Human beings in a mob
What's a mob to a king?
What's a king to a God?
What's a God to a non-believer,
Who don't believe in anything?

- No Church in the Wild, Jay-Z & Kanye West ft Frank Ocean

"They accidentally gave me the wrong monogrammed underwear again." Lucinda Bellemont murmured dryly, throwing the said underwear into her brother's face upon entering his bedroom. She kicked the door shut behind her. "You're aware of how desperate it looks to have your door open while you exercise, aren't you?"

Everett Bellemont simply laughed, his shirtless chest glistening with a thin sheen of sweat. His biceps rippled impressively with each crunch, a thin bead of sweat running from his neck, past the bricks of his abs and finally underneath the waistband of his loose-fitted shorts - though, of course, his twin only noticed how he looked as if he'd just stepped out of the shower.

"Honestly, Rhett, would it kill you to wipe yourself down?" Luce sighed, handing him a towel – but instead, she was forced to wait, as Rhett reached his nearest hundred before taking the towel to wipe the sweat from his eyes. The golden hues of his hair stuck unceremoniously to his forehead. "To what purpose does the open door even solve? At this point, isn't even snapping your fingers too much effort for some late-night company?" Luce's eyes narrowed slightly as Rhett grinned. "Unless you're trying to impress a certain new girl."

"Well, you never know." Rhett began teasingly, launching himself from the floor and, still wiping himself down, heading for a large bottle of water on his desk. "I do like variety… I was the only person who tried Aunt Rochelle's Mexican food with the turkey last Thanksgiving, remember?"

"You're deplorable." Luce told her brother bluntly.

Rhett laughed again, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I'm joking, Luce." He told her. "Remember? We actually do that when we're not pretending to be perfect?"

"I don't know why you bother to try and pretend at all." Luce sniffed, though smiling. As if Rhett's words had served as a reminder that she was in the confines of a private space with one of the few people at Pierson-Darcy she trusted, Luce unceremoniously collapsed onto Rhett's bed from where she'd primly been sitting on the edge. "I miss home already. Is that wrong?"

"I don't know, I think I did a pretty good job of making this place homely." Rhett replied, the Bellemont twins both falling silent as they appreciated Rhett's room.

Rhett's room was in one of the topmost corners of House Abernathy, overlooking Gate Square to the left and a picturesque view of Boarder's Walk, the title of the road lined with the small boarding mansions, winding down to the right. Upon walking through his bedroom door, one was immediately faced with ebony panels running down the wall (it was deemed inappropriate for students' bedroom windows to be facing one another, you see; so the wall effectively blocked Rhett's view into House Drayton), a neatly made double bed made of black leather propped against it. The rest of the walls were painted a creamy grey, in lieu with Abernathy's house colour, and already held an array of artefacts; although in the corner of the wall adjacent to the door remained Rhett's small en-suite, the two walls lining his bed were made of large windows. One window had Rhett's guitar propped against it; the other his charging cell phone and tangled earphones, pictures dotted casually around the room in frames. There were some of him on the field, or with the team; others of the horses back home in Savannah, pictures of he and Luce as children, one picture tucked away in the furthermost corner detailing a pink-faced Rhett at a friend's birthday in Australia, beer in hand.

But perhaps Luce, and even Everett's, favourite part of the room was the wall opposite his bed, the wall holding his door. It was so often ignored, but that was the beauty of it – because in rows and rows of small wooden frames were beautifully intricate sketches. Some were of the countryside, some of items; some drawn with charcoal, some with pencils, others sketched with pen. It was… Different to the rest of the room, certainly; any other wall space, including the fireplace in the awkward nook between bed and right-hand window, was filled with athletic memorabilia of some kind. Posters of famous players, a framed jersey and a delicately placed football. Trophies, ribbons and framed certificates attesting to Rhett's physical prowess were found on his desk, startlingly placed underneath the wall of sketches; others on his dresser and tacked to the side of his closet. Even the floor space between bed and desk was dotted with free weights and other pieces of exercise equipment, despite Pierson-Darcy's state-of-the-art gym – and that was the gym for all students, let alone the access to the official sport facilities shared with the university over the lake.

It was certainly different to Luce's own bedroom, in House Drayton; although there were similar pictures from Georgia, including many pictures of Luce dressed impeccably at various social events placed carefully atop her dresser, her walls seemed bare in comparison. Her room of pastel green, white French furniture and vanity, of which the desk was clear save for some pretty ornaments and a hairbrush, seemed bare and dull in comparison to the overwhelming machismo of her brother's.

"Agreed." Luce finally said. "Though I still miss home. Pierson-Darcy is already giving me migraines."

Rhett couldn't help but grin wickedly as he remembered lunch earlier that day. Liberty Lysander had been practically spitting fire, after James Spencer's annual shot at Reid Danes' nose – and watching Zane and Scarlett callously have their tongues shoved down one another's throat in response had only meant that they'd been too distracted to anticipate the oncoming storm.

Until the storm had hit and Liberty had admitted to having been down Zane's throat before.

After Liberty had left, Scarlett and Zane had begun to whisper heatedly to one another before Scarlett dramatically stormed out. Luce had shot her brother an amused look before following after her; and that was when Zane had glanced at his best friend for support and Rhett had laughed loudly, to the point where he'd turned red-faced because laughing so hard meant he couldn't breathe.

"Lunch today was insane." Rhett chuckled. "You know, in all of the time we've known Scar, I don't think I've ever seen her turn that shade of…" Rhett tried to think of a sufficient adjective to describe the interesting shade Scarlett's cheeks had become after Liberty's parting sentiment.

