Octavian Country Day School

The Cafe

Monday, July 15th

9:25

Massie Block could see her reflection from the side of her compact mirror. Her newly permed hair, shiny and glossy, her cheeks flushed, her makeup gorgeous and her pout mind-shattering. Claire Lyons sat next to her, equally as beautiful, except she was blonde, and way paler. "When is this seminar gonna start anyways?" She asked Claire impatiently. Her hair was already deflating, and she had to look perfect when the teachers were coming in. Claire shrugged and whispered, "Dunno. 5 minutes?" Massie's heart was thudding quickly. In exactly 5 minutes, her future life would be determined. She clenched her manicured hand tightly, to stop herself from hyperventilating. Claire was nervous too. But she managed to hide the nervousness by thinking of happy moments. Massie and the PC's sleepovers. Cam and his gummies. Todd and his pranks. Suddenly, the lights in the Cafe turned dim. Hushed whispers fell from every corner beside them. It was time.

"Welcome to OCD," Alicia Rivera, one of Massie and Claire's best friends said at the podium, "And today is a special day." She changed her weight from one leg to another, "As you know, teachers from Alpha Academy have been testing each student here equally. 10 students with the highest score will leave OCD to go to Alpha Academy, a much more prestigious school than OCD." Massie could see Principal Burns glaring at Alicia. But Alicia, naturally flawless at making speeches continued, "And today we shall announce the scores."

She started announcing the names. Claire clapped nervously for Dempsey, whom Massie had a small crush on, but yet wouldn't admit it. Massie clapped excitedly, but since Dempsey was leaving, she better be leaving too. "And Number 5- Kristen Gregory." A small cheer came from Table 16- which consisted of Massie, Claire, Dylan and Kristen. Kristen was flushed red. All that studying has finally paid off! Claire felt good for her friend, but also jealous. Why didn't Alicia announce her name yet? "Number 6- Meena Dale." Claire looked around for Meena, who was a close friend of hers. Where was she? Principal Burns stood up and whispered in Alicia's ear. Alicia nodded and continued reading the list, "Number 7- Claire Lyons!"

Massie gave Claire a quick hug. This time, she felt a little sad. 2 of her best friends were leaving- as well as her crush! That wasn't fair, especially since she couldn't go as well. "Number 8- Jo-Josh Hotz." She could see Alicia quivering. Josh was Alicia's BF, and they were very close. Alicia cleared her throat and continued reading the list, "Number 9- Griffin..." She couldn't say his last name, 'cause the whole Table 14 was standing up and clapping for the goth boy, or known as Kristen's ex-bf. Massie could feel Kristen deflating from the opposite side of the table. Alicia cleared her throat again, "And Number 10..."

She was praying hard. Very hard. So hard that her knuckles turned white. "Massie Block, Massie block, Massie Block." She prayed.

"Louisa Veelance."

Massie thumped the table hard. The rest of the PC looked at her, shocked. Whoever the hell was Louisa Veelance? Why wasn't it Massie Block? Claire gave a sympathetic glance at Massie, "It'll be OK. You'll be here with Alicia and Dylan and Cam and Derrington." She glanced sullenly at Cam, "I wish he was going." Massie ignored Claire and continued shooting death arrows at Principal Burns. She knew she was a B- student, but so? She ruled the school. She was an alpha! Dylan inched over to her, "It'll be OK Mass."

"Did you just win a trillion dollars and a cover shoot, Dyl?" Massie asked sarcastically.

"Um, no."

"Then why'd you think I'm jealous?"

The PC only snickered. It wasn't that funny, and Claire knew she was still jealous. Claire looked down at her hands and tried to think about all the things at Alpha Academy. A fresh new start. Maybe she could start a new clique. After all, it wouldn't be Orlando-LBR-Kuh-Laire, but Westchester-pretty-Claire. And that made a giant difference. But could she bear leaving the PC and her family behind? And most of all- Cam? Claire cleared her thoughts again. This was a huge opportunity. People would die to take her place A.K.A. Massie. Suddenly, she heard a throat clearing from the podium. Alicia.

"Hey guys. Sorry 'bout this. But there's been a, well, short change. Meena Dale has left Westchester, and Number 6 is now open again," Alicia said, winking at Josh slightly. Massie clenched her fists again. Massie Block, Massie Block, Massie Block. Her head was spinning from all that praying.

"And Number 6 is..."