The Elites
Welcome to the small town of Westchester, New York where status and money are everything and even new money is looked down upon. Along with the influential adults of Westchester, the teenagers rule the scene in their own rights from Bellaire Academy to St. Marchere Prep. Among the most notorious is Massie Armania Block herself.
Block Estate
Massie Armania Block surveyed her Versace crimson colored silk flare dress in her floor length mirror critically, wondering if she had made the correct choice for her mother's charity gala and banquet being held downstairs in the grand room. Massie was considered beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful at Bellaire, alongside Alicia Rivera and Claire Lyons, of course. Her long, dark chocolate curls fell to her waist and framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. She had a slim figure and a pair of striking amber eyes that could freeze anyone in their steps. That particular night, her hair was expertly curled and positioned so it hung over her left shoulder. Her eyes were lined with gold glitter and her lips shellacked with deep red Revlon lipstick. She looked amazing and she knew it. Grasping a fire engine red Marc Jacobs clutch, Massie turned off the lights to her larger than necessary bedroom and click-clacked her way downstairs where her best friends were most likely waiting.
First in view was Alicia Marianna Rivera. The Spanish beauty had long, inky black waves and a pair of caramel hued eyes that boys fell in love with. Her figure was arguably the best in Westchester, though she still managed to remain remarkably thin. Her tanned skin glistened and was accentuated by her cream colored Alexander McQueen mini dress and brown felt Cole Haan ankle boots. Massie felt a slight sting of jealously as she re-focused her attention on her other best friend, Dylan Marvil.
Dylan Alexia Marvil, the youngest of three sisters and daughter of Merri- Lee Marvil, stood next to Alicia in an emerald green halter knee length dress from Betsey Johnson and strappy gold Prada heels. Her long, deep red curls were straightened for the occasion and hung down her back, almost to her waist. Her emerald green eyes glistened against her slightly tanned skin as they glared down at her iPhone in frustration.
Claire Stacey Lyons stood near Dylan, her head high and her nose upturned. Her long light blond waves flowed around her like a flaxen curtain and her grey-blue eyes glistened, framed by thick black lashes. She was clad in a Missoni sapphire blue one shoulder jersey dress, which suited her perfectly. Her hair was in an updo and she looked tense. As if she knew something was about to happen.
Last came Kristen Michelle Gregory, the golden girl of Westchester. Her long dirty-blond hair was in a mess of curls around her face and her aquamarine, almost turquoise eyes, flashed. Massie surveyed Kristen's purple chiffon mini dress, but she personally thought that it didn't fit Kristen.
"Hey," Massie greeted warmly, heading towards her friends, who were crowded around the oak table in the foyer. "You all look ah-mazing." Alicia smirked at the compliment and glanced up from her Blackberry.
"Don't we always?" She teased. "I have gossip." Massie rolled her eyes playfully.
"Couldn't it wait?" Claire laughed good-naturedly. Claire and Alicia were the best friends of the groups, practically joined at the hip. Sometimes, it somewhat bothered Massie. Alicia shook her head and looked back down at her phone.
"Skye Hamilton is back in Westchester," Alicia announced in a hushed tone. "Remember? The girl we practically ran out of Westchester?" Massie was shocked.
"Skye?" She echoed. "Why the hell would she come back?"
"Her father got a promotion here," Alicia hissed. "This is just great. Skye and Josh had a fling before she moved and now…"
"Josh wouldn't go for Skye again," Kristen assured her. "Out of sight out of mind." Kristen flipped her curls confidently as she continued. "Skye's a has-been, so who even cares if she's back?"
"Yeah, an extremely attractive has been," Dylan snapped. "Everyone loved her." Massie sighed.
"Is she coming to the ball?" She wondered aloud. "My mom didn't mention the Hamilton's arrival." Alicia shrugged.
"Maybe they aren't coming," She offered. "Who knows?"
