It’s been a while since I’ve been inspired to do some fanfic. This comes from the High School Revenge WIP. There are some spoilers in this, but the stuff that is there is in the public demo. I just want to thank @sucof for writing an intriguing story. I hope to finish up with this in a couple of days.
This idea is just based on a character we can interact with 2 things and isn’t a RO at the moment, though I would love if she was.
Rhiannon stared at the her conspiracy board, humming slightly as she glanced at the various threads connecting her targets. Just in the month she’s been there, she’s already gained some valuable knowledge. She let this musing die as her eyes flicked to a nearby calendar, focusing on a day that circled in red, and bearing the word: HOMECOMING.
She still hadn’t made up her mind whether to find a date or go stag. Rhiannon looked at the board once more, and had a good idea which of her victims would be open to going. Was she willing to risk her identity so soon?
Shaking her head, Rhiannon picked up the phone and dialed Helen’s number. She waited through a few rings. Her foot tapped a small rhythm to the ground, and just as Rhiannon was expecting it to go to voicemail, a young woman with a Southern drawl answered it, “Hello Rhiannon. I’m honestly surprised you decided to give me a call”
“Pardon?” Rhiannon said slightly surprised by the ting of hostility in Helen’s voice.
Helen chuckled, “I had some time to think after the party. When were you going to tell me the that you lied about there being a reality show.”
Rhiannon frowned slightly, briefly caught flat-footed in her lie. A few more seconds passed when Helen said, “Gathering your thoughts?”
“You’re right, I lied,” Rhiannon said, a slightly feeling of shame suffusing her body, “But give me a chance to explain.”
“And why should I do that?” Helen asked.
“I will give you you triple what you’ve already earned,” Rhiannon explained, “as well as a lucrative proposal.”
A few more minutes of silence filled the room when Helen said, “I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself. I’ll see you in an hour.”
Rhiannon leaned sat at the picnic table, her back resting against the top platform. A large case sat beside her, holding her bass. She glanced at her phone, and saw that it was still going to be forty-five minutes before Helen would show. Sighing, she opened the case, and started with some finger exercises before easing into a gentle tune.
“Don’t think some mood music will put you in my good graces,” said a voice, snapping Rhiannon out of her reverie.
Rhiannon offered an awkward smile before putting her instrument away. “First, I want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” she said.
“I probably shouldn’t, but no matter the lies, you did come through on payment,” Helen said, pushing back some of her blonde hair.
“Speaking of which,” Rhiannon said this time in a much more easy manner. She reached into her pocket and pulled out an enveloped. She pushed it towards Helen, and said, “Go ahead and count it if you wish. It’s triple the amount of what you’ve already earned between the camera shoot, and the party.”
Helen opened the envelope, pulling out several hundred dollar bills, and frowned as she said, “This is to much…”
Rhiannon quickly shook her head, “Consider it a bonus. You’re acting was really good.”
Helen stared her straight in the eye, “So was yours, making me think I had a chance at a show.”
Rhiannon squirmed slightly as she said, “So what gave it away?”
Helen chuckled, “The fact you didn’t have me sign a release form or a W-2 for taxes. So why hire me in the first place?”
Rhiannon bit her lip to keep from blushing, “Thanks.” She shrugged, feeling ill at ease over the confident persona she’s been displaying for the last month. “Did you ever see a video about 7 years ago? One about a person called the Creep?”
Helen frowned slightly, “Maybe, but it was so long ago. You’re not talking about that Lonely Island video with Nicki Minaj?”
A loud laugh escaped Rhiannon’s lips and she said, “If only it was that…innocent. No. Here, let me show it to you on my phone.” She took a deep breath, before loading up the video and handing it over to Helen.
Helen was confused at first, then grew quiet as the scene played out before her. Just moments after the climax of the video she angrily pushed the phone back. Rhiannon was pleased to see the tension in Helen’s body, as well as the clenching of a fist.
“I remember that,” Helen hissed, “what those kids did to that girl…if something like that happened to me, my dad would have taken a shotgun to them.”
Rhiannon felt a slight twinge of jealousy at the statement, and said “At least you had a father who cared about you.”
“That was you in the video, wasn’t it?” Helen said, then frowned, “But the name they said was…”
“Lily Adkins,” Rhiannon interrupted, “Short for Lilith. Yeah that was the name I was born with.”
“That was rough,” Helen said sympathetically, “but what is my role in all of this?”
Rhiannon inhaled slightly, holding her breath for four seconds, then exhaling, “I…I decided to get revenge on what those fuckers did to me. Hence the name change. As for you…well, you remember Burt?”
Helen’s nose wrinkled, “So his perviness wasn’t an act? He really is that much of a sleazeball?”
