Westchester, NY
The Doyle School – Cafeteria
Tuesday, October 23rd
12:08 PM
Massie had decided against recruiting new Pretty Committee members, as no one seemed right for the part. Instead, she invited a troupe of well-dressed, glossy-haired, Blair Waldorf-wannabes to sit with them at lunch. An entourage was so much better than just one new member, Massie decided triumphantly.
"Omigod, the talent show is tomorrow. I'm so excited-slash-nervous!" squealed Mackenzie Perkins.
Massie fake-smiled and yanked at a shiny brown curl. Kristen was reading A Tale of Two Cities. Snore. Dylan was eating one of those gross diet lunches she always brought. Ew. And two tables away, Alicia sat with Olivia Ryan, crossing and un-crossing her legs to show off her thong.
Double ew.
Chelsea arrived at the Pretty Committee's table and plopped down. "I was just practicing for the talent show!" she said. "I'm introducing all the acts."
Massie nodded. She looked over at Claire, sitting with Layne, Meena, and Heather.
"It's so amazing-slash-awesome that you're the announcer," Mackenzie supplied. "You appear, like, every five minutes or something, right?"
Chelsea giggled modestly. She lifted her arm to show off her new Prada.
"Ehmagawd! That's so cute-slash-adorable!" gushed Mackenzie. "Prada is the best."
"Totes," Chelsea agreed. "Dylan bought it for me."
"No way! Buy me something!" giggled Mackenzie jokingly.
Dylan stared into her tofu-sausage risotto. "Excuse me," she mumbled, standing up and throwing away her lunch. She speed-walked into the empty hallways and almost collided into Chris.
"Hey," she mumbled.
"Hey," he mumbled back. "Are you mad at me?"
Dylan wrinkled her forehead. "No. Why would I be?"
"Wait, you didn't hear about the…"
"The what?" Dylan's heart skipped a few beats. Was Chelsea's message from last week true? "You mean Moonlight?"
"Yeah, about that fight." Chris looked uncomfortable.
"Omigod," Dylan gasped. She stared at Chris. "Are you saying…? You were…"
"I'm so sorry, Dylan." Chris stepped forward, but Dylan pushed him back.
"Go away! Don't touch me!"
Chris' face faltered. He turned around and left.
Westchester, NYThe Doyle School Parking Lot – Night of the Talent Show
Wednesday, October 24th
6:44 PM
The Doyle School was simply holding a talent show, but the guests were treating it like a five-star social event. Town cars pulled up to the curb. Jeweled evening shoes stepped out onto the pavement. Cocktail dresses swished, and the sound of high-pitched laughter filled the air. Alicia shimmied into her Juicy Couture faux-fur coat as Dean pulled up to the front of Doyle.
"This is amazing," squealed Olivia, squeezing Alicia's hand. The Nicole Miller dress Olivia was wearing made her hair glow. "Omigod, Leesh, you look awesome."
"I do?" Alicia gasped. "Thanks." She had been starting to regret wearing a new imported-from-Spain petal-skirted dress, but she must have looked nicer than she thought.
"Sorry, girls, but the traffic's awful. We're going to have to wait a little."
"That's fine, Dean." Alicia fluffed her hair and pressed a button. The partition between the driver's seat and the backseats slid up, giving the girls some privacy.
"Seriously, Leesh, you still haven't told me about you and Josh," Olivia said. "You've been so 'dad's the word' this week."
"It's 'mum's the word' I think," Alicia replied. She opened the mini-fridge and pulled out two wineglasses and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. "Want some?"
"Sure!" Olivia took one glass and poured some wine for herself. Alicia, relieved, sunk into her seat. Alicia didn't want to talk about her tryst with Josh. Well, there wasn't actually anything to say. They hadn't done anything. Aly climbing in had ruined everything, and Alicia had been way to nervous to take off the slip. Big deal. So she wasn't a total sex goddess.
Alicia finished off the wine as Dean popped open the car door. Olivia stumbled out, already drunk on three glasses of Cabernet. "Leesh, you coming?" she slurred.
"Yeah, hold on." Alicia grabbed her clutch and followed her friend into the crowd of people. She'd have to find Josh later and finish what she started, with no interruptions.
Westchester, NYThe Doyle Talent Show – Backstage Under a Table
Wednesday, October 24th
7:01 PM
"Okay, how's my hair?" whispered Jackie, petting her curls.
"There's no time to worry about your hair," Tessa said. She wore a headset around her neck. She turned on her laptop and logged into her account. "We are here to crush Chelsea's not Pretty-Face in!"
"Yeah!" Kendall said, beating her chest with her fists. "Ow, this hurts."
"Shh!" Jackie hissed. The girls were quiet under the white tablecloth as a pair of feet approached the refreshment table.
"Simon, do you want a scone? These are awesome." There was a loud, tasty-sounding crunch. Tessa reached out and pinched the person in the ankle.