"Scarlet?" Luce offered dryly. "She wants to completely destroy her. She's so used to being queen bee at House Lysander, that I think she's forgotten how other people perceive the name. It's unfathomable to her that Liberty Lysander has her under her thumb, because her surname is almost as powerful as Zane's." Luce shook her head. "I forgot how… Taxing Scarlett's dramatics can be. Though speaking of dramatics…" Luce rolled on the bed so that her chin was in her hands, facing her brother. "How's your little façade going?"

"Well, let's just say that acting could be a career path if I wasn't so happy with academics and the occasional sport." Rhett smiled. "I've got it under control. I'll admit, I thought all of the time she spent with her boyfriend over the summer may set us back a few steps, but…" Rhett shrugged. "She's right where we want her. I'm meeting her tonight."

Luce watched her brother carefully for a moment, a feeling of utter comfort and trust swelling in her chest. It was easy to forget who Rhett really was; on the outside, he was just another smart, handsome, wealthy all-American-boy prince, particularly when placed in contrast to the mysterious and brooding best friend, aka Zane. But Luce knew better. Rhett could be just as calculating, just as manipulative, as Zane could - but the difference was, with Rhett, it was service with an entirely genuine smile.

Luce had thought of it quite simply for some time now - Zane was the guy who never called you back, who looked at you from across the room and knew he had you. Rhett was the guy who called you when he said he would, put you in a cab and said hello to your parents.

"That's good news. Refreshingly good news." Luce sighed easily, groaning as she pushed herself to sit upright. "I'll allow you to go through your pre-show rituals in peace. I have to get back to my room anyway, I haven't even glanced at my class schedule for tomorrow."

"Alrighty, I'll catch you later." Rhett nodded, bending down to kiss Luce on the cheek on her way out. "Wish me luck for later!"

"Pain as it does for me to admit, Everett," Luce said, stopping at his door. "We both know you don't need it."

Rhett simply grinned.

. . .

"Ain't nobody fuckin' with my clique!" Selene and Libby sang loudly; the former swaying her hips as she checked her eyeliner in her pixelated reflection, Libby nodding her head as she adjusted her sports bra accordingly.

"I'm so sad you're missing all the decent senior parties." Selene sighed. "Seriously, everybody is stepping it up in a major way right now. It's a total bummer that you're not here to see it."

"Right, because you being the sole centre of attention must be so tough on you." Libby teased. Letting the waistband of her running shorts snap into place against her stomach, Libby watched Selene as she tied her hair. "You look hot. Isn't Carter there yet?"

"Yeah, he's totally getting grilled by Mr Norton, he's apparently tired of us walking on eggshells or whatever, so he's trying to jumpstart the family vibes so the divorce can come around quicker." Selene muttered, tossing back her hair with distaste. Libby snorted. Selene's lack of fondness was only justified in how her mother was unable to go without a man for longer than the two weeks it usually found her to locate the nearest millionaire divorcee. In fact, it had been like that for so long, that Selene compared remembering all of the names of her mother's previous beaus as more challenging than remembering the names of all the Presidents. "I really do feel guilty, Liberty Bell. I'm going off to what is sure to be a kickass party and you're going on a jog."

"There's a running path I want to try!" Libby said defensively, her head appearing over the top of her slouchy white tee. "Anyway, I need to familiarise myself with campus. If I only know my way around by the Cavity, my whole incognito plan is going to be a bust." Libby explained. She nodded to herself – her appropriately lifting push-up sports bra, against the tanned skin of her stomach underneath her white T-shirt, her tight shorts and expensive running shoes were all perfectly fashionable enough that she could pretend she was running around Central Park back in Manhattan. "Now get lost, bitch, you have to get drunk enough for the both of us."

Selene laughed.

"Bye, sweetie!" With those parting words, Selene blew Liberty a kiss and disconnected.

"Bye." Libby murmured with a sigh, before grabbing her iPod and locking her bedroom door behind her.

The past few hours had left Libby with a lot to think about.

The Candy Shop, whilst ingenious, was petrifying. It was an entire subculture in the trading and creating of secrets and rumours: and whilst that was usually every high school politician's dream, Libby wasn't stupid enough to believe that, despite her newfound alliance with Reid Danes, it was going to be easy.

Liberty had spent hours, attempting to come up with some sort of strategy. Hell, she'd even revisited season one of Game of Thrones to get her creative juices flowing. And aside from mourning Ned Stark's death all over again, she'd come up blank.

The problem seemed to be the group itself; the group she belonged to now, by default, was one that worked as its own protective mechanism. How could Libby gain a respectful foothold within the group – and therefore a more solid position on the Pierson-Darcy hierarchy – if she didn't know what she was working with? If she didn't know weaknesses, strengths, motivations?

Sure, Libby knew learning all of that came with time. But time wasn't a luxury she had. The Candy Shop was a whole new dimension in regards to having whoever she needed either under her thumb or on her side – there were no other options – and Libby had to work fast before people mistook her caution for complacency. Yes, Libby could take control again easily, but a damaged reputation meant damaged power; even someone like Scarlett, who Libby considered positively amateur, could win over the masses if they thought Libby didn't have the power to make a lasting first impression.

Which had brought Liberty to her second problem: herself.

The Lysander name had caused waves at Pierson-Darcy before Liberty herself had and whilst Zane's brief and patronising introduction to the world of the Academy had been at least fairly informative, that hadn't explained what Liberty truly needed to know – namely, everything. Her pride wouldn't allow her to follow up Zane's offhand offer of help – besides, he was of a rival house.

Well. He wasn't of House Lysander – and to Liberty, that meant he was automatically a foe, his ridiculous ego and outdated ideals put aside.

