_London

She saw the three boys again later in the day, when she had set out for the city center with an updated map and a bagful of cash. They were making their way from the basement, and their numbers had grown. She didn't meet their eye when they passed, and they didn't see her. It was only when the sounds of their gleeful voices had faded into the elevator that she made her way out the door and into the warm summer night air.

The bus had taken exactly twenty- two minutes, three minutes too late for her to catch the beginning of the fireworks that were already exploding off the pier when she arrived. As she fumbled for the camera, she heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Need some help?"

It was Derrick, the smirking boy from earlier. She half- smiled at him, unsure of what he wanted. He was a stranger, for crying out loud. "I'm Derrick, remember? Derrick Harrington."

"Massie Block. Can I help you with anything…?"

"I thought I was the one offering. Nice night, don't you think?"

She turned towards the dark sky as another round of gold rings lit up, feeling at home amidst the crowd of ooh's and ah's. When Massie turned back to face him, she smiled. "Yeah."

"Are you here alone? Seems strange, don't you think? An American high- schooler roaming the streets of London with nothing and no one to protect her."

Just like that, her smile slid off her face. "I don't think that's an opinion for you to have. If that's all…"

"I'm just trying to be friendly. We're alike, you and I."

"How so?"

"We're both American high- schoolers roaming the streets of London for the summer. Only difference is that I'm not doing it alone."

Massie made a big show of peering around his body, and seeing no one she recognized she turned to him with a sweet smile. "I don't see anyone around."

"They're somewhere here, but I left them because it's you who needs help, I've decided."

"You've decided?" she repeated. When he nodded, she scoffed and turned away, but not before adding, "And why on earth would I care?"

She let out an exasperated sigh as she heard him follow her, pushing aside the crowd with ease as the fireworks continued to sparkle overhead. Finally, he wound up in front of her path with a smirk. "I thought we had already covered this. I'm offering my goodwill for the benefit of your stay. From the looks of it, you don't even have any family with you."

Massie sighed impatiently. "Look, that's really nice of you or whatever, but haven't you ever heard of the age-old adage that tells you not to trust strangers?"

"Who says we're strangers?"

"We've only just met in a foreign country and the only things we know about each other are our names and that we both go to high school."

"A good basis for a friendship if I've ever heard one," he shrugged, ignoring her look of incredulity. "Look, you should be grateful I'm being so nice, because the truth is—" He inched closer to her ear, until she could feel his breath ghosting down onto the nape of her neck. "I'm incredibly rich and famous."

Massie couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out at his 'confession.' "Is that so?" she asked after her giggles had died down.

"You don't believe me? My dad owns a huge company based in New York. It's incredibly successful, and all my friends are loaded, too. Have you ever heard of Anthem Corporations?"

"I live in California, so no. And is this how you think people become friends, by seeming like a spoiled brat outright?"

"Did you just call me a spoiled brat?" he inquired, his eyes flaring. Massie glanced away; suddenly uncomfortable.

"I didn't say you were one, only that you're coming across as one. Once again, we are strangers, and therefore I know absolutely nothing about you."

"Then come on," he said, grabbing hold of her hand as he led them out of the crowd. She shook free once they were in the open air.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"You said we're strangers, and I won't disagree. So, the only way to fix this is to spend time together, don't you think?" When she looked unsure, he sighed. "Look, I'll let you decide what we do, alright? Would you stop worrying? I'm safe—look me up on the internet."

"Aren't your friends looking for you?"

Derrick only shrugged, not even bothering to glance around. "I'm a big boy. If I get lost, I can always follow you back to the hotel, right? So, where do you want to go first?"

"Look, you're nice, really, but don't you think it's late? It's already—" Massie glanced down at her watch, which was illuminated by the last of the fireworks. "Nine- thirty, and there's not much to do so—"

"What kind of attitude is that? Not much to do?" He laughed, shaking his head amusedly at her ignorance. "Even our hotel is chock full of fun. Don't believe me? Let's make the hotel pool our first stop, then."

Massie sighed again. Whoever this guy was, he certainly wasn't giving up on her. She looked longingly at the now dark sky, angry at him for making her miss the show. When she glanced at his face, he was smiling patiently. What would it take to get rid of him? "Fine. But it's our first and only stop, got it?"

He blinked, almost surprised by her compliance. "Is that a yes?" he asked, wanting to be sure. The last thing he needed was more accusations waiting for him when he got back about coercing some innocent nobody into trouble.

"Only if you leave me alone after that," she warned. "But yes, let's go."

They walked back in an almost uncomfortable silence, though every time Massie glanced at Derrick he seemed to be at ease. "So what brings you here?"

"I'm visiting my uncle," Massie replied, ignoring his look of curiosity. "What about you?"

"It's my friend's fourteenth birthday, and his parents decided to send him here for a summer of fun with a lazy caretaker who stays in the hotel all day. Being the good friends we are, I decided to join him. But back to you—isn't your uncle worried about you being out alone?"

She cleared her throat. "I haven't actually met up with him yet. He's been out of contact with my parents for a while and… I guess there were just some misunderstandings." Massie looked away.