"I hope not," Claire said. "She hated me the most I'm sure." Skye and Claire had never gotten along, even though at one point, Skye had been in the Elites. They had all loved her until Massie took over as Alpha and Skye didn't go down without a fight. She stole Josh from Alicia, stole Kristen's class presidency and role as Valedictorian and tried to steal Cam as well.
"She's making a big mistake showing her face here," Kristen said darkly. "She'd better watch her step." Massie nodded and ran her fingers through her hair, letting her frustration show.
"I don't have time to think about Skye and who she is anymore," She said angrily. "Let's go have a good time. Skye is dead to us."
Skye Brianna Hamilton knew she looked amazing. Her gold, shimmering Diane Von Furstenberg mini dress looked great against her newly tanned skin and brought out her turquoise colored eyes. She had gotten even more gorgeous since she'd last been in Westchester and her golden blond waves spoke for themselves. Deep down though, she was nervous. She hadn't seen her ex-friends in seven months and she knew things would be volatile after everything that had happened. Sometimes, Skye felt bad for stealing Josh from Alicia, who had been her closest friend in the Clique. She felt bad for cozying up to Cam by telling him lies about Claire. But she would never feel sorry for going against Massie, Dylan, or Kristen. Massie had humiliated her and taken her crown. Dylan had tried to steal Kemp from her and Kristen had always looked down her. Out of everyone, Skye had felt the least close to Kristen, whom had always been jealous of her.
"Skye darling we're leaving." Natasha Leone-Hamilton came around the corner, clad in an Oscar de La Renta off-white lace gown that was much too extravagant for the Block's ball, but extremely gorgeous. Skye turned towards her mother and smiled. "I'm ready."
Alicia Rivera smoothed her long black hair as she stood in the corner of the Block's grand room, bored out of her mind. Massie was busy greeting guests with her mother, Claire was in the bathroom, Dylan was at the food table (of course) and Kristen was nowhere to be found. And Alicia was alone. Alicia was old money, her father being a world famous CEO and criminal lawyer and her mother being a Spanish model and a clothing designer. She had more than enough money, and many thought of her as richer than Massie Block herself. She had everything she could possibly want and the most lenient parents in the world. But her boyfriend had been a strayer and everyone knew it.
When Skye had still been in Westchester, it was obvious Josh Hotz had been falling for her. She was beautiful, no doubt, a different sort of beautiful than Alicia was. But, Alicia had considered Skye her closest friend in the Elites and Skye had betrayed her, all because she wanted her alpha status more than she wanted her friends. Alicia shook her head slowly, refusing to dwell anymore on the situation. When Skye was banished, Alicia had become extremely close to Claire Lyons. The dynamic duo were considered the two hottest girls at school with Massie in third place (something the amber eyed girl hated more than anything). They were considered free spirits and when the other girls weren't around, they did everything together. But Alicia still couldn't erase what Skye meant to her out of her mind.
"I'm back," Claire Lyons announced suddenly, holding a sparkling grape juice in one hand and a blueberry scone in the other. "These scones are ah-mazing. Want me to get you one?" Alicia shook her head as the grand room door opened up once again and a tall blonde woman clad in an Oscar De La Renta dress waltzed through the door. Alicia's blood ran cold.
"She's here," She hissed, elbowing Claire. "The Hamiltons have arrived." Claire turned quickly and surveyed the arriving family critically.
"Why does Mrs. Hamilton look like she's going to a wedding?" Claire snorted rudely. "And Geoffrey looks bored out of his mind. That brown suit doesn't do him any favors." Alicia wanted to laugh but suddenly she didn't remember how. The girl who had thrown away their friendship for status sauntered into the center of the ballroom in a shiny gold mini dress that suited her, but was slightly flashy. Her signature blond curls flew behind her as she hurried to greet whomever she could. Her turquoise blue eyes sparkled. She looked great.
"Ugh," Claire groaned, looking around the room. "Where's Massie when you need her?"
"Right here," the amber eyed beauty said, suddenly appearing behind them. "We have to destroy her." Alicia sighed and tried not to appear nervous at the idea of destroying her former friend.
