The Harrington Estate

Scarlett's Bedroom

Tuesday September 3rd

5:45 a.m.

Scarlett's POV

'Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie…'

With a grunt I rolled over in my soft, warm bed and slammed my fist down on my alarm clock, which was blaring quite annoyingly into my ear. I prepared to throw my head back onto my pillow and sleep for another hour or so, until I remembered what day it was. With a jolt I jumped out of my suddenly less inviting bed and took a deep breath, raising my arms over my head and then pulling them down while flicking my hands out-something I'd learned in ballet. Where else would I get my beautiful posture and graceful walk?

I smiled at my calendar on the wall in front of me and poked the date with my finger. In the little box I had written in capital letters 'First Day of High School'. And today it was, finally. I'd only been preparing for this day since the before 6th grade, but now it was different. Before, I had seen myself strutting into the huge high school building by myself and making my way to the top alone. But now things were different. I had finally begun to follow in my mother's petite footsteps a year ago, remaking a group of elite girls and being their alpha-just as she had. I was no longer a lone wolf. I had a pack of my own to tend to now. It's hard work, but it's totally worth it. I would be at the top of the school, just like in middle school, with three loyal girls to follow my orders and many others who would look up to me. Not to mention all the new guys who would be dying to date me. The old middle school guys were getting stale.

I chose the best girls possible to be in my elite group-called the Pretty Committee, just as my mother's had been called. Only the hawtest, coolest, most fashionable, and flat out ah-mazing girls could even have dreamt of being part of it. I couldn't wait to see my girls and how great they've got to look on the first day. And they'd better look ah-mazing, I expect nothing less from them.

The Harrington Estate

The Limo

Tuesday September 3rd

6:40

Scarlett's POV

"Scott!" I shouted, standing out by my limo and tapping my foot impatiently. He knew I hated it when he was late. I turned to look over my shoulder and saw him running towards me, some sort of doughnut stuffed in his mouth.

"I'm sorry Scarlett, I was grabbing something to eat." he puffed, quickly finishing off whatever he was eating. I placed my perfectly manicured hands on my hips and raised one eyebrow, a look I'd perfected a while ago. It always had an effect on people, and it always will. "Which will never happen again." Scott added quickly, wiping his sugar covered hands on his black pants.

I scrunched up my nose disgustedly and opened up the car door. "I suggest you change those pants, by the way." I growled, taking my usual seat at the back center of the limo. "Let's go." I stared at the mirror to my side. I'd requested that they put one in, since I was never endingly checking my reflection to make sure I was looking flawless. I always was, of course. I practiced my smiles in the mirror-they ranged from sweet and innocent, to flirty, to a signature smirk to fend off all LBRs and EWs. The last one was a must unless I wanted to be crowded by all the losers in the entire school.

"Scarlett!" I turned my head at the screech followed by the slamming of the limo door. I grinned as my official beta-Lacie Lyons-plopped down next to me and threw her arms around me. "Ehmygawd, it's been like for-ever."

I chuckled and ran my fingers through my now slightly ruffled hair. "Lacie, we were just hanging out yesterday."

Lacie shrugged and let her tote bag drop to the car floor. "But all we could talk about was what we were wearing today and how we were going to do our makeup and stuff."

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" I replied, furrowing my eyebrows together. Lacie wasn't the biggest fan of fashion-much like her mother-but she never complained about it and seemed like she was enjoying herself.

"Not a bad thing, it's just that I have so much to tell you!" she said, her eyes growing wide.

I was about to open my mouth to reply when I felt a rush of heat enter the limo. "Hey guys!" As another best friend stepped into the car, my eyes instantly flashed to her hair.

"Ehmygawd Spencer! You cut your hair!" I screeched, my mouth gaping wide open. Her hair had always been long-all the way to the small of her back-and naturally black, so black that it verged on having purple tints. But now, it was cut short, only just reaching her shoulders, and it was white-blonde. "When did this happen? Why weren't we informed?"

Spencer grinned and shut the limo door behind her. "I changed it while I was in France. There's this ah-mazing hairstylist there who said I'd look even better with short blonde hair." She ran her nails lightly over her legs a few times nervously before turning back to me. "You like it don't you?"

I pressed my hand flat against my heart. "I'm really sorry Spence, but I don't like it at all." I watched as my friend's face stared horrifically at me and fought the urge to smile for a few more moments. "I LAH-VE IT!" I cried, smiling broadly. Spencer let out a deep breath and high-fived Lacie. "You've totally got to fill us in on your vacation, asap." I added.

"Of course! Gawd, there was this guy I met in Paris and he-" she cut off as the last person in our carpool stepped inside.

Zoey Plovert. Ugh. I know I accepted her back in, but I seriously don't know if I can trust her or not. Making out with the guy who happened to be my boyfriend at the time? Serious no-no in MY Pretty Committee. But I've got too much stuff to deal with right now, she'll have to wait.

"Hey!" Zoey smiled, plopping down next to Spencer. She flashed a toothy smile at all of us, awaiting our greetings.

"Hi Zoey." I replied, holding in a nasty remark. Zoey's smile faltered a bit, and she looked down at her shoes. "So guys," I continued, trying to ignore the awkward moment that had just passed, "I had it arranged so that we def. have lunch together, thank Gawd. So we'll meet up then and pick a new table-hopefully with some hot new guys too-and claim it for the year."

As the car stopped in front of the school, I bit my lip to hide any sign of nervousness. "Girls, to a great new year." I said, raising a delicate hand into the air. Here goes nothing.