The Block Estate

Backyard

Saturday, October 3

6:50 PM

Massie was standing in front of her full-length mirror, tilting her head as far to the right as she could, examining her outfit for last-minute touch ups. Tilting her head was the closest thing she could get to another person's point of view; she tried to look at herself from someone else's critical point of view. Her shirt was perfectly neat and in place, her leggings fit her perfectly, her pumps were tall and a cute twist on the classic 80s pump; she had a stack of thin gold bangles on her right arm and wide, thick gold hoops dangling from her ears.

"I am so totally a 10," Massie said (more to herself than Bean, but Bean barked in agreement anyways).

Massie took a look at her phone as soon as she heard Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" playing. It was a text message from Kristen.

KRISTEN: BAD NEWS

MASSIE: MORE MAMA DRAMA? LOL

KRISTEN: NOT FUNNY

MASSIE: DONT WORRY IVE GOT CLOTHES 4 U 2 CHANGE IN2

KRISTEN: IF MY MOMS COMING TO THE PARTY HOW WILL I GET AWAY W/ IT?

MASSIE: DONT WORRY ILL TAKE CARE OF EVRYTHING; MEET ME AT CABANA #3 K?

KRISTEN: FINE THX

And with that, Massie snapped her phone shut.

"Time to head out, Bean," Massie announced to her puppy as she picked her up. Bean barked in anticipation.

Bean looked ah-dorable with her big, purple bow on her right ear, her black shirt that said MADE IN THE 80S in neon colors, and purple tutu (all perfect puppy-size).

Massie stopped at the door leading to the backyard and took a deep breath; it was time for her grand entrance. She, gracefully, opened the door and sauntered into the backyard; she was careful about her heels sinking into the grass and made sure nobody would know how much it really bothered her. She held Bean tight as she pushed her way through a crowd of colorfully-dressed adults.

Middle-aged men and women dressed as hippies with flowers in their hair; wearing bell bottoms and disco shirts (or dresses); and guys wearing thin ties, suit jackets with the sleeves rolled up, and women wearing neon skinny jeans and leggings, tutus, and off big, fluffy sweaters. Outfits that would normally be regarded as beyond tacky were suddenly considered cool and cute.

Massie saw her mother frantically trying to find something to perfect, making sure that this was the greatest party she had ever thrown. Her father was trying to calm Kendra down and getting her to enjoy the party.

"Hi Daddy," Massie said as she got close to her dad.

"Massie, don't you look beautiful," William said hugging his daughter close.

"What's mom stressing out about?" Massie asked.

"Who knows," William chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "Go on and have fun." William told Massie as soon as they finished laughing. "I think I see your cousin over there."

"Kay," Massie said, strutting away.

Massie saw Melody standing next to her boyfriend, looking at some footage of Led Zeppelin on one of the many flat screens. She looked annoyed with the music playing ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham). Massie caught the end of what Melody was ranting about.

"All I'm saying is if they're going to play footage of Led Zeppelin, they should be playing Led Zeppelin."

"Yeah, but that screen's playing footage of AC/DC, and that one's playing the "Thriller" music video, so I really don't think the videos are influencing the music," her boyfriend tried explaining.

"I know that," Melody started. "But you know how much I this song."

Melody had her soft brown curls down, hanging loosely by her elbows, perfectly glossy with a hippie-style headband. She wore no makeup except for soft pink blush, shimmery pink eye shadow, mascara, and an orange-tinted lip gloss. She was wearing a pink Led Zeppelin shirt that said "Whole Lotta Love" and light-wash flare jeans with a Rolling Stones distressed leather belt. An Ozzy Osbourne guitar pick necklace hung around her neck and bounced around in front of her cleavage. She seemed about three or four inches taller thanks to her white 60s Go-Go boots. Somehow, Melody was able to mesh all three decades together and look good doing it.

Only one thing bothered Massie-the fact that Melody expected her to wear one of the rock shirts they shredded up, yet Melody wasn't wearing one.

"Melody," Massie called, as she put Bean down. Bean ran up to Melody's boyfriend (who was literally wearing jeans and an AC/DC shirt) and started barking. "What happened to your rock shirt?"

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same question," Melody shot back.

"I had my own outfit plans," Massie said powerfully. She felt more energized than she did after downing a can of sugar-free Red Bull.

"Good for you," Melody congratulated Massie, her warm eyes flickering with delight.

"Wait, what?" Massie asked sounding as confused as ever. She didn't care at this point about not sounding like an out-of-the-loop LBR. She wanted to know why Melody was so happy.

"Sweetie, that was a test," Melody explained. "See, when I was your age, if someone older than me told me to wear something I would have worn it; now that I am older, I realize that that isn't right. I'm much smarter than I was then. You are strong-stronger than I was when I was your age."

"So, that whole thing was a joke?" Massie asked. "Oh, thank Gawd, because I was really losing faith in you," Massie said as she took off.

Massie got to the cabana to meet Kristen; Kristen was already sitting inside cabana #3, waiting for Massie.

"Massie! I am so glad you're here," Kristen said smiling. "Look at the disaster my mother calls clothes."

"Well it doesn't matter because now that your real mother is gone, your fashion fairy gawdmother is here," Massie announced. She stepped in, holding her favorite back-up outfit for Kristin. "If you don't like this," Massie started, referring to the teal sequined tube top, dark-wash denim jacket, matching skinny jeans, and teal pumps, "then we can always go with the backup outfit-which is inside."

"No, it's fine," Kristen said.

"But wait, there's more," Massie announced like a game show host. "You also get a tangle of crucifix necklaces and a rosary-very "Like a Virgin"-Madonna-like (and mom-approved)-and of course one of those headbands with a bow-again, very Madonna-like. Remember, we're trying to make tacky cute."

"Wow, Massie, thanks," Kristin said.

When Kristen finished changing, Massie took a step back to admire her work. Kristen looked ah-mazing. "Make sure you roll up the sleeves on the jacket a little-that's how they used to wear it," Massie ordered. Kristen did it. "Perfect."

Kristin's stomach and arms (up to the elbow) were exposed, and one of the crucifix necklaces reached her belly button. She looked so totally 80s; Massie really was a fairy gawdmother.

The girls set out to find Claire; as soon as they did, they made their official entrance and got everyone's attention. They were the center of attention as they walked passed dozens of admirers, occasionally stopping to talk to someone who would compliment them and ask them where they got their clothes and blah blah blah.

All of a sudden, a very muscular man wearing sunglasses came over to the girls and whispered something in Massie's ear. All of a sudden Massie's expression hardened…