Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with "The Clique" or Lisi Harrison, the author. I am not affiliated with Park Hyatt Sydney, or United Airlines.
Massie Block: The most ah-mazing summer of the Pretty Committee's life is about to begin! What could be better than a foreign country, trying new things, catching up on international fashion trends...not to mention Landon will be tagging along! But what happens when a cuter-than-cute beach babe from the sunny shores of Sydney snatches someone's sweetheart?...
Kristen Gregory: For once, she won't be left alone in Westchester! Can't believe her parents are letting her go to Australia for 2 whole weeks. Plus, Dempsey will be along for the ride! Is this too good to be true??
Alicia Rivera: Giving up Spain for Sydney was a total no-brainer...especially now that she knows Josh will be there! But wait...enter Riley, a dare-devil hottie with an accent to die for! He might just be hawter than Hotz...
Dylan Marvil: Beyond psyched for the Clique's trip abroad. Derrick is just as enthusiastic. So cute! Dylan's hoping for a summer of L-U-V...will her mother be there to get in the way??
Claire Lyons: Cam is having doubts about the trip, but Claire can totally change his mind. But once they reach their destination, she realizes that she might be the reason for Cam's uncertainty!
THE BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S BEDROOM
Friday, June 4
3:58 P.M.
Massie Block stepped back and admired her handiwork. The iPad (fondly nicknamed by the Pretty Committee) was in-spired! The walls were covered with maps, lists, charts and pictures. An informational packet waited for each member of the PC, along with a table filled with snacks. Lady Gaga was drifting from Massie's surround-sound speakers. She checked her watch. The girls would be here any second...
Right on cue, Massie heard the click-clack of Jimmy Choos on the hardwood stairs. The door slid open to reveal a dark haired beauty laden down with shopping bags.
"Hey Leesh!" Massie grinned. "Shop much? You said you were almost done packing." Alicia giggled. "I couldn't resist. They were having a sale at Marc Jacobs and C&C!"
Massie gasped. "What?! Are you kidding me? Why didn't I know about this?"
Alicia sighed and plopped her bags on Massie's bed, freeing her arms. "I left you like, 5 messages!"
"Oh," Massie blushed. "I was in the spa. I needed to exfoliate."
"Don't worry," Alicia smiled. "I picked out tons of stuff I thought you might like. That's why I have twice the amount of bags!"
Massie air-clapped. "Yay! You're the best Leesh!"
"I thought I was the best," Dylan said from behind them. Massie chuckled. "You guys all are. Is Kristen here too?
"We're here!" Kristen and Claire appeared in the doorway. "Woah!" Claire exclaimed. "Nice room!" Everyone else looked around. "Ehmagawd, Mass!" Alicia squealed. "I didn't even notice!" Massie sat down on one of the plush cushions she'd had Inez lay out for them. "I thought we should know what we're in for," she replied. Massie motioned for all of them to sit.
Once everyone was seated, Massie passed out the packets. "So," she began. "I have taken the liberty of calling this last-minute meeting, to show you all what awaits us once we get off that plane." The girls began to flip through the pages, while Massie stood up and retrieved a plate of whole-wheat toast spread with molasses-looking stuff. "What is that?" Claire asked, her nose wrinkling. "Who cares?" said Dylan. "I haven't eaten since..." she stopped to count on her fingers. "Well, all I've had today are my meals! Plus that brownie I had before I came..." They looked at her knowingly. "Don't worry," Massie said. "This stuff is healthy." "In that case!" Kristen and Dylan reached for pieces at the same time. Alicia and Claire reluctantly did the same. "This is Vegemite." Massie explained.
Dylan took a bite, then choked. She spit it out in a paper napkin. "Eww!" Alicia squealed. "Dylan!" "What?" Dylan shrugged. "That stuff is wayyy too salty, even for me." Everyone else took a bite. "It's not terrible," Alicia said, chewing slowly. "It reminds me of this dish I had in Barcelona..." Kristen swallowed. "Well, it's okay. At least it's for vegetarians and vegans. Dempsey will like that.
Massie rolled her eyes.
"Well, I'm with Dylan," Claire admitted. "It tastes like just plain salt. Why'd you buy this stuff anyway Massie?"
"Vegemite is an iconic Australian food," she replied. "We'll probably see a lot of people eating it there."
They groaned.
"Well, you'll like this next one," Massie grabbed a package of cookies off the table. "Chocolate!" Dylan clapped. "Yup," Massie stated. "These are Tim-Tams." She passed them around. "They're like chocolate-cream biscuits." "Mmmm," Claire licked her lips. "Now these I can appreciate."
"Okay, so now that I've introduced you to some cuisine, we need to go over a few places that we'll be visiting. First," Massie motioned to a poster on the wall. "The Sydney Opera house!"
"Ooohhh, aahhh!" Dylan giggled.
Massie smiled. "The Royal Botanic Gardens!" She pointed to a large print that hung from the chandelier. This time, everyone "ooohed" and "aahhed".
"And last, and least," Massie unrolled a poster. "Chinatown."
Alicia winced. "We're schlupping all the way out to dirty Chinatown?"
Claire and Kristen rolled their eyes. "Relax, guys." Kristen assured them. "Don't judge a book by it's cover." They sighed. "If you say so," said Massie. "Anyway, this meeting is officially ajourned, since we all should go and finish packing. They all got up and stretched. Massie graciously accepted hugs and "Ehmagawd, I can't wait!!"s from them all. "See you guys here, Monday, 7 A.M."
she called as they left. Normally, she felt lonely and bored after her friends went home, but she was too overwhelmed for that! Massie called Inez over the speaker in her room, to help clean up the bedroom. She flopped down on her bed and sighed. One more day she thought. Reluctantly, she got up and started going through the clothes and accessories that Alicia had left her. Once she saw all the cute camisoles and gorgeous sundresses that were there, her spirits lifted.
This is gonna be so great!!
