Disclaimer: Characters belong to Lisi Harrison. (:
On to the chapter!
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Massie Block stood in front of her favorite vintage mirror, admiring her faultless reflection for the sixth time since she woke up. She was wearing a white cashmere Barney's sweater, which she paired with a grey Max Azria skirt and chunky black Marc Jacobs. She inspected her endless, twiggy legs, long stick-straight brown hair, and nonexistent waist. So what if Nina made fun of me five years ago for my lack of curves? Massie thought smugly. My look is so in right now. Her thoughts flitted quickly back to Nina, who had visited in seventh grade…
"Seventh grade," Massie breathed, flopping onto her down comforter in reminiscence. "That was so long ago." She remembered how she had tormented Claire upon her arrival, when she had her beloved Bean, when she had been so ahb-sessed with trying to kiss Derrington. How things changed… Claire was now a permanent fixture of the Clique; Massie had replaced Bean with Jelly, a teacup poodle, after Bean's death…not to mention, she had gone way past first base with Derrington since then. Massie grinned at the memory of their first time, early in senior year…
"Massie, get up," Claire Lyons laughed, stepping out of the bathroom they both shared. "You're going to be late for Carey's class again."
Massie sat up in her bed and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Like I cared what Scary Carey says." She stretched. "What do you think of my outfit though? Think Derrington will like it?"
Claire stepped back to take in Massie's choice. "Mm," she replied, chewing her nail, "the MJS are a little too '99 Britney Spears for me."
Massie narrowed her eyes at her feet. "You," she started, "are absolutely right." She laughed and kicked the shoes off, opting instead for her timeless-black Jimmy Choos. As she slipped into her kitten heels, Massie thought back to when she had started going to Claire for fashion advice – early in sophomore year, when Claire had grown out her blond hair and let it curl slightly, began reading Vogue, and, most importantly, hit a home run with Cam. That moment was the official point when Massie had marked Claire as an equal. Well, maybe not an equal…Massie thought, giggling. Maybe on par with Alicia.
Massie, finally content with her outfit, turned to inspect Claire. She was dressed in a white Burberry trench, over a FCUK shirt and dark jeans. Massie gave both their outfits a seal of approval. They would need it today, of all days. For today was their double date with Cam and Derrington.
Massie ran a brush through her waist length coat of glossy brown hair and smiled. It was going to be a great day.
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Several miles away, Kristen Gregory exhaled hot air into Derrick Harrington's neck. They had both been wearing their respective soccer jerseys, but now, said jerseys lay shed and abandoned on the floor of the locker room. They had both been sweaty from their early team practices, but now they were sweaty in a different manner. They couldn't keep their hands to themselves the way they could during dribbling exercises.
Kristen whipped her blanket of glossy blond hair back, running her fingers through the base. "Derrick," she sighed. "Do you think what we're doing is right?"
The blond boy wrapped his arms around Kristen's tan waist and sighed. "No," he responded honestly. "I'll always be Massie's. You understand, right?"
Kristen nodded, resigned. "I'm just a meaningless fling," she assured, voice robotic and rehearsed. "I know."
He ran his hands up her back in an apologetic gesture. "But you should know…you're way better than Massie was."
Kristen giggled, "It must be my athletic nature kicking in."
"Nah," Derrington joked in response.
Kristen scoffed, laughing, "Well, you know what? You suck as goalie this year! Maybe you should spend more time practicing and less time doing me behind Massie's back." She smirked.
Derrington groaned and mimicked an arrow through his heart. "Ooh, touché."
As they laughed, they heard the tinny sound of the first period bell ring outside. Kristen immediately gasped and scrambled out of Derrington's arms. She shoved her feet into her black flats, put on her Lacoste polo and khaki shorts, and stuffed her soccer clothes into her blue duffel bag. Derrington quickly cleaned himself up as well, and the two bid goodbye.
For the time being.