There was of course Reid as an informational hub, but how would that look? Libby asking Reid about her own family?

Ultimately, it all came back to the fact she was at Pierson-Darcy. Her grandfather had demanded it; her parents had met at the Academy and never told her; in fact, it seemed that her entire non-existent relationship with Marcus Lysander up until now was really just a secret legacy that Libby had no access to.

Libby shook her head slightly, enjoying the light burn in her calves as her feet pounded against the concrete path. She had to think of something. She couldn't trust anyone enough to ask for help without looking weak, but where did she start without somebody else's knowledge to kick-start the process? And even if she did find someone, she was back to square one – not knowing anything about Pierson-Darcy's most elite group and therefore, having nothing against them. Knowledge was power and right now, Libby had none.

Libby stared up at the other boarding houses as she ran by. Back home in Manhattan, she hadn't even had to think about a full loop around Central Park – it was a part of her daily routine. Up at five-thirty, thirty minutes max running around the park – of course, that had taken time to achieve as the norm -, a fifteen minute shower that took her to six fifteen am, half an hour to get dressed, half an hour to go to Queens for her breakfast bagel, half an hour back to Manhattan including picking up Serene and Carter on the way and then the day started. Knowing classes started tomorrow, Libby was already struggling with how that would translate into her Pierson-Darcy schedule.

All of it… It was all still so alien. Kind of mundane to consider, if Libby was being entirely honest.

Knowing there was nobody else around, Liberty finally allowed herself a few moments to wallow; but, just as she began, a movement somewhere in front of her caught her eye.

Instead of running away from House Lysander and past Westchester, Liberty had gone the other way - heading towards the main campus and planning on doubling back. The running trail was well-lit and large - knowing few people would be out so late, she'd planned on taking advantage of the situation. So, she'd started her run by running past House Lysander and had just been passing between Houses Drayton and Abernathy.

Liberty ground to a halt, realisation dawning on her as she watched something… Unexpected.

A large tree stood between Houses Drayton and Abernathy, a large window beside it from House Drayton.

A tree that Rhett Bellemont was currently standing in, laughing between his and Abigail Smith's kisses.

Liberty watched, stunned. Abigail wore a flimsy dressing gown, clearly with nothing on underneath - it didn't take a genius to work out what she and Everett had been doing. That, coupled with the fact Rhett had obviously been in the process of climbing down a tree… Clearly, this wasn't the first time it had happened.

The Texan loudmouth and the Georgian gentleman. Should she have seen that coming? Was that the normal kind of combination around here?

Glancing around, as if for some kind of reaffirmation from someone that she had just seen what she'd just seen - though there was nobody there to give it -, Liberty's eyes widened even more as she spotted James walking down Boarder's Walk and towards House Drayton.

It was almost comical - how Liberty's head whipped between the tucked away corner of the Drayton house and the path running parallel. Was James going to knock at the door? Judging by the small smirk on James' face… She doubted he was there that late for some spooning and Netflix.

Liberty was utterly frozen, unbelieving of her luck. Seriously? So soon? She had an opportunity like this present itself so soon?

She was giddy from it - and, right before making lemonade from her surprising delivery of lemons, Liberty thanked every lucky star, deity and symbol of hope she could think of.

Slipping into the shadow of House Abernathy behind her, Liberty placed herself behind the tree where Rhett and Abigail were still whispering small nothings - and then stepped out into the light, coughing lightly.

Liberty took great joy in how Rhett almost fell out of the tree.

"Hey, you guys!" Libby gasped cheerfully (though she was careful of her volume), just about hiding her laughter as Rhett regained balance with one of the branches. "Fancy seeing you here! Are you having a party?"

"Liberty-"

"I'm so glad I happened to be running by." Libby sighed happily, ignoring Rhett's shocked expression. Abigail was rendered speechless, her face now an interesting shade of red. "What time was everyone meant to be over? Because I think some of your guests are early."

Just like that, Liberty dropped her smile.

"Let me set a scene out for you real quick." She told them seriously, stepping forward. "Loudmouth jock's girlfriend-" She pointed to Abigail. "- and supposed school gentleman-" She pointed to Everett. "- caught in their clandestine love affair as the lovers romantically depart in a tree. But unknown to them, loudmouth jock is on his way down the path, probably looking for what the girlfriend just oh so willingly handed out to someone else." Libby smiled serenely to herself as Rhett cursed under his breath and Abigail's expression instantly became terrified. "You have a grand total of about fifteen seconds before James arrives and it didn't look like he was going for the door, so whatcha gonna do about it, guys?"

A split second passed - a second where Libby visibly saw Abigail and Everett calculate their situation. Although she pretended to have not seen, Libby couldn't help but notice the accepting calm that appeared over Everett's face - completely different to the blind panic on Abigail's.

"Help us." Abigail whispered, jumping as they heard a twig breaking. James. "Liberty, please!"

Liberty turned to Everett, eyebrows raised. She wanted to hear it from both of them.

"A little help would be…" Everett watched Liberty's face carefully. She simply smirked. "Nice. But how exactly are you going to help?"

"You both owe me if I do this." Libby said calmly, glancing between the two of them and deliberately ignoring Everett's comment. "You know that, right?"

"Yes, whatever you want, whenever, please hurry!" Abigail begged.

Libby's grin widened as Everett said nothing, watching her with a neutral expression.

Finally. Someone on my level. It was a surprise, to say the least - after all, Libby had only earlier that day written Rhett off as the group's equivalent of the kind, but ultimately useless village idiot -, but a pleasant one, for sure.

