Supermodel is Alicia Rivera's Middle Name

I leaned on the wall, wondering when in the world Massie was going to walk out of hip hop classes. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. 5:45 p.m. She said she'd be out by 5:30. I sighed, inspecting my denim shorts. I had a stupid tradition of always wearing shorts on the first day of school, since they usually showed off the length of my legs and impressed new hot boys. First impressions are key. But apparently, there were no new hot boys this year. Only freshmen (duh!) and a few sophomores. And I don't find it attractive to date younger men.

"Big butt, feel the music puh-lease!"

Frowning, I gazed from the window on the hip hop door. Massie was rolling her amber eyes at some big-boobed girl. My eyes darkened. It was that idiot, Nina Callas. It was obvious she wore stuffing in her bra to impress Derrick Ew-ington. And who was she calling 'big butt'? Sure, Massie had a perky butt. But at least it was proportional. Unlike Nina's boobs, which made her look like she had stuffed two melons under her shirt.

Massie was doing fine for her first day. As I saw the group practice, I realized she was even better than some. But I could tell that she was feeling inferior to the rest, which surprised me. Massie is known for two things: her amazing ballet skills, and her confidence. For Massie to be feeling that way, it's because Nina Troll-as has been roughing her up.

"Alicia Rivera, this is prohibited territory."

I turned to my back, where a smiling Skye Hamilton was gazing at me.

"Hola, Skye!" I squealed, hugging the buttery-blonde. If it weren't for Massie, she would've definitely been my BFF. "How was my land?"

"Spain was fabulous," she told me, giggling. "I still don't understand how your mom could move out of Barcelona."

Alicia shrugged. "It's life's biggest mystery."

"True that," Skye replied in a sing-song voice.

"So, what are you doing in prohibited territory? Actually, what are you doing in the eleventh grade building?"

"I actually came looking for you," Skye told me. She smirked. "I know for a fact that you want to be a model."

I nodded. "Yeah... so?"

Skye grinned, proudly. "And you know that I'd love to be a fashion designer."

"Something that you'd definitely be successful at. I've seen your designs, they're even better than Ralph Lauren's," I complimented. "I'd def wear them."

"And you will be... if you accept my proposition."

I tilted my head, curious.

"My cousin, Kemp, has a stepsister who works as an assistant for Future Fashionistas. You know, that company that helps out aspiring fashion designers? Well, he sent some of my designs and got me a spot at their annual fashion walk-off!" Skye excitedly informed me.

"No. Way," I gasped out, my lips slowly curving into a smile.

"Yes!" Skye squealed.

I'd never seen her so excited in my entire life. Skye is usually the cool and collected Queen Bee of school, not some fangirl.

"And I want you to model for me."

My mouth dropped open. "What?"

"Process the information, 'chica'!" Skye exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "You're going to be a model! And modeling in the fashion walk-off-"

"Opens a lot of doors," I finished, my brown eyes wide.

Now it was my turn to fangirl.

I began to squeal, and Skye squealed along.

"I'll do it!" I exclaimed, grinning widely. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"

Skye shook her head, giggling. "No, thank you. You'll definitely make my clothes look even better than they already do!"

We began squealing again, but at that moment, Derrick Harrington and his friend walked out of the room. They stared at us weirdly, and we immediately stopped, regaining our composure. I cleared my throat, and Skye placed a hand on her hip.

Derrick shook her head. "I knew robots had to disfunction someday..."

I frowned.

"Oh-kay," Skye rang out. She turned to look at me. "Um... I've gotta go. Kemp will pick us up on Saturday so we can talk. See ya?"

"You can bet on it," I replied.

As soon as Skye left, Massie walked out, rubbing her elbow.

"It's big butt now, huh?" Derrick chuckled. He eyed her back. "I always thought it was perkier than the rest."

"I always thought you were dumber than the rest, but I'm prudent," Massie snapped back, standing straighter.

Derrick's smile disappeared.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," she said. "I've got to tend my wound. Because apparently, hip hop is for savage jerks who think that pushing girls to the ground is cool."

Derrick looked troubled. "I did not push you on purpose-"

"Don't waste your voice on lies," Massie cut in. "Is the only thing I will admit is handsome in you."

Derrick looked surprised.

I was freaked out. One day in hip hop, and she's already sort of weird.

"Oh-kay, apparently, weirdness is contagious?" I told Derrick. "So we'll be leaving before you lock her in a mental institute. Buh-bye."

I wrapped an arm around Massie, and turned her around.

"What in the world?" I whisper-hissed at her.

Massie shook her head, gulping down water. "Sorry, but Derrick turns me crazy."

My mouth dropped open.

"Not in that way," Massie quickly corrected, her eyes wide. "I just saw too much of him today, and I feel... dizzy. And yes, his voice is hot. I heard two hours of it telling me what a big butt I have. And if it sounds good in insults addressed toward me, then it's because it is pretty darn hot."

"Let's get some fresh air. Are you sure you didn't hit your head in practice?" I asked, pushing the doors of the eleventh grade building open.

Once we were outside, Massie breathed in. She sighed. "Much better. Hip hop had a weird effect on me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Weird? How about bizarre?"

Massie smiled, shaking her head. "More than bizarre."

"Out of place?"

Massie sat on a bench nearby. She was out of her practice clothes, probably having changed right before Derrick walked out. With her classic, blue-and-white polka dot, knee-lenghth summer dress, girly flats, and her brunette curls adorned with a pretty headband, it seemed odd that she'd just walked out of hip hop classes. I mean, Massie has always been classic and, well, polished. Hip hop is funky.

