Author's Note: I'm sorry for not updating. This chapter is ridiculously short but it's just a filler and gives some dynamics on the Pretty Committee. I will update as soon as I can this weekend.

Briarwood Academy

English Wing

September 10th, 2012

1:15 p.m.

"I can nawt believe he did that." Massie snarled in exasperation as she furiously spun the combination to her navy blue locker. Alicia shot her a sympathetic glance and nodded in agreement. Dylan studied her turquoise nails carefully, knowing better that to make a comment that could possibly contribute to Massie's aggravation. "He practically embarrassed me in front of the entire school." Massie hurled her Chemistry book into her locker. The book collided against the back with a thundering bang.

"What are you going to do, Mass? He can't hang around Kuh-laire and Kristen. They'll brand him with LBRness for the rest of his high school career." Alicia worried. Dylan furrowed her eyebrows. Her green eyes shifted to Alicia in a questioning manner.

"So?" she asked. Massie whirled around to glare at Dylan, seething. Dylan took a half step back, shrinking against Massie's anger. She could count the number of times she had seen Massie this furious on one had. She usually had a grasp on her composure but there was something about that new kid, Derrick, that evaporated all the control she had.

Alicia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "So," she drawled, "We won't be able to date him Dylan." She stated matter-of-factly. Massie raised a well plucked eyebrow. Alicia blushed and rushed to correct her previous statement. "I mean, Massie won't be able to date him." Massie offered a curt nod, forgiving Alicia's slip of the tongue. Her face softened as the episode of anger faded.

"What about Josh?" Dylan inquired; curious as to how Massie was so quick to dismiss him after all she had gone through, all the friendships she had broken to obtain him.

"What?" Massie questioned. Dylan rolled her eyes at Massie's ignorance.

"What are you going to do about the fact that you're, you know, dating Josh?" Massie lifted her shoulders in a shrug.

"Until I get Derrick, I'm not doing anything."

Dylan contemplated retaliating against Massie's ruthlessness. How could she do that to sweet Josh? After the big deal she had made and the drama she had caused, she was willing to throw it all away because the new kid was cute? But Dylan didn't dare say anything to Massie.

They had been friends since Massie fell in the mud during recess in kindergarten, staining her white jeans and Dylan had given Massie her favorite sweater to tie around her waist so the other kids wouldn't make fun of her. Massie had been the first to come to Dylan's house when dad walked out on her family and offer her favorite teddy bear to make her feel better. They soon became inseparable, sharing everything from beds to secrets to clothes.

They met Kristen in the first grade in Mrs. Saleen's class. Kristen often ate lunch by herself, curled with a book. Massie decided she didn't like her because she had more stars and Mrs. Saleen asked her to be the class president. One day, Massie stormed to Kristen's table and snatched her book out of her hands. Kristen bravely stood up to Massie, leaving her impressed. Massie then decided that the three girls were best friends. She even named their clique the "Pretty Committee".

Claire and Alicia came into the group as a duo in the second grade when the girls ended up in the same class. Alicia and Claire had been friends for nearly as long as Massie and Dylan. For the next 8 years, the Pretty Committee was the envy of every Briarwood girl and the interest of every Briarwood boy That is, until the summer before junior year when everything changed.

Dylan sighed, remembering what she classified as the worst summer of her life. She often missed Claire and Kristen but Massie had been with her the longest. Sure sometimes she didn't agree with Massie's motives, her attitude or her rules but she was still her oldest friend. And if Dylan was anything, it was loyal.

Massie finished grabbing her books and closed her locker. The click of her locker indicated that the conversation was over and was not to open to further discussion.

"Let's go."