Previously on Secret Life of the Influencers...
"Seriously?!" Tatia exclaimed with a grunt. She folded her arms tightly across her chest, "We thought someone was dying."
"Do not invite freshmen to the bonfire—it's social suicide!"
"I say," he faced Tatia with a devious grin on his face, "throw them to the wolves."
Goodwill
Boutique Section
Thursday September 2nd
2:17 PM
Massie Block has always been extraordinary. When it comes to clothes, she was ah-mazing at putting together outfits. When it comes to boys, she (kind of) knew how to pick them—although Chris Abeley wasn't into her, he was still a total HART who was bound to realize his mistake in time. And when it came to her friends, she loved and supported them no matter what—even her KEDS/hand-me-down wearing best friend, Claire Lyons.
She tried (and sometimes failed) not to be too judgmental when it came to Claire's wardrobe. Massie knew Claire's financial freedom wasn't as... supportive... as hers. But one thing she could never get behind? Second hand retail shopping. She'd rather spill mascara over her all-white Jimmy Choo's.
"Ugh." Massie whispered to herself as she pinched the exterior of a suede Valentino blazer in nude. "These people don't know the value of Valentino?" Massie hissed, glaring at the $60 price tag that clung to pocket of the jacket.
Claire pressed pause on her camera to keep Massie from saying anything else that she knew she'd have to edit out of her video. She was trying to film a back-to-school haul, but she knew her subscribers wouldn't take a liking to Massie's degrading comments. Already, she had called three people poor, stuffed two 'too hard to look at' tops into random shoe boxes, and expressed her disgust when it came to thrift shopping every few minutes or so.
A summer away from the sky-high standards of New York city did her well. Claire Lyons had found a new love for life, herself, and YouTube. Though the constant vlogging and editing was tiresome at times, especially times like this (when editing was going to take an extra hour thanks to Massie's two cents), glamorizing her life in a relatable way was fun.
"I just don't understand why you would wear clothes from someone you don't even know—forget gross, that's bad for the environment." Massie stated when the girls exited her family's new platinum Rolls Royce upon their arrival. Claire didn't ask her to elaborate on how it was bad for the environment, knowing Massie would say something like 'no one should have to see one person wearing clothes from five seasons ago, let alone two.'
"Claire," Massie started, just as the blonde assumed she was done bashing her shopping techniques, "you have almost two million subscribers on YouTube, right?" Claire nodded with a smile. It was a great accomplishment for anyone to achieve 1.8 million followers after only three months of starting a YouTube channel. She originally started it as a past time when she realized Kristen Gregory wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. Kristen's parents, with new jobs, new money, and new mindsets, were cautious about what they spent their money on and didn't want Kristen catching flights every other weekend to visit her friends. They saved majority of their income, just in case things went left again.
Massie continued, "And you have almost two-hundred thousand followers on Instagram-" Claire opened her mouth to interrupt but closed it. Massie had questioned her multiple times while she was in Florida to ask when she was going to tag the PC in one of her posts, or one of her stories for that matter. Claire knew popularity was important for Massie and Alicia. Dylan was more worried about her well-being, which Claire applauded, but she had a feeling if Massie gained more following online, she currently stood at 7.2k followers on Instagram with Alicia tailing her at 6.9k, she would use her platform in a negative way. Massie already took pictures of pedestrians as they drove by and posted them on her story, rating (and usually mocking) their outfits or hair.
Claire was too scared to admit it out loud, but she didn't want her subscribers, people who were interested in her and looked at her as if she were their best friend and confidant, to think she condoned class shaming. She wasn't embarrassed of Massie... but she wasn't going to flaunt their friendship either.
She was pulled out of her thoughts by the rest of Massie's speech:
"-there's no way you aren't making enough money to shop somewhere a little more... tasteful." Massie's upper lip curled as she watched a woman remove her camisole top to try on a green BCBG sequins dress. There was a stain on the white bra she wore underneath.
Claire removed the camera from the tripod, as long as she was shopping with Massie, she wasn't going to be able to film. It'd take forever to edit her out. She gave a shrug before responding, "I've never been one to spend my money on expensive clothes."
