THE BLOCK ESTATE

DRIVEWAY

Monday, June 7

6:51 A.M.

Claire let out a huge yawn as she stood with her family and the Blocks in their circular driveway. Massie slid on her Gucci shades to block the morning sun and stomped her foot.

"Where are they?" she asked impatiently.

Kendra Block smoothed her hands over her daughter's freshly blown out hair. "Darling, patience. It's only 7 A.M. now." Massie sighed.

Just then, a black limosine came into view. Claire waved frantically and Massie let out a sigh of relief. "Finally!"

Dean, the Rivera's driver, stepped out of the limo and opened up the back door. Alicia swept gracefully out of the limo, Josh at her heels.

Alicia glided over to the girls and joined in a group hug filled with squeals and "Ohmigosh"s. Josh stood awkwardly on the outside. The girls broke apart, as a white van with "The Daily Grind" painted in bright letters across the side rolled up the driveway.

The girls all exchanged knowing glances. Merri-Lee Marvil, Dylan's beyond famous mother, always insisted on bringing her entire camera crew with her everywhere she went. They should've known that they would be here.

A large, handsome man in a black suit emerged from the car and lifted Merri-Lee out of the front seat. She gave him a dainty kiss on the cheek. Dylan stumbled out of the back, her auburn ringlets glinting in the yellow light, accompanied by Derrington and Kristen, who bounced out after her. "Thank you Clive," Merri-Lee giggled to the big dude with the shades.

"Dyl! Kris!" Massie exclaimed. The PC ran to greet them. As the girls joined in their circle, they began to whisper. Derrington and Josh bumped fists and started talking about the new NFL Madden video game.

"Who's Mr. Buff over there?" Alicia asked. Dylan and Kristen rolled their eyes. "That's Clive," Dylan replied. "My mom's new boyfriend." "Merri-Lee and him were wayyy too lovey-dovey on the ride over," Kristen added.

"Dyl pickles!" Dylan groaned. "Be right back," she muttered, then went to say goodbye to her mother.

"Well, I think we should load up the car," William Block announced. "We don't want you kids to miss your plane." "Are we still waiting for anyone?" Kendra asked.

"No," Massie replied. "Landon, Cam and Dempsey are all meeting us at the airport." She felt a nervous twinge in her stomach when she said Landon's name.

"Did we check in with all the chaperones?" Judi Lyons asked. "Yes," William replied. "Clive and Merri-Lee are here, and Celia and Marianne will be at the airport."

The PC did a double-take. "Excuse me, Mr. Block?" Dylan asked sweetly. "I thought I heard you say that my mom and Clive are chaperones." The adults blinked. "Uh," William exchanged a glance with Jay Lyons. "SURPRISE!" Merri-Lee screeched. "Oh, God," Dylan moaned. "Clive and I are coming with you!"