"Everett!" Abigail hissed, as the sound of soft footfalls on the grass got closer.

"Fine." Everett finally nodded at Liberty, making her feel warm and fuzzy inside of her chest. She just loved extracting favours from people. Within seconds, he'd jumped down from the tree and was standing in front of her. "Now?"

"Look pissed." Libby mouthed to Abigail, leaning against the wall of House Abernathy and pulling Everett close - at the exact moment that James turned the corner.

In fairness, Liberty was impressed with the ease at which Rhett Bellemont took a hint. Seconds after wrapping her arms around his neck, Rhett's strong arms were wrapped around her waist, their faces inches apart and their hips pressed closely together.

Libby couldn't help quirking her eyebrow slightly, fighting the smirk on her face. Nice body you've got going there, Bellemont. In response, Rhett simply raised his eyebrows neutrally.

"Are you serious?" Abigail hissed - and Liberty laughed, because there was no way she was faking that.

Liberty and Rhett both turned, as if only then noticing Abigail's presence, to see James blinking at them in surprise.

"Bellemont." James nodded… Before seeing Liberty's face in the shadows. His face suddenly twisted into a sneer. "Evening, Lysander. Hell of a welcoming committee."

Libby said nothing, simply raising her eyebrow with an unimpressed expression. She watched as James then climbed the tree, thinking nothing of Abigail's flustered face. As James pulled her away, Libby winked to Abigail over his shoulder, laughing to herself as James pointedly closed the curtains and the balcony door.

Liberty and Rhett stood there for a few seconds, their bodies still close. Rhett smelled… Fresh. Not like a gross, hurried mix of sweat and sex, as she'd expected, but like strawberry soap, instead.

Now, Libby was not usually one to jump to conclusions - but showering before even leaving his lover's abode? That wasn't romantic. That wasn't sexy.

That was disgust.

"You showered before you even left her room." Libby murmured quietly, wary still of James and Abigail so close. She watched Rhett's handsome face in the darkness carefully. Maybe she should have been scared, or concerned at being in the dark with a stranger's arms wrapped around her. She wasn't. For some reason, realising Everett wasn't who she'd thought wasn't scary. It was… Comforting. If Everett had secrets like this one, they all had something to hide. None of them were as perfect as they made out. And Everett Bellemont had seemed pretty damn perfect. "That's not the act of someone crazy in love." Liberty cocked her head to the side. "What're you up to?"

"A gentleman never tells." Rhett smiled, though now Liberty realised that what she had previously taken for a kind smile also held a confident smirk. Shit, Libby thought to herself. He's smooth.

Liberty pretended to think for a moment.

"Some guy being where you just were doesn't bother you. But after he's had his fill, Spencer up there will realise it's kind of odd, you hanging outside his girl's window with the new girl no-one can find it in themselves to trust." Liberty said, raising her eyebrow in triumph as Rhett stiffened. "Now, I can extend my help and pretend we've been screwing like bunnies since I got here, just because you're so hot-"

Rhett put a hand to his chest.

"You think I'm hot?"

Although Libby's smile twitched as his dry humour, she kept back her laugh.

"- but keeping that shit up isn't pro bono. If I lie, I lie well. So, if you want me to lie for you, it comes at a price - I want to know what's going on. The full lowdown." Libby watched Everett pointedly. "Your shit included."

Rhett seemed to think for a moment. Temporarily, Libby berated herself for not seeing it sooner. He and Zane were best friends. What the Hell had made her think that that meant Rhett was the innocent one? She'd grown up with sharks just like these, back in New York. There was no such thing as the good best friend. Her and Selene were proof of that…

Rhett finally nodded slowly.

"But, you know, if I tell you… That makes us allies?"

Libby grinned.

"Oh, now that's how to charm your way into a girl's pants." She laughed, pushing him away. Rhett grinned - and suddenly, they both relaxed, because they could see that they were on the same page. "What's the deal?"

Rhett shrugged, before nodding to the house behind her.

Libby watched him expectantly.

"House Abernathy? What about it?"

"No, no." Rhett shook his head. "Not House Abernathy."

"No?" Liberty repeated, confused. "But I thought-"

"I'm going to make it House Bellemont." Rhett finished, smiling proudly to himself as Liberty's mouth fell slightly open. "Shall we take a walk, Liberty? It's a lovely evening."

Libby did nothing to stop him as Rhett Bellemont placed his hand on her back and gently guided her towards the main path. She automatically followed.

For the second time that night, Liberty thanked every lucky star she could think of.

. . .

"We should head back, it's getting late." Rhett finally said, breaking the - stunned, on Libby's end, at least - silence. He stood and offered her his hand. "I'm sorry for messing with your run."

"Are you kidding?" Libby laughed, taking his hand and allowing Rhett's considerable muscles to hoist her to her feet. "This has been the best interruption I've ever had."

They said nothing for a few moments, choosing to walk out from behind the Bellemont Performance Theatre - where their walk had lead them, overlooking the lake and Drayton University across it - in silence. Libby was glad. It was a lot to take in.

Rhett had explained a lot to her, in a relatively short period of time. Apparently, the Heads of Houses were called House Peers at Pierson-Darcy, and House Counsel at Drayton (more subtle, Libby presumed). House Peerage was an inherited thing - just like Libby and House Lysander, apparently.

But House Abernathy had long since ran out of descendants - or, descendants interested in the staunch traditions of Pierson-Darcy, at least. The Founding Families of Pierson-Darcy trained their children to take House Peerage seriously, to be responsible enough for the job - but without an heir at House Abernathy, it had instead fallen to the rules of democracy.