Massie's eyes squinted as she stuck her neck out and placed a thin hand on her hip. "I saw that campaign you did for Kendall x Kylie! There's no way you wore these-" she used her pointer finger to stab a Michael Kors puffer jacket in the shoulder "-to a photoshoot with the Kardashians."
Claire whimpered internally. Massie was right, she didn't wear anything bought from Goodwill, or anything given to her from Massie herself. She'd put on a disguise and went on a quick shopping trip to Ralph Lauren to find an outfit that would fit the occasion. Kylie Jenner was in New York on vacation and recognized her at central park where she and Cam were on a date. She introduced herself, although she really didn't need to, and complimented her sense of style (Claire wore a blue Burberry bodycon dress, from the very store they stood in, that was similar to the color of Cam's eyes and a pair of her mother's heels) before asking her to model a few of their pieces for the next collection of Kendall x Kylie. Claire agreed, and the spread was scheduled for release in December.
"No one is going to think you're shallow if you stop shopping at Goodwill and buy clothes fresh from the manufacturer!" Massie promised. She remembered Claire saying something about not wanting to disappoint her subscribers—they supported her through her KEDS, her separation with Kristen, the temporary long-distance relationship she had with Cam while she was in Florida. If she started wearing those kinds of clothes more and more, would they become a part of who she is? She absolutely did not want to become a completely different person because of a monetized YouTube channel plastered with her videos.
"Where are we going?" Claire squealed, the jean jacket she tucked under her arm slipped as Massie gripped her wrist and led her in the other direction. She struggled not to drop her camera.
Massie walked as fast as she could out of Goodwill, immediately texting Isaac to pick them up. "To the mall, so I can prove to you that your followers don't care about what you wear." Massie immediately opened her notes and listed five mandatory stores for them to shop at before the mall closed for the day. Claire's followers might not care what she wears, but Massie certainly did. She knew exactly what they were up against at BOP, and didn't want Claire's fashion choices, which weren't always bad, tainting the PC status in any way.
Westchester Mall
Second Floor - D&G Boutique
Thursday September 2nd
3:07 PM
"Great, now smile." Massie ordered, holding Claire's phone up and snapping a photo. She was trying on a pair of D&G light wash distressed mom jeans (which she hated, but knew Claire liked), styled with a red and peach D&G color block button-up top, tied in the front to form a crop top that showed off Claire's silver belly button ring. Massie wanted the PC to wait until their sophomore year to get their belly buttons pierced but Claire told her she promised her subscribers she'd get it pierced when she reached 500k on YouTube.
Once Claire's smile was just right, Massie uploaded the picture to her story with a poll.
"They'll vote the heart if they love it, and the trash can if they don't."
Claire gave a quick nod before quickly undressing. It didn't matter how much money she made from videos and advertising, she felt so out of place. Not growing up with money made her feel uneasy whenever she spent it.
Like when Todd, her delinquent younger brother, turned the stove on to make pancakes without realizing her phone was on one of the burners, her phone practically blew up. She was mad, but knew her parents would be even more upset if they knew how much money she spent on a replacement phone, an iPhone in particular. She promised not to tattle if he promised the same thing in return, and told her parents that the phone was sent to her by Sprint in request for her to endorse their new phone plan.
The girls exited the dressing room and made their way back to the shoe section. Massie wanted to find the perfect pair of shoes for the first day back to school.
"Are you getting this?" Massie asked, posing flamboyantly in front of the mirror. Claire's hand flew up to her mouth to conceal her cackle as Massie giggled back at her.
Moments like this made Claire forget all about Massie's class-shaming; she was just a girl, no different from Claire. But the moment was over before Claire could take it in completely.
"Leesh and Dyl are on their way." Massie hit a 180, sauntered closer to the shoes lined on the walls, and eyed a pair of purple sandals. She rolled her eyes when she couldn't find her size. "We need to talk strategy."
Claire opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by an unfamiliar voice. She and Massie turned around to find a beautiful girl with dark green eyes that enhanced her natural tan, soft pink lips doused with three to four coats of clear lip gloss, and practically perfect eye brows. Her hair was just past bra strap length, extremely voluminous and wavy. She looked like Alicia, apart from the green eyes.
