UP IN SMOKE

MAGAZINE ANNIVERSARY

FIRST FLOOR BALLROOM BATHROOM

MARCH 1

7:00 PM

"Ehmagawd look at me!" Alicia whispered in the ladies room to Claire while smoothing her outfit. The sweet music drifted from the ballroom and the smell of thick, heavy perfume wafted in. Claire could hear the sound of champagne glasses clinking together and imagined everyone in picture perfect outfits and professionally painted nails smiling, their faces smeared with make-up that made them glow with pride and pleasure.

Claire looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a light blue and brown dress Massie had let her borrow for the magazine's two-year anniversary. Claire didn't even know the designer's name, but at least her outfit would be ok for the party. But her nails were ragged and her nail polish was chipped. She'd swiped on some gloss and shimmering eye shadow, but although she looked pretty, she was far from perfect. She could hardly look at Alicia, because she knew how frumpy she was in comparison.

Slowly, though, Claire held her breath and examined Alicia. She was wearing, of course, Ralph Lauren shoes. Her toes were painted dark red and she'd slipped on a pair of black pumps that gave her a little extra height and made her chest look less disproportional and more normal. Her black chiffon dress hung wispily around her knees. She looked like a goddess.

Alicia leaned forward and applied a sweet smelling lipgloss over her red lips. She dabbed at the corners of her mouth, and then dropped the bronze tube into her red clutch that matched her nail polish. Finally she turned to Claire and scrutinized her outfit while Claire shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "Well?"

"Hmm…….8.7….you need some…." Alicia snapped open her clutch and dumped her cosmetics on the counter. Claire wondered how such a small accessory could hold so much. After selecting her army of make-up, Alicia dragged her brushes, compacts, and tweezers over to Claire and leaned forward. Claire scrunched her face in pain as her eyebrows were shaped. A few minutes later blush was being swept across her cheeks, and Claire relaxed. Besides Massie and maybe some famous make-up artist from Hollywood, Alicia was a true master at applying make-up. She had nothing to worry about.

"Ok………done. You look muy bonita," Alicia said. Claire resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Alicia's fake Spanish accent. For someone of Spanish heritage, Alicia was really bad at the language. Opening her eyes, Claire looked slowly at the mirror, and was shocked at how pretty she actually looked.

"Thanks!"

Alicia waved her hand in the air. "Just make sure I'm with you before the wedding to do it again."

Claire nodded.

"Speaking of which, I can't believe you and Cam have survived this long still in love," Alicia paused dramatically. "I heard Derington bought a penthouse just five blocks from the magazine."

"Serious?"

"I hope it's cleaner than his room was."

Claire smiled. "It'd be fun if those two got back together."

Alicia just flashed a grin and cocked her head to the side. She cupped her hand over her side chignon before tugging at the elastic band so her black hair tumbled over her left shoulder, not even in any need of a brush. Claire sighed and tried to smooth her hair. She then turned towards Alicia and saw her still grinning. "What?"

"Remember when Mass and Derrington broke up?" Alicia said.

"Yeah. I don't see what's so funny; Massie was on constant PMS for an entire semester."

"Well do you want to know why?"

Claire looked at Alicia, and saw her brown eyes sparkling with precious information.

"I already know why," Claire said annoyingly. "And what does it matter? It's old news- like by six years."

"And have you realized she's never dated OR flirted with any guy since?" Alicia's eyes seemed to bug out of her head for a second. Claire backed up. "Not really…..look, we're missing the party-"

"Kuh-laire!" Alicia stomped her foot so hard her heel almost broke. "I have some very juicy gossip I just have to tell someone, pllleeaaasseee listen!"

Claire sighed and tilted her ear towards Alicia. Alicia grinned in victory and leaned forward. "They broke up because…."

As Alicia whispered the words in her ear, Claire's eyes widened. She was sure she'd never look at Massie the same ever again.

MAGAZINE ANNIVERSARY

FIRST FLOOR BALLROOM

MARCH 1

7:10 PM

Massie groaned inwardly as she listened to a retired magazine layout lady talk about how in the good-old-days she had created some of the best works, and although Massie appreciated the compliment on how she was doing good now, she had stood with this women for a good 15 minutes and was still waiting for Alicia and Claire to come out of the bathroom. Kristen was with Dylan, trying to help her pick out low calorie foods, so it didn't look like she would be saved anytime soon. Massie jerked her head and downed her glass of champagne.

"And Oh Meh Gosh what is Gina wearing today?" The elderly women said.

"I have no idea," Massie said hurriedly as she quickly made her exit and dashed towards Dylan and Kristen.

Suddenly she slammed into someone. Looking up, she saw a tall man holding a glass of champagne staring down at her. "Hey, Massie," He said almost nervously. He ran a hand through his shaggy hair and looked at her with bright brown eyes.

Massie tilted her head to the side. The guy looked amused. "Don't you remember me?"

Massie's eyes widened as she suddenly caught the sent of familiar cologne. "Ehmagawd, yes!" Massie smiled. "Hey Josh."

"Hey," He said. He opened his mouth to speak some more when Claire and Alicia finally arrived. "Whoa."

Massie turned and saw Josh staring at Claire. She giggled. "You still like blondes?"

Josh snorted and sipped his champagne. "Claire's still hot."

"Too bad, she's taken."

Josh nodded. "I know. That's actually why I'm here- Harrington's Cam's best man, yeah know, when they finally get a date set, and I sort of came along. We're living in that old bright orange apartment building…"

Massie spat out her champagne. "De-Derrick is here?"

"In the city? Yeah." Josh sighed. "But he's not at the party."

"Oh, good….hear comes Leesh," Massie tried her best to wink playfully despite her shaking body. "Why don't you start liking brunettes?"

With that, Massie shoved passed Josh and headed towards the refreshments. She needed sugar. Fast.