AN: This story will now also be on Wattpad if you prefer to read it there. Same username and title as fanfic.
Chapter 6
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
-John Quincy Adams
Briarwood-Octavian Prep
Main Building, Room 104A
Wednesday, September 4th
2:24 P.M.
When Massie walked into the large room it was uncomfortably full of people but she still managed to spot her friends.
They were sitting way down in the first row, front and center. Massie restrained a huff when she saw that Duh-livia was on Alicia's left. But at least for once Dylan was on Alicia's right instead of Claire, who sat next to Layne and the only open spot in the first few rows.
The lecture hall was large for their exclusive private school, seating about seventy, but small compared to university standards. Only a few classes were held there, its main use was to provide seating to guest speakers and for larger extracurricular clubs.
Like the Animal Advocates Club.
"Where's Kristen?" Massie asked. She thought she had been specific when she had told the PC that everyone needed to be there.
"Soccer practice." Claire and Layne said at the same time. She had almost forgotten that Kristen and Layne had formed a smart secret clique called 'the witty committee' and had become good friends.
Massie frowned at this news. But she understood that soccer came first for Kristen not only because of her scholarship, but it was also her passion.
She had wanted the entire Pretty Committee to enter the same club so they could spy on the Sova siblings. Massie had looked both of them up in last year's yearbook copy in the library and had found out that Ethan was the president of the Animal Advocates, a club dedicated to helping and saving animals in Westchester County and around the world. Monica just so happened to be the treasurer.
But looking at the row of nameplates on the long foldout table, one caught her eye, but Massie didn't see Monica's anywhere. "What happened to Monica?"
"She didn't have time for this either," Alicia explained. "Too many extracurriculars."
Indeed, Massie's head had spun at the number of things Monica was a part of. When Massie had signed up for teams and clubs that morning, she had tried to align her afterschool schedule to Monica's as much as possible. She had signed up for the burgundy society, student council (secretary of 10th grade), the animal advocates, and the equestrian team.
"How do you know?" Massie asked, finding it difficult to believe that Monica would admit such a thing to Alicia.
"My sources," Alicia said and Massie wanted to pull the glossy hairs right from Alicia's scalp, reminding her that she was a reporter for BOP, not CNN. She had always taken reporting seriously, but now she lived and breathed it. Instead of scrolling through Twitter for the latest celeb gossip, she was looking at the breaking headlines from the White House and around the globe.
Massie turned around and scanned the room, only seeing a few faces from OCD. Once again she felt like the new girl, seeing mostly strangers.
But then Massie's eyes landed on a boy with dark wavy hair and stunned blue-green eyes...
The urge to shrink back into her seat was immense, but she forced the corners of her lips upward and offered a small wave.
Massie had known this would happen eventually with her return to Westchester but hadn't expected it to happen so soon. Since seeing him with the PC, she had dreaded it. Their break up had been much harder on him than her, which was surprising considering how short of a time they had spent together. While settling into Surrey she had quickly moved onto James, and Landon continued to miss her, he had told her as such multiple times…
Until she ghosted him.
To her surprise, he smiled and waved back. He looked ready to get up until the sound of the door next to the giant smartboard opened. A few students, Ethan Sova included walked out followed by a woman in a blazer and pencil skirt that Massie guessed to be Miss Wu, the faculty leader of the club.
Miss Wu walked over to the small podium while the students at the head of the organization sat down at the table. Massie watched as a slightly above average faux brunette sat down in front of the nameplate that said Daphne Roberts- Secretary.
They had never met, but Massie recognized her from some of Claire's snapchats. Daphne was a Phillips Exeter Academy transfer that had dated Cam's Swedish bandmate. They had gone to Key Failure's gigs together to watch them perform until Daphne and Rafe's sudden breakup. Claire had been lamenting over it since.
A handsome guy with a deep tan, tawny hair, and hazel eyes sat down between her and Ethan. The name on the plate almost made her mouth drop.
Clayton Plovert-Reporter
"Plovert the Pervert has a brother?" Massie whispered to Claire.
"Yeah," Claire seemed shocked that this was news to her. "He's normal unlike…" She discreetly pointed to the end of the first row, where Chris was sitting with Dempsey, bobbing his head to whatever was playing in his Airpods.
"How come I've never heard of him?" Massie wondered more to herself than Claire.
"They're half-brothers," Claire explained. "Clayton is by Mr. Plovert's first wife, and Chris is by his second." It made sense, Mr. Plovert was currently on his fourth wife. "He used to live with his mom in California but she sent him here to spend more time with his dad."
Massie's eyes next landed on Ethan as Miss Wu welcomed everyone and made her introduction. It was easy to see why every girl (and some guys) at BOP were obsessed with him. He was gorgeous. Very tall, at least six foot three, broad shoulders, and defined muscles. His brown hair had natural streaks of blonde from time in the sun that seemed to make his blue eyes pop even more and he had a jawline that could cut diamonds. He looked like a living Calvin Klein ad.
