"Um, what's that supposed to mean?" Dylan narrowed her eyes, annoyed.
"Oh never mind," Massie licked her lips. "Anyway, I'm going to OCDHS in a week!" "Awesome," Dylan smiled genuinely, ignoring the jab from seconds before.
"How's the PC? Alicia didn't seem really that happy to see me. Don't tell anyone- but I cried a little. My BFF of four years doesn't even like me anymore," Massie whined, her voice twinged with tears.
"The PC? Oh, you mean the TGBF," Dylan twirled her strawberry-colored hair around a long, slim finger. "What the hell is that?" snapped Massie, inviting herself inside. She stormed inside, grabbed a Nutz Over Chocolate from the snack table (ignoring the staff-only rule) and helped herself to a huge peanut-buttery bite.
Dylan bit her lip nervously. "The good, the bad, and the fab." "What kind of a name is that?" she slid a compact from her deep bag and checked her perfect teeth. "Well, Alicia made it up when she became leader of the group," Dylan eyed the granola bar Massie was eating and filled a plate with sun-dried tomatoes and salad.
She raised her thin, highly plucked eyebrow at her plateful of food. "Trying to cut back?" Dylan hid her scowl and tried at a smile. It ended up looking like a grimace. "Yeah, you know me, always cutting back."
"That's not the Dylan I remember," Massie quipped.
Since when had Massie been so mean? Her insults came sometimes- but not this often. They were sneaky and silent- and hurt just as much as her old zingers.
"Anyway, about TGBF. It's fine, we're all great and we were actually planning to meet at Starbucks in a few," Dylan explained. "I was just going to change."
"I guess you realized that boho-chic doesn't look good on you at AWL," Massie snickered, finishing her Luna bar. As soon as she finished that, she grabbed a huge handful of fat-free unbuttered popcorn and shoved it in her mouth. "Anyway, I am STUH-ARVING! I'm going to go grab a bite, and tell Kuh-laire the news." Dylan ignored yet another dig and lightly touched Massie's arm. "Um, you can come to Starbucks with me and the girls in an hour."
"Totally! Then I'll see you there!" Massie ran her fingers through her hair, spun on her heel, and paraded outside, the click-clacks echoing in Dylan's ears.
Claire pressed her lips to Cam's and closed her eyes slowly and passionately. They were in the middle of a steamy makeout session, and things were getting pretty intense. His hand was on the small of her back and her hands were intertwined around his neck, her fingers playing with his shaggy hair playfully.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Claire's eyes darted up. "Eh. Mah. GAWD!" Claire jumped up, nearly knocking Cam over.
In her doorway was a figure of pure beauty. Long shimmering brown hair. Brown eyes with golden flecks. Full lips with attitude begging to flow out. High, accentuated cheekbones. Long, slender legs. It could be only one person- that person being Massie Block.
"Kuh-laire! SO did NAWT mean to interrupt," Massie winked. "I didn't know you were visiting!" Claire exclaimed. Thoughts raced through her head. What if she decided not to be her friends anymore? What if she found totally better people in England? What if she found out that Claire was no longer one of OCDHS's A-list It Girls? "Well, I'm moving back. To Westchester. For good. Surprise!" Massie's eyes glimmered, and she flashed a naughty-turns nice smile. Then she explained everything. The girls fell into a best-friend hug and giggled.
"Hey," Cam teased. "Save a little love for Cam!" Claire planted her bony butt on Cam's lap and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Oh, Cam. You know I love you," she giggled. "I see you still wear Keds," Massie rolled her eyes, only half-teasing. "Seriously. You have GAWT to trade GAP for Marc Jacobs. I mean, seriously. You're a sophomore in high school!" Typical Massie. Her helpful tips sometimes stung, but they did usually help. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for a Starbucks outing?" Massie licked her lips, then re-applied clear gloss.
Claire and Cam exchanged a confused glance. "Huh?" "You know? The PC outing? Or should I say TGBF," Massie groaned, rolling her eyes at the stupid name.
Claire slid a gummy from her back pocket and began chewing on it, obviously trrying to waste time and not have to answer the question. "I guess you're not going then," Massie fake-pouted.
"I'm not really friends with those people anymore. I'm part of the Loser Gurus, with Strawberry, Meena, Heather, and Laine," Claire explained.
Massie's eyes widened. Then, a roar came from Massie's lips no lion could compare to. "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" "Um, yeah," is all that Claire could muster up. She grabbed a fistful of gummies and began chewing furiously.
Massie looked so angry, it was as if she was going to explode. "WHY?" Claire nibbled on her last clear gummi bear, and stared off into space. "It happened in the summer before ninth grade, after you left..."
Claire looked down. She was wearing a sequined turquoise minidress (borrowed from Alicia), yellow heels, and a long pendant necklace. After Massie had left, the Pretty Committee decided to have a huge party with the entire grade to help them feel better about their alpha leaving. She turned around to become face to face with Cam. They immediately ended up making out in the corner, out of the lights from the dance floor. They had all the privacy they could want. As it started getting more and more heated, Claire felt a hand on her wrist. Cam's hands were in her hair. What? She turned around. It was Alicia.
"What's up?" Claire asked, pretending she wasn't angry that she had just broken Cam and Claire's intense kissing sesh.
"This is girl time, not boyfriend time. Come dance with the rest of the PC!" Alicia bobbed her head to the beat of the music, her curled black hair bouncing with it. Alicia wore a low-cut minidress, knee-high boots, and bright red lipstick. "Okay, but first let me get some punch," Claire said, her lips still warm from Cam's soft kiss.
Alicia danced off, catching the eyes of every boy. But Alicia was taken with Josh Hotz. Claire made her way through the thick of people, her sweaty hair sticking to the back of her neck. When she reached the refreshment table, she spotted Josh Hotz, obviously drunk, jumping up and down and clapping to Kelly Klarkson's: My life would suck without you.
Josh's eyes flew up and onto Claire. Claire nodded her head, and then poured herself a cup of fruit punch. "Hey, hottie," Josh slurred.
"You're dating Alicia," murmured Claire, trying to avoid the drunken cutie.
"Let's make out," Josh reached out and pulled her close.
Claire's palms began to feel sweaty. Her cup dropped to the floor. She tried to get away, but Josh's grip was too strong.
Before she knew it, her lips were pressed to his and his tongue was halfway down her throat. His tongue tasted like a mixture of alchohol- and she hated it. His hands were firmly clamped on her hips. She struggled to escape, but she was locked against him with his tongue choking her.
"WHAT THE HELL!" a girl's angry voice filled the room. Josh let go immediately and Claire whipped around. Her mouth tasted like old champagne. She gagged. Alicia stood, fuming, her C-cups jiggling with anger. "You did this once in seventh grade, and now again. We're not friends any more. Good-bye! You're not welcome at MY party, you stupid bitch."
The night went by in a flash, endless explainations, apologies to Cam, and tears. But Alicia would not forget, let alone forgive.
Massie's lips made a small O. "I can't believe Josh just came on to you like that." Claire fought back tears. "I'm sorry, this just makes me really sad." she sniffed. Cam brought her in for a warm hug. She breathed in his spicy cologne and half-smiled gingerly.
"So now you're friends with those lame-asses?" Massie snapped.
"They're not lame. They're my friends." Claire's chin trembled.
Massie snickered. "Whatever you say, Kuh-laire," she fluffed up her hair with her fingers. "You're coming to Starbucks with me. You're going to be part of that clique. And I'm going to be the alpha."