"Now I'm intrigued. Will you tell me what that means?"

"I suppose when they talked about me staying the summer before my freshman year, he assumed my parents meant my freshman year of college. Right now, he's on a honeymoon with his fourth wife."

Derrick raised his eyebrows. "A pretty big mix- up."

Massie only sighed. If only her uncle had bothered to pick up his phone before he left, and not left all the communication to funnel through his incompetent fiancée- now- wife. Massie had no doubt that this marriage would last even shorter than his last. The blonde bombshell was an airhead of the stupidest kind. "I'll say. I called my parents, but they're apparently very busy with some big event and just told me to stay for the week."

"So basically you're telling me you're free for the week?"

"Is that the only thing you take away from this story," she asked, slightly annoyed. "I didn't tell you so that you could keep me company or anything. You asked, I answered."

"You're being unreasonably unsocial, you know. I've done nothing wrong," he replied, his tone casual. She shot him a glare that went presumably unnoticed.

"Nothing except shove yourself into my life."

"Your life? I thought we agreed on one stop at the hotel and nothing more. You're telling me you want more?" he exclaimed with mock drama, even as she narrowed and rolled her eyes.

"We're here. Where to?"

"Follow me." He gestured grandly to the elevator. "A good time awaits."

If nothing else, Massie had to admit the pool was nice. At the very least, she was glad this guy had shown it to her. Maybe once he'd disappeared and she managed to get some time to herself she could come back and tan or something. The rooftop pool was encased in a dome of glass, and all around them the lights of the city glistened. The only problem? The appealing blue water was now occupied, a fact Derrick noticed with apparent and pronounced annoyance.

"What are they doing here?" he muttered, low but loud enough for Massie to hear as they group of boys diving into the pool caught sight of them.

"Derrick, we thought we lost you!" One of them said, pushing out of the pool with a smile and a shake of his wet hair. He walked toward Massie and Derrick, eyeing her with curiosity. "But it seems like you found your way back fine enough. Who's she?"

"She's Massie," Derrick shrugged. "I thought I'd show her the pool, so up we came."

The guy laughed, and then turned to Massie. "Ah, I remember you. The lost girl from earlier, right? I'm Cam. Sorry for whatever this guy did to get you here."

"Oh, please, she came here on her own. I didn't do a thing." At this, Massie turned to Derrick with indignation, to which Cam smiled. "And it's all because you guys ditched me, anyway."

"Ditched? I was under the impression you ditched us. What happened to that food you were supposedly getting us? Lost it, did you?"

"Yeah, whatever," Derrick laughed. He turned to Massie. "Ready for a swim?"

"No, no, no, I never agreed to that. Plus, now you have your friends to hang out with so I think now that I've seen the pool I'll just be—" With a grin Derrick pushed her into the pool, cutting her off midsentence and sending her spiraling into the deep end. She resurfaced, soaking wet and furious.

"What the heck?" she screeched. Cam glanced over to see Derrick having the time of his life, and shook his head. Leave it to him to mess with the girl. "Are you insane?"

"Here," Cam said, holding out a hand for her. She took it, glaring at Derrick as she was pulled out of the pool. "We've got some towels over there, come on."

"Aw, take a joke, will you? You were just begging to be pushed in," Derrick chortled, walking beside Massie as Cam handed her a big fluffy towel. She squeezed the water out of her hair instead of bothering to reply.

"Thank you," she said to Cam, who only smiled. "I'll be going now."

Massie turned to Derrick with acid in her voice. "As fun as this has been, I think I'm going to call it a night. Have fun."

"Oh, come on, I'm sorry, okay?" Derrick followed her, suddenly repenting his actions. Who knew she'd get so mad? "What do I have to do to make it up to you, huh?"

With a quick spin she faced him and with one quick push he went down, spluttering and coughing as he came up for air. She smiled sweetly. "Consider us even."

"Wait! I'll walk you back," Cam called, ignoring Derrick as he climbed out and the others as they howled with laughter. Massie smiled gratefully.

"Thanks."

_Los Angeles

"Moving? You're joking, right?" Massie stared as her parents shared a look, movers buzzing all around them and the rapidly- emptying house. "Is that why I had to stay in London?"

"We wanted to tell you sooner, really, but everything's been so stop and go, we didn't want to get you worked up for nothing. I just signed the contract for the new headquarters this morning," William glanced at his watch, then at the truck idling outside the grand house. "Westchester is a wonderful place, I can assure you. I was quite satisfied with what I saw when I went to visit."

"But… what about school? What will I tell my friends?"

Kendra reached out her hand as if to console her daughter and then thought the better of it, letting her arm fall limp beside her waist. "A quick text and I'm sure they'll understand."

Massie let out a disbelieving laugh. "Why couldn't you have told me sooner, and not the afternoon before our plane leaves to go across the country? Does that even make sense?"

"Do not speak in that tone to your parents, young lady." William managed to be stern and distant, even though he looked so tired. His eyes flickered to his watch again. "We'll talk about this more on the flight. Come now, the pilot is surely waiting for us."

