Lake Placid, New York

Forever Wild Campsite

Wednesday, February 25th

2:37 P.M.

Massie had never wanted to cry so hard. When the Pretty Committee arrived at the bus after packing their belongings, Mr. Myner was already waiting for them. "You're seven minutes late." He said, obviously annoyed. Mr. Myner was pointing at the OCD bus somewhat lamely.

Massie, who was even madder at Mr. Myner than earlier, responded, "I'm not getting on the bus until you give us all the stuff you took from us. You know; our phones, Palm Pilots, and CLOTHES! Not to mention my extremely expensive mineral water. Because then we'll sue both you and the school because..."

"Just get on the bus!" Alicia hissed in Massie's ear. Then Alicia took Massie by the arm and "helped" her onto the bus. Claire trudged behind with Dylan in tow. Kristen was the only person not making an effort to get on the bus.

"Kristen, actually, just keep standing there," said Mr. Myner, "Your parents will be picking you up." Kristen, obviously shocked, just started bawling her eyes out again.

Claire spoke up for the first time in the past half-hour. "Kris, don't worry, we'll see you when we're back in Westchester, okay?"

Kristen simply nodded and started to wipe her eyes as a response.

A couple minutes later, when Massie, Claire, Dylan, and Alicia had settled into the back seats of the OCD bus, they heard some thunder. Rain began to pour down from the sky. At that exact moment, there was a small screech and the bus started to pull away.

Claire pointed at the window. Just then, Massie saw everyone from the trip waving goodbye. Claire saw Cam first. He was waving and eyes his were bloodshot and almost swollen shut. Then Massie saw Derrington, eyes glassy, running alongside the bus. Claire and Massie exchanged weak smiles when their eyes met.

For the rest of the ride, Dylan and Alicia moved up front, so they could call their parents without disturbing anyone else. Massie and Claire stayed in the back, just being quiet, until they found themselves in the OCD parking lot, with Isaac waiting for them.

The carpool was unusually quiet that day. After Alicia and Dylan had been dropped off at home, Massie felt her cell phone vibrating in her purse. She flipped open her phone, and started to tear up. Wordlessly, she showed Claire the message.

ALICIA: DAD WON'T SUE. WE'RE OVER.

Neither girl could believe her eyes.