BOCD

The Green Café

Monday, September 21

11:45 PM

Massie remembered that awful day when the NPC had walked into the Green Café for the first time- completely humiliated, feeling like a complete LBR. But that was the New Pretty Committee, the stupid one that went on a boyfast. And now, this was the original Pretty Committee, and Massie felt light as a feather- ecstatic. Today and from now on, she would be radiating pure alpha.

Not everyone felt this ecstatic feeling, though. Claire and Alicia knew where their ex-crushes were: in the overflow trailers, being treated like NLBRs. Claire still had a spark every time she thought about Cam, but Alicia tried to ignore thinking about Josh Hotz.

The five of them ate their fat free sushi rolls and Luna bars in a brief silence. Then, the Café heard Principal Burns' squawking voice over the loudspeaker.

"May I have your attention, please." She paused a moment. "I have some exiting news for you all."

Claire suddenly felt her phone vibrate in the back pocket of her Rich & Skinny jeans.

Massie: I bet she got new beak job.

Alicia: Hilars point.

Dylan: And a feather waxing to go along with it!

Kristen: Haha.

Claire: LOL.

The PC stared at Claire. She guessed no one really said LOL any more. Then they all started cracking up when Principal Burns' squawked again: "EXCUSE ME!" Then she got the silence she was looking for.

"Instead of having your regular class after lunch, there will be an assembly." Her voice rang in half of the students' ears. "That is all, thank you."

Massie heard a lot of cheers and Yesss's and a couple Whoo Hoos. Briarwood Boys. And……Dylan??? They all glanced at her.

"What?" she said defensively with a mouthful of chewed-up sushi. "I have a geography quiz today."

"Well his stinks," Kristen put in, "I have an oral report in English Lit, and now I'll have to do it tomorrow."

Massie rolled her eyes and everyone else giggled. Kristen couldn't help but laugh at how that had sounded.

"Let's get to the gym early," Massie said. "I want to get our usual seats.

Alicia grimaced. That reminded her of the horrible thing she had done to her friends about two weeks ago. Massie had really been on watch for anyone, boy or girl, trying to steal her crown.

"I'll meet up with you guys after I do the morning announcements," Alicia said.

"Kay," said Dylan.

Alicia quickly ran to the radio booth. She quickly changed from Alicia, the beta, to Alicia, the school's loved and trusted anchorwoman.

The PC dumped their lunch trays, and Claire was still sipping her vanilla-chai latte. She couldn't stop thinking about Cam- with his one blue eye and one green eye. This was eating her alive. Claire kept telling herself, You should be happy….it's now the boyfest! But she couldn't get come to believe herself. A wave of envy shot over her. Why did Massie's crush get to stay in the Main Building? Why didn't she get to choose Cam to be here- with her? Oh right- because she was alpha…the purple streak still said it all.

Kristen saw the sad look in Claire's eyes and sent her a text.

Kristen: We'll get Cam back in MB.

Claire was startled.

Claire: How?

Kristen: We'll think of something. 

Claire gave her a thank you nod, and they linked arms. Dylan and Massie joined them.

"So, I think we need to do a little celebration shopping after school," said Massie, "And I definitely need a mani/pedi!"

Dylan mini-clapped, "I need the ah-mazing new Hermes scarf and beret set that I saw in Nordstrom! Fall and winter can-nawt come without a proper wardrobe."

"Dyl, we aren't going to go clothes shopping…" they all gave Massie a confused look, "We're going to go BOY hunting!!!"

The PC giggled, and Alicia stepped in.

"Okay," she panted, "I'm ready, and what did I miss?"

"We're goin' boy huntin' after school today, mate!" Dylan did a fake crocodile hunter voice.

"Well alrighty then!" Alicia laughed. It felt good.

They walked over to the gym. It was more like strutted over. To Massie, it felt oh-so-Dove-Chocolate good to be back.

As they walked over, a few familiar faces said "Hey" and a lot of seventh graders gawked. They hadn't yet seen the PC at its best.

They peered into the gym, about only 50 people were in there, including the NLBRs.

"Okay, our spots are still open," Massie noticed how many people steered clear about 3 rows away from where they sat, except a few sevies. "We are walking in to the beat of '4 Minutes'. The usual walk in, left first, stop and pose at the door." Her tone notified them that they shouldn't have forgotten.

They all nodded with excitement. This would be good. The PC approached the door and Massie flung it open. Heads turned, and eyes moved with them as they started walking. Claire made sure not to mess up. Massie and the rest of the Pretty Committee felt great. They sat down gracefully and waited for Principal Burns to say this "important announcement."

Claire couldn't help herself. She had to look back. She had to see Cam. She could practically smell him. She turned her head slightly to the right. There he was. He was wearing ah-dorable dark wash jeans with a dark blue Lacoste shirt. His hair was slightly messy, which made him look even cuter.

Then he smiled at her. Crap, she thought. She panicked, and managed to smile back, then quickly turned her head back and joined in the conversation.

Massie was holding her Palm, and Alicia was texting on her iPhone. Dylan was braiding a piece of hair, and Kristen was clutching her shark tooth necklace.

Okay, so they weren't even in a conversation, which made it even harder for Claire to not feel him staring at her. Staring at her, not Olivia. She smiled, and realized and remembered that he wasn't with Olivia anymore.

Alicia finally had something to say, "Ehmagawd, so guess what I heard while I was walking to the radio booth. Layne and her friends were talking about that Ashley website that she had sent Claire, and then I heard something like 'can't wait to meet them'. Are they , like, famous or something?"

"Doubt it, half the time I have no idea what that girl is ever talking about." Massie glared at Claire, who nodded in an I-Know way."

More kids piled into the gym. Finally, once everyone was there, Principal Burns began. Everyone couldn't help but wonder what the news was. Maybe they were expanding the school, and the overflow trailers would be history. Or maybe they found a new campus for the Briarwood school to reside until they build a new one.

"Okay, thank you all for coming. I am very pleased to say that we will be having what is called a 'School-a-Thon'. It's where two school compete in smarts, sports, and the social- how well each school can cooperate with one another. There will be a competition where each school will round up their smartest peers, and compete in a smarts competition. Then, the soccer and lacrosse teams will compete. Finally, to wrap it up, we will have a dance/mixer, and the winning school will be announced!"

"Lame!" someone shouted, "Smarts?!" said another.

"It will definitely be interesting…" Massie said. It would be interesting.

"Now, out school broadcaster, Alicia Rivera, will pick a school that we will be competing against."

Alicia glanced up at hearing her name. She saw Principal Burns' holding a hat full of slips of paper. Well, that's pretty unprofessional. She walked up to the stage looking like a model. She heard a couple whistles, just like she always did, and she secretly hoped it was Josh.

She looked in the pinstripe fedora Principal Burns was holding and stuck her hand in without looking. Alicia pulled out the name. Her facial expression changed. Her eyes widened. She had seen this name before, and she knew from where.

Finally, Alicia choked out the name, "Miss Gambles Preparatory School/ Gregory Hall."

"Eh….mi…..gawd." the PC said at the same time.

"That's the school from that AshleyRank website that we read the other night!" Massie gasped.