"Dear, Octavian Day is a wonderful high school. And everyone will have been just getting settled, so there's no need to feel out of place." Kendra was already ushering Massie and her protests out of the door, locking it with ease. William had already stridden ahead, confident that Kendra could handle the job.

"School started a week ago, Mother, a week. Five days to familiarize yourself with your surroundings is more than enough time. I'll be the only fish out of water, I can tell you that."

"You'll make friends, quickly, I'm sure," William interjected, reaching for Massie's bag to throw it in the car. She climbed in next. "There's nothing to be worried about."

Yet Massie knew their words were half- hearted—they didn't have faith in her social skills. She had shown in her middle school years how incapable she was of making close connections. She'd been a loner, the kind of person you stopped talking about when you passed. The kind everyone heard outrageous stories about, mostly untrue. She was certain nothing would change in her life of cycling prestigious private schools. "How long are we staying?"

"For a long time, if all goes well. Los Angeles was a test- run, of sorts. Your father's goal has always been New York."

"Then why move around the country like this, for so long?" Massie demanded. She saw the look her parents shared as the engine revved and they sped down the road. "Why move me to Florida, Boston, Chicago, even China, for that little while, if all we had to do was go to New York and settle down?"

"We have our reasons, Massie. Good ones, ones not up for discussion or dissection, for that matter." Massie was smart enough to shut up at that point, sensing the agitation in her father's voice. She saw him tighten his grip on the wheel. "You've never been so against our moves—why the sudden change of heart?"

"Nothing." Massie replied, turning so they couldn't see her face. She had a flash of her handwriting on his arm, the city of London a backdrop as they said their goodbyes on her last night. She'd only left her address, nothing else, and now she resented her own stupidity. As she watched the buildings whiz by, she had the distinct feeling that their only connection was being lost.

By the time they stepped off their plane she was tired, irritable, and hungry. She had opted her usual fashion for a pair of unflattering but undeniably comfortable sweatpants and thrown her hair up into a bun balancing precariously atop her head. This was how she stepped off the plane hours later into the warm night air of August, her parents far ahead. It was only when she heard a chorus voices that she stopped dead in her tired tracks.

Screw my parents, she thoughts angrily, looking down at her horrible outfit. Hearing her mother's shrill, social voice made her cringe even more. "Massie? Where are you, dear? Come meet some old friends!"

"I'm here. Massie Block, nice to-" She stopped, the suitcase handle tumbling out of her hand as she took in the family before her.

Two parents- the picture of first class suburban perfection. The woman had a smile a little too big for her face, unnaturally white teeth, and wrinkles that still managed to show under miles of Botox. The father was donned in a black suit, his hair expertly and meticulously trimmed to stop before it got unruly, and his leather shoes shiny even in the dark. The boy, a jumble of mischievous smiles and blue and green eyes. He stepped forward to pick up the suitcase she had almost completely forgotten as her parents turned their questioning eyes toward her.

"Massie, say hello to the Fisher's. Their son, Cameron, is your age."

"Nice to meet you." In the short span of a few days, Massie had forgotten the low lull of his voice. Now he turned on all his charm as he faced her parents with a dazzling smile. "I'll do my best to show her around."

"That's very nice of you, Cameron." His mother now entered the conversation, eyeing Massie with an unreadable expression. Massie bristled under her inspection. "I'm sure you two will get on famously."

With nothing else to say but small talk, the two families headed into the black cars waiting for them on the road. Massie glanced at Cam, but he seemed at ease with the way things were. Had he known, then, that she was coming here? Why had he lied about not knowing each other?

"You look… comfortable. How was the trip?" he asked, low enough that their parents couldn't hear as they piled the suitcases in the trunk of the car.

"Don't you dare," she hissed. All ideas of civility and acting as if they were strangers were thrown out of her mind—she couldn't keep the annoyance out of her voice, especially since she was still ill- dressed and tired.

He turned to her, surprise on his face but amusement dancing in his eyes. "Don't I dare what?"

"Don't you dare think you can act like we're perfect strangers and make a fool out of me. What, did you think it was funny to do this to me? Did you know who I was the minute we met in Paris?" she demanded, struggling to her voice low.

"Of course I didn't." He looked hurt, and for a moment Massie felt bad. "I'm just as surprised as you, except maybe not as mad."

"Coming, you two?" Kendra called, already halfway in the car. Massie glanced at Cam one more time, and just shook her head before following her parents.

The promise of the first day of school loomed like a giant shadow over her while they spent the next day unpacking, and meeting their new maid. Her name was Inez, and she was of the quiet sort, with piercing eyes that seemed to take everything in without pause. She spoke with a quiet, yet firm accented voice, and helped them as they moved box after box into their new gleaming home.

"Cam is a nice boy," she said, when Kendra oh- so- casually inquired about him in front of Massie. Inez's eyes flickered to Massie, as if she knew what was going on. "I once worked for Mr. and Mrs. Fischer."

"Ah, is that so? Yes, well, he offered to show Massie around. How sweet, don't you think?" Massie's mother replied, making sure her voice floated upstairs to Massie's room.

"Yes m'am, very sweet."