Golden Palm Hotel
Lobby
September 26
11:02 a.m.
Kristen adjusted her white Burberry Brit Check Tunic Top. Usually, when she entered this hotel, she felt self-conscious about what she was wearing –especially because only extremely rich people came to the hotel. She sighed, reminding herself that she was now as rich as the owner of the hotel.
Her shiny, black ballet flats made a soft "clack" as they stepped on the fine, creamy colored ceramic. Kristen held on to the golden stair rails as she walked down the stairs to the center of the lobby. She was nervous already, and she didn't want to feel even worst if she fell down the stairs.
As soon as she reached the last stair, she heard a man exclaim her name. She smiled, and looking up, gazed at her grandfather playing the piano in the middle of the luxurious hotel. She hurried towards the piano, and waved.
"Hey grandpa," Kristen greeted. She turned around, and waved at the lobby manager, who was writing something, "Hey Ronald!"
Ronald looked up, and smiling, waved back. Kristen grinned, and looked back at her grandfather.
"I thought we were supposed to see each other until Friday," her grandfather, Christian Petterson, murmured, while his fingers moved rapidly along the piano keys.
"Not happy to see me?" Kristen chuckled nervously.
Christian smiled, and motioned her to the piano seat, "Seat down, Kristen."
Kristen frowned, "Is it permitted? I mean, while you are working, and all."
Christian laughed, "Of course it is. Don't be such a goody-two-shoes and seat besides your old man."
Kristen smiled, and slowly sat next to him. She examined the music sheets displayed in front of him. "What are you playing?"
"Oh, just some old blues," her grandfather replied. Then, he turned his head to look at her, examining her face,"I feel you are nervous. What is wrong? Is it because of my daughter's and your father's, you know…"
"Not, it is not because of that," Kristen assured, sighing "Y-you were once a chef before you retired, right?"
Christian nodded.
"You still have your gear, right?"
Christian nodded, slowly, "What's up with my gear?"
"Wait," Kristen said, inhaling nervously, "Y-you know that mom is a fashion designer/wedding planner now, right?"
Christian smiled, "And a very known one. I am proud of her."
Kristen smiled weakly, "W-well, then you wouldn't want her to lose her job, wouldn't you?"
Christian frowned, and looked at Kristen, "What are you up to?"
"Ineedyoutore-makeaweddingcakeformom," Kristen blurted out.
Christian looked at his granddaughter, confused, "I beg your pardon?"
"I need you to re-make a wedding cake for mom," Kristen whispered.
Christian's blue-green eyes widened, and then he half-smiled, "What did you do?"
"Er…Beckham, you know, I-I, was, um, cleaning the refrigerator, I set the cake out, and you know, Beckham, like a normal cat would, jumped on the counter to inspect the cake, and then, splat! He let the cake fall," Kristen shook her head slowly.
Christian nodded slowly, as if he didn't believe her, but played along, "And you want me to re-make a wedding cake?"
Kristen nodded slowly, "I know how the cake looks, where the decorations were placed, the exact same color, even the flavor! I just have to write it down to you, and draw the cake. And voila! You will be ready."
Christian sighed, "Kristen, didn't you once want to be a chef?"
"I still do. And, I know, you have taught me to cook everything that's cook-able in this world, but, I-I don't have the correct equipment to make a wedding cake!"
Christian sighed once again, and looked at Kristen, "I hate to say no, Krist-mas, but I am working right now."
Kristen nodded understandingly, "It's ok, I'll just contact one of mom's chefs. Thanks anyways."
She climbed off the seat, and had just taken a few steps away when she heard her grandfather call after her. Kristen turned around, confused.
Christian smiled, "Didn't I teach you how to play some songs on the piano and how to read sheet music?"
Kristen tilted her head in confusion, then widened her eyes as she realized what he was suggesting, "You don't expect me to-"
"Oh, I do," Christian interrupted.
"B-but, I-I-I" Kristen stammered.
"But?"
"I am not a professional! I can't play like you."
"The wedding cake," Christian teased.
Kristen's blue-green eyes examined the white piano, which resembled the white box where the wedding cake was once stored.
"Ok," Kristen sighed, and walked towards her grandfather.
Her grandfather smiled, and reached for a small suitcase besides his chair. He opened it and got out a whole bunch of papers, then waved them at Kristen when she sat next to him.
"I've got some Vanessa Carlton songs, and some classics, too," he said.
Kristen, smiled and took the papers. Then her face paled, "I don't know any of these songs."
Christian winked, "Don't worry. After I talk to Donald about the situation, I'll ask him to give you, mmm, 30 minutes to practice?"
"30 minutes?" Kristen widened her eyes, "B-but-"
Christian messed her dirty blond hair, smiling, "I know for a fact that you learn fast, and, you can play by ear."
Noticing Kristen's worried expression, Christian added, "Fine, I'll ask him for 35 minutes."
Kristen's mouth dropped open, "What if I make a mistake? I'll be so embarrassed," she whispered.
"Then don't make a mistake," he replied.
"You sound just like Massie," Kristen chuckled nervously, then sighed,"Fine, go and talk to Donald, I'll just seat here, waiting to die of embarrassment."