Rhiannon smiled, though there was little worth, “He’s the real deal, unfortunately. He was the one who filmed the video.” She pointed at her phone once more, “So when we went over…you…you were a distraction so I could get some blackmail on him.”
Helen sat on the other side of the picnic table, “And did you find something?”
“Yes, and he is now my little bitch,” Rhiannon said with an aggressive, but pleased tone, “And whatever scumminess I can say about him, he is good at following people. If he doesn’t end up in jail or the grave, he will make a good private detective.”
“So I was just a distraction. That explains the first job,” Helen says, “But what about the second one?”
“Social capital,” Rhiannon explained, “Going in with a beautiful college student would show that the rest of them were out of my league. And I mean it when I said you’re a good actress. When you looped your arm in mine with Connor was a good move.”
Helen shrugged, “It was a bit of improv. He had a roving eye…”
“That’s just the least of it,” Rhiannon agreed, “and yet still not as bad as Burt.”
Another moment of silence filled the air when Helen said “So what is this proposal you had for me?”
Rhiannon took a deep breath, and pulled another envelope out of her bass’s case, “This…is a contract. The details of which we can change. Essentially, I want you to act as my date for the rest of the school year. You will be paid $100,000, a fourth up-front, another fourth halfway through the school year, and the rest at the end.”
Helen whistled sharply, “So you basically want me to copy Julia Robert’s role in Pretty Woman?”
“I guess that is one way to say it,” Rhiannon answered with a swift nod of affirmation.
“Why me? Why not one of your classmates?” Helen said, “And just how much money do you have? Are you some kind of influencer?”
“Money is…well, turns out I’m really good with business,” Rhiannon answered, “You’re looking at the 50% owner of ZipWire, a drone service that delivers medical supplies. I pitched the idea to my mother, she liked the idea, and well…here we are.”
Helen whistled slightly, “Must be nice to have wealthy parents,”
“Parent,” Rhiannon said, “Singular. When what you saw happened..she was the only one who gave a damn about me. Turns out she is a good business woman; I must have got that from her. I managed to convince her to help and here I am. I’m not going to pretend that I built it on my own without any help, but…”
“But you would be foolish not to use any advantage you may have,” Helen interrupted, earning her a slight smile from Rhiannon. “However,” Helen continued, “That still doesn’t answer why me, and not any of your classmates. I saw how they looked at you at the party Almost anyone of them would have sold their soul to be at your side.”
Rhiannon’s eyes closed, and she said “Good, I’m glad that my observation matched yours.” Exhaling, she said softly, “The reason I didn’t go with someone from school is that I don’t trust any of them.”
Helen cocked her head as if to say something, but Rhiannon continued, “I don’t know if you caught it in that video, but two of the people who did that to me were my best friends at the time.” Rhiannon’s face twisted half in pain, half in anger, “If those two would betray me, then anyone else would. Maybe they had their reasons, but I don’t care. So trusting others doesn’t come easy to me.”
“That makes sense,” Helen said, “So basically you want me to act like your pretend girlfriend?”
“Yes,” Rhiannon said, “I figure at least one date a week, though that may vary depending on what comes up. Of course, I know that we’ll need to plan around both our course classes and social obligations.”
Helen smiled “It’s a good thing I’m recently single then. Otherwise, it would be awkward explaining why I’m also dating a high schooler.”
Rhiannon laughed, “At least I won’t be guilty of breaking up some person’s relationship. But back to the contract, I’ll be responsible for any additional expenses like transportation, clothing, restaurants, that sort of thing. Of course, if there is anything you want to change, just let me know.”
Helen chewed the inside of her cheek before she said, “I want half up front, not a quarter.”
“Done,” Rhiannon said, “I can transfer it now, or write you a check.”
Helen replied, “Transfer it. I’m surprised you agreed to that so easily.”
Rhiannon closed her eyes, “I know I used you. I don’t know how many ways I can say I’m sorry, but I hope the money helps.”
Several minutes pass as Rhiannon makes the transaction, and then just a few minutes later, Helen’s phoned dinged that a payment was made to her bank account.
“It will, though I hope you don’t mind if I’m still skeptical for a few days to make sure it isn’t fraudulent,” Helen said.
“That’s reasonable,” Rhiannon said, “And when tax season comes up next year, I have an accountant who can help you keep the most of it from Uncle Sam. Did you have any other changes?”
Helen pursed her lips, “Only one other thing comes to mind. However this turns out, I want to have the first rights to making a screenplay of this. This is the sort of story that people will eat up, and I want my name on it.”
“Playwright as well as an actress,” Rhiannon said, “Consider me impressed. I can agree with that provision. 50-50 split alright?”
“Sure,” Helen said, “And I’m find with PDAs.” Rhiannon briefly confused, when Helen added, “Public displays of affection. I mean, if I’m going to pretend to be your date.”
