A/N: hey there. yeah, i'm not exactly new to fanfiction, but this is definitely the first story i've published in years. and the first clique story ever. so... this was honestly just for fun. i've read a lot of massie goes to boarding school stories, but they never really get finished. so one day, i just decided to start my own. you know what they say about fanfictions and writing in general, want to read something specific? write it yourself. so yeah, that's what i did. also, i'm honestly going to say that there's not really much with originality, i mean this has been done so many times, but it's always fun to read. so i present to you, massie attends briarwood academy.

Prologue

"Oh, Massie. There's no need to be so dramatic."

The remnants of bliss from the Block's perfect family dinner at her favorite restaurant, Per Se, faded as Massie realized they had been buttering her up all along for this big reveal. And with the car heading home in full speed, there was nowhere for Massie to stomp off to. This was really happening. The winter truffles she had enjoyed so much earlier churned in her stomach.

Massie could only stare at her mother incredulously. How could they have kept this in the dark from her for so long and not expect her not to put up a fight?

She turned to her father, William Block. Normally, he avoided arguments between the two women he loved like he evaded his in-laws, preferring to be elsewhere far away, usually holed up in his study. But today he was attentive, his expression was solemn, and he was present like Massie had never seen before.

"I'm not being dramatic!" Massie cried out, her voice loud and quite shrill in the enclosed space of the Block's Range Rover. "You're talking about shipping me off to middle of nowhere for who knows how long! It's the middle of the school year. You're ruining my life!"

Across from Massie, William and Kendra Block exchanged a look between each other at their daughter's behavior. This feat was accomplished after years of marriage, and despite all the business trips William attended and various impromptu vacations Kendra planned, they were happily in love. If anything, their decision regarding their daughter had strengthened their marriage. Kendra's smooth hand, adorned with her wedding ring, was resting on William's arm.

"Enough. This behavior will not be tolerated," Kendra finally said, interrupting her daughter's tirade. However, a placating hand of her husband's was placed on her knee and she sighed. "Sweetie, please. You know why this has to be done."

"No, actually. I don't," Massie snapped. She forced herself to ignore the brief look of shock and hurt on her mother's face. She reminded herself that she shouldn't be feeling bad at all, especially when her parents weren't the ones that were going to be spending a year at boarding school.

"Massie, do not speak to your mother that way," William exclaimed. He sighed, pinching his nose. "Boarding school is not the end of the world. It's only for a year and don't think for a second we're going back on our decision."

Massie stared at her father in shock. In all her years, her father had never once spoken to her like that. In his eyes, she was his little angel, though really her halo was hiding her little devil horns. Kendra nodded in complete agreement with her husband.

"This is already done, Massie. And the sooner you accept this, the better. I know you're convinced you can somehow talk your way out of this, but I repeat, this is final," William continued, looking sternly at his only daughter.

Massie could only look back at her parents in disbelief. They honestly expected her to attend boarding school while they traipsed around all of Europe for a year. Without her! She stared at them helplessly. Her parents had never held up a united front before. Her father had never lectured her before. Her parents had never looked so serious, so stern, yet resigned at the same time. For the first time in her life, Massie wasn't sure how to get her way.

"But, but..." She sputtered helplessly. "I'm not prepared! I don't know anything about boarding school!"

Massie's father looked at her grimly and then sighed. "Massie, you've always been intelligent and your grades have always been fine. Briarwood was my Alma matter. I have complete confidence you'll learn the ropes in no time."

William paid no heed to her disbelieving expression. Massie wrinkled her forehead at her father, distressed. That was not what she meant at all. She didn't give two damn cents about academics. She was referring to the social scene!

Massie rolled her eyes. "Dad, you only went there for a year."

Next to him, Kendra nodded. "And you'll only be there for about that long as well."

She was happy Massie was finally waking up from the denial she was in. She smiled and took her daughter's Blue My Mind OPI nail polish painted hand. Kendra gave her daughter a hopeful smile and said, "Briarwood Academy may be one of the top leading schools in the country, but that doesn't mean you can't—"

"But my friends," Massie cut her mother off. She couldn't stress this enough. "You don't understand!"