Octavian Country Day High
Lunchroom
September 27
12:20 p.m.
"And that is why I was MIA yesterday," Kristen finished, munching a spoonful of her salad.
Dylan smiled and tooka bite out of her steak. Yesterday had been a disaster, until the end, of course, when she received that call from her mom. She was actually glad that Kristen hadn't come to school the day before, or she would've had to face the angry-depressed Massie. After her "stomach problem", she had found Massie crying on the bathroom because of Landon. Dylan felt compassionate for Massie, but when lunch came, Massie was more than furious, especially because Alicia was eating with Claire. Dylan thought that there was a good explanation for Alicia hanging out with Claire, but if she mentioned that, Massie would explode.
Dylan tilted her head, and asked Kristen, "How did it go? The piano thing, I mean."
Kristen smiled and shrugged, "I don't want to give the impression that I am bragging, but I was quite impressed with myself. Maybe I can squeeze piano lessons into my schedule? I mean, I loved playing the piano."
Massie sighed, "At least it's not Drama Club."
Kristen chuckled, and took out a small, pink box and a pale pink envelope, "Look what I found today in my locker."
"From your secret admirer?" Dylan asked, smiling and waggling her eyebrows.
Kristen blushed and nodded.
"What did he give you, huh? 2 glasses of calories plus trans fat?" Massie asked grumpily.
"Oh, shut up, Mass, don't be jealous," Dylan frowned, stabbing her steak.
"Again, why would I be jealous of someone who is receiving daily calories?" Massie said, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow.
Dylan sighed, annoyed, and glared at Massie. She was about to saysomething, when Kristen cut in, "What happened to you guys yesterday? Sorry I couldn't text, but I was busy."
"Me first!" Dylan raised her hand, waving it furiously in the air.
"Dyl, don't act like Kuh-Laire," Massie whisper-hissed.
Dylan put her hand down, then looked at Kristen and Massie, "Well, yesterday, after getting a Mocha, I decided to go shopping. First, I went to Burberry, and there were this really cute pants, oh, and this ah-mazing plaid mini skirts and-"
"Cut to the point," Massie interrupted, holding up her hand.
"Ok, so, the hawt girl you see in front of you is starring in The Daily Grind: The Movie as teenage Merri-Lee Marvil," Dylan continued, smiling triumphantly.
Kristen squealed, but Massie looked unimpressed, "How can they make a movie out of a talk show?"
"The same question I asked when they told me. Apparently, the movie will be based on my mom's teenage life," Dylan replied, matter-of-factly.
"Oh," Massie said, with a small smile.
"I start filming next week. I'll leave after lunch, so I don't lose the first five periods of class for like, what, a month, or so?" Dylan continued, "Oh, and here is the best part…mom wants you guys, with me, of course, to help out with make-up and clothes!"
Kristen squealed once again, and Massie smiled. "We'll chose the best clothes for you, Dyl," Kristen said.
Massie nodded, looking bored, and Dylan frowned.
"I get it that you are not happy for me, Mass, but could you at least pretend?" Dylan asked, annoyed.
Massie sighed, "Dylan, I am happy for you. Seriously. It's just, you know, Landon and all."
"Landon?" Kristen asked, eating one of the mini chocolates that her secret admirer gave her.
Massie sighed, and for a fraction of a second, Dylan saw that Massie's eyes watered. But as quick as it came, the effect left.
"Landon and I broke up," Massie said, in a high-pitched voice. She stuck her chin up, and drank from her coffee.
"Oh, Mass, I am sorry," Kristen said, her eyebrows knitting worriedly, "He is such a wimp for breaking up with you."
Massie shook her head, "No he is not, he was tricked into d-dumping me."
Kristen quietly gasped. She was probably thinking that Massie never stammered, which was exactly what Dylan was thinking.
"How can someone trick someone into breaking up with someone?" Kristen asked, puzzled.
Dylan resisted the urge to giggle. The way Kristen asked questions always made her laugh.
"Someone made up a rumor about me and that bet-loser, Derrington, getting back together," Massie groaned.
Kristen gaped, "Who?"
"I don't know!" Massie exclaimed. "I sent him a text message telling him that it wasn't true, and for a reply, he broke up with me!"
"Ehmagawd, over the phone? That is nawt acceptable," Kristen replied, crossing her arms across her chest.
"We are finding out who is behind this, ay-sap," Dylan demanded.
Massie nodded, "We'll find out who did this, and we'll fight rumor with rumor."
The girls nodded. Massie smiled, and was about to continue, when a burst of laughter interrupted her.
"Done, done and done."
"Who is acting like an EW and copying our sayings?" Massie asked.
Dylan and Kristen turned around, just to see Claire, Layne, Cara, Syd and an unidentified brunette laugh again.
"Claire and her group," Dylan murmured, narrowing her eyes.
"Who is the brunette?" Kristen asked.
"Backstabber Leesh!" Massie replied.
"No, it's not. Alicia has a Ralph Lauren bag, and this girl has a Chanel bag," Dylan corrected.
The lunchroom doors swung open and a smiling Alicia walked in. She walked towards Claire's table, greeted them, and sat down. The girls grinned at Alicia.
