necessarily handsome, but he was very charismatic. Rumor had it that he'd taken the virginity of half the school, and some of the darkest tidbits mentioned teacher-student affairs between him and multiple female teachers, though none of those had been confirmed. He'd dated more girls than any other guy in school, smashing through group boundaries to corrupt girls throughout Elwood City.

Fern was one of his firsts. She entered his life during a science class that he was repeating, and she instantly fell for him. She was quiet and shy, but a guy like him noticed when a girl was hot for him. He went after her, making his move and inviting her to a boy-girl dance the school was hosting before their annual fall festival. Fern said yes, and soon the two were dating.

But he was notorious for dating more than one girl at once. He was already with Holly Holbrook, a junior at George Washington High School across town. Holly was a cheerleader, gorgeous and fashionable. She was the kind of girl all the guys wanted, but she chose Him. And when she found out she wasn't alone, Fern was forced through the ringer. Accusations of cheating hit her, not him, and Fern was petrified. When everything happened, Muffy was sure this would break her, send her to the asylum for being made a fool.

Holly was the real fool. Fern's journalism instincts kicked in, and she investigated the boy's phone. She discovered a third girl, as well as time-stamped proof that Holly was actually the second girl: He'd asked Fern out merely three hours before Holly, making Holly the other woman.

Then Fern did what no one expected: She threatened to release one of Holly's secrets to the entire district. Her spot as top cheerleader and a future scholar rested on that information, and she easily told the girl she could have him. Fern wanted nothing to do with them, but she wasn't going to be made a fool. She remained strong, dumping him publicly at lunch. Ever since, her head was higher, but Muffy knew there had to be a weakness. Clara and her ex were that weakness.

Muffy posted anonymously on Clara's page: OMG you little whore! Trying to walk in your mentor's footsteps. You must not know she still has feelings for him. She might never help you ever again. Tsk, tsk, little whore! Someone needs a spanking ;)

Muffy posted the item and sat back. Clara almost immediately posted on her own page trying to figure out who the anonymous figure was. She would get no response from Muffy, not yet at least. Muffy sat back, sipping expensive and exotic fruit juice while waiting for some kind of backlash. When she saw Fern's avatar appear next to a message, she knew she'd set the right bait...

Or so she thought. Fern was smug: I know exactly who posted that. You have no idea what you're talking about, Muffy. Why don't you stop being so damn jealous over something you were never going to have?

Muffy was furious. For one, how in the world would Fern know it was her? She'd been careful not to tell a soul about her exploits, and she doubted some of her targets would ask the girl about her claims. People trusted Muffy, and they looked up to her far more than pathetic little Fernie. Muffy fired back: You have no idea who I am, you little wretch! I'm telling the truth. You still have feelings for him, and now you're using Clara to get him back and hurt Buster. If you like him so much, why are you trying to hurt him?

Fern immediately replied, No, you're the one trying to hurt people. I won't stand for it either. I know it's you, Muffy, and I have PROOF. Care to see it?

Muffy scoffed, You have nothing, you stupid mouse!

But Muffy was oh so wrong. In seconds, Fern made a post on her own social media page. She'd put together a story about the day's events. Every person Muffy had contacted in an attempt to spread rumors about Fern had come forward, including Clara. They all told Fern that Muffy was after her for some reason, that she was asking deplorable questions about things that had never—and would never—happen. Fern's friend basis was huge, and as the story took effect, this was never more clear:

Francine F.

omfg, she's still trying to start shit? wtf, Muffy? You're so full of yourself.

Arthur R.

Wow, I knew you were conniving, but I didn't know you were this bad. Why can't you just leave people alone?

Maria

I knew what she was up to this morning wasn't right. I'm so glad I told you, Fern, and if you want to file a report with the school, I don't mind being your witness. Muffy shouldn't be slandering people the way she does, and since this isn't the first time, I know the administration will do something.

Jasmine S.

omg, Muffy. You've really lost it this time. I mean he's like ONE GUY, and you're like hot and stuff. Why would you do this to somebody? Now he'll never date you AND you could get in trouble. Maria's right—you've done this before and the administration won't just take your money and like forget this ever happened. No, you have to pay for bullying. That's what this is, you know, and I hear it's illegal. Think about that before you respond to this.

BTW, you're officially uninvited from all of my events and I NEVER want to speak to again.

Muffy was stunned. How could so many people, including her best friends, claim she was a bully? She was playing the game, trying to keep alive in a troubling world. How was that any different than real life? People lied, connived, and did anything they could to get ahead. That's all Muffy was doing now, but people were going after her for it. It made no sense, and because of the nature of the article, Muffy felt like she was the real victim, not Fern.