"You're Claire, right?" The girl asked with the smile, ignoring Massie's presence.
Claire's eyed darted to Massie before looking back at the girl. "Um, yeah!" She gestured to the right of her, "This is my friend Massie." Massie might not like thrift shopping, but she despised being ignored even more. Claire felt terrible, she must have met the girl before but couldn't remember her!
The girl nodded and gave Massie a quick grin before looking back to Claire.
Who the hell is this girl? Massie thought to herself with a squint as she quickly eyed her outfit. The girl wore orange Christian Dior sandals; a gold Cuban link anklet hugged her ankle at the end of her high-waisted Gucci jeans, decorated with a white stripe down the outside of both legs, and a white bandeau covered by a Gucci cardigan. Massie had the same one in her closet but never wore it.
"I'm Chantelle," she stuck her hand out to Claire and smiled wide, "my sister watches your channel a lot." She giggled at the end of her sentence as Claire's hand met with hers for a shake. She extended her hand out to Massie, who shook it wearily.
"Really?!" Claire exclaimed, already feeling better.
Chantelle nodded and slid her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. "I'm surprised to see you shopping here-my sister talks about thrifting every shopping trip we take."
Claire swallowed a grunt and forced a smile onto her face while Massie rolled her eyes. Claire had successfully spread her second-hand shopping habits to unsuspecting victims of poor fashion.
"She told me you'll be going to my school, Briarwood-Octavian?"
Massie, suddenly interested in the topic of conversation, adjusted her body language to seem more friendly. "Yup!" She answered before Claire could. "Our first day will be on Monday." Massie suddenly remembered who she was.
During the Summer, Massie made it a point to get to know the hierarchy of BOP. At the top of the list was Charlie Armani, her boyfriend, Nathan Calloway, and her beta's, Tatia Tatum and Chantelle Jameson, the girl standing in front of them now.
Keep your enemies close... Massie thought to herself.
Chantelle grinned at both of them genuinely. "That's great-" she pulled out her phone again before pausing, "-what grade are you both in?"
"We're fresh-"
"Meat!" Massie smiled and pinch Claire's hip before letting out a light-hearted laugh. If Massie remembered correctly, Chantelle was a sophomore. They were freshmen, and would have a better chance at climbing the ranks if Chantelle gave them an opening.
Claire flinched and placed a hand on her hip as casual as possible to subdue the throbbing.
"Completely new. We transferred from a school in the city."
Claire bit the tip of her tongue in worry. Why was Massie lying to a random girl about what grade they were in? If she went to BOP, then surely, she would realize that they were lying about being part of the sophomore class when they didn't show up for sophomore orientation. Each class had an orientation to prepare the students in transitioning from one grade to another, or to scold the students who were repeating a grade.
Chantelle seemed to believe Massie, "Great!" She sent a quick text on her phone before handing it to Claire. "Put both of your numbers in, I want to invite you to the back-to-school bonfire."
Claire passed the phone to Massie after typing in her cell phone number.
"Bonfire?" Claire asked.
Massie smiled internally. She knew all about the bonfire, it's been tradition for almost a decade for the school's alpha to host the back-to-school bonfire at their house. Massie had already decided that she and the PC were going to have to crash as freshmen and sophomores were never invited. But, since Chantelle was a sophomore, Charlie's beta, and an SGA advocate for inclusivity, Massie knew that this year sophomores would be allowed. Chantelle inviting them only makes it easier for them to complete their mission. Crashing a party is so middle school.
Chantelle nodded before placing her phone in her pocket once more. "My friend's hosting it at her place—we have one every year so hopefully you guys can make it." She bid her goodbyes before making her way to the register where the cashier pulled a few items from below the counter to check her out.
Just then, Massie spotted Alicia and Dylan strutting into the boutique. She grabbed Claire's hand, and the purple sandals (which were half a size too small but too cute not to buy), before making her way towards them.
"Leesh! Dyl!" She cheered in excitement. Becoming BOP's alpha was going to be much easier than she originally thought. "You'll never guess what just happened."
The End.
And that's chapter two! The next few chapters will be 'fillers' as well, introducing the characters and starting some of the story lines. Stay tuned and leave a review or two!