"How?" Claire asked. "She's gorgeous and from the looks of it, everyone still loves her. She's picking up right where she left off." Massie glared viciously towards Skye, who had yet to notice or approach her former friends.
"Not if I can help it," Massie muttered. "Where's Kristen?"
"She's not in here." Claire asked, glancing around. "I know Dylan's still getting some food." Massie sighed in annoyance. She needed all her girls there and Kristen was wandering around somewhere.
"I'll find her later," Massie said harshly. "Let's confront Skye."
"I'd rather not," Alicia responded bitterly. "Let her approach us. She did steal my boyfriend." Massie turned towards her friend, her eyes full of fire.
"Come on," She insisted. "You don't even have to say anything. I want to set the record straight." With that, Massie led the charge towards where Skye was standing near the wall, her eyes full of life. Massie folded her arms across her chest and glared deep into her former friend's eyes.
"Welcome back, bitch," Massie said, a smile on her face. Claire laughed and Alicia smiled slightly. Skye looked up, recognition written all over her flawless face. She glanced at Alicia for a split second, then looked back at Massie in defiance.
"Some welcome," Skye snapped. "I'm back to claim what's mine."
"You mean what used to be yours," Massie corrected laughingly. "Everything has changed since you left. And for the better. If you don't move now, I suggest you stay here and keep your mouth shut." Skye looked taken aback, almost as if she had expected a friendlier reception from the Elites.
"It was a mistake," Skye said firmly. "One I have come to terms with. Let's start over." She was looking straight at Alicia when she said it, but Alicia remained frozen, her eyes straight ahead. She refused to give Skye the satisfaction.
"You stabbed everyone in the back and Alicia will never trust you again," Massie snapped. "You've lost everything and all you have left are your looks. And even that doesn't mean much when compared to someone like me or Alicia." Massie smirked devilishly while Claire nodded, a show of perfect solidarity. Skye cleared her throat as Dylan came towards the group, finishing off her shrimp cocktail.
"Hey," She said aloofly, her jade eyes raking over Skye's flashy outfit. "I didn't know you were invited." Massie smiled to herself. She could always count on Dylan to deliver back-handed compliments and slight passive-aggressive digs when necessary while she herself was outright aggressive. They made a perfect pair.
"It was kinda last minute," Skye admitted, almost nervously. Massie could practically see the vein near Skye's temple throbbing as she faced all her former confidantes who knew any and everything about her.
"Of course it was," Dylan snipped, standing on the other side of Alicia. "So what exactly are you doing here?"
"My father was offered a promotion and a huge deal for his corporation if he moved back here," Skye explained, her eyes tight. "My mother re-bought the Body Alive Studio from the Ryans and we moved into the same gated community we resided in months ago. You guys didn't get rid of me." Skye smiled and took a dainty sip of her sparkling water as Massie glared furiously at her. Months ago, Massie had considered Skye her biggest rival. Skye had been alpha of Bellaire Academy for years and Massie was tired of being beta and just another pretty girl in Skye's clique. The two had battled it out until Massie finally got what she wanted from Skye which was the title of Alpha at Bellaire. She had successfully run Skye out of Westchester and even got her parents to coerce the Hamilton's to move elsewhere. She had figured her plan to be foolproof. But she had sadly miscalculated Skye's fierceness and determination.
"Welcome back then," Massie said icily. "Good luck."
Skye frowned and cocked her head to the side. "Luck? What're you talking about?"
Massie shrugged her thin shoulders and snapped her fingers, letting the others know it was time to go.
"Let's go," She said, ignoring Skye's question. "The boys are here."
