killer queen

A roll of her eyes was Sav’s only response, turning back to her suitcase and continuing to dig through it, biting down on one cheek as she tried to figure out how to respond. Or even how to process the fact that Maddie was there, which she still wasn’t able to do. Had she been hoping she wouldn’t come back? In some sense, yeah. But that also seemed overly simplistic, not encapsulating the entire scope of her emotions, at all. Sav finally sighed, straightening away from her luggage to look at Maddie, doing her best to not shrink away, despite the fact that she was standing there in one of Marcello’s shirts, the situation of where things had stood since prom clear enough from that alone. 

“I’m not apologizing again,” Sav said firmly, letting out a shaky exhale as she crossed her arms in front of her chest, eyes blinking away from Maddie’s, unable to hold the others gaze, even as they stood there, mirror images of each other in their stances. “I know I fucked up, but you lost the right to an apology when you broke my nose,” she added. She had spent the last eight or so months trying to come to terms with how things had happened, her guilt with it mixed with Marcello’s insistence she had done nothing wrong, sadness from losing her best friend tied into the complete and utter happiness she got from Marcello. 

“Good because I don’t want your fake apology,” Madeleine said dryly, tucking her blonde locks behind her ears as she stared at Savannah’s face. She thought maybe time would help, maybe she would feel less angry in time, but her rage was still very much present. “You know... That was a mistake actually,” she started, raising her brow, letting the silence linger for a second or two. 

“I should’ve broken your fucking mouth, so you would shut the fuck up.”

@luxorstarters​

“Day three of Luxor. I suspect my dorm room is haunted by an angry ghost. Also,” Ethan took a sip of orange juice, “the cafeteria is out of coffee. This college education thing is really riveting.” 

“Somehow that would be less scary than what we are dealing here,” Madeleine said with a shrug. “Yeah, college sucks balls, I can tell you that.”

“Someone should. Quite frankly, it’s harmful to our youth to hear you spew your bigotry,” Marcello tensed, his voice low and serious. It was undeniable he had every reason to dislike Maddie, but he refused to let her believe she still had some hold over him. He sucked air between his teeth and gave a roll of his eyes. “Typical of you to immediately resort to unnecessary violence. I didn’t expect anything different,” he scoffed. Hypocritical, coming from Marcello of all people.

“Right. So we are going to pretend like you didn’t just call the guy an idiot. And I am the harmful bigot to our youth. Interesting,” Maddie said, tilting her head to the side, sounding extremely condescending. “Unnecessary violence? God,” she started with a scoff, shaking her head in disbelief. “This is so boring. Like, stop pretending like someone you are not. Yeah, I am the bitch, I am the cunt, I am the toxic one, bla bla bla bla...Playing that tired ass old game where I am the villain and you are the broken anti-hero everyone roots for,” Maddie snorted a laugh mockingly. “But deep down inside you are as vile as I am, if not more. Not even deep down inside, you know? It’s obvious to everyone. You are just in denial about it.”

Sav just looked at Maddie, at her former best friend, visibly swallowing as she tried to process the sight. Of all the people she had expected to be in there, Madeleine Benoit was quite possibly the last. Or perhaps it was more that of all the places she inevitably would cross paths would Maddie again, this had not made the list. After the words in greeting, Sav just shook her head, a huff of air exhaled out of her nose as she took the final couple steps to her suitcase, trying to hide the fact that her hands were shaking as she reached for the zipper to get into it. 

“Since when have you been back at Luxor?” she asked, her voice clipped as she spoke, her movements staccato, Sav just robotically pulling some things out of her luggage.

It was hard to adjust after being absent almost for a year. It felt longer some days. Then there were days it didn’t feel enough. Not even slightest. Making amends were part of her recovery, she was advised to do such a thing. But Sav didn’t make the list, neither did Marcello. She needed time. A long time. Perhaps a century. Maybe she would ready then. It would be a lie if she said she didn’t miss Sav. Most people didn’t understand Madeleine, but Sav did. She was the exception. And now she couldn’t even stand the sight of her. 