“There will be,” Rhiannon acknowledged, “and speaking of date, the school is going to hold their Homecoming Dance soon…”
Rhiannon pulled into the school parking lot, taking a relaxing breath. She glanced briefly at Helen, and asked, “Are you ready?”
“As I will ever be,” Helen answered, “Although it feels weird that what I’m wearing could easily cover my rent for two months.” Helen wore a one shoulder dark navy ruffled sequen dress, silver heels, and a blue sapphire necklace.
“I know the feeling,” Rhiannon said, “when my mom started to make money…well, I was suddenly thrust into a whole new social class that I wasn’t prepared for.”
“You could have fooled me,” Helen said, then exited the car.
“It took me a while before I felt like I could fit in and not just be a pretender. Before we head in,” Rhiannon said, “I wanted to give you a bit of head’s up.”
“Alright,” Helen said, “Is there something I need to do?”
“No,” Rhiannon coughed, “Just…well, towards the end of the dance, when they crown the Homecoming Royalty…there will be…have you seen Carrie?”
“The original or one of the remakes?” Helen asked, then her eyes widened, “Are the sprinklers going to spout pig blood?”
Rhiannon laughed, “I might have to keep that in mind for the future. No, nothing like that. It’s just that the lights will go out, and…well…I can guarantee our clothing will be safe..”
Helen pressed a finger to Rhiannon’s lip, causing a slight thrill to shoot through her spine, “Then let’s keep it a surprise.”
Helen elegantly left the car, smiling as she said, “At least you won’t lose your car in the parking lot. I don’t recommend taking it on a bank heist.”
Rhiannon grinned as she looked at her rainbow colored convertible sports car, “Don’t ask me how much I spent on it. My mom is going to have a shit fit when she finds out.”
“Am I going to have to meet your mother?” Helen asked with curiosity.
Rhiannon sighed, “Probably at some point but that is a problem for future us. Shall we?” Rhiannon extended her arm, and Helen looped hers through it.
The two entered through the heavy gym doors, and Helen came to a momentary stop. “I’m not seeing things, am I?” and looked toward the roof where several people were performing some elaborate aerial routines, “This is a dance and not Cirque du Soleil?”
“No, you’re not,” Rhiannon said, “This is as much a surprise to me as you.”
The couple took in the dance when Helen squeezed Rhiannon’s arm, “Why is there a kissing booth at a homecoming dance?”
“That’s a good question,” Rhiannon said, “Let’s go find out.”
The two young women made their way to the booth when Connor shot two finger guns in their direction, “Hey Rhiannon. We kicked ass during the concert.”
“Shame I didn’t get a chance to see it,” Helen said in a sultry voice, and to Rhiannon’s surprise, there was no falsehood in it.
“And look who’s back,” Connor said, giving Helen a slow once over, “Taken wasn’t it?”
“The name is Helen,” the actress said snarkily, “Keep your eyes to yourself, or else I might have to castrate you.”
The tension was cut with the sound of a bubble popping and a girl leaned on Connor’s shoulder, “I would ask you not to. I might have plans for them later.”
Everyone gave a slightly embarrassed laugh when Connor said, “This is my date Hazel. So what brings the two of you over here?”
Rhiannon gave the booth another glance and asked, “Why are you running a kissing booth?”
Hazel brightly said, “I’m helping Connor out. How else am I going to get my Brada necklace?”
Connor winced slightly and whispered, “Actually, it’s so I can get my sister a bike, but I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell Hazel.”
Rhiannon felt Helen’s hand grow firm, nails digging slightly into her skin and the actress whispered, “Shouldn’t someone tell…”
“Don’t worry,” Rhiannon whispered back, “I have an idea.”
Rhiannon pulled out her purse, and counted off 5 crisp hundred dollar bills and laid them on the counter.
“That’s sure a lot of kisses,” Hazel said as she pulled the money back, “I hope your date won’t get jealous.”
Helen leaned in, as if her and Hazel were the only two people at the dance, and said, “I trust her implicitly.” Glancing at Connor, Helen adds, “Hopefully you find someone like that.”
Clearing her throat, Rhiannon said, “Consider it a gift. Have the two of you even danced? It would be a shame for the both of you to be stuck behind this booth all night and not enjoy the music.”
Hazel laughed, “What do you say Connie-poo?”
Rhiannon and Helen walked away without hearing the rest of the conversation as Helen whispered, “I’m surprised how quick he told you what he was actually doing.”
“He is far from subtle. From what others in the band say,” Rhiannon said, “Connor goes through a lot of dates.”
Glancing back at the couple now arguing in the kissing booth, Helen said “Serial womanizer?”
“More like someone with a broken heart, and trying to fill the void,” Rhiannon answered.