"Ow!" The scone dropped to the floor. "Dammit. Stupid red ants. Simon!" The feet walked away. Tessa picked up the scone. She held a walkie-talkie up to her mouth, filled with crumbs. "Skye, you there?"
"Shush! Don't call me that name! I'm Austin Powers, remember?" hissed Skye.
"Okay, Austin Powers, are you there?" Tessa hit a few buttons and lowered the volume.
"Yes. I am here. Are you sure Chels – I mean, the warthog – is allergic to stale foods?"
"Who isn't?" Tessa clicked off the walkie-talkie. "Okay. Kendall, you tap into the system. Jackie, show Austin Powers where the Jello shots are."
Kendall saluted. Jackie produced a Tupperware container from her LeSportsac. "The Jello shots are ready to go, Austin," she said into the walkie-talkie.
"Aye, aye, Monsieur X."
Jackie casually used the tip of her shoe to push the container out from underneath the table. "Have you received the Jello shots, Austin?"
"I have. Roger." Click.
Tessa checked her watch. "Five minutes until showtime."
"I'm hurrying!" Kendall cried, attacking the computer's keyboard. She plugged Tessa's mic into the computer, pressed a few more buttons, and voila. "Done," Kendall announced proudly.
Skye hurried past the people in the backstage crew. She was sweating. Badly. She went over to the scenery table, piled high with costumes and props, and decorated a paper plate with the croissant and the strawberry in the Tupperware container.
"No food here," Mrs. Patriarca said. She wagged her finger at Skye.
Skye nodded. "Yes ma'am." She turned on one heel and headed towards Chelsea, who was doing some voice exercises.
"Mee mee moe. Dee da doo. Ayayayaya!"
Skye fished out the mic Tessa had given to her earlier. "Here's your mic for the show," she said.
"Mrs. Patriarca, already gave me one – "
"That's the wrong one!" Skye blurted out. "This one is the right one. It, um, it makes everyone in the audience hear you. Loud and clear." Skye pressed the mic into Chelsea's hand, and the paper plate. "Here, eat this before the show starts. It'll help you with your…bowels."
"Whatever." Chelsea horked down the croissant and the strawberry. "Gawd, I'm so hungry. Save me some refreshments."
Skye nodded. Whatever, you vegetable. "It's starting!"
A deep voice filled the auditorium. "Welcome to Doyle's first annual talent show," it said, "so please welcome your announcer for the evening – Chelsea Evans!"
There was applause. Chelsea plastered a smile onto her face and walked out behind the curtains, waving like Queen Elizabeth. Skye joined her friends underneath the refreshment table. Tessa clutched her own microphone till her palms grew sweaty.
"Okay, go!" Jackie whispered.
"Welcome," Chelsea said, her voice polished and fake. "I'm so pleased to be the – "
The microphone squealed with feedback. The audience covered their ears.
"Sorry," Chelsea smiled, "just a little technical problem. Anyway – "
"Ipickmynosewhennooneislooking," Tessa blurted into her mic. The girls could hear Tessa's voice outside on the stage, coming from the huge sound system. The audience roared with laughter.
Chelsea's smile wavered. "Anyway!" she called out.
Jackie took the mic. "I talk to my boobs when no one's around!" she whisper-shouted in a Mexican accent.
"Omigod," Chelsea mouthed. "What's going on?" she cried at one of the crew members.
They were laughing too hard to notice.
"My boobs are named Fatty and Mistake," Skye said in a slithery voice.
Tessa beat boxed into the microphone. "Fatty and Mistake, they my homies. I talk to them when I get lonely. They like banana cereal, and sweet potato pops, don't mess with them, because without them I'd be lost!"
Everyone in the audience was screaming with laughter. Except the Pretty Committee.
Tessa unplugged the mic as Chelsea ran backstage and into the bathroom, her wails sounding sweeter than nothing they had ever heard before.
"Oh yeah, we rule," Jackie laughed. She lifted her hand to high-five them all.
The tablecloth suddenly lifted away, and the girls came face-to-face with Mrs. Patriarca.
Westchester, NY
Massie's Afterparty – The Block Estate
Wednesday, October 24th
9:02 PM
Alicia sat across from Josh on the bed, their knees touching. She felt slightly tipsy on the wine she'd shared with Olivia on the way here. "I'm not even supposed to be at this party," she whispered, "I came to see you."
Josh took her hand. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Alicia flattened her hair. "Hold on a minute." She climbed off the fluffy bed and went into the bathroom. Alicia leaned against the door, trying to take yoga-breaths. Benito, a Spanish HART, had taken her virginity two summers ago in Barcelona, and Kemp had even done it with her. But this was Josh. He was different. He wasn't stupid and sleazy. He was special.
Alicia sighed. After this, she'd go to the pier with Josh and make out under the stars. On the way, of course, Josh would produce a white rose from his pocket and hand it to her.
This had to go perfectly.