“Don’t do that,” she said with a scoff, rolling her eyes. “You don’t care about when. Or how. You probably want to know why,” Maddie said, crossing her arms together. “We both know you were hoping I wouldn’t. Well, too bad. I am here now.”

“Well, welcome back!” she said, kneeling in the sand beside Maddie so they could talk better, wringing water out of her hair still. “That’s okay. We can still go for a ride just for fun if you want. Nothing that’ll leave you too sore. I could even work out with you some if you want to get back into it. I’m sure the horses would be happy to see you around again,” she offered. When you were on the equestrian team, you saw a lot of those animals and got to know them well. She was sure even if it had been a while, they would remember Maddie. And maybe getting back into something without a ton of people around would help the other get back into the swing of things at school again. “I’m good. Still hopeless lost on my major, still a giant nerd, and still single, so nothing much has changed there.”

“Thanks.” Needless to say, Maddie wasn’t thrilled to be back. “Horses would be the only one, I guess,” she said with a shrug. Her presence wasn’t a source of joy, she got that. Madeleine might have not possessed so much love for anyone (or any creature, really), but horses were different. “Same old, same old you say,” she said, her lips pressed together, waiting for the right moment to reveal the real reason why she was having this conversation with Kenzie. There was no right moment, so she decided to go for it. “Nothing would ever change if you kept doing what you always do, Kenzie. No one would want to be around a failure, just saying.

@madeleinebenoit​

The beach at this resort was one of the most beautiful beaches she had ever seen. This definitely beat the spring break in the Caribbean they had before. She was falling more and more in love with this place. Kenzie walked out of the water, jogging over to her stuff on the sand. She quickly pulled on an oversized shirt to fight against the chill before starting to try and dry her hair with the towel. That was when she noticed Maddie nearby. She had no idea the girl was coming back to school. She headed over towards her. “Hey! I didn’t know you were back. How’s it going? Will I be seeing you around the stables again?”

Madeleine wasn’t the biggest fan of the nature, every time she traveled somewhere, she would be interested in cultural activities or the nightlife. Times like these she really missed her old life where she could start drinking at 4pm without a worry. One of the many things she’d discovered about herself in rehab was that she wasn’t cut for having sober social interactions, she didn’t know what to say most of the time. And now she was supposed to talk to Kenzie thanks to the stupid note The Unhinged slipped to her room. Great, she’s been back for a minute and The Unhinged was already back on their bullshit. Maddie watched the water quietly, waiting for Kenzie to walk out. Madeleine lowered her sunglasses and greeted the brunette with a simple now. “Hey,” she said, pulling her knees to her chest. “Yeah, I came back a week ago.” She barely left her room. “Eh,” Maddie answered with a shrug. She was feeling like shit, but she didn’t want to talk about that. Ever. “That would be a stretch. I am out of shape.” She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d been in the stables. “How are you? I haven’t talked to you forever.” Smooth, Maddie, real smooth.

Marcello grumbled as the kid gestured for their ball, and he lumbered as he tossed it back with a lingering scowl. It could have been an accident, but he was more inclined to believe God sent the volleyball soaring at his head  for some untimely sin Marcello committed as an adolescent.

He heard obnoxious laughter come from behind him, and he turned stiffly to settle his gaze on Madeleine’s snarky expression. His expression tensed, and his brows furrowed in disbelief, a hint of disgust displayed in the corners of his lips that perked into a snarl. When had she returned? Marcello was too consumed with his daily responsibilities to keep up with the school’s gossip, but certainly it should have gotten to him that Maddie was back at Luxor. He held out hope that she was only visiting. “No one asked you. The only answer I care to hear is from the one who is culpable,” Marcello gritted.

who: @madeleinebenoit​​ when: first day of spring break where: sav and maddie’s villa

The first full day at spring break, Sav quickly realizing she would have to go grab some of her things from the villa where the hotel deposited her things, which was not, in fact, Marcello’s room. Leaving him to go off and explore, Sav made her way to her room, planning on showering and grabbing a chance of clothes before going to find him again. She finally located her villa, realizing as she was pulling the key out that she hadn’t even checked to see who she’d be staying with for the week. She swung upon the door as the thought crossed her mind, stepping in to see her luggage still located by the entry, rushing the few steps to it when her eyes took in the fact that there was someone else in there. 