From her digging on him, she had found nothing. The only things she had heard were that he was athletic, smart, nice, and driven. The same things were said about his sister, only followed by a warning that she was nice… if she decided she liked you.
"I'm pleased to introduce our club council," Miss Wu sang into the microphone. She named off the trio with their positions, smiling brightly at Ethan as she announced him. He was obviously her star pupil.
"As many of you know, our Vice President graduated in June," Miss Wu said and Massie felt a nervous spike in her stomach. Lots of people in the lecture hall wanted a position on the council. Being a leader of a large club, especially at an exclusive school such as BOP, looked all the better on an Ivy League application. "And our Treasurer had to step down due to a schedule conflict."
She walked over to a box on the table, lifting out a little remote. "The first order of business will be to fill those positions with a vote." She passed three out to the three council members. "I'll pass these around while we do nominations, and then you'll cast your votes."
"Claire!" Massie jammed her bony elbow into Claire's ribs.
"Ow!" Claire yelped.
"I need you to nominate me," Massie whispered. She had originally wanted the VP position not only because it looked good for colleges, but also so she could be closer to Monica and Ethan. But, Tiffany's remark was right. Even though she was from Westchester and knew some of them, she was still new to BOP. The other students hardly knew her and weren't likely to vote her into such an esteemed position. But it was worth a shot. "For Vice President."
"Uh," Claire glanced nervously at Alicia. "What about treasurer?"
"You don't think I can win VP?" Massie snapped. Surely, there was still a better chance than an LBR like Layne!
"You just might be aiming a little too high," Claire said earnestly. "Maybe next year, after everyone gets to know you."
"Nominate me." Massie insisted, glaring Claire down. It was a silent reminder that she had lied to her for an entire year about Alicia being the Alpha of BOP.
"I will," Claire whispered, finally getting the message.
BOP
Main Building, Room 104A
Wednesday, September 4th
2:33 P.M.
"Nominate me," Massie demanded Claire.
Alicia took a deep breath, reminding herself that they were no longer in middle school at OCD. They were BOP, where mercilessly not many people knew Massie Block.
It was Alicia that had a better chance of winning VP.
"Liv," Alicia whispered to her backup blonde. "I need you to nominate me as VP."
She had known Massie would be after the position when she had announced that she was joining the club. It was the perfect way to get to know her enemy better if Monica hadn't stepped down. But Massie was also after the status that came along with it. And Claire was the best choice to nominate her, she was easy to manipulate with guilt.
"Sure," Olivia shrugged. "But why do you want to be VP?"
"I have my reasons." She looked up Ethan and gave a subtitle wink. He sent her a small grin before returning his attention to Miss Wu.
"We'll start with Treasurer." She smoothed her black bob, "Do we have any nominations?"
A guy in the back stood up. "Chis Plovert!"
Whoops of agreement bubbled across the room even though his brother looked the opposite of thrilled. Clay muttered something under his breath as Miss Wu scribbled down his name.
A few more names were offered up, and Alicia waited until they stopped. Just when everyone thought they were about to move on, Alicia stood up.
"I nominate Claire Lyons." She smiled down at Claire. When Alicia had told her Ethan's plan, she had asked Claire to take Monica's old position, but she had been reluctant. She had told her it was so they could do it together, but it was really in case Monica became suspicious. It looked better to have two of them around him instead of just her.
Claire's electric blue eyes looked up at her in shock while Miss Wu indicated what button would represent the candidates. Claire held up her iClicker so Alicia could see it and clearly hit choice A, Chis Plovert, in defiance.
Alicia rolled her eyes and selected Claire. She was a shoo-in, her biggest competition being Plovert. Claire had been a member of the club the previous year and was known for being nice and responsible.
"Congratulations, Claire!" Miss Wu clapped and gestured for her to come and take a seat at the table. Claire shot her a thanks a lot glance while Alicia smiled and clapped along with the crowd as she took her new seat. "Now, the nominations for Vice President."
A few names were read before Claire stood up and mentioned Massie.
Alicia turned to Olivia, expecting her to be ready to stand up, but she was more invested in her phone.
"Olivia!" Alicia snapped.
Olivia quickly shot out of her seat. "Alicia Rivera!"
A few woos came from some guys in the crowd. Massie's mouth dropped but she quickly recovered.
"Since when do you care about animals?" She hissed.
"I always have." Alicia shrugged with an innocent smile.
"Norman Childs will be choice A, Massie Block will be B," Miss Wu listed off their choices and Alicia's grip tightened around the little white plastic remote. This needed to work…
After a few moments of silent clicking, Miss Wu checked the results. "Congratulations…" She paused in a dramatic hold until Alicia thought she was going to burst. "Alicia Rivera!"
A slow triumphant smile broke out on her face. As she stood up to go claim her place next to Ethan. Her sights were set solely on him, completely ignoring Massie's furious expression. She would deal with the repercussions later.
Right now, she was going to enjoy her victory.
AN: This chapter was originally part of the next chapter (the McKenzie party), but it was just way too long and needed to be split up.
Feedback requested