A/N: Thank you guys for all your kind words, I am so happy everyones enjoying it so far. I've got an exact map for how I want pretty much everything to go, so updating isn't hard. However, I would appreciate knowing your opinions on the couplings. I'm thinking cannon, but to be honest thats not dead-set this early in. If there is anything you guys would like to see, I'm definitely open to it. This chapter isn't very exiting I have to admit, but it is fundamental for the groundwork I'm trying to lay. Alicia is a pivotal character in this story, but she's not a main character if that makes any sense at all. She's more of a catalyst for events yet to come. Claire will be interacting with a lot more people very soon and all of your questions will be answered. The sooner I get ten reviews, the sooner I update.
Claire spent the entire night memorizing her new packet: all twenty-two pages of it. It was written like a legal document, full of serious jargon and confidentiality statements. There were rules about everything, and at the very end there was a place for her to sign.
I, Claire Lyons, do hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this document. I am aware that by neglecting to follow any of regulations outlined in this contract, legal action may or may not be taken against me.
When she signed on the dotted line, a chill ran up her spine and she had the impression that she'd just signed away her soul. But she couldn't turn back. She'd seen how the other half lived and she wanted it so badly. She wanted to radiate the same confidence and poise the others had. She wanted to be envied by the girls and wanted by the boys. She didn't care about Skye's half-assed warning yesterday at the school; she just wanted to be in.
Tuesday morning she'd instructed her mother to drop her off at the Rivera estate, at seven bright and early, as per the packets instruction. Her mother Judy had been suspicious immediately.
"Why does this girl need you to come to her house so early in the morning?"
"Mom I told you last night, she's going to help me get ready." Claire droned, rubbing her forehead with palm of her hand exasperatedly. She pressed her cheek against the cool passengers seat window.
"You look fine to me." Judy, with her dumpy Tresemme home dyed hair, and tacky Wet & Wild gold eye shimmer, wouldn't know fashion if it smacked her in the face. The fact that she had her mother's approval was more disheartening than anything. She didn't want to look fine, she wanted to look good.
The Rivera's home was grander than anything Claire had ever previously encountered in her life. The spiraling property had to cover a few acres at least, and the uniformed security guards stopped them at the front gate and had to radio the main house for clearance. Judi swung the minivan through the massive circular driveway, stopping right behind a delicate silver Jag. She cut the ignition and watched until Claire was buzzed in and disappeared through the front doors. It was Alicia herself who let Claire in, yawning and rubbing at her tired eyes. Her glossy black hair was piled on top of her head in an effortlessly sexy messy bun. She was wearing a short, silky black robe and sipping something hot from a mug the size of a soup bowl. Claire followed her silently as the taller girl weaved her way through the entrance hall, and past what looked like a professional restaurant kitchen, a state of the art home gym (complete with a dance studio addition) and an indoor pool. They climbed up two flights of spiraling stairs, until Alicia finally pushed open one last door, revealing what had to be her bedroom. The walls were creamy eggshell white, but deep oxblood reds and night black fixtures accented everything else.
"I decorated myself. Very Audrey Hepburn in Paris 1960's', or at least, that was what I was going for." She waved her hand in the air and marched off into what was probably the bathroom. "I'm glad you read the packet. Dyl thought you'd be too scared to come over. Mass thought you'd be too stupid. " She sounded happy "I told them you were a good pick." She appeared again. "Sit Claire, God don't be so nervous. We're friends now, remember? Did you want something? Coffee? Breakfast? The guys in the kitchen will make anything you ask for. Arturo makes me this fabulous green/oolong tea mix thing. The secret is in the coconut oil."
Alicia Rivera was a whirlwind of words and movement. She was all over the place, chatting happily with Claire about her morning routine, as if they'd been friends forever. She flitted around her vanity, expertly doing her make-up with one eye on her reflection and the other trained on the flat screen across the room, then disappeared into her closet and came out dressed in a tight nude colored crop top paired with a matching high-waisted pencil skirt and dangerous looking maroon heels. She left her hair up in the bun and painted her lip a dark red to match her shoes.
"Is that what you're wearing to school?" At Claire's nod, she frowned. "No. That's not going to work." She clucked her tongue unhappily and tapped her nail against the bottom of her chin surveying Claire's lackluster appearance. She'd spent the better part of the morning trying to pick out her outfit and unfortunately it still didn't seem to be meeting approval. Her dark wash denim jeans were an old pair of Miss Me's she'd gotten half off at Marshalls last fall, the silver sandals were Madden Girls and the top was a nice LaCoste oxford she'd stolen from her mother. "No one wears Miss Me's anymore, and that top? What do you have an interview you're late for?" Alicia rolled her eyes and dabbed perfume on her thin wrists.
"These are the nicest things I own."
"That's the saddest thing I've ever heard." Alicia deadpanned. "Did you want to borrow something?" The other girl bat her feathery lashes in Claire's direction. Claire considered Alicia's willowy five foot eight stature, tiny waist, generous bosom and well rounded hips incredulously.
"I don't think I could fit any of your clothes if I tried. I'm built like a ten year old boy, and you're practically a Victoria Secret model."
Alicia blinked twice and frowned. "I am a Victoria Secret model."
"Oh."
"You at least have to let me fix your face."