Maddie.

When Madeleine found out she was going to share a villa with Savannah, she hoped she wouldn’t resort to violence again. Not that she was a changed woman after her rehab stint, she was still the same old raging bitch, but she was trying to leave her violent days behind. Her anger was the most discussed subject between her and her therapist. Promises were made, she kept telling herself she was going to find outdoor activities and avoid going back to her room unless it’s for sleeping or showering. She got lucky at first, when she stepped inside the villa, Sav wasn’t around, Maddie saw that as a blessing. 

However, that did not last very long.

Sitting on the chair, flipping the pages of a fashion magazine, her gaze immediately shifted to Sav. She could feel her blood boiling, she thought she could be less angry after all those months but nope, the anger was still there, still overwhelming. 

“I hope you have the decency not to bring anyone to our villa.”

who: @luxorstarters when: first day of spring break. where: the mahé beach.

Wading through the low tides of the ocean, Marcello watched his legs disrupt the current, embracing the cool brush of the rushing water. It was easy to get trapped in moments like these, hyper fixated on the sound and the sight of a natural force so powerful and extensive. He felt a blunt force slam into the round of his head, practically launching his head forward as a group of kids gaped behind him. With a stifled groan, Marcello lifted his hand to the back of his head. A lone volleyball danced in soft circles in front of him, and he heard the shouts of an approaching student. “Were you aiming for me or are you just an idiot?!” Marcello barked at the assailant, his face etched in a deep scowl.

The first day of spring break was here, and Madeleine was already over this bullshit. When she’d found out she had to share a room with Savannah, Maddie came really close to change schools. Which would be a dramatic response, but considering the choices Maddie usually made, it sure wouldn’t be a surprising one. She spent her hours on the phone with her friends from home, asking them to advise how she would put up with Sav’s presence. The exact words were; ‘God, how am I going to be in the same room with that annoying cunt and put up with her nauseating presence?’ 

Harsh. So Maddie, though. 

“And since when were you the type for friendly greetings? Not that,” he observed, “I don’t appreciate your delightful presence in my humble bedroom.” Mouth raising into a smirk, Jack sat up a little, giving Maddie an appraising look as if trying to figure it out. “What do you really want, Mads? Don’t break my heart and say you’re actually here for Luca….”

“I am a changed woman now.” Wow, that was hysterical.“And here I am thinking we were besties.” More like two people who shared a great interest in causing chaos and occasionally mayhem. “Absolutely not. Believe it or not, but I am here to see you,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Who else I can count on for giving me all the gossip.”

it wasn’t a ghost, more like a demon, a demon who’s wardrobe she help but gawk at, their love of fashion intertwining them into friendship, and if she’d known she would be tapping on in, she certainly wouldn’t have let the oversized hoodie and sweatpants adorn her body, opting for one of the sun dresses, full of tulle that would trick the rest of the student body that the smile that she always seemed to force, was actually genuine. what a magic trick that would’ve been.  eyes glanced over the outfit, a spark of envy running through her gaze, a soft reminder to get it in camel and white.  putting the pint of ice cream, now empty as she took the last bite, down on the table with a soft sigh bubbling through her lips. a cry for help had been an understatement, constantly pulling at both mind and heart, she’d felt broken. WRONG. it wasn’t solely jack’s doing, but rather his undoing, the words spit at her only playing a loop of the night he’d left and what led to it all burning down. “ a rough night ; rough nights,” ophelia suggested with the roll of her eyes, feet automatically guiding her back to the fridge. back to her comfort ; and all she could think about was her brother’s cooking that seemed to solve it all. 

“ please, i knew you weren’t dead. we have money. the best doctors, the most chance, the largest amount of happiness.  the words came out sarcastically as she grabbed one of the cold slices of pizza, almost instantly sinking her teeth into it with a groan of pleasure.

“who says being COMFY is a cry for help?” she muttered through her full mouth, furrowed brows, pulling together as her nose slightly crinkling in faux offense ; but the truth was, if you truly knew ophelia, this wasn’t the outfit she’d even let herself sleep in, always primped and preened to the extreme. 

“Sounds like another day in Luxor,” Maddie scoffed, rolling her eyes, not at Ophelia, mostly at the environment they were in. Maddie looked in the mirror one last time before sitting on the edge of her bed, she had six packs for the first time in her life, she exercised a lot in Passages. Her parents’ first choice of rehab was this one facility in Arizona, she didn’t even bother to learn its name. Her answer was plain and simple; I'd rather be dead in California than alive in Arizona. She was allowed to use her phone, which was another addiction of hers, surprisingly she didn’t want to use it. It was nice to take a break from the reality, Maddie hated there first, then she’d gotten used to it. 

So much that she actually didn’t even want to leave.

“I kinda wish I was dead,” she said with a chuckle, making it sound like a joke, but deep down they both knew there was some truth in those words. “Money definitely can bring you happiness.” How did that saying go? It's better to cry in Rolls-Royce than to be happy on a bicycle. 

𝑤ℎ𝑜 : 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 : 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙𝑠’ 𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑚 ; 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚 211. 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 : 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ 5𝑡ℎ, 2022.

      it was rare and in between that ophelia wouldn’t sneak out of her own room in the darkness of light, long after the RA’s did their nightly crawls. though, they never seemed to go near the faux law books that lined her shelves. little care packages from new york, shipped over, overnight. what? she needed something to get through the constant anxiety of this fucking school. 

       though, instead of the boys’ dorm, she found herself using one of parker’s extra keys to bust in, hoping to escape the nightmares that seemed to constantly plague her dreams. a pint of ben and jerry’s balanced in her hand as she padded her way out of parker’s room, the spoon still shoveling the ice cream into her mouth, the messy bun that laid a top her head, bouncing with every step until her eyes fell on a familiar face. the vast majority of european socialites having walked through her own castle like mansion, endless galas and political ventures inevitably echoing through the halls and ballroom. the visits to new york for the same, whether it’d been in grant’s home, or out in the hamptons.       stopping in her tracks, her head cocked slightly, the ice cream threatening to dribble as her jaw dropped, swallowing it down before it actually made it’s way out. the last thing she fucking needed as a valentine’s day throwback. the image still fresh and humiliating in her mind. “maddie?” the usual glammed silk olivia van halle, now replace with an oversized shirt and a sad pair of raggedy shorts. an ophelia signature of a SHIT MOOD.  “GREAT, and i look like shit. FANTASTIC.”

The jet lag was still hitting hard, she spent her first two days sleeping in her room (also it was a great excuse to avoid people), then the rest of the week was spent on unpacking. Her new roommate was nice, they weren’t exactly the besties, but did that even matter in Luxor? Loyalty wasn’t the students’ greatest strength. She would know; it wasn’t her forte either when it came to romantic relationships. 

That was a story for another day, though.

Organizing her wardrobe was a great way to kill time, it was way productive than going outside her dorm room and explaining people that she wasn’t dead and what she’d been up to in the last six months. 

Nope, she wasn’t ready for those kinds of conversations yet.

Wearing a two-piece set from Fendi x Skims collection (thanks to Gabby of course, she made sure Madeleine didn’t miss any major collaboration while she was attending countless therapy sessions in rehab), a familiar voice caught her attention. Here we go, she thought to herself. 

@luxorstarters​

location: outside jack’s room

“No Jehovah’s witnesses,” Jack declared as he opened the door to his room, proceeding to lean in the doorway as he eyed up the (poor) student who had knocked on his door. “Prostitutes, drug dealers, and persons looking for an adventure absolutely welcomed, though. So what did you actually want?”

“Hello to you, too, Jack,” Madeleine said dryly as she stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Smirking, she sat on the edge of his bed, sighing. “Nothing.” Of course, she had an agenda. She was out of the loop and if there was someone she could count on for filling her in, it was Jack Kelly. “Just wanted to come here and say hi.” Bitch please.