WESTCHESTER, NY

OCD Bomb Shelter

Monday, September 10th

12:31 pm

"You didn't have to be that mean to Nikki. She never did anything wrong." Claire pointed out, biting her pinky nail. She sank in the plush pink sofa.

"Yes she did. She's the reason why you and Cam aren't together anymore. And with that reason alone, she's nawt welcome. We, The Pretty Committee, care about you, Kuh-laire, so we're going to do something about her." Massie said evenly. She flipped the TV on. "ESP time, anyone?"

"I don't care anymore." Claire said in a muffled tone, talking into a fluffy throw pillow.

"Mass, she has a point." Alicia said, uncrossing her legs and taking a sip of her freshly-brewed cappuccino. "The boy-fast is still awn. So why does it matter what the boys are thinking? They're all so dead to me."

"Even Josh Hotz?" Massie rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. Plus, their ESP class moved to Ms. Sharpe's old class. Turns out they still have the teddy bear."

The television's screen flickered for a bit and then focused on a t-shirt logo. Quicksilver, Claire thought. Must be Cam.

"Tell the class how you felt when you first saw Nikki at school today!" Derrick shouted.

"Derrick, it's not your turn." Dr. Loni said in his Dr. Phil-voice. "But yes, Cam, please share how you felt when you first saw Nikki."

Cam's hand tugged at his shirt a bit before clearing his throat. "Well, I was surprised at first. And then I was amused. And then I was confused."

"Why the mixed emotions?" Dr. Loni asked.

"Well," Cam started to say. "I haven't seen her in a while and I guess she changed. She used to be kind of insecure and a bit immature. But when I saw her today and talked to her, she seemed way more confident. And she wasn't annoying like she was before. She was more of a real person. She's not like I remembered."

"But as you said last year, you never really got to know her. And she never really got to know you. She just started liking you and sending you candy." Dr. Lonicommented.

"Yeah, so I guess I kind of hope that I'll get to know her better. Because she seems cool—" The screen immediately went black. Massie's eyes darted towards Claire, who stood next to the TV, her finger right above the power button.

"Kuh-laire!" Massie shouted. "Why'd you do that?"

"Massie, Claire's taking it hard." Kristen said softly.

Claire wiped away an imaginary tear with the back of her wrist. "Can we get back to the cafeteria?"

"And run into Derrick and Nikki sitting together sharing a smoothie?" Dylan blurted, but then put her hand over her mouth. "Sorry. Crash-diet's making me cranky."

"I'm not afraid of that." Claire lied. "I just need air."

"Course you do," Massie said, tugging at her Tiffany & Co charm bracelet. She was unconvinced. Claire seemed to be feeling sorry for Nikki. Well, Massie thought differently. She was supposed to be a good friend and a good friend would never let a girl like Nikki get away. "Fine," Massie muttered. "Let's go back. But I swear, I'm not through with her."

"Me neither. Kuh-laire, we've got your back." Alicia chirped.

Claire wanted to protest. She didn't need anyone watching her back. She didn't need anyone planning revenge on this Nikki girl. All she wanted was everything to be forgotten and everything to go back to normal.

This is the Pretty Committee, she thought bitterly. I have no say over anything.