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Despite the internal divisions that had recently formed within the Pretty Committee, Massie knew it was important that they present a united front to their peers, or else risk losing their coveted spot as the most popular girls in their grade. Which is why she, Claire, Alicia, Kristen, and Dylan sat huddled together on the bleachers at the boys' soccer game, bundled up in their winter coats and holding signs cheering on their favorite players. Dylan, her unruly red curls tamed into two pigtail braids and topped off with a white knit hat that she had pulled low over her ears, jumped up and shouted loudly for Derrick as he made an amazing save, waving a sign in the air reading "Holy Moley What a Goalie!" Kristen, ever the enthusiastic soccer fan, jumped up and cheered with her, clutching a sign that rooted for the entire team with the words "Go WHS!" printed on it in thick black sharpie. Alicia, still moping over Josh taking Kristen to the Winter Formal instead of her, remained in her seat, clutching an iPod Touch instead of a sign and playing Tap Tap Revenge instead of watching the game. Massie had brought a sign that she'd written "Go Chris!" on in purple glitter, but at the moment Claire was holding it up for her as she compiled a Winter Formal To Do List on her palm pilot.

"The dance is in just over two weeks," Massie paused, waiting for the girls to drop what they were doing and look up at her. Once Kristen had grudgingly torn her eyes away from the soccer field, Massie continued. "That means we need to schedule in hair appointments, mani-pedis, and a trip to New York City to go dress shopping." The girls nodded their agreement. "And you two," she added, looking pointedly at Claire and Alicia, "need to find dates. We don't need members of the PC looking like losers incapable of getting guys."

"Don't worry about me," Alicia replied, sounding bored and over it. "All I need to do is wear a v-neck shirt and drop a few obvious hints about not having a date yet and Kemp will ask me," she clarified, rolling her eyes. "But I would have rather had Josh ask me," she added under her breath. Massie pretended not to have heard that last bit and turned to face Claire expectantly.

"Couldn't I just...wait around and see if anyone asks me?" Claire asked. Kristen and Dylan exchanged did-she-really-just-say-that looks and Alicia rolled her eyes. Claire sighed.

"It doesn't work that way, Kuh-laire," Massie told her, sounding like she was talking to a five year old. "A boy isn't just going to walk up to you and ask you out of the blue. You've got to pick out the boy you want to go with and flirt with him for a while first so he knows you're interested. Then he might ask you."

"But...all the good ones are already taken," Claire answered helplessly.

"Just look at those boys down at the soccer field and pick one!" Massie told her exasperatedly.

"What about Danny Robbins?" Kristen suggested helpfully. Claire shook her head no.

"He's taking Layne," she explained.

"Really?" Alicia asked, looking up from her iPod. She pulled out her LG Shine, probably to pass the news on to Olivia in exchange for a few gossip points.

"What about Vader?" Dylan asked.

"Ew." Massie wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Claire can't go to the Winter Formal with a mouth breather."

Kristen had just opened her mouth to make another suggestion when Claire quickly cut her off.

"I'll think of someone," she told them, trying to sound confident. She held her breath as Massie turned around and scrutinized her.

"Fine," Massie said finally, and Claire let out a sigh of relief as everyone returned their attention to the ongoing soccer match. She was still just getting over Cam, and she wasn't really in the mood for letting her friends play match maker.

Once the game ended (WHS won three to nothing), the girls met up with the sweaty boys in the parking lot. Dylan ran up to Derrick and gave him a big hug, congratulating him on a good game, ignoring the fact that he was covered in dirt from diving for the ball. Massie, conscious of her clean clothes, kept her distance, greeting her own boyfriend with a smile and wave.

"Good game today, Chris," she told him brightly, trying to ignore the sting of jealousy she felt as she noticed Cam standing off to the side with a couple of blonde juniors.

"Thanks," he told her, grinning hugely. "I liked that sign you were holding," he added, gesturing to the white poster that was dangling at Massie's side.

"Oh yeah, I figured I could bring it with me to all your games and then give it to you to hang in your room when the season's over," Massie told him. "You know, to remind you of me."

"It'll go right over my bed," Chris promised. They stood there for a few moments in silence, looking around awkwardly. Massie caught herself glancing back over at Cam and those three junior girls, one of whom was now reaching up and pushing his hair back from his face flirtatiously, and she quickly turned back towards Plovert.

"So, have you rented a tux for the Winter Formal yet?" she asked him, half-jokingly.

"I haven't asked you yet," Chris replied, sounding slightly confused.

"Oh, I figured it was a given we were going together." Massie shrugged. "You know, because we're going out."

"Alright, I'll have my mom take me tux shopping this weekend," he told her, breaking out into a wide smile.

"Good," Massie said, but her eyes weren't on Chris. She was watching Cam as he disentangled himself from the three blondes and headed over towards Claire, who was waving goodbye to Layne and Danny as they drove off in his truck.

"Hey, Claire," Cam said softly. Claire turned around, eyeing him suspiciously.

"What's up?" she asked cautiously.

"Well, you see, the Winter Formal's coming up and--"

"I'm not getting Massie to go with you," Claire interrupted forcefully.

"No, that's not what I was going to ask you," Cam told her earnestly. "I'm pretty sure she's going with Plovert anyway," he added bitterly.

"Then what?" Claire asked.

"Well it's just that, I knew you didn't have a date yet, and I wanted to know if you would go with me."

"I don't know," Claire said slowly.

"Come on, it'll be fun. I promise I won't even mention Massie," Cam persuaded.

"Couldn't you just go with one of those girls you were just talking to?"

"If I was in the market for a new girlfriend, sure. But right now all I'm asking for is a friend. Could you maybe be that for me, Claire?"

Claire searched Cam's eyes, looking for signs that he was being dishonest, that he was scheming behind her back, that there was a catch. But all she saw was sincerity.

"Sure," Claire said finally, giving Cam a small smile. "I can do that."