a/n:First story. R&R Hope you like it. Reviews are welcome if they contain an opinion or criticism. I'd like to thank the shan part of shancoot2 for uploading this story! Thanks Shannon!

The Talent Farm

Waiting Room

Thursday, April 10

4:30 p.m.

"Mr. Miles Baime will see you now." said the plastic surgery enhanced face of The Talent Farm's receptionist. Claire guessed that she was about forty, but she was trying to look twenty. "His office is to the left and at the very end of the hallway." She spoke like she thought Claire was from China by spacing her words out.

"Thank you... Robin." Claire said after looking at the woman's name tag. Robin, She thought, what a perfect name to match her beach blonde hair and fake smile. Claire rolled her eyes, almost forgetting how nervous she was.

She walked forward and took a left, her heart beating all the way. She looked at the long hallway. She knew that it was just long enough for her to figure out at least 1,000 reasons why she should be back home on her way to the office.

The first ten reasons had to do with Cam. The next ten- the Pretty Committee. She thought of a few odd and end reasons about her family, OCD, and Layne.

Claire thought that walking down this hallway was like climbing a mountain. You could turn back and go home if the terrain was too tough, or you could take a chance and climb all the way to the top. When you get there, you might either bask in success, or accidentally fall off the edge and plunge to your death.

By now she was at Mr Baime's office door. She moved her hand slowly towards the ornate door knob, wondering if she should open it. Why take this chance when her whole life was back in Westchester? Why take the risk of following her dreams when her life back home was fine?

Claire didn't want to settle for 'fine'. She wanted to be remembered for something, not just for being friends with Massie Block.

In the heat of the moment, she thrust her hand towards the door and opened it. Unaware of what will happen to her if she makes it- just like the mountain.

The Block Estate

Thursday, April 10

6:38 p.m.

When Massie Block woke up on Monday morning, there was a hollow feeling inside her, where drama and excitement used to be. She thought the day would be exciting (it was the PC's -except Claire's- first day back at OCD after they got expelled), but it wasn't. The feeling stayed up until today, which was when she figured out why it was there.

She found out during American History. She'd been thinking about it all week, and then she found out what was wrong.

Nothing! Nothing at all was wrong! Everything was how it was when she'd left it. It's like someone pressed the pause button on her life right before she got expelled. Everyone still worshiped her, she was still the number one trendsetter at OCD, and still got freebies from Sage at her cocktail kiosk, Virgins. But life was useless with out drama (at least, hers was).

Right on cue, her new T Mobile Sidekick started buzzing. Alicia was sending her a text message.ྭ

ALICIA: Omg! Omg! OMG!

MASSIE?????

ALICIA: new mall!

MASSIE: again- ???

ALICIA: ill call u

Seconds later, Massie's Razr started ringing.

"Explain." She said into it.

"Ehmagawd, you will nawt believe this!" Alicia practically screeched into the phone. This must have been big news. At least, big to Alicia.

"I'm sure I will if you ever tell me."

"Okay, fine," She sighed,"There's a new mall opening..." Alicia paused for dramatic effect,"SATURDAY!"

"So?" Massie said, completely distracted by an ad at the top of the web page she was on of a buzzing mosquito.

"So? Mass, this is the mall. My dad knows the guy running it and you will not believe it!"

"I'm sure I will if you ev-"

"Shuddup. Anyway, it's even bigger than the Westchester, and it only has high class stores in it."

"Ooooookay" Massie said, stretching out her 'O' to annoy Alicia.

"Mass!"

"Leesh, I'm just kidding." Massie said, even though she wasn't.

"Good" Alicia said back. "Also, my dad told me that Ralph Lauren will be there to open his-" When Alicia starts to go off on something, Massie usually takes it as a cue to start thinking about something totally different. She knew that malls and Ralph Lauren were her best cues when talking to Alicia. Somewhere after Alicia said, "and the Sephora is so big, it takes up three levels!" Massie knew it! She was going to do something big! Something the girls at OCD have never seen before! Something that would make them forget about 'Claire the Actress'. She didn't know what it was, but it was gonna be big.

"And the Coach store has a-"

"Bye, Leesh." Massie said without an explanation. She didn't care if Alicia was offended, by now she had Her blue and lilac Clairefontaine notebook out, and was planning.