Claire Stacey Lyons awoke the next morning, her eyes bleary and her heart thumping nervously. The ball had been a success, no doubt, but Claire was scared that Alicia and Skye would make up and she would lose her closest friend. The first day back at Bellaire meant that Claire had to look better than anyone, besides Massie herself. Claire's father was Jay Lyons, who worked in partnership with Antonio Rivera and William Block as a CEO. Her mother was French model and actress Evelyn Deanda Lyons, who was only thirty-two years old. Evelyn had birthed Claire at the age of sixteen in France seventeen years ago. Claire knew nothing about her birth father and her mother never mentioned him. When Claire was ten, Jay Lyons was in France on a business trip and had crossed paths with Evelyn after she had just recently wrapped a movie. The two had fallen in love and all three of them had moved back to Jay's home in Westchester, New York. Her mother was young and histrionic, having had a child at such an early age, so Claire had been raised by her grandmother, Adele, and her nanny, Lisette. Lisette had moved to America with them, but Adele had stayed behind. As an only child to a European mother and a rich, adoring step-father, Claire was pampered and spoiled, but wasn't nearly as bad as some of the children in Westchester. She had certain values that she had adopted from her grandmother and even her former nanny, Lisette. Lisette was in charge of housekeeping now that Claire was seventeen and not in need of someone to look after her.
Jay Lyons had a daughter, whom was Claire's step-sister. Her name was Leona and she was the child of Jay's first wife, Leticia. After a nasty and very public divorce, Jay had remarried, though Leona was very much a part of Claire's life. Leona was eighteen years old and absolutely stunning. She had jet black hair, deep, dark blue eyes that seemed to have hints of violet, and a pale, yet gorgeous complexion. She was accomplished in so many ways that Claire wasn't and Claire couldn't help but feel jealous of her at times. Leona was nice enough, but they didn't have the special bond Claire felt she had with, say, Alicia Rivera or even Massie Block.
Evelyn Lyons still did movies from time to time and still modeled and designed her own clothes. She had more than enough money, and combined with Jay's ridiculous amount of money, the Lyons were drowning in it as the wealthiest family in Westchester, second only to Antonio and Nadia Rivera. Evelyn didn't quite fit in with the ladies of Westchester. She was at least ten years younger than them and mainly spoke French, which the other ladies failed to understand or care for. At her age, she acted more like a teenager than a mature adult and was often criticized for allowing Claire to run wild, as early as ninth grade. She was the most lenient parent in all of Westchester, probably because she didn't truly know how to be a parent.
Claire quickly changed into a pair of dark wash skinny jeans from Skinny for All Mankind and a black Betsey Johnson ruffle shirt that was sleeveless. She paired all of it with a pair of lacey black Mui Mui ankle boots and an oversized Michael Kors black hobo bag. It was simple, yet gorgeous. She tousled her blond curls and let her naked face speak for itself. She was flawless even without makeup.
Alicia Rivera tugged at her burnt orange Charlotte Ronson tunic that she'd paired with chocolate colored straight legged skinny Sevens and suede Christian Lacroix pumps. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and her makeup consisted of nude lip color, gold and green eyeshadow and a layer of foundation. She looked very fall-esque. She looked up at Bellaire Academy, the school she had attended since she was five years old. Bellaire was a huge French-Italian ornate mansion turned school. The elementary and middle school occupied a whole separate building than the main parts. Alicia climbed the steps and walked past the huge columns before making her way inside the elaborate school. She stood in the entryway waiting for her friends to arrive. A double winding marble staircase led to the classrooms upstairs while the dining halls and conservatory were located straight ahead, under the staircases. A ballroom was located off the main entryway which served as an auditorium. On the roof there was a large pool and there were football and soccer arenas both inside and outside. The parlors located around the school served as meeting rooms for any clubs that the school offered. There were cafes and restaurants located on the first floor along with a movie theater, several libraries and computer rooms and so much more. The school was definitely worth the thousands of dollars it demanded per month.
Massie Block soon waltzed in from the side door entrance, her eyes cold and proud. Her navy blue Pucci high-low maxi dress looked ah-mazing against her skin tone along with a pair of silver gladiator sandals that looked to be from Henley. Massie's enviable chocolate waves were pulled into a loose side ponytail and silver chandelier Bvlgari earrings hung from her earlobes. She looked gorgeous.
