(A/N Ah! It's over! Enjoy the very last chapter of Apple C! But before you start to cry, Maggie and I will be back! We're going to be writing a new story together, so definitely keep an eye out for that! Thanks every one so much for all the love and support you've given us! We heart you!)
Massie flopped down on her big purple goose-feather-filled duvet, after grabbing a cup of chocolate icing (her secret indulgence) and her palm pilot. She didn't usually eat chocolate icing (or chocolate at all – hello! Calories!) but some times, when she was feeling the need to celebrate, she would.
Massie also realized that it had been ages since she had recorded the current state of the union, and she had a LOT to say.
After about an hour, Massie flipped her palm pilot away, grinning. It had definitely been a long run, but she and the Pretty Committee had succeeded! They'd gotten rid of the Apple C's! They definitely had the right to rule the school!
She placed the chocolate icing on her desk just as her parents came in. "Hey," she said.
"Massie, sit down," Her father patted the bed. Massie sat tentatively. Her father sat beside her, and her mother on the white chaise by the window.
"Massie…" William began. "As you know, I work in a very large corporation."
Massie nodded. She wasn't sure where her parents were going with this.
"And because it's so big, we sometimes need to let people go. Much like what happened to your friend Millie's father, Bill Black." William looked at Kendra, signaling her to take over.
"Massie, you've had a spoiled life. I know we spoiled you, and it's hard for me to admit that. But last night as your father and I discussed it, it hit me," she burst into tears. "We've been bad parents. We shouldn't have spoiled you just in case…in case this happened. Now what will you do?"
Massie looked back to her father, clearly confused. "What are you guys talking about?"
William looked uncomfortable. "You see," he said, scratching his bald spot. "We were letting people go, and I guess because I haven't been doing well enough, they let me go."
Massie's finger tips went numb. Her face turned pale, then pink, and then green. "We're…We're POOR?!?!"
William shook his head quickly, knowing his daughter would blow up. "No, no, not at all. We're just…not billionaires. More…middle-class."
"We're POOR!" Massie wailed, throwing herself dramatically on the bed. "How? Why? What do we have to do? Do we have to move out? Get rid of Bean? Will I have to go to Abner Double Day?"
"No, no, I was able to get a job down in Beverly Hills," William announced, happily.
Massie's blood ran cold, her heart stopped. Beverly Hills. Home of the Apple-C's. Where the Apple-C's truly ruled. "Beverly Hills?" Massie asked in a somber voice, making sure she heard him correctly.
"Yes," William beamed. "In fact, I'll be working for Mr. Black. Won't that be fun? You and –what was her name?- can hang out all day! You'll even be going to her private school!"
"Millie," Massie said. "Millie Black."
"Yes, that's it! Now Inez will be up here in an hour to pack your things. I'm trying to leave as soon as possible so we don't have to pay any more on the house." William stood up and beckoned for Kendra to follow him.
Kendra stood up, tear stains on her cheeks. "Oh, Massie," she sniffed. "I'm sorry I brought you up this way. From now on you can only spend a hundred dollars on clothes per month."
"Mom—"
"I know, it's hard. But think of all the money we'll be saving for your college education!" Kendra smiled, and left, shutting the door behind her.
"Oh, gawd, Bean," Massie turned to her sleepy pug. "What are we going to do? I know, I'll call the girls." She grabbed her new purple iPhone.
After a few rings, they picked up.
"Everyone here?" Massie asked, close to tears.
"Yeah," the four girls answered at slightly different times.
"I have major news," Massie sniffled.
"Ooh, how many points?" Alicia asked.
"None; its horrible news. It's about me."
Everyone on the other end was silent, preparing themselves for the bad news to come.
"I-I'm poor," Massie burst into tears. "My dad said we were…were…middle-class!"
"Ehmagawd, Mass, that's awful," Dylan said sympathetically.
"Um, no offence, Massie, but middle-class isn't poor," Claire said.
"Aren't you middle-class?" Massie asked.
"Yeah."
"Exactly! You're poor, Kuh-laire, and now so am I!"
There were sympathetic murmurs and promises to buy Massie Starbucks and such from Alicia and Dylan.
"You want to know the worst part?" Massie asked. "My dad took a pay cut…in Beverly Hills!"
"Beverly Hills?" Alicia screeched. "Massie that's—"
"I know that's where the Apple-C's are from," Massie interrupted her. "Look, can you guys just come over? I need some BFF time."
They all hung up, promising to rush over.
A new e-mail appeared in Massie's inbox.
From: The Extremely Pretty Committee
To: Massie Block
Subject: Hello
Hey, Maysie, we hear your daddy took a pay cut. You probably think you're going to take over our school, our city, our boyfriends…well you're damn wrong, sweetie. See, Beverly Hills is OUR turf. We've always been here, and NOTHING will stand in our way. So good luck fitting in, Maysie. See you soon!
The EPC: Millie, Felicia, Charlie, Chloe, Krista
Massie screamed, and sat up in bed. She was drenched in sweat, hugging her chocolate icing container, and Bean was staring at her from the foot of the bed.
"Daddy!" she shouted.
She heard footsteps running up the stairs, and her dad was at the door, panting.
"What's wrong, Massie?" He asked.
"Are we poor?" Massie asked, playing with her duvet out of nerves.
"Are you kidding?" William laughed. "I just made an extra billion. We're richer than good old Len. I can't wait to brag. Anything else you need?"
"No, daddy, you can go," Massie grinned.
So it had all been a dream, a horrible dream. She had defeated the Apple-C's, she was rich, and she was staying in her beloved Westchester. Massie put her chocolate icing container on her bed-side table.
She quickly called the girls. "Hey, guys."
"Hey," everyone answered.
"Daddy just made some more money," she boasted. "I'm in the mood for shopping."