Muffy contacted her mother, who was friends with one of the school board members. Muffy would take her matter to them and find a way to get Fern expelled, or at least discredited for what she did. No one posts such a thing about Muffy Crosswire and gets away with it. She couldn't prove any of those people had actually talked to Muffy, and it was their word against hers. They couldn't prove anything.

Millicent entered Muffy's bedroom and took her spot at the computer. Muffy sat in a nearby chair, sipping her exotic fruit juice just like the spoiled little princess she was, or at least she thought she was. Millicent turned around, a frown on her face. She eyed Muffy with an expression the teen had never seen before, and she was concerned for her mother's well-being. She was about to ask about her condition when the downpour was released. Millicent was furious and Muffy had no idea why.

As a tabloid follower, Muffy wasn't actually concerned with real, actual news. If she was, she'd know her beloved father had been under fire for many months over concerns that he was doing inappropriate things to cars in order to make more money. One of those things included black market car parts, items that might not even be real. He'd used one of those parts in a used four-door sedan. He'd sold it to a family, and within a week, their car was at the bottom of a ravine, all four occupants—including a very small toddler—were all dead, and it was on Ed Crosswire's shoulders.

Like her father, Muffy was a liar, using false things to get ahead. Millicent could see this without even reading the whole article, and she didn't see the comments either. She was speaking from the heart of a woman scorned by lies, a woman who might have to face a lifetime alone if her husband was arrested and charged—which he would be as soon as the district attorney had the right warrants. Millicent had no control over that, but she did have control over one person: Mary Alice Crosswire. And she wasn't about to let Muffy go down the same path as her father. She was going to teach her a lesson.

"Come on, we'll go see the school board member like you wanted," Millicent said calmly, ringing a small bell next to Muffy's desk. Bailey appeared almost out of thin air, and he easily prepared the family car for the trip. Muffy was silent through this entire ordeal. She had no idea what her mother was planning, but she could sense this wouldn't be good for her.

The board member's office was downtown. By day, he was a real estate salesman and a stock broker, two things his parents loved the most. He'd combined their careers and their passion for education into himself, the one perfect offspring of two very good people. He looked angelic as he sat in his custom-made leather chair, his hand working a very nice fountain pen as the two ladies entered his office. He looked up, the sunlight from the setting sun casting an aura around him. Muffy half-expected angels to begin singing as they took a seat in front of his desk.

"What brings you here today, Millicent?" he questioned, eying Muffy carefully. He didn't let on anything, but as Millicent explained the situation and passed off her device to him—a small tablet lit up with Fern's article—Muffy could sense that something was very, very wrong with this situation. He looked up to her and smiled, "So, you want these people tried for slander? For bullying? For anything that can prove they wronged you?"

Muffy smiled, "Yes! They're such horrible people. Believe me, you've never known-"

"Silence," he said firmly, passing Millicent her tablet. Millicent slid it into her purse, her eyes on the custom wood desk in front of them. Her eyes were fixed on the wood grain as he continued, "Yes, these girls said horrible things about you, and I can see how this might look like slander to the untrained eye, but this is what's called a viral post. You might not have seen this on your trip over here, but thousands in the area have read this article, maybe even a few hundred outside of this area if Fern has friends there.

"And I can assure you, Muffy, she has allies, more allies than you ever will. Numerous other witnesses have come forward to say they overheard your vile conversations, and they are supporting Fern this very moment. You, Mary Alice Crosswire, are the one who should be disgusted by your actions. I am a very good friend of Doria Walters, and her daughter and I are very close. We've already discussed trying you for bullying, and I don't think I have to remind you that that is a serious crime in this day and age."

"What?!" Muffy cried.

"Exactly," Millicent nodded. "File them on her behalf, and please, make sure my daughter learns her lesson about lying. My husband is already facing decades of prison time for his wrong doings. I'd hate for her to eventually join them."

Muffy's fate was set, and it was very bleak. The charges were really minimal. No one knew exactly what she said, so she only received two weeks of suspension mixed in with some community service.

The real punishment was her social status. Jasmine had already ousted her, but it wasn't long before everyone else followed suit. Muffy was unwanted in that community, and many made it known. Anyone who felt it was their job to go after others just because of their social interactions was everyone's enemy. And in the end, Fern and Buster were happy with each other. Even if Muffy's ploys had been successful, Buster never wanted to be with a girl like Muffy. She was too much of a 'royal bitch,' as many now called her. He and everyone else were happy to see her leave for a private academy at the end of the school year. They just hoped for her new school's sake that she'd learned her lesson, but they doubted she had.

~End