Unsurprisingly, Rhett had informed her that allowing a group of rich teenagers to decide the fate of their house hadn't exactly worked out for House Abernathy. A democracy as it was, it had fallen behind on everything - including its ruling discipline in the school, the Arts. The arts programmes were only running to their usual standard thanks to generous funding by the Bellemonts, and whilst Libby secretly felt that the kindness was more genuine than Rhett would have liked her to believe, she could understand why the Bellemont twins felt a certain responsibility for saving House Abernathy from itself.

Rhett and Luce had come up with the plan together - break it from the inside. As it stood, Abigail Smith was the current Captain - rather than House Peer - at House Abernathy, with widespread opinion being that she'd rigged the votes. Luce was slowly climbing up the ranks of House Drayton, presenting herself as a put-together, mature and responsible young woman to her fellow house members and the House Counsel at Drayton… And Rhett's job had been to infiltrate House Abernathy, using a very specific skill set.

Rhett had told her everything. They'd observed Abigail and James' relationship once Abigail had been elected as the following year's Captain last year, and seen their opportunity - there was no sense in liberating House Abernathy from itself, if another senior was there to snatch their crown. No. They'd seized their golden opportunity - that being James' lack of interest in Abigail's day-to-day life.

Apparently, Abigail Smith was more moral than Liberty would have given her credit for, and so Rhett had been slowly working his charm since the beginning of junior year. It was working; Abigail told Rhett everything James was too uninterested to listen to, telling Rhett all of the details of House Abernathy's weaknesses that he and Luce would need.

Liberty was impressed.

"You are not as nice as I thought you were." Libby finally blurt out, unable to help herself. Rhett glanced up at her in surprise. "No offence. I mean… Jesus. I had you written off as the nice, naive one, sorry."

Rhett shrugged, smiling slightly.

"No need to apologise. It's what we're counting on." We - he and his sister, the masterminds of their own plan.

There were another few seconds of silence, Principal Sheldon's residence looming up in front of them. They'd be at Boarder's Walk soon.

"What about your plan?" Rhett asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. As Liberty watched him, she couldn't help feeling like she was wearing 3D glasses. Before, she'd only seen him as 2D, slightly fuzzy around the edges because his friendship with Zane made such little sense when looking at his personality.

But now… Now it was different. Liberty saw him differently. His aura of ease was actually confidence; his charm was actually persuasion. It didn't make Rhett any less likeable - in fact, Liberty was rather glad he wasn't just some kind of bland Mary Sue figure -, but it was… New. Libby had a newfound respect for Rhett Bellemont. He clearly could do everything Zane Westchester could, just… Easier. Zane's overbearing arrogance meant people were wary of him; but Rhett disarmed people first, made them place their trust in him.

It wasn't an easy feat, yet Rhett Bellemont pulled it off with ease, charm and a sense of sophistication that Libby saluted. Not even the great Liberty Lysander had natural charm in her skill set.

"My plan…" Libby shook her head. "It puts mine to shame. I haven't done anywhere near a good a job as you and Luce."

"Shh." Rhett hushed, glancing around - though he seemed pleased at the compliment. "And nah, it's okay. We've had years to come up with this. You're just starting out." Rhett nudged her gently in the shoulder and, unable to help herself, Libby smiled and nudged him back. "You're not doing too shabby, either. That stunt you pulled with me and Abi earlier… That was kind of genius."

"Abi, huh?" Liberty teased, laughing at how Rhett shook his head and, ducking his head down, ran a hand self-consciously through his hair. He was almost… Embarrassed. Flattered at the compliment, even though it was clear he knew his own skill. Maybe it wasn't so shocking Libby had underestimated him. Like he'd said - he counted on it. Libby stopped, looking up at House Abernathy now standing tall before them. "This is you."

"Are you going to try and finish your run?" Rhett asked. Libby shook her head - and Rhett continued walking. "Alright, I'll walk you back to Lysander."

"You don't need to do that." Libby told him, standing her ground - and watching as Rhett stopped to look at her over his shoulder. "I'm a big girl, I can look after myself."

"I know you can." Rhett nodded, with a small smile - and not for a second did Liberty believe she was being patronised. "But this place is full of entitled rich kids who don't give a damn about who they step on for five seconds of fun."

Libby raised an eyebrow.

"Is that meant to scare me?"

Rhett laughed - and it was a different type of laughter than she'd seen earlier in the day, at lunch. It was more carefree, less… Styled. Less like a hulking man-child jock, and more like the laugh of the smart, quick-witted guy he'd just proven himself to be.

"Will you just indulge me in my chivalry, please?"

Although Libby rolled her eyes, she followed.

"I'll tell Luce tonight, about our conversation." Rhett said a few seconds later, as they passed House Drayton. "I'm sure you get why."

"Yeah." Libby shrugged. "But how mad is she going to be? Because I actually like your sister."

Rhett cracked another grin.

"I guess we'll find out."

Libby narrowed her eyes at the deliberate vagueness of Rhett's statement, knowing Rhett was partly enjoying keeping some things to himself. It was clear how close he and Luce were - of course he knew what her reaction would be.

He just wanted to keep Libby guessing.

Which was fair, really. After all, Libby had managed to move him to her side - he was allowed to play with what little mystery she had allowed him.

"Okay, so, before I head back…" Libby started, seeing House Lysander coming up ahead. "Any boundaries I should know of for tomorrow? I mean, I plan on doing the performance of a lifetime in front of your renegade lover-" Rhett laughed at this. Loudly. "-, but I just want to make sure nothing you do is going to jeopardise that." Glancing up as they reached House Lysander's driveway, Libby murmured as she slowed her pace - "And you should head back, someone might see you."

