The first day of high school. Claire felt safe as she rode on the back of Cam's bike. It reminded her of eighth grade. Mostly everyone would go to Benton; it was just like BOCD, but for older kids.
Claire hugged Cam's distressed leather jacket tighter and inhaled Drakkar Noir, his cologne. He was still wearing it, and that was even more comforting. Claire remembered the times where she had loved and hated that smell. It was just so Cam.
Cam pulled in the student parking lot, which was mostly dotted with senior and junior's cars, but a few familiar bikes were nestled in among sleek shiny BMW's and cute Mini Coopers.
Claire thought it was cool Cam had a bike, which was almost a car. What was even cooler was that her Mom let her ride on it. "Who do you have first?" Claire asked Cam, after he had given her his usual little kiss. Usually it would have made Claire swell with pride, but ever since she had thought about real kisses at Massie's sleepover, it hadn't been the same.
"I have, uh, Hawthorne," Cam said, holding Claire's hand as they bravely walked to the front of the school, tall, experienced students swarming around them.
Benton looked like a castle or capitol building, with long columns and stone fountains, and Claire knew it cost a lot of money to go here, and her parents were struggling to pay for the expensive tuition, refusing William and Kendra, Massie's parents, to pay for half. The Blocks barely winced at the price, but Claire knew it would really be rude to accept their offer.
Claire smacked a hand to her forehead. "Oh no! I forgot! I promised I'd meet Massie." She apologized. "I'm sorry."
"its fine," Cam smiled and leaned in for another kiss. Claire received the peck and bit her lip and looked away, pretending to scan for Massie.
"I'll see you at lunch?" Claire asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Cam said, waving as he braved the hallways alone.
"Bye," Claire said, giving his hand a final squeeze. Although she loved Cam and was so thankful to have a boyfriend, Claire thought it was okay for her to act a little selfish and want more then bird pecks.
She defiantly stomped down the stone steps to the large willow tree smack in the center of the sprawling lawn, which was strewn with colorful autumn leaves.
"Hey!" Claire smiled brightly when she saw the Pretty Committee already nestled under the tree.
"You're late," Massie said flatly, but then she smiled. "Nice outfit. 9."
"Thanks," Claire never expected Massie to say that to her, but she did think she looked pretty: skinny jeans, a white blazer and a navy tank with a gold necklace and kitten heels. She had saved up all summer to buy it, and although her mom hadn't been pleased with the price tag, Claire had spent her own money, so it didn't matter.
Massie smoothened down her violet dress and said, "Rate, please."
"Definite 10," Alicia beamed. She didn't want Claire to replace her as beta; after all, Massie had just given Claire a 9. She had never given anyone a 9, not even Alicia.
"Ten," Agreed Dylan and Kristen, who looked as chic as ever. Dylan hugged her quilted tote. "What's your schedule?"
"Hawthorne, Maxi, Rose, Gable, Dune, and Luss," Massie said, looking bored.
"Those sound like commercial names! Well, I don't know. Just really fancy." Kristen said.
"Hey!" Claire realized. "Cam has Hawthorne, too."
Suddenly she got the terrible feeling Massie was going to steal Cam away from her. It wouldn't be hard. She was a 10. But then she told herself Cam liked her, not Massie, and it only made her feel a little better.
The girls studied their schedules. "I have second hour with you, Mass!" Alicia giggled, hugging Massie lightly.
"Hey, me too!" Claire said, and Alicia's smile faltered, but Claire didn't notice.
"I have fourth hour with you," she told Kristen.
"Great," Kristen groaned.
"What?" Claire asked, frowning. "You don't want me in your class?"
"No," Kristen shook her head, "maybe you can help me. That's science, my worst subject, and I have to get an A for my scholarship."
"Sure," Claire reassuringly patted Kristen on the shoulder. She had gotten an A- last year, and a 3.9 GPA. Her mom had been so proud.
"EHMAGOD!" Massie yelled.
"What?" All the girls turned.
"We have a class together!" Massie shrieked. "All of us!"
"Yay, yay, yay!" The girls jumped up and down.
"Fifth hour," Massie breathed. "and lunch. Good."
"Let's go," Alicia said and hitched her tote on her shoulder. "Or we'll be late."
"Okay," Massie instructed. "'Evacuate the Dance Floor by Cascada.'" As they started walking, Claire felt happy. Everything they did together reminded her of eighth grade.
Massie abruptly stopped after the first line, and Claire ended up walking two steps farther then the others. Sorry, she mouthed and quickly stepped back in line.
"Ehmagod!" Massie whisper-shouted. "Why isn't anybody looking at us?"
"It's as if we're total…nots!" Alicia panicked.
"No way! That will never happen." Massie stamped a Tory Burch ballet flat-ted foot. "Let's keep going."
They started over and then with a princess like gesture (well, Massie would call herself a queen), Massie delicately parted ways with the group in the center hallway, flitting gracefully off somewhere like a fairy. Alicia pirouetted off next, her silky hair flying out behind her. Kristen and Dylan ran off, giggling, and Claire trudged to her first class, wishing she could be as graceful as Massie and Alicia, who took dance lessons and who would surely herald the freshman dance team, if Massie didn't declare it total LBR territory.
Claire entered Mrs. Bennett's room and sank down in a seat by the window, glancing out to a picterquese scene of the front lawn. She knew this wouldn't be the only day she'd be staring off into it.
"Hey."
Claire turned around to find Josh, Alicia's boyfriend, next to her. He smiled lightly.
"You don't have a New York Yankees cap on," Claire realized. She had never seen him without one, actually.
Josh grinned, exposing little white fangs on the sides of his mouth. "Yeah, school dress code," he shrugged.
Claire's mind wandered back to when she and Josh had kissed. She had never told anyone, especially Alicia, who, if found out, would probably poke out Claire's eyes with a sharp stiletto.
That had been a real kiss, Claire thought bitterly. It had almost been a make out, but that would be too far. Not even Massie had made out with anyone; and Claire didn't feel comfortable with being the first one.
If Josh remembered, it didn't show. After all, he had fallen under Alicia's exotic beauty, and once in, it was hard to get out.
Josh was pretty cute, Claire thought, looking at him. He was busy rummaging around in a backpack to notice. She liked the way his hair fell cutely in his eyes…
What? Claire wanted to slap herself. She liked Cam, not Josh. She was so in love with Cam, not Josh. She had never felt a spark with Josh. Had she?