"That is quite enough, Massie," Kendra said, cutting across her daughter in return. She was growing tired of this. "You'll be able to make new friends. And honestly, this isn't the end of the world, darling. It's not as if this is the first time you've transferred schools, and if I remember correctly, you ended up loving Octavian Country Day…"

But that had been completely different; Massie had swept OCD by storm. Her glossy hair, amber eyes, witty comebacks, and enviable wardrobe had landed her the spot as Alpha of OCD. In all honesty, it was a piece of cake. But, Massie was happy with her position and couldn't even fathom the thought of relinquishing her title. Even for a year.

She was no longer listening to her mother, her eyes clenched tight. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't. She couldn't help it.

Massie let out a sob. One thing was for certain, her life would never be the same again.

It was the Briarwood Academy's party of the year, evident by the turnout of practically anyone who mattered all gathered in Westwood. The thump, thump of the music vibrated the Jack and coke in her hand, but Alicia Rivera couldn't bring herself to sip from it, despite the fact that she was desperate to let go, to let loose.

No. She absolutely could not. Her plan. Her last desperate plan was not yet completely in motion. She could not relax until everything was set into motion. She wouldn't let herself. There was nothing to lose at this point. There was nothing that she wouldn't do to dull the pain inside her, in her heart, pressing against her chest.

The printed colors of her Clover Canyon cocktail dress made her stand out amongst a crowd of girls in sparkly miniskirts. She knew she made the right decision in wearing it. The dress strained against her chest, but that was the point. She had a goal in mind and there was nothing she wouldn't give.

"Alicia!" Olivia Ryan, her bubbly second-in-command barreled into her. Glitter trailed behind her. "There you are! I've been looking all over."

A drunken Olivia was the last thing she needed at this point. Or wanted. Slurring, tripping over her heels, and stinking of rum, Alicia wrinkled her nose at her friend. She peeled herself out of her grasp.

"Not now, Liv," she snapped.

"Wha—wha is it?" slurred her friend, looking confused. Not that that was a shocker.

"None of your business, so stay out of it. Alpha's orders," Alicia told her, shaking her hand in her hair to dislodge the glitter that had come with her friend. She shoved her drink into Olivia's hands.

"That's so unfair," Olivia cried, louder than necessary. A couple on the lounge broke apart and looked around in confusion. Alicia glared fiercely until they resumed their make out session.

"Lower your voice," Alicia hissed, looking around to make sure no one was still paying attention to them.

"You're—you've been weird for like, ever," Olivia told her. Her face was blotchy and red, which meant a shouting match was coming. And tears. Lots of tears. Olivia was a wet drunk. "You've been such a bitch lately! You're not telling us anything anymore you've been super down and super crabby and I swear I saw Josh sitting with Krista Bassett the other day. Is that why you've been worse than Layne Abeley?"

"Oh my god, Liv! Shut up," Alicia cut her off. She grabbed Olivia by her shoulders and shook her. Her heart pounded hard against her rib cage. If Olivia had noticed, had anyone else? Alicia wracked her brain frantically. "It isn't like th—"

Alicia trailed off, spotting the certain blonde head of the person she was waiting for, heading for the keg. "I have to go."

She was already swallowed by the crowd before Olivia could sputter a protest. 'She won't even remember any of it tomorrow,' Alicia thought to herself faintly, making a beeline towards the keg to intercept her target.

Alicia took a deep breath. It was all or nothing now. Coming from behind and partially shielded from the crowd, she would never have a chance to evade Alicia.

"Hey, Claire," she purred. Showtime.

A/N: tada. well, there you go. some things are set into motion. next up: massie arrives at briarwood. once again, this will be a derrick and massie. i'm a sucker for massington. oh, this is rated t for now. rating subject to change. just wanna say right now that i am planning adult themes... so... beware.