WESTCHESTER, NY

OCD

Monday, September 10th

8:01 am

"Look who we have here." A voice snidely said. Nikki looked up and found herself staring into the amber eyes of a tall, obviously very full-of-herself brunette. Behind the girl stood a quiet-looking blonde. She played with her wispy bangs and looked like she was trying very hard not to look at Nikki.

"Hi?" Nikki said hesitantly. Who were these two girls and why in the world were they towering over her? She looked at Cam for answers. Cam, who sat in the seat next to her, gave her a nervous glance. Oh, Nikki thought slowly. She pinched herself underneath her desk. How could she be so stupid? The blonde had to be Claire and the brunette? Probably one of her defensive friends.

"You are going to be so sorry you ever moved here." The girl said, shaking her head slowly and narrowing her eyes. Nikki failed to stifle a snort. Who was this girl to try to threaten her? Sure, she was pretty and all, but she looked like she tried way too hard. The girl had put on way too much lip-gloss. It was already forming gooey clumps at the edges of her mouth. And for an eighth grader to be wearing stilettos? It was like looking into the eyes of a mini-adult. "I'm nawt kidding." And not only did she look like a valley girl, she spoke like one too. Truth be told. Always judge a book by its cover.

"I can tell," Nikki replied calmly. "I'm Nikki Dalton. And you are?"

"Massie Block." Massie rolled her eyes. "And this is Kuh-laire. You know, the girl you were oh-so-envious of?"

Nikki thought about what to say to Claire. She didn't hate her. She couldn't. Claire just looked way too timid and helpless to hate. Actually, Nikki found herself pitying Claire. "Hello Claire," Nikki said, trying to sound as nice and sincere as possible.

"Yaw, so like, don't even try to do anything to Kuh-laire because I'm watching you." Massie sneered, flipping her wavy hair over her shoulder. "I'm the alpha and you're the zeta, just watch me."

Once again, Nikki looked at Cam for help.

"Block, leave her alone." Cam said quietly.

"Cam…" Claire started to whimper.

"Leave it," Massie said, grabbing Claire's wrist. "They're both LBR's. Plus, we're the New Pretty Committee. And there's no way I'm giving up on this boy-fast."

"Massie…" Claire begged under her breath. Massie ignored Claire and sat down in the seat that was in the very center of the room. Claire sat down next to her, which was also the seat right behind Nikki. Out of the corner of her eye, Nikki saw Massie pull out her cell phone and wave it around. Three other girls—including a redhead, a sporty-looking brunette, and Claire—pulled out their cell phones and began texting underneath their desks.

Nikki sat back in my seat and looked at Cam gratefully. He, after all, had saved her from the evil wraths of Massie Block. All of a sudden, she felt her cell phone vibrate. She took it out of my pocket and read the text.

CamFisher: Be careful. Massie means what she says.

NikkiDalton: I can protect myself, but thanks.