"Not really," Massie replied, surprised at her reply. "I don't really know what that feeling is... it just felt different, you know?"

"No, I don't know. And I feel like a psychologist trying to understand, so I'll just ask about that ugly wound you've got there," I answered, pointing at her right elbow. Dried blood was protecting a sort of oval-shaped scratch on it.

Massie shook her head. "Derrick, apparently, bumped into me. However, I doubt it was an accident, because it was way too strong. I fell to the floor with a loud thud."

I grimaced.

"And then Nina noticed my butt and told me how big it was, not letting me concentrate on my hip hop moves because she kept reminding me. And it annoys me because I do pilates and hard exercises to tone my butt everyday-"

"The only thing I'm jealous of is your butt," I interrupted. And I was being honest. "Mine is all flat and weirdo, it disfigures my hourglass figure. Yours adds attitude to the dance and to every clothe you wear. Trust me, I wish I had your butt. It would be perfect for modeling!"

Massie laughed.

"Besides, she probably was only saying it because she felt threatened by you."

Massie raised an eyebrow.

"I saw you dance, you were awesome. And it was just your first day," I assured her.

Massie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smirking. "You think so?"

I nodded. "Mass, what's wrong with you today? You're usually confident, and right now you're acting like Claire."

"I told you hip hop had a weird effect on me. I actually wanted to do it perfectly... and not because of the bet," Massie confessed.

"You're a perfectionist, it's understandable," I told her.

A loud cackle behind us distracted her. It was Derrick, who I swear I'd seen glancing at Massie before looking back at his friends.

"Alicia... is it weird that I found Derrick attractive?"

A gust of wind swept by, and I didn't even move an inch to keep my hair in place. "What?"

"He was dancing, in a tank top, I could see his arms -which are not bad by the way -and his eyes looked really good when they were filled with determination as he did his best-"

"No, you did not notice him. You got used to his face," I cut in, not willing to hear anymore nonsense. "I mean, look at him. Chris is definitely better-looking than him."

"Chris is better-looking that anyone else," Massie murmured, pursing her lips. She grimaced. "I don't want to find Derrick attractive!"

"Then don't, for the love of God, and return to your normal self! All whiny and insecure, that's Claire, someone we don't want to be," I exclaimed.

Massie shook her head, burying her face in her hands. "Take me to the ballet studio, now. I actually want to keep dancing hip hop."

I immediately grabbed her arm as soon as I heard that and pulled her to the inside of the room. Until I stopped her.

"Are those Harris and Kristen?" I asked, pointing to the front.

They were sitting on a table near a café stand, sipping some frappe.

"Yeah, I heard he wanted to give her some tips on how to advance levels safely. You know, she's a bit behind?" Massie reminded me. She shook her head. "I know you like gossip, but don't begin starting it. That's for Olivia Ryan and her friends."

"And soon, they will," I informed her, motioning at a trio in the table next to Harris and Kristen. The first thing I spotted was Kori, with her long brown hair and nasally laugh, it was hard not to recognize her. She and her friends were giggling at Harris and Kristen.

"I think we should warn new girl," I mused.

"Trust me, we will once I do my ballet routine. Let's go," Massie said, pulling me by the arm.

We reached the ballet room, and as Massie turned on the stereo, I smiled, recognizing the song from her routine from last year's finals. She liked classic things, so of course, she had to choose the theme song to the Swan Lake ballet. Which she did beautifully. I smiled, proudly, at my friend. She had such a talent. I bet she could become even bigger than my mom someday soon.

My smile disappeared as I remembered mom. She'd definitely hate it if I told her about Skye's gig, even if it was a big opportunity for my dreams to be fulfilled. But, no. In our house, only her dreams can come true. Everything has to go her way. I crossed my arms, my lips pursed. I know she's my mom, but does that give her the right to control my life? I thought she wished all the happiness for me. Instead, she's chaining me to something I absolutely hate. If it weren't for her crazy and strict antics, I'd definitely lowered my average grade and gotten expelled a long time ago. The worst part, is that I can't even talk to her about anything related to fashion. Fine, she doesn't want me to model. But what if I want to talk about how cute a dress is? Or how much I'd love to wear the outfit from Teen Vogue? No, she cuts me off. Fashion talks are taboo in the Rivera estate.

The song ended.

Massie was looking at me, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking of my mom," I replied, shaking my head.

Massie smirked. "I thought you avoided thinking of your mom at all costs?"

"Yeah, but today is sort of impossible," I informed her.

"Okay, spill," she said. I noticed with relief that her voice was her usual calm tone. I guess ballet does maintain her Queen Bee attitude alive.

I told her about Skye's gig rather quickly. Normally, when I'm excited, I tend to lengthen conversations about the topics I'm happy about. But I guess my mom saddened my mood.

"That's impressive, Leesh," Massie admitted, nodding in approval. "I'm sure that with your persuasiveness, you can get your mom to accept-"

"You know her well," I said. "She's got her mind set on ballet."

Massie nodded. "You're right... but-"

"There's no way out-"

"Stop cutting me off," she interrupted, crossing her arms.

I chuckled, shaking my head. Yes, Massie had returned to normal.

"Let's just stop talking about my mom," I asked. "What about you? No more weird thoughts?"

"Zilch," Massie informed, beginning to walk out the room. "I'll just have to get used to hip hop, since it sends weird signals to my brain."

Something told me that Massie wasn't telling me something, but I decided to keep quiet. We each had our things to talk about.

"By the way, now that I think of it, I was quite good at hip hop today," Massie informed me. "And my butt's perfect. Nina was definitely jealous."

And that something also told me that she seemed to be trying to convince herself of that.