The Halls at Briarwood-Octavian Country Day School
October 12th
8:10 AM
Do dodo do…buzzzzzz…do dodo do…buzzzzz. Claire heard her phone vibrate and ring.
Massie: EH. MA. GAWD. Incoming from the corner!Act natch and prepared...
What the heck? Claire thought, confused. She lifted her head, for once glad she was in the middle of a typical early morning traffic jam in the back of the hallway. And then she saw what had caused the puzzling
text message-a tanned arm, long, straight locks of black hair; cherry red-glossed lips, a waft of perfume-
Claire heard some snaps, probably someone snapping his/her fingers, and a few jingles of what she assumed were bangles clashing together. Sure enough, Alicia Rivera, the tanned, raven-haired, half-Spanish
dancer, rounded the corner and stood in the front of the hallway. She blankly stared straight ahead, put her hands on her hips, and gave her best model pout. Two girls followed Alicia, stopped in synchronization at her flanks, and copied her position. Claire would recognize them anywhere-they were Dylan Marvil and Kristen Gregory. This was the first time Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen weren't posed and poised under Massie Block's command. They had been betas (along with Claire) to Massie's alpha for the longest time, but they became Claire's ex-bffs ever since Alicia started her own cheerleading squad instead of loyally sticking to Massie's; Dylan hooked up with Massie's ex-bf Derrick "Derrington" Harrington, and Kristen revealed being friends with Layne "Layme" Abeley and helping the LBR get Dempsey, who was Massie's crush. Massie then removed them from BOCD's A-list clique, the Pretty Committee. Now the PC was only Massie and Claire, and Claire had no idea what Dylan, Alicia, and Kristen were doing. The only idea she had was that if she didn't do something, Alicia would get a full minute or two or even five of envy-staring from the whole grade and therefore be known as the new alpha, which would mean she and especially Massie would be done for.
Ehmagawd ehmagawd ehmagawd was all Claire could think of. That and the occasional thought of MAAASSSSIEEE! WHERE R U!? Where is my BFF? MASSSIE BLOCK! Help! Claire bit her lip and whipped out her phone, her thumbs soaring across the keyboard. Just as she was about to hit Send, a loud, catchy beeping noise rang outside. Most of the girls ran to the window to see what was going on. Claire watched her former buds. Dylan looked calm, but Alicia's glossy pout turned into a wide O of surprise and a nervous expression crossed Kristen's face. Claire tried to take their tension to an advantage and act blasé and aloof as Massie would have, but when she heard the song-like racket again, she pushed herself towards the window and couldn't help standing on her tippy-toes and peeking over the shiny-haired heads. As soon as she saw what had created the somewhat-commotion, she practically jumped for joy. Massie Block had just arrived.
Alicia Rivera's palms began to get very sweaty. She had had the perfect morning-a grand entrance, no other opposing alphas, an ah-mazing outfit, all eyes on her and her betas (but mostly her), etc.-until just now, when everyone's attention was diverted from her and her best friends to a noisy-but-mesmerizing blare outside. Her old, follower self would have been the first to the window to get the morning's gossip to report to Massie. Alicia shook her head as if to eliminate the recall. Massie wasn't here right now, and Alicia was the leader now. She looked at her besties, who were looking at her, than the window, and then back at her; silently asking her what to do. She lifted her chin, looked away, and tried to position herself in the center again. She jingled her bracelets again. To Alicia's relief, Kristen and Dylan did the same, picking up the signal to be nonchalant about the hubbub. But it was too easy to get sucked in to the excitement near the window. Alicia's tall, 5 foot 4 inches-with-3-inch-heels-frame surpassed the shorter heads and she was able to see the end to her perfect morning. Her throat became very dry, her blood just about scorched her skin, and her mouth dropped open. Last night's nightmare was in front of a limo about 50 yards away-Massie Block was here and ready to rule.
Limousine Ride to BOCD
October 12th
7:45 AM-8:10 AM
Massie smiled in satisfaction. It was the most important Monday of her BOCD social life, so she gave Isaac and the Range Rover a break and hired a limo service (which, btw, was sooooo ahmazing) to take her school. She even planned out a majestic, attention-grabbing entrance to let all of BOCD's B-List LBRs that their queen was here. Massie looked out the window. She was about 30 minutes away from school. She didn't have a mirror with her, so she held out her iPhone so it could capture her from head-to-toe, flashed it her infamous devious smile, and snapped her picture. It wasn't perf, but it would still be better than the LBRs' ensembles. She was at least a 9.3 in her favorite James Perse purple sleeveless tube-like top, thin short-sleeved black BCBG button up left unbuttoned except for the last three, silver Hermes scarf, long belt, silver Jimmy Choo high heels, and fitted black leggings. Pure white and golden reddish tan combo eye powder (that matched her eyes) from Sephora made her signature amber eyes look brighter; and black Shu Uemura mascara made her lashes look long and thick. Amethyst purple lip liner and Glossip Girl made her lips look full and plump. Massie's brown hair was pulled into a high side pony and had a new golden-amber streak right next to her old purple one, courtesy of Jakkob. Massie applied a thin coat of gloss after checking the photo again on her phone. She was just about to put her iPhone back in its compartment in her new Louis Vuitton bag when she heard it vibrate. She had forgotten to un-sync her phone from her ex-beta's, Alicia's, so she was surprised to get a list of events. She clicked on it, and a document labeled "Alicia's BOCD Alpha Itinerary" from Alicia's notepad app. came up on the screen. Massie scrolled through Alicia's arrival scheme/"grand" entrance. It read:
Alicia's BOCD Alpha Itinerary
7:00 AM: text/call the girls to meet at my house-this is their wake up call!
*Have them all dressed and ready to go; also have them bring their second and third choice outfits.
7:35 AM: Arrival. Rate me, rate them, etc. no LBRish ensembles allowed!
7:40 A.M.: teach Kris and Dyl signals-i.e., snaps=formation, jingles=watch me and copy, double thigh tap=break formation-and the special route from ride in parking lot to corner of the hallway
7:50 AM: leave for BOCD
8:00 AM: arrive at parking lot-final ratings and exams and checks-go over signals and route; practice run
8:10 AM: alpha appearance!!!!! BPE-best part ever!
The fabulous grin that remained from the picture escaped her face. Alicia's plans reminded her of the images of the most rotten day of her life. They all came back to her in a slideshow-walking into Kris's apartment and spotting Layne and Dune and figuring out Kristen was BFFs with Layne; lying in the fetal position crying until 1 A.M. while listening to audio books on her IPod; seeing Dylan walking across her yard with Derrington and asking her to lift the hold and pushing them both in her giant pool; going to Alicia's and walking in on a practice with Leesh's own cheerleading squad instead of following her own-
Massie shook her head, eliminating her silent mantra. She was an alpha, and alphas always had confidence and never let anyone get to them. Excited but nervous energy buzzed through Massie and reminded her that Alicia wasn't at her side and for years she finally had some competition, even though it was Leesh, who was barely an alpha. She checked the itinerary again. It was about 8:10 AM-time for her foe's appearance from the corner. She sent a text to Claire, who had arrived at the school already, hoping it wasn't too cryptic to let her know what was happening. About 3 minutes later she heard a screech and guessed that they were at BOCD, the home of her empire. Deafening, trumpet-like blares that came from the limo filled her ears. That was her cue. She slipped on her oversized shades, clutched her Louis Vuitton, applied a thick coat of Glossip Girl Chocolate Truffle lip gloss, and stepped out of the limousine.