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The Block Estate

3:43 PM, December 5th

Tuesday

"Do you think Alicia will ever get here?" Claire Lyons rubbed her bare arms. Tiny little goose bumps were moving in & staking their territory.

"Of course." Massie checked her T-zone in her YSL compact mirror. She snapped it shut after confirming her forehead was free of stress-induced breakouts. "Alicia is always fifteen minutes late. Which means… she should be here about now." As Massie spoke, a black limo rolled onto the Block's driveway. One of the black windows rolled down cautiously. A stunning girl with a glossy dark high-pony leaned out.

"Sorry Massie! Kristen was MIA for forever. She was in the Montdor building… I dunno why." She smiled brightly. Claire watched the premature worry-lines disappear from Massie's face. There was just, something, about Alicia that made her so hard to be mad at. Her beauty? Her faux-innocence? Who knew.

"Fine." Massie quipped. "Let's head up to my room." She turned on her pointy choos & marched towards the mahogany front door. The rest of the girls filed out of the vehicle. Claire followed last. Massie halted in the dark-wood paneled entry way.

"Alright, outfit check." Massie bellowed. Her good mood was back. She loved outfit checks. The chance to judge her friends on what they were wearing? To see the fear on Claire & Kristen's face? Priceless.

Claire raised her hand cautiously.

"Speak Kuh-laire. This isn't English class." Massie smoothed a wavy piece of hair.

"Why are we rating? I thought this was just a meeting." Claire said sheepishly.

"You would think that." Massie sighed. "It is just a meeting, but we always try to look our best." She pointedly looked down at Claire's feet, which were cased with cheap canvas. "Well, most of us." Claire's face flushed.

"Alicia first." Massie ordered. "Okay, Leesh is wearing a Alexander Wang Resort 2012 drop waist red dress that looks ah-mazing against her tan. Brown tights & boxy tan ankle boots are risky, but tie the whole look together. Congrats, you are a… 9.4!" The girls golf-clapped as Alicia's smile grew.

"Dyl, your up." Massie motioned forward the fiery redhead. "Dylan is looking casual-cute, in a gold silk blouse, courtesy of equipment, and gorgeous vintage Choos. She is a… 9.3! Kristen next." Massie said, noting Claire's uncomfortable wiggle. "Kristen is debuting a soft white drape sweater over navy leggings and Tory Burch gold metallic flats. Congratulations Kristen, 9!"

Massie took her time side-stepping over to Claire.

"And Kuh-laire." Massie said slowly. "Is wearing her puffy blue ski jacket over light wash jeans." She said with exaggerated horror. Light wash jeans were only okay in the summer. And only in the boyfriend style. "Which are flared. Underneath, pale pink keds." Massie shook her head slowly. Claire squirmed. "What do we think girls?" She turned towards the smug PC.

"5" Alicia called, snickering.

"7.5" Kristen said, biting her lip.

"Uh, maybe a six?" Dylan looked away from Claire's pleading eyes.

"I agree with Leesh. Claire, do you know what happens to people who get fives?" Massie said, trying to stop from laughing. She had no true intention of actually punishing Claire, but it was amusing to see her squirm.

"No." Claire drew nervous toe-circles with the rubber part of her shoe.

"We usually exclude them from something. Be it a day at school, a trip to the mall… a vacation…" Massie bit her lip.

"No!" Claire gasped. "I'm sorry I'll go change, please don't say I can't-" Claire blubbered endlessly.

Just when Claire was about to pledge Todd's life, Massie giggled and spoke, "Chill Claire. I'm kidding." Claire sent her a dirty look. Massie shrugged & led the way up the dark hardwood stairs and into her room, not even bothering to have the girls rate her. She was confident in her choice of a Chinese-inspired wrap dress and edgy Stuart Weitzman riding boots.

Massie was proud of her recently renovated room. It had taken days of sleeping in the attic guest bedroom, but it was worth it. Her previously okay-sized room was now combined with one of the other guest rooms next door, and now was at least twice the size. The architects had taken advantage of the high ceilings, and added a small second floor. Centered underneath the balcony was her brand-new canopy bed, covered with lavender drapes & dark purple bedding. Right beside it was her simplistic mahogany bedside-table with her white lamp & silver iHome. On the wall facing the driveway, there were three almost floor-to-ceiling windows with heavy dark purple drapes. On the wall opposite her bed, two white doors bordered her 80-inch flat screen. Door one led to her enormous maze of a walk in, laced with built in shelves & double racks for all of her clothes. Her mannequin (and Bean's!) stood guard just outside. Door number two led to her state-of-the-art white marble bathroom. The dark wood floors of the room hardly showed under the fluffy white rugs that were thrown haphazardly across the floor. It had been thoroughly designed, but all together looked carefree. And entirely chic.

All of the girls flopped down in various spots in the room; Alicia on a furry beanbag, Dylan on the floor, Kristen perched on the curving staircase, and Claire flat across her bed. Massie stood in front of her flat screen and snapped her fingers.

"Kuh-laire, off!" Massie frantically snapped until Claire rose, leaving a Claire-shaped indent in the previously perfect arrangement. Massie sighed.

"Okay, I have a very important announcement to make." Massie broke into a smile. Alicia started tapping her foot. "So, our month long vacation. You know." Massie took her time spinning around, knowing the girls were sick with anticipation. "We'll be leaving on Friday, 4 days from now…." Massie spun around again. "We'll have to get to the airport early… I was thinking maybe leave at-"

"Ehmagawd Massie spit it out." Alicia's foot tapping reached a frenzied tempo.

"Fine. Australia. Happy?" Massie tried to conceal her smile, but lost it when Alicia started dancing around her beanbag chair.

"Given! Given! Given!" Alicia sang. "I knew it!"

"Are you serious?" Claire yelled, temporarily forgetting her pouty face.

"I've always wanted to go to Australia." Kristen mused."

"Me too!" Dylan called. "Wait, where's Australia again? I hope they have good food!"

"Calm." Massie giggle-snorted. "Now, I need help getting our packing lists off the printer. Leesh? Claire?"

"Why do you need-" Massie silenced Claire with a wide-eyed look. The two girls followed her down to the home office on the first floor. Five pre-prepped packets were sitting by the printer. Massie snatched them and motioned the girls to step into the half-bath next to it.

"What's going on?" Claire wailed. "It's dark!"

"E-nuff! I have some secret information." The girls stopped and stared at her. They couldn't resist good intel.

"I convinced Derrington's dad to take them to Australia with us." Massie said softly. "Them, being Cam." Claire squeaked. "Derrington, obvs, and Josh." Alicia's dark irises widened.

"Josh! And Cam! Josh! And Cam!" They started up a chant. Massie stifled them with an amber-colored glare.

"I'm not sure how Dylan & Kris will feel about not having a guy on the trip. So keep this on the DL, okay?" Massie said slowly. The girls nodded, and then ran out up the stairs. They could barely contain their excitement.

A/N: It's up! Yay! Let's go with 10 reviews to get this started J.

Splendeur