"Ugh, it's so hot here, I'm like sweating to death in this jacket," a cheerleader girl whined. The winter clothes we were wearing were better suited to the NYC climate (where we were going) than the sunny California weather here.

We were waiting in the airport for the last few straggling classmates to arrive. My school was hosting a field trip to New York City over winter break, and most of the students had signed up for it. Next to me, my best friend, Mia Warren, showed the third member of our trio, Payton, a picture of the robin egg's blue sweater she was going to order off Shopbop on her phone. The cheerleader girl continued whining to her friends about the weather. A DJ guy unplugged his giant headphones from his smartphone, unleashing a raucous stream of music into the air while a hip hop girl and guy bobbed their heads to the music. Two prep girls sipped their peppermint spice lattes.

I pulled out my iPhone to text my boyfriend, Wes, and ask if he was coming soon, but suddenly I was jostled from behind as the prep girl next to me spilled the contents of her latte all over my (new) Vivienne Westwood sweater.

"OMG! I'm so sorry!" the prep girl cried, her Cartier bracelets sliding up and down her thin wrists as her hands shook. But my eyes weren't focused on her—rather, on the girl behind her.

Autumn Brooks.

"Oops, I guess I must have tripped and accidently pushed you," Autumn remarked to the prep girl. "Silly me! I'm so clumsy!"

While Autumn's face looked apologetic, I knew better than that. She had probably done it on purpose. Autumn had had it out for me ever since Wes chose to date me instead of her. And when a new girl, Kallie, had started dating her ex, Julian, Autumn had gone on the warpath after her as well.

But I wasn't the type of girl who took things standing down. Which was why Autumn was now the biggest social pariah at this school. Now, the only people who talked to her were Payton (who was much too nice for her own good) and, much to my chagrin, Wes. No matter how hard I tried to convince him about Autumn's true nature, he still held on to his soft spot for her.

Mia glared at Autumn while she and Payton quickly gathered up some napkins and helped me wipe my sweater off. But the damage was done. My formerly pristine, snow white sweater was now marred with a large, ugly brown stain.

"Hey, Autumn, are you a peanut butter-flavored candy bar?" I snapped.

Autumn's thin brows quirked up in confusion. "Huh? No?"

"Then why are you such a Butterfinger?"

Mia, the prep girls, and the cheerleaders laughed. Autumn's face turned red as she stomped away from us.

"Hey!" Payton cried. "Don't wander off too far! You might miss the plane!"

"Actually, that would be a good thing," I spoke quietly to Mia.

She snickered. "Don't you know it."

"Ugh, I have to go off and buy a new sweater before Wes sees," I frowned. In the distance, I could see a red-haired girl approaching us. Instantly, I had an idea. Walking briskly, I met up with her.

"Kallie!" I chirped.

"Hey!" Kallie replied. She looked at my sweater. "What happened to you?"

"Long story," I muttered. "But enough about that. I'm getting a new one. Come with?" I gave my inviting "Honor Roll student" smile.

"Sure!" Kallie chirped.

We walked until I glimpsed a duty-free Moschino shop.

"Hello! Would you like to try our new fragrance?" a salesgirl asked, her red lipsticked-mouth forming a large fake smile.

"No thanks," I replied. At the same time, Kallie said "Sure!"

As the salesgirl spritzed Kallie with Moschino Toy, I moved onto the racks of clothes until I found a scoop-necked long-sleeved sweater, this time in dark brown, which would be less drastic than white if, God forbid, Autumn stained it again.

"Kallie, come over here, please," I announced. As Kallie trooped over, I picked off a V-neck forest green sweater and a pair of low-rise dark-wash skinny jeans. "Try these on."

Kallie exited the dressing room. "Uh, I feel awkward." She blushed.

"You look ahmazing. Julian won't know what hit him," I smiled. "You are so getting that."

After she changed back into her regular clothes, Kallie turned the price tag over and her eyes widened. "I couldn't possibly."

"Nonsense," I held out a hand, collecting the outfit from her. "I insist."

"But—" Kallie began. However, I had already whipped out my black AmEx and had started paying for the items.

"Consider it a welcoming gift," I smiled invitingly at her. "Mia, Payton, and I would like you to go shopping with us in New York, too."

"Really?" Kallie asked. "Stupendous!"

I laughed and linked arms with her. "We have to look out for each other," I said in a conspirational tone. "With girls like Autumn going after our boyfriends, it's imperative that we have each other's backs." And when Julian saw Kallie in that outfit, I just knew Autumn would be green with envy. Which was why I had picked it out, of course.