ONE-SHOT

"Hey, Alicia!" Claire called to her across the cafeteria, "We saved you a seat!"

Massie followed her friend over to their table. She sat between Dylan and Kristen.

Claire was chewing on some sours that Cam had given her and slurping a thick milkshake from the Starbucks stand in the food court. Dylan was chomping on a granola bar and sipping her vanilla latte. Kristen was eating grapes and had a half-full bottle of water sitting next to her. Alicia pulled a protein drink out of her Gucci bag and drank it silently.

"What is that LBR doing here?" Claire asked Dylan, just loud enough that Massie caught what she was saying. She felt the confusion become apparent on her face.

Dylan shrugged.

Claire gathered her things and motioned for the others to do the same. Massie took this opportunity to survey their outfits. Alicia was dressed in her signature Seven jeans, Calvin ankle boots, a Juicy sweater in a jewel tone that complimented her complexion, and a knotted chunk of gold and silver chains hung around her neck. Dylan straightened her custom tee-shirt dress from her mom's personal seamstress and slung her Coach over her shoulder. Kristen was in her Abercrombie & Fitch mini and a red v-neck sweater, with a Juicy wristlet in her hand. Clair looked more magnificent than Massie had ever seen her; she looked like she had walked out of Massie's closet. New light wash Sevens adorned her skinny figure, and a Jessica Simpson multi-colored striped cardigan covered her Calvin Klein black camisole. A big daisy pin was attached to the lapel of the sweater, and as she grabbed the handle of her new Juicy tote and sauntered off, Massie wondered what had just happened.

They sat down at another empty table, and Massie followed, this time not taking a seat, but choosing to ask what had happened first.

"Guys, what's wrong?"

Alicia laughed.

"Do you need somewhere to sit?" she asked. Massie nodded.

She pointed to where Layne, Livvy, and Alexandra sat. "I'm sure they have room over there."

Everyone laughed. Everyone except Massie.

"Claire? C'mon, are you mad at me?"

"Mad? How could I be mad at you?"

Massie felt relief wash over her.

"I don't even talk to you."

Massie felt like crying.

"But you live in my guesthouse," she tried.

"Yeah, Massie. And I'm moving into the mansion tomorrow."

"What mansion?"

"The one we've been building ever since my dad got the raise."

"Oh."

"Yes, now, run along."

Massie started feeling angry, and lunged toward Claire.

"Massie, is this a barbecue?"

"Huh? No."

"Then why are you all up in my grill."

Everyone laughed again. Massie felt tears welling in her eyes.

Kristen got up, took Massie's hand, led her to Layne's table, and picked up a handful of Layne's cheese fries- her new obsession. She nibbled on one, and then spit it right on the ground. "Ew." She dumped the rest on Massie head. She pushed Massie, who lost her balance, and fell back into Strawberry, who was carrying her tray back to her table. Her salad fell on Massie too, and she screamed.

She awoke, panicked and covered in sweat. She looked around the iPad- no sign of Claire. She opened her closet to make sure her ah-mazing wardrobe was still there. Sighing to herself, she crawled into her bed, repeating to herself, It was just a dream, it was just a dream, it was just a…