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"Ehmygawd," Kristen breathed, as she walked up to the rest of the Clique, at their usual meeting spot. "Massie, your outfit is totally three letter word for gorgeous."
Massie grinned toothily. "I know I look hot, thanks, dear. Actually, Claire and I have our double date tonight, with Cam and Derrington." She clapped a little in anticipation, and Kristen felt a little pang of guilt.
"Man, you guys are all so lucky," Dylan complained, sipping her latte. "You have boyfriends to go out with! It's just me and Kristen left, single and ready to mingle."
The guilt shot through Kristen again. She remained silent.
Alicia scoffed. "Ugh, at least you guys are unattached. Josh never wants to do anything… you know, intimate. You think he'd get the hint! How'd you do it, Kuh-laire?"
Claire blushed. "I don't know… it just happened."
"Well," Massie cut in. "For me, Derrington actually brought it up. He made me dinner and bought me all these stuffed bears beforehand. It was so romantic!"
As the girls squealed, Kristen only smiled halfheartedly. Massie really loved Derrington. Kristen hated herself for what she was doing, every Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school and after soccer practice. But it was so…thrilling.
"Um, Earth to Kristen!"
Kristen was snapped out of reverie. She blinked. "Sorry, what?"
Massie was staring at her oddly. "I asked, why is your hair all messed up?"
Kristen's hand shot up to her head. "Um," she stammered, "Oh, it must have been from that sweet scissor kick I did this morning at practice."
Her friends all congratulated her on her soccer skills and dropped the subject.
"Ehmygawd," Dylan suddenly cried, dribbling a little latte down her chin. "Look who's coming, Massie!"
Massie automatically smoothed down her already perfect hair and turned around. She grinned at the sight of Derrington coming towards her.
"Hey, gorgeous," he said, drawing her into a big hug. "Had to see you before class."
"Aww, you're so sweet! Isn't he sweet, guys?"
As Derrington hugged Massie, he flicked his eyes over at Kristen, who was standing behind the couple. Kristen rolled her eyes and smirked while he obviously checked her out. The air between Derrington and her was always so electrified that Kristen didn't know why none of her friends had caught on.
The warning bell rang, jolting all five girls. "Ugh," Massie snapped. "I don't want to be late for Scary Carey again. See you, hon." She kissed Derrington goodbye and gestured for Claire and Dylan to follow, since the three had English with Carey first period.
Alicia and Kristen, who had Art first, were soon the only ones left, along with Derrington and his knobby knees.
"Are you coming, Kris?" Alicia asked, starting off toward class.
"Um, I forgot something in my locker. I'll meet you in class, okay?" Kristen lied easily.
"Sure. I'll see you later," replied Alicia, before walking away briskly. She turned the corner.
Then it was just Derrington and Kristen. The silence was deafening.
"Nice day today," he joked, smirking that famous smirk that made Kristen weak in the knees.
Kristen smiled and narrowed her green eyes. "We'll be late."
He took a step closer. "If we go to the nurse, we can get a note."
"Oh yeah, making out in front of the nurse will really turn me on."
Derrington shook his head. "Nurse Hubert is out this morning." He stepped even closer to Kristen, so that her head was directly below his.
Kristen stepped away. "Derrick…" she sighed. "I just – I think that we should leave it to soccer practices. I feel bad enough betraying Massie."
He groaned. "God, not this again, Kristen. Trust me, you're not betraying her. I'm still loyal to her otherwise; she's still my girlfriend, you know. You're just like a, like a blowup doll!"
A loud laugh escaped from Kristen's mouth. "Gee, nice one," she giggled. "Way to make a girl feel special."
He took her hands. "Come on, Kristen. I don't want to have to wait another two days for you. You're amazing. Please? I'm not too proud to beg."
Kristen rolled her eyes.
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(A/N) How was it? Please feel free to leave a review; they're always appreciated. Thanks for reading! (: