Massie Block sat on the bed in her dorm room that she and her best friend Claire shared. She stared out of the window into the beautiful, cloudless sky. She was very happy that her mother specifically asked for a room with a view when she sent Massie to boarding school three years earlier. It was the evening before all classes started for the new academic year. It was known as orientation for the new students and to the returning students, it was just a back-to-school assembly where everyone would be re-briefed about the rules and regulations. Massie smoothed her outfit for what seemed like the millionth time. All she needed now was someone to rate her, giving her the assurance that she looked as perfect as she felt. As if she could read her mind, Massie's best friend and reigning Beta, Claire rushed through the door to the room #416, Brighton Hall.

"Rate me." Massie asked of her friend.

Claire grabbed her hairbrush and spoke into it as if it were a microphone.

"Massie Block is wearing a purple Chanel shirtdress paired with White BCBG leggings. On her feet are her latest custom-made purple Jimmy Choos. Accessories include a white and purple Guess bangle and diamond Chanel studs adorn her ears. Lets see… a 9.7! To become a 9.9, more cherry-plum MAC lipgloss is necessary."

"Thanks!"

"Mass! Don't forget your cell! I'll be down in a few, chica!"

"I'll wait Claire-bear." Massie yelled from down the hall.

While waiting in the common room, Massie thought about her other three best friends. Hailey and Yarrah were arriving at Covengton around midnight and Callie was probably in her room lazing about with Harry. Massie checked her makeup in her YSL compact mirror. As usual, she looked fabulous. Massie decided to call James while waiting for Claire. After three rings, he answered.

"Hey babe."

"Hey yourself. Listen, I'm waiting for Claire and I was wondering if you could come meet me. Oh, bring Austin too please, love."

"Sure thing babe. I love you."

"Aww Jamesy-poo, I love you too." She smiled to herself, knowing that James hated that nickname she gave him. With that, she hung up and waited about five minutes when a pair of soft, smooth hands covered her eyes.

"James! Puh-lease don't do that! You'll ruin my eye shadow!"

James spun her around quickly, capturing her lips in a short, sweet kiss.

"But," she continued, a smile brightening her face, "I'll more than take that as your apology."

Draping his arm around her, James and Massie waited on the couch of the common room while Austin went to check on his girlfriend of two years, Claire.

"Austin, NO!" Claire giggle-screamed.

Around the corner, you could see the two coming, Austin carrying Claire bridal-style.

"Um, do I even want to know?" Massie asked.

"Well," Claire started as she pounded against Austin's chest, demanding to be put down, "he said that if I wasn't done by the time he counted to ten, he'd take me down to orientation just the way I am. So, I was rushing to apply my last coat of mascara when this big bloke came in." She finished, wedging herself free from his grip and childishly sticking her tongue out at him.

"Well, I have been known for sweeping the ladies off of their feet." Austin joked, pulling Claire into a hug.

"Oh God," Callie Hastings' British voice spoke, "I leave you two for one summer and, when I come back, you're going all Teenage Crush III on me? What happened to being independent, strong females?"

"Geez Cal, save it for Harry, won't you?" James spoke, irritated at Callie's feminist rant.

" 'Geez Cal, save it for Harry'," Callie mocked, glaring at her best friend's boyfriend.

"Enough, both of you! Do you really want to start the school year at each other's throats?" Massie asked, looking sternly at both her boyfriend and her best friend.

"Fine." they mumbled in unison.

"Okay," Claire said, after an awkward moment of silence, "let's go to orientation! I really don't want those freshmeat grabbing all the great seats."

Following their friend's advice, the entire group left the common room for the amphitheater on the first floor.

Principal Edwards sat on the stage of the amphitheater waiting for the students to shuffle in. At last, when the majority of the school's population filled the area, she stood and started her back-to-school speech, mentioning the rules and regulations many times for the benefit of the new students. Concluding her speech, she introduced the school to the six transfer students.

"I would now like to introduce six very special students who have transferred from the Briarwood Octavian Country Day School in Westchester, New York. Please join me in welcoming Kristen Gregory, Dylan Marvil, Alicia Rivera, Josh Hotz, Cameron Fisher and Derrick Harrington to Covengton Academy!"

Upon hearing those names, Massie Block and Claire Lyons' hearts stopped. They glanced at each other and then the people on the stage, blinking as if to see if they really were there or, if it was just a figment of their imaginations.

"C-Claire, um, do you see them too?" Massie asked, her voice shaking uncharacteristically.

"Um, yeah Mass." Claire replied, squeezing her best friend's hand.

The girls were so shaken up because, there on the stage, in the flesh was the ghosts of their past, Derrick Harrington and Cameron Fisher, a major part of why they left Westchester in the first place.

"Now," Principal Burns continued, "I would like to invite the class president of the eleventh grade, Massie Block, to welcome these new students."

Massie regained her composure and, with an encouraging nudge from Claire, she rose to her feet and, with a poise and elegance that no other girl possessed, she sauntered towards the stage which was located to the front center of the area.

Putting on her best I-love-you-all-even-though-you-know-I-hate-you smile, She turned towards her former friends and welcomed them.

"Hi you guys. Well, I really don't have much to add after Principal Edwards' amazing speech. All I have to say is, on behalf of the entire eleventh grade class of Covengton Academy, I hope you all feel welcome and make yourself at home." With one last fake smile, Massie made her way off of the stage and back to her seat.

Once out of the spotlight and into the darkness, she collapsed into her seat.

"Claire," she whispered.

"Yeah Mass?"

"I'm in the mood to go clubbing and forget that these bitches are even here."

"I know exactly what you mean... Hey! Why don't the six of us go out. You, Me, James, Callie, Harry and Austin! It'll be fun." she whispered, the smile evident in her voice.

"Mm... Where will we go? I know that the House of Blues is apparently having some kind of amateur showcase tonight... It might be fun." Massie said, her mind already putting together the perfect club outfit.

AN: Okay, well I know I've pretty much abandoned this story. I'm so sorry for that... But, I promise to update this story and hopefully finish it over this summer but, I need feedback so, please read & review :)

3 Kayla

PS: I'll post pictures of the characters on my profile later... okay?