Chapter One

Massie Block glanced at her digital clock. It was 12:18, past midnight. She couldn't believe she was up this late. But she had to. In twelve minutes, she was going to meet Derrington at his place.

Twelve minutes! she thought, Shoot! I have to get dressed! She ripped off the cami and boy shorts she was wearing and slipped on the formerly-picked-out outfit of a black Chanel miniskirt, gray Louis Vuitton halter top, and silver Jimmy Choo gladiator sandals, and about five silver Tiffany bangles with matching hoop earrings. She quickly applied her makeup and pulled her hair into a loose side ponytail. She looked adorable, and was totally ready to meet Derrington.

"Nine-point-seven," she whispered to herself. She could have looked much more flawless, but she was still tired and that gave her eyes a reddish tint.

As she walked down the hall past her parents' room, her bracelets seemed to clank louder and louder. She winced with every step, but was trying to be quiet. This was the one thing she wasn't being successful at.

As she closed the door behind her, she started to freak out. How would she get to her boyfriend's house from here? She didn't know the way. If only she had a map...

Then it hit her. She pulled out her iPhone and looked up a map of Westchester. She knew what street he lived on, and which house was his, so now all she had to do was get to the right place.

It strained Massie's eyes to look at the street signs in the darkness of the night, but it was fine. She knew she was doing this for the love of Derrington, and she definitely did love him. Even though they'd had troubles, like breaking up, Massie dating other guys, and Massie moving to England and back, but in the end they got back together, and Massie didn't want him to slip away again. If they broke up, it would ruin the whole summer.

"Hey, Block," someone whispered in Massie's ear. She almost screamed, but a hand covered her mouth. "Calm down," said the guy, "It's just me." His hand dropped.

"Oh, hey Derrick."

"Dang it, Block. You got your lip stuff all over my hand!" He bent down and shook his hand in the bushes.

"Well, you wiped it right off my mouth, and now I look awful." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"You never look awful, Massie."

Then they kissed. Massie knew it was coming, since he used her real name. Her lips moved in perfect symphony with his.

But then, the motion-censored light in front of the Harringtons' house turned on.

"Behind the bushes!" Derrington demanded. Massie ducked down with him.

Mrs. Harrington came out, dressed in curlers and a bathrobe. Massie let out a small giggle; Derrington's mom looked hilarious.

"Shut up," hissed Derrington. "We'll get caught!"

"Sorry," Massie murmured. Ugh, she thought. She hated apologizing.

Mrs. Harrington went back inside, and the couple came out from the hedge.

"Okay, that was way too close!" said Massie. "I have to go—I don't want to get grounded... again." Lately Massie had been getting grounded for doing "rebellious" things, such as sneaking out.

"Okay," Derrington sighed, "Can I at least give you a good bye kiss?"

"You'll see me tomorrow at Kristen's party, you dork!"

"Kristen's party?" He looked confused.

"Oh yeah," Massie said, "Kristen's having a party tomorrow at the Y. Don't tell her it's a lame location, got it? Seven o' clock."

"Okay." They kissed again, then Massie rushed home.

"Massie," said Kendra, looking angry. "This is the eleventh time this summer you've gotten grounded."

Massie nodded. It was true.

"It's gone too far, sweetheart." Though William's wording suggested he loved his daughter, his tone begged to differ.

"Okay, I'll agree with that," Massie said. Maybe agreeing would allow her to go to the party. Her parents loved it when Massie agreed.

"We think that maybe grounding simply isn't having a good enough effect on you," said Kendra.

"Oh, but Mom, it soooo is! I've been having a terrible time, without my credit card, or going out, or taking Bean for her walks, or whatever. Worst summer ever," Massie lied. This is major butt-kiss. They HAVE to let me go to the party! she thought, hoping telepathic powers would work.

"We don't want you to have a bad summer, Massie," William explained. Oops. "That's why we don't want you to keep on getting grounded."

"Massie, we decided—"

"Mom, just let me go to the party, please, please, puh-lease!" Massie begged. It was her last resort.

"This isn't about the party, sweetheart," William said with a slightly sad look in his eyes.

"Massie—" Kendra paused and sighed. "We're sending you to military school."