Chapter Four:

The Party!

"Oh my God!" Kate screamed loudly as the group was making their way out from Daphne's apartment. As they had all agreed, they met up at Daphne's place because they decided it was best if they all prepared for the party together. Besides, Daphne is the daughter of an English Lord, so she had the most perks – a.k.a. chauffeurs and limos. Kate had thought of the plan, so now it was sure there was no way Claire could throw them out of the party – hah, they arrived in style.

Twitty looked concerned. "What is it Kate?"

Kate's face curled up into a frown and she was obviously upset. "My shoes are last season! I've got to change them."

Everyone had a collective sigh. Unable to help himself, Gordo remarked: "No one's gonna notice, Kate."

Kate sighed. "Yeah, well, I guess."

The group made their way out of the apartment where a limousine was waiting.

"Daphne, I have to say, I am impressed." Louis said. "My sister Ren would die to ride in one of these."

Daphne smiled. "She's welcome to ride here anytime, Louis."

"Cool."

The ride to Claire's place was as expected, full of chitchat. The girls catched up on the latest in clothes and makeup, while the guys spent the entire ride bugging the girls about their topics. "Please," Malcom said. "Enough about eyeshadow."

The limo stopped and they were of in front of the Miller house. Music was booming from inside, but it wasn't so noisy. And, as the group had to admit, the decorations really made Claire's party appealing.

"Okay, there is no way no one is gonna see us come out of here," Kate said. "I'm not gonna let a fantastic car be left unseen. Someone go out there and announce Kate Sanders is here!"

Shallow as it was, it seemed like a brilliant plan, and Malcolm wasted no time in obliging to Kate's order. He went inside and within a few seconds, many people had gathered in the Miller's front lawn, Claire herself included.

With the chauffeur opening the door for them, they went out one by one: Tawny (who had an expression-less look on her face); Twitty; Malcolm (he went inside again); Daphne; Lizzie and Gordo (together, as always); and finally, Kate, with an ooh-I-just-came-out-of-a-limo-and-you-didn't look on her face.

"Hi Claire," she said, smiling. "Thought we'd drop by."

Claire made a face and was about to respond but Mrs. Miller interrupted her. "Kate, it's been a long time! Come in and introduce me to your friends."

"Gladly, Mrs. Miller. Claire, shall we go in?" she said, her tone a bit sarcastic, which Mrs. Miller didn't catch.

Claire's eyes glared. "Fine."

Once inside, the group separated into smaller groups. Lizzie and Gordo went to one corner where Larry, Parker, Veruca, and all their other junior high friends were, while Kate dragged Ethan onto the dance floor. Twitty, Louis and Tawny saw their junior high friends and went over there to talk, which left Daphne and Malcolm in the middle of it all.

"I don't know anyone here aside from you guys," Malcolm said. He didn't know why, but his palms were sweating. What was the big deal? He was with his friends, and now only with Daphne, one of those friends. Why was he nervous?

Daphne smiled. "I know how it feels. Hey, let's go get some food."

"Okay." Malcolm replied.


Claire was dancing with a guy who stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted Daphne.

"Where do you think you're going?" Claire demanded. "There is no way you're leaving me dancing alone."

"Here," the guy said, pushing Malcolm into Claire's direction. "Dance with this wussy."

Daphne wasn't happy with the way the guy treated Malcolm. "Hey, that's my friend over there. I think it was really, really --- "

"It's no big, Daphne. I know that guy," Malcolm said as he danced with Claire, who seemed to forget for a moment that Malcolm was one of Kate's friends, therefore one she doesn't want  to be dancing with. "He's my brother."

"What?" Daphne asked. "How come you never told us?"

Reese pulled her away. "Let's dance baby."

"Who are you anyway?"

"Reese is the name, Daphne."

Daphne, with Malcolm's approval, loosened up a bit and started dancing with Reese. Within minutes she was enjoying Reese's company and it was apparent she was attracted to him. "You're not so bad, a little rough in the edges but you're okay."

"I know I am. Listen, don't ever listen to anything Malcolm has to say about me," he began. "I'm sure he'll think of something to say." He then explained that Malcolm didn't like telling anyone Reese was his brother, because he was kind of a bully people then avoided Malcolm. Since they moved Malcolm wanted a fresh start and Reese let him have it. No one knew about them being brothers, until now.


"Oh I see." Daphne smiled. "Well, he may be your brother, but he's my friend."

The tune changed from a fast one to a slow love song.

Claire wrapped her arms around Malcolm. "Listen, Marco. I know you're friends with 'LoserLizzie' and 'EvenMoreLoserKate', but I don't care." She smiled. "I like you Marco."

Malcolm cleared his throat. "First of all, the name's Malcolm." He stared at her icily. "And I like someone else."

Claire stopped dancing. "Who is it then, Kate? Lizzie?"

"Neither."

"Don't tell me it's that poetic-dark-society-Marilyn-Manson-girl you have for a friend? What is her name anyway?"

"Tawny. And really, whoever the girl is it's none of your business."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She left Malcolm in a huff.

Meanwhile, Lizzie and Gordo were laughing so hard from one of Larry's jokes. They were having such a good time that they failed to see Malcolm left all alone.

"Hey," Kate said to Lizzie, with Ethan still dancing with her. "Tell Malcolm to join you guys."

Malcolm joined the group and in no time was exchanging jokes with them. "Hey you guys aren't so bad. So is this party."

"I miss Miranda." Larry said.

"Now, that's out of the blue," Lizzie said, bursting into laughter. "But yeah, I miss her too. We all do."

"But none of you miss her as much as I do," a voice behind them said, and they all turned around to see who it was.

"Kessler, I told you once, and I'm gonna tell you again, Miranda's my girl!"

Danny smirked. "So what's Veruca? Your lady-in-waiting?"

Veruca shifted uncomfortably in her seat.  "I—I'm Larry's friend."

He sat beside Veruca and put his arm around her. "Veruca, you and Larry are meant for each other. Don't forget that."

Larry, not wanting to be rude, just smiled and went on with it.

The music became a dance tune again and in no time, all of them were in the dance floor, grooving to the music: Lizzie and Gordo; Kate and Ethan; Daphne and Reese; Tawny and Louis; Malcolm and Parker; Danny, Veruca and Larry; and  Twitty and Claire (who seemed to forget that again, Twitty is one of Kate's friends.)

They were all enjoying themselves. Kate had to admit that the party was ragin', although she will never admit that fact to Claire.


Speaking of Claire…

"EVERYBODY, I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. LISTEN UP!"

Everybody became silent and looked at Claire. Claire looked icily at their group, glaring at Lizzie and Kate. "THERE'S SOMETHING YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW."

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