Kristen gasped. "She is going to eat with them?"
"Just like yesterday," Massie shook her head.
The mysterious brunette turned around, making the Pretty Committee's mouth drop wide open. It was Nina Callas. She smiled sweetly, and stood up, motioning Claire and her friends that she'd be right back. Nina walked towards Table 18, and stopped, playing with her bracelet.
"Hola chicas, missed me?" she asked, smugly.
"Kleptomaniac boy snatcher," Kristen murmured.
Massie shot Kristen a look, and turned to look at Nina. "What do you want?"
"Oh, besides saying hi, I wanted to announce to you that, um, Alicia no longer wants to be part of the Pretty Committee. In other words, she quits," Nina said, her face turning stone cold.
Dylan and Kristen gasped, but Massie just stared at Nina, "Who cares? We were gonna kick her out, anyways! Right girls?"
Dylan and Kristen glanced at each other, and nodded slowly.
"Oh," Nina smiled again, "I've also got some good news."
"Good, go and tell those LBRs over there, they are going to be thrilled," Massie snapped.
"Ok, then you don't want to know that me and a certain Landon Crane are dating now, huh?"
"What?" the girls all asked in unison.
Nina nodded, "We've got a date for a party Derrick Harrington is hosting. You girls are invited, right?"
The girls looked at each other, surprised and hurt.
"Oh, no? Then I guess I won't be seeing you Friday?" Nina sang.
"We have plans for Friday, and we never cancel our plans. It is something about a movie Dylan is starring in. And we wouldn't want to go to an ex-HART's party, anyways" Kristen spoke for Massie, who was looking down at her tray, biting her bottom lip.
"Oh, Dylan, congratulations," Nina's smile faltered, "I'll catch up with you later. Ta-ta."
Nina walked towards Table 5, were Claire, Alicia and the others were waiting for her. Dylan slowly turned to look at her friends.
"Ok, so Massie and I are Derrington's exes, but, still, we are in good terms. And you are one of Derrington's closest friends, what's up with us not being invited?" Dylan addressed Kristen.
Kristen shook her head, and shrugged, then looked up. "Who cares? We'll just have to do something super cool on Friday, something somehow involved with the movie, and then we'll show everyone. Derrington, Nina, Kuh-Laire and Alicia will be so mad when they see how much fun we had."
"We can go shopping for the make-up and the clothes for the movie and the parties that we have to have on set!" Dylan suggested, "And you guys can meet my love interest! He arrives tomorrow! And, he is a total HART!"
Kristen grinned, and looked at Massie, "Maybe he'll be interested in you, Mass?"
Massie looked up, scowling, "No he won't, because I'm getting Landon back. I'm sure that it was Alicia who spread that rumor of me and Derrington! And we're ruining her."
Kristen and Dylan looked at each other, then Kristen spoke up, "I don't think Alicia did it."
"Yeah, I mean, it could've been Kuh-Laire or Nina, but def not Leesh," Dylan agreed.
Massie exhaled, "How do you know?"
Kristen shrugged, and Dylan frowned, then said, "How do you know that Leesh did it?"
"First, she is the queen of gossip," Massie started, "Second, just look at her!"
The girls looked at Alicia, who was whispering something to Claire and Nina. Alicia looked away to get something from her bag, then Claire and Nina whispered something, looked at Massie and her friends, and giggled.
"See? She is whispering about me!" Massie finished. "We are so bringing her down."
"I can't believe they kicked me out, I mean, I thought Massie was my best friend," Alicia said, shaking her head.
"I just told them that you would be eating with us until I left, and they exploded, you should've seen them," Nina whispered.
Claire leaned closer, "Don't let it surprise you, Leesh. She has done worst things to me."
Alicia sighed, then looked at both of them, "I am glad we are friends now," she bit her glossed lip, and tried to smile, "Ok, changing subjects, who want to see some celeb gossip?"
"We do," Nina and Claire answered.
"Ok, just let me get the magazine out of my bag," Alicia said.
When she turned to get something out of her red, Ralph Lauren bag, Nina and Claire leaned closer to eachother.
"Who's next? Kristen?" Nina asked.
"No, Dylan's next. We are ruining Kristen, remember?" Claire asked.
"Oh, yeah," Nina nodded, then turned to look at Massie "Looks like poor Ms. Alpha is turning into a friendless loser."
Claire looked at Massie, and giggled. "More than a friendless loser," Claire menaced.
To: Fellow Readers / From: Spy in Disguise / subject: Author's Note.
Ok, so here is the next chapter. I want to thank you all who favorited, suscribed and reviewed (CSIDestiny, DancesWithPencils, PepsiGirl120 -thanks for the ideas, by the way- skiiergirl97 and briony-rose). I know this chapter seemed kind of rushed, but, this is where all the action starts. Besides, I've been feeling all hyper yesterday and today, so that will explain half of it :) Review, telling me what you thing, and message me any ideas. And if there are any grammar and spelling errors, sorry about that, too, and if you want, you can point them out, so I can know what I've got to check next time.
Thank you for reading,
Spy In Disguise.