Westchester, NY
Massie's Afterparty – The Block Estate
Wednesday, October 24th
9:06 PM
Massie flipped open her cell phone.
TESSA: D's TAKEN. U SHOULD HAV KNOWN THAT B4 U MADE OUT W/ HIM. (;
"Who are you texting?"
Massie whirled around. Derrick stood behind her, practically breathing down her neck. His eyebrows furrowed. "What the hell?"
Massie snapped her phone shut. "Whatevs, Derrick. Leave me alone."
Derrick pressed her against the wall of the wine cellar. "You know what your problem is?" he whispered into her ear.
Massie glared at him and didn't answer.
"You're jealous," Derrick murmured. "You're jealous of everything."
And then he kissed her.
Massie drew in a deep breath. Was Derrick for real? He ran his hand down her leg, running it up her dress. Massie shivered with delight, letting him.
Westchester, NY
Massie's Afterparty – The Block Estate
Wednesday, October 24th
9:07 PM
Aly burst into the guest bedroom at Massie's house. She really needed to call everyone and ask if Chelsea was already in a plane halfway across the world. But she didn't have the chance. Josh was sitting on the bed.
"Hey," Aly said, inching for the door.
"Hey. Look, you can't – "
Aly took a deep breath. "Okay, shut up."
An amused look flickered across Josh's face.
"I'm sorry that I climbed into your window the other day. It was creepy and really crazy. And that I interrupted your um…thing. Also, I realize I may seem like a stalker, but…friends?"
Josh studied her face. "Well, I've never been friends with a stalker."
Aly laughed. "Come on. Seriously." She held out her hand as a peace treaty.
Josh held onto it. Then he pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist so that they were nose-to-nose. "What are you doing?" Aly whispered. She was sitting up on her knees, her hair brushing against Josh's face.
Josh didn't answer. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. He tasted like chocolate. Either she was dead or dreaming.
Maybe both.
Aly wrapped her arms around his neck, smelling that boy-smell in his shirt. Josh touched the small of her back, pressing her closer to him. She wondered what would happen if she farted right now. The thought drifted away like a toy boat in the sea.
The bathroom door slammed.
Alicia stood in the frame of the bathroom, wearing lacy red lingerie with garters. Her dark hair was swept over one shoulder, and she reeked of Ralph Lauren's Romance. Her eyes looked glassy.
Aly and Josh pulled away from each other. They were both silent. There was nothing to say.
Alicia was the first to talk. Well, she didn't really talk. She screamed – a loud, high-pitched scream that would send chills down anyone's spine. She fell onto the carpeted floor, still shrieking, hands covering her face. A tear dripped onto her knee. Finally, she said something comprehensible:
"Get the fuck out."
Westchester, NY
Massie's Afterparty – The Block Estate
Wednesday, October 24th
9:30 PM
Claire had been hiding ever since she had been kicked out of the PC. That night, though, she wasn't hiding. She was following someone.
Claire chased after the waiter, who was carrying a tray of tiny sushi. She tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around. The platter was empty.
"What?" Claire's stomach grumbled loudly. "Who took all these? Last I looked, the platter was totally full."
"She did." The waiter pointed at Dylan and disappeared.
Claire looked over. She saw a lock of red hair disappearing behind the bathroom door. She chased after it and banged on the door.
"Dylan?"
She heard retching. Someone was throwing up in the bathroom. Dylan?
Claire's stomach clenched. "Dylan?"
"What? Go away, bitch!" Dylan shouted groggily.
Claire felt hurt, but she recoiled. "Get out of there. I want to talk to you." She rapped on the door.
Dylan pulled it open. "What?" she hissed. "We don't have anything to talk about." She stormed out onto the pool deck. A bottle of champagne floated by the two girls in the water.
"Yes we do. You have a problem – "
"Shut the fuck up!" Dylan screamed. Her face was red. "Quit being such a little bitch Claire! Okay? You've always been…acting all high and mighty when you're no better than the rest of us! And I'm sick of it! I'm glad Massie kicked your skinny ass out of the Pretty Committee. You deserve it." Dylan's eyes flashed.
Claire felt small. Everyone was staring at them.
"You know you deserved it," Dylan hissed.
Claire felt as if someone had set her insides on fire. That couldn't be more untrue. She opened her mouth, and three words poured out. "Screw you, Dylan."
And then she pushed her into the pool.
Dylan screamed as she fell face-first into the chlorinated water. Waves splashed over the champagne bottles. Someone complained about her hair getting wet. Dylan bobbed to the surface, her nostrils flared. "What the eff?" she screamed. "What was that for?"
Claire didn't answer her. She turned around and walked away.
AN: Was that an awesome chapter or what? I got it done pretty fast too. Thanks to Tessa for editing and my reviewers for support.
Chapter title: Strait-Jacket starring Joan Crawford and Diane Baker. Joan Crawford movies have cool titles. : )