She dry shampooed Claire's greasy, thin hair and pulled into a pretty, tightly weaved fishtail. Her small ice blue eyes sparkled, with the help of a little white liner and thick, black mascara. Alicia's foundation was too dark for her complexion, but the soft peach blush, and shimmery pink lip plumper were perfect for Claire's naturally pallor skin. She looked bright-eyed and fresh faced and Alicia admired her handiwork happily.
"I knew you were pretty under all that pathetic. Rule number one Claire, we don't leave the house unless we look like a ten, okay. The Pretty Committee is always pretty and always perfect, it's our claim to fame." She frowned into her black Balenciaga "Massie will be here any minute. We better head down."
The sleek tan Range Rover that had picked Massie and Cam up the day before was parked just in front of the double doors and a man in a sharp black suit was waiting patiently to open the door, as Alicia sauntered over, just as slow and graceful as ever.
"Hi Isaac!"
"Good morning Miss Alicia."
Inside was Massie, looking just as pretty, and perfect as Alicia had promised. She was regal and striking the turquoise of her mini dress popped against the flawless golden tan of her skin, and her short hair hung in pretty waves to her shoulders. Tall strappy tan heels adorned her tiny feet and a single thin gold bangle encircled one wrist. She was tapping at the screen of her iPhone and didn't look up as they slid into the large car. She didn't acknowledge Claire at all, save for a cool appraisal of her outfit. Instead she just shot Alicia a knowing look and leaned back into the plush leather of her seat. The two girls exchanged a tense look for a moment before Alicia finally dropped her eyes in defeat.
"Josh dropped me off this morning." She said quietly, head still bent as she examined her perfect manicure.
"Obviously. You look like shit. I don't understand why you don't just stay with me, Kendra loves you." Massie said tiredly, massaging her temples in frustration. Claire stayed quiet, fidgeting in her seat at the seriousness of the conversation. She must have wiggled a little too much though, because Massie's light eyes immediately landed on her, and whatever softness had been in her voice before was long gone. "Last time I checked, little insignificant freshman prospects sit in the back" she hissed, "Unless of course you forgot your contract. Then you can get back to the gutter, where you belong."
Claire was taken back a little by the blatant hostility in the other girl's voice. Yesterday Massie had been so cool and collected, as if Claire's presence was nothing more than an irritating hangnail, just something she'd have to tolerate until she got home. Claire fumbled with the zipper of her black zebra print Jansport and handed over the thick document with steady hands.
"I think I'll stay here, if thats alright with you." Claires voice sounded strong, not at all shaky and timid like she felt. She met Massie's gaze proudly, a glint of triumph in her eyes.
Massie just smirked at her "What do you know? Little Mouse has some balls after all."
Dylan, Claire had quickly realized, was the drama. The Pretty Committee girls all served their own purpose. Alicia was the looks; charming, and flirty, she was the eyes and the ears of the clique and could immediately lure you into a false sense of security right before she revealed all your secrets and ruined your life. Kristen was the brain; top of her class, smart as a whip, and sharper than anyone had a right to be, she was the genius behind every scheme. Dylan, of course, was the drama; raised in the spotlight, she was what made the Pretty Committee so enviable, with her larger than life diva attitude and quick trigger temper. And Massie over saw it all. They didn't make a move without her command, didn't speak a sound unless ordered to. She didn't have to work at it; she made look it virtually effortless.
The ferocity Claire had seen in the car was replaced by a cool, detached demeanor the second they arrived on campus. She adopted an easy bored expression as the girls trailed behind her in the hall. The only time her eyes lit up was when she spotted Derrick Harrington lounging beside her locker with a two coffees in hand. He mumbled a greeting intelligibly and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before slinking away, back down the hall toward his first class. The other girls squealed as Massie sipped her drink and announced with slight contentment that it was indeed her favorite, a low fat tall vanilla chai latte.
"That's how you know its real" Dylan said knowingly, rolling her bright green eyes "I dated Jensen Pendle for four months and he never even bothered to remember my shoe size, let alone my Starbucks order."
"Yes we know Dylan. Jensen Pendle was the bane of your existence, the worst boyfriend to ever grace the Ameswood halls, oh how you rue the day you met him." Kristen drawled dryly, attempting to stuff her bulging soccer bag into her skinny locker. "Did you really need to have him expelled?"
"Did he really need to cheat with that hussy?" She huffed in return.
"Do we really need to have this conversation again?" Massie sounded uninterested "or should I just shoot myself now, and save time?"
Dylan rolled her eyes again but stayed quiet.
"I cannot get this thing in here." Kristen broadcasted, kicking the black and white duffle in utter frustration
"Don't worry about it Kris. Claire will carry it for you." Alicia cooed sweetly as she sorted through her purse. "Because my prospects are always happy to do whatever me or my friends need, isn't that right Claire?"
"Um, yeah. Sure. Whatever you guys need." She parroted quickly. Alicia grinned at her and silent clapped happily. She was doing well so dar. Not backing down to Massie, her pretty hair and make-up, it was all points in her favor. She could lug around a heavy gym bag all day if thats what it took to gain favor with the other girls. It was certainly worth a lifetime of popularity.
"Well in that case." Kristen smirked and handed over the heavy, bag "I wont need this till fourth."
"And return these to the book room." Dylan dumped a load of thick textbooks into Claire's outstretched arms "I dropped Physics."
"Make sure you get this to Chris before second period. He needs it for English." Alicia tossed a thin paperback onto the pile. They all slammed their