"That's probably not a bad thing." Rhett told her - and Libby nodded. True. She just didn't want any inconsistencies in their behaviour now, and what it would be tomorrow. "And don't worry, I can adapt pretty fast."

Liberty shot Rhett a knowing smirk.

"Apparently." She told him - and then they were both at the foot of the front steps, leading to the door. "See you tomorrow." She said, going to turn away.

"Yeah, about that?"

Libby turned back - and felt her breath stop as Rhett confidently stepped forwards, placing her hands on her hips.

The tops of his thumbs grazed the exposed skin of her stomach, the feeling of his fingers on her running shorts warm through the silky, tight fabric.

"It's just… If we're meant to be at it like bunnies, as you said…" Rhett stepped closer and Libby couldn't help how her body stiffened slightly at the action, the hands that had previously been falling loosely at her sides now beginning to hover over Rhett's chest. "We should probably see how that goes. You know, at least a little." Rhett's mouth twitched. "For science."

Liberty said nothing, instead only watching as Rhett's face leant down towards hers… Closer, close enough for her to feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed, to feel his warmth and before she could stop herself, her eyelids were fluttering closed and they were leaning towards one another…

"You really are smooth as fuck." Liberty whispered in awe - and then, as Rhett paused in surprise, Liberty shoved him back hard enough that Rhett jerked back slightly. "Shit! I haven't met someone that smooth since I left New York, that's insane!" Liberty laughed.

And then she laughed some more - because Rhett was laughing too, even louder as Liberty slapped him hard on the shoulder.

"You knew?" Rhett laughed, ducking away as Liberty kept hitting him feebly with her hand.

"Yes, you asshole!"

"Well, it's nice to have someone appreciate my talents - ow! - okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Rhett laughed, running out of breath as Liberty continued to poke and hit at every spare part of his upper body that she could reach. "I'll - I'll see you tomorrow, Libby!"

"Whatever, Rhett - trying to play me!" Liberty laughed, still able to hear Rhett's fading chuckles as he walked down the pathway. He waved as he walked, and she couldn't help but laugh some more to herself, quieter this time, as she jogged up the stairs and headed inside.

It wasn't until she was back up in her bedroom that Liberty realised Rhett had called her Libby - the name he'd expressly heard her say was only used by friends.

. . .

Liberty rocked up to breakfast the next morning in a deep red and green plaid skirt, a matching loose-fitting tank top, a long cardigan and a pair of comfy ankle boots. Her outfit, she knew, was equal parts sexy schoolgirl, rich girl chic and comfy enough for her to handle her detention from helping the Carmichael kid at breakfast the day before.

She didn't bother looking out for anyone she knew on her way to the breakfast hall. She was content to listen to her iPod and enjoy the early morning sunshine - until she felt a tap on her shoulder and found Luce Bellemont behind her.

"… Hi." Libby said slowly, smiling.

"I just had an interesting conversation with my brother." Luce told her serenely.

Libby nodded.

"I bet." She nodded towards the path. "Heading to the breakfast hall?"

Luce nodded.

"Shall we walk together?" She offered, falling easily into step with Libby. "For the record," Luce said quietly, under her breath. "I'm glad you're on our side. It's better than constantly having to worry you were onto us."

"Happy to help." Libby grinned. "Though… I have a question. Why bother?" Seeing Luce's surprise, she continued - "With your…" Looking for a subtle word, Libby paused. "Idea. Is it just for the equal footing?"

"Isn't that reason enough?" Luce responded thoughtfully. She looked very nice, Libby noted, in every sense of the word - she wore a summer dress with a floral print, a cardigan over the top, and little wedge shoes to match. "We've put in more effort than some of the House Peers-" Libby shrugged as Luce hesitated, worrying if she'd offended her. Libby didn't know enough to be offended. "- so why shouldn't we get the recognition? And how much can it hurt to even the playing field?"

"Sure." Libby agreed, slowing as the breakfast hall came up before them.

There was a comfortable silence.

"So what's your plan in there?" Luce asked, nodding to the hall. They paused shy of the door, loitering on the steps. "Anything in particular that I can help with?"

"Honestly?" Libby laughed once. "I was kind of planning on just… Winging it at first, seeing how it all panned out. It's got to seem natural."

"That's a good idea." Luce agreed. "James always likes to think he's in more control than he really is and if you goad him enough, he'll let slip that he saw you both last night for five seconds of power." Libby nodded. "Are you headed in?"

"Yep. Where are you headed?" Libby knew that Luce would know she meant which cuisine bar.

"Spain. The Spanish omelette here is something I'd highly recommend."

As if on cue, Libby's stomach growled.

"That sounds great, actually." Libby muttered. "How stalkerish would it be for me to follow you there?"

Luce gave her a rare, truly happy smile.

"Not at all." She told her earnestly. "Come on. If anyone asks, we can say we were just chatting about your first day, though of course when we get to the table, I'll have to be more icy for Scarlett's sake."

"Of course." Libby said dryly as they stepped inside, heading towards the Spanish section and joining the line. "Tell me - is your and Scarlett's friendship for real? Or is that part of your web?"

"It's real." Luce said amusedly. "There's probably more competition than Scarlett's ego would like to believe, but it's all a part of the territory."

Libby rolled her eyes. Didn't she know that.

"So what classes are you taking?"

"Um." Libby pulled out her cell phone, looking through the list. She'd barely thought about that. She also hadn't thought about stationary, either, which was going to be interesting - and she'd left her laptop back in Lysander. "Human Biology, Precalculus, American Drama, Eastern World History, Latin, French and Photography. You?"