"Hey," Alicia greeted her best friend. "What do you have first period?"
"Organic Chemistry," Massie announced, a grimace on her face. "My mother made me. What about you?"
"AP French," Alicia answered.
"Kris and Dyl have first period with you," Massie said. "They texted me their schedules this morning. Where's Claire? Doesn't she usually ride with you?"
"She said she's gonna be late," Alicia answered as several B-list girls peered curiously at the Alpha and her beta conversing in the entryway. "And she has Honors Rhetoric." Massie rolled her eyes. Claire was always taking the dumbest classes that wouldn't help her at all in the long run. It was a wonder she'd even have all her required credits by the end of the year.
"Whatever," Massie giggled. "Let's go to the Starbucks kiosk before first period." The two girls sauntered down the marble hallway, well aware of everyone's envious eyes on them. Bellaire was for the richest of the rich and everything was paid for. Lunch was free, fieldtrips were free, and practically everything was free because of the sky-high tuition.
Skye Hamilton was located near the Starbucks kiosk, conversing with Joshua Hotz and Olivia Ryan. Alicia bristled while Massie rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"She's really pushing it," She muttered to Alicia as she waited in line. "What's her obsession with Josh anyway?" Alicia shrugged and turned away, her eyes tight. She hated seeing Josh with Skye because everyone knew Josh was infatuated with her. It was annoying and heartbreaking to watch, considering Alicia still had feelings for him. Sometimes, it was hard to believe that Skye had ever been her friend, considering how much of a social climber and coquette she was. Skye and Josh looked up at the sight of Massie and Alicia. Skye smiled angelically while Josh's features remained blank. He looked away from Alicia's piercing gaze and focused his attention on Olivia, Skye's new best friend. Despite family disagreements, it seemed as if Skye had taken Olivia under her wing.
"Wow," Massie snorted. "The Hamiltons practically took Body Alive from the Ryans and now the two of them are friends? How pathetic." Alicia smiled.
"It's a matter of convenience," She answered. "Skye was always like that." And she was. Skye could be a great friend just as much as she could be an awful one. Olivia Ryan was annoyingly oblivious to the fact that she was being used. In her middle school days, Olivia had been pretty, but with the world's worst fashion sense. She was an airhead whom no one truly had the patience for. When she reached high school, she had morphed into an undeniable beauty with a better fashion sense. After her fourth nose job, Olivia was considered the blonde Barbie of Bellaire and Claire was her strongest rival. Nothing about Olivia was truly natural. Her hair was dyed, she constantly wore contacts to make her eyes seem bluer than they really were and she had finally had a boob job, elevating her from A-cups to 38 C's, which simply didn't fit her petite frame. She was a walking plastic Barbie with few friends. No one wanted to deal with that. She was still somewhat bubbly and dense, though not as much as she was when she was younger. She hung out with Allie-Rose Singer and Kori Gedman, who were just as annoying as she was. Her father, Andrew Ryan, was a stockbroker and her mother, Allison Ryan, was a real estate mogul, who pretty much owned much of New York. Though they weren't as wealthy as say, Alicia and Claire, she still had more money than Kristen Gregory or many of those attending Bellaire.
That day, Olivia was clad in a deep green Missoni sweater dress and medium wash boot cut Sevens. Her waist was cinched with a wide brown leather belt, which was a no name designer, and her shoes were brown leather Cole Haan ankle boots which matched her belt. Her white blond waves were straightened perfectly and her wide blue eyes observed Massie and Alicia curiously.
Skye's dark purple YSL shift dress looked great with her black and silver strappy Mui Mui wedges and purple flower Calypso headband. Her hair was curled then carefully brushed out to give the impression of perfect waves. Massie was annoyed Skye would even think of wearing Massie's signature color in public.
"She did it on purpose," Massie hissed. "Wearing purple is social suicide."
"We have to get rid of her," Alicia murmured as she watched Skye flirt shamelessly with the boy she still loved. "She's done."