"That's a nice mix." Luce told her, handing her a tray. Libby smiled to herself at the gesture. Considering she'd only just found out that the Bellemont twins were secretly political masterminds, Luce was still, at her heart, clearly… Nice. There just wasn't another word for it - not that Libby was well-versed in the vocabulary of compliments. "I'm taking…" Luce thought for a moment. She glanced upwards as she did and, for a second, Libby was blown away by how the sunlight perfectly hit her face, highlighting the perfection of her side profile. That was the kind of stuff plastic surgeons dreamed of. "Biochemistry, Algebra 4, Classics, Renaissance Studies, French, German and I'm taking one of the immersion programmes in Arts, so I'm taking a Literature and the Landscape class."

"The last one sounds super interesting." Libby said, not even faking her enthusiasm. "The classes here actually sound decent-"

"Don't get so excited - the omelette, thank you-" Luce smiled angelically at the lunch lady. It wasn't the one Libby knew from the day before. "- the classes are small. You'll most likely be in my French class, and Latin with Zane and Scarlett-"

"What a blast." Libby muttered sarcastically.

" - and you'll be with my brother, in a bout of irony, for Human Biology."

Libby snickered. How appropriate

"Small classes, huh?"

"Students vote and apply for what classes they're interested in the year before." Luce told her, before hesitating - "I'm going to head to the table now-"

Libby waved her away.

"Don't even worry about it, you go ahead." She told her, a small part of Libby surprised at the nonchalance with which she was already speaking. "I'm stopping off at the juice bar - did you want anything?"

Luce shook her head.

"I lean more towards tea in the mornings and anyway - our table will be filling up soon." Luce said knowingly and Libby, unruffled, understood. They couldn't be seen to be too friendly. "Of course, if anything comes up at the table that's… News, I'll be appropriately surprised."

"Of course." Libby smirked.

Luce smiled.

"Oh and top tip - if you like a certain shake or whatnot in the mornings, you can fill out a preference list and they'll make it for you each morning."

Libby perked up.

"Thanks for the tip!" A kale, blueberry and oat smoothie sounded great…

Ten minutes, a green juice and a fresh banana later, and Libby headed over to the table where the rest of her new buddies sat.

Her timetable said she had Latin first this morning - just her luck. Scarlett and Zane, in a double dose…

Thankfully, Libby knew she was still scheduled to sit the Pierson-Darcy entrance exam this week - so with any luck, Principal Sheldon would be her knight in shining armour.

Not the most comforting image, Libby thought to herself, but better than the alternative.

They were already in the middle of a conversation - fittingly, James was talking. Abigail was holding onto his arm, her head on his shoulder and, upon seeing Libby, she went slightly pink.

Libby fleetingly met Everett's eyes, as she sat down in the space between Scarlett and Abigail. Scarlett's lip curled and she made a big show of moving a few inches away, pulling her tray, too. Libby rolled her eyes at her. She wasn't sitting next to Zane today; it was Libby, Scarlett, Luce, Rhett, Zane and then James and Abigail.

"- and speaking of the troublemaker." James said arrogantly as Libby sat down. She glanced up coolly. "We were just discussing the scorch marks you left on Scarlett and Zane's relationship yesterday."

"Scorch marks?" Libby repeated. "Jeez, Spencer. I didn't realise you were such a damn poet, you should give up the day job."

"Oh, is someone a little cranky this morning?" James pouted. Libby made a noise of disgust.

"You're not cute."

James acted as if she hadn't spoken.

"Didn't get enough sleep after your little shenanigans?" James asked patronisingly. And there it is, Libby thought. Right on time. "Or is Mr Perfect not so perfect after all, particularly in the sack?"

Zane frowned. Libby hadn't paid him much notice since she'd sat down - she wasn't really sure if she needed to, after yesterday -, but when she glanced up, she saw him chewing on a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"Mr Perfect?" He asked, confused, through his eggs. He looked half asleep - under his green eyes, there were dark shadows. "What? Who, what Mr Perfect?"

Acting as normally as she could, Libby turned to Abigail, pretending to look tense.

"Has nobody ever suggested he buy a muzzle?"

But Abigail apparently wasn't as good as pretending as Rhett and Libby were, because she simply stared down at her plate, ignoring Libby entirely. Across the table from them, Libby couldn't help but notice how easily Rhett faked the slightest hints of worry, glancing between James and herself - or maybe it was real, because he didn't know the score yet. Either way, it was working in their favour.

"Why, if I got a muzzle, Liberty, who would go around telling everyone about your and Bellemont's midnight groping session?" James smirked. "Classy, by the way."

The table froze.

Drama queen, Libby thought to herself bitterly. James Spencer, for all his machismo, had less balls than his girlfriend next to him.

Luce was the one who broke the silence.

"Excuse me?" She asked politely, forcing her face to stay neutral - as if she were mad. Libby nearly fell out of her seat. That was acting. "Are you saying-" Luce turned to Rhett, who pretended to look guiltily from Liberty to his plate. "You and Liberty, last night?"

"You really get around, don't you?" Scarlett smirked. Libby rolled her eyes. "I mean, first Zane, now Rhett-"

"If your boyfriend is easy, that's your problem." Libby said sweetly, a million different options running through her mind. What now? James had obviously brought up Libby and Rhett's supposed "fling" in front of everyone for his stupid power-play - and Rhett and Libby had agreed to work together - but the rest of the group looked so shocked, that Libby knew she had to play it carefully. "And yeah, maybe Everett and I… Hung out last night, but why's that any of your business, Spencer?"

"You cost me a good lay." James sighed, placing his hand over Abigail's shoulders. Libby raised her eyebrows in the girl's direction. "Abigail here got so grossed out by you and Bellemont pawing each other, she got turned off the whole night."

"That's what she told you?" Libby shot back immediately, unable to hold back her laugh - what was more funny? That it was the truth, or the horror on Abigail's face? "Are you sure it's not you that put her off?"

"She's not a bitch on heat like you."

Libby opened her mouth to speak - someone was feeling sensitive -, but surprisingly, Rhett got there first.

"Hey." He said sharply. "Look man, we didn't disturb you last night. I don't know why it's so much of your business."

"It's our business, because we're your friends and she's a stranger, Rhett." Scarlett laughed. Libby sat back, chewing on her breakfast. Did she even need to do anything? These idiots were doing all the work for her. Scarlett looked at her with a lip curled in disgust. "What, she turned some tricks and now you're her hero?"

"If you want to know about what tricks I turn, just ask your boyfriend." Libby winked.

Scarlett's cheeks flushed with fury.

"Or it's my life and who I spend my private time with is my problem." Rhett said calmly. He pretended to fidget - and Libby did nothing to hide her smirk, because she knew he was pretending from his smoothness the night before. "Liberty's an attractive girl-"

"You're an attractive guy, Rhett." Libby said coolly, laughing slightly to herself as Luce made an expression of disgust that wasn't quite fake.

Rhett hid his smile.

"- we both had some fun last night, and Liberty's become our friend." Rhett finished. "That's that. Whatever happened - or didn't - with your girlfriend last night doesn't have anything to do with us."

Libby took another mouthful of food to hide how she was trying not to smile at how Rhett glanced over at Abigail, so subtly that nobody else would have seen it unless they were looking, feigning concern. Holy shit. No wonder Libby herself had fallen for the good-guy act of before.

"Us?" Libby said loftily. "Calm down, Bellemont, I'm not looking for a ring on my finger."

Rhett raised his eyebrows, grinning.

"Oh, I know what you're looking for."

"Oh!" Libby yelled - and as if they'd done it a million times before, they leaned forwards and high-fived over the table.

It was going well. Rhett was keeping her tied into the group, and not writing her off as the newbie - he was ingratiating her and reminding Scarlett that she had more ties than that with House Lysander and Zane, whilst acting as if they were developing their own friendship without the sex. He was forcing the others to lock her into their inner circle, for his sake - while, at the same time, Libby maintained the same cocky, no-bullshit attitude she had for the past few days.

Selene was going to die when she heard.

"… Hang on a second." Zane finally said - and Libby finally took notice of him, in his bright, stripy jumper and slacks. He had a mug of fancy coffee in front of him and a half-eaten croque-monsieur. As much as Libby didn't want to notice, he looked less exhausted than before. Maybe those scorch marks James had talked about had done him some good, not that she imagined he'd be a nice enough person to thank her. "You're telling me you two hooked up last night?"

"Did James stutter?" Libby asked innocently.

Zane huffed in disbelief - before shaking his head. Libby smirked into her plate as Scarlett watched him carefully from the other side of the table as he leaned forward.

"Is that wise? Building that kind of negative reputation for yourself when you're just coming into your role at your house?"

Libby stared at him calmly, wondering if that was how he'd sold it to Scarlett - that he cared about House Lysander because of his own. Yeah, right. Zane was just a control-freak.

"A reputation takes more than the people around this table knowing." Libby told him. She cocked her head to one side. "Unless you plan on badmouthing your new partner?"

Libby knew Scarlett was seething - she could feel it coming off of her like waves, and she knew she hated how their voices had dropped, how she didn't trust whatever had happened between them as gone. Libby expected Zane to have said she had been some crazy slut who had thrust her tongue down his mouth - which, if he had, worked to her advantage. That meant Scarlett thought she was volatile, and that would scare her.

"I hope not, for my sake." Rhett said smoothly. Zane looked up at him in disbelief. "Come on, man. There are a lot of girls who would have expected me to call them last night, how do you think they're going to feel if they found out Libby and I got acquainted instead?"

There were a few seconds where they all watched Zane, waiting for his verdict. Scarlett looked like she was a tomato on the verge of splattering everywhere and Luce watched with carefully constructed disbelief. James was leaning back, enjoying his supposed power and Abigail just looked like a twitchy rabbit.

Rhett and Libby looked over at one another, knowing they were still being watched. Libby winked - sexually to those at the table, asserting her confidence between the two of them - and Rhett grinned.

"Nobody will hear it from me." Zane finally said, shaking his head - before smiling and turning to Rhett. "But seriously? If you're putting me between you and your fan club, I'm moving right out of 'Darcy county before I do that."

The boys laughed.

And just like that, Libby knew she was in.

. . .

The rest of the day went smoother than expected. Libby slipped away before classes started to leave Reid a message about meeting soon, saying she had a partner, and Latin was nowhere near as bad as Libby had guessed - mainly because Scarlett was spitting fire and kept Zane to herself, while Libby hung out near the back.

The rest of Orientation went by quickly, too; a lot of it was meeting teachers and getting books ready, everyone carrying on without chatting for too long. After that was her detention, which was mainly sitting in Principal Sheldon's office while the receptionist stared at her. It had been way less of an eventful day than Libby planned.

A good day, though, Libby smirked to herself, collapsing onto her bed as soon as detention was done and smiling up at the ceiling. Because with Rhett on the inside with her, managing this school of morons just got a lot easier.

I know its been forever! It probably doesn't help for me to say that a lot of it has been sitting in my docs forever…

But it's back! What do you all think of the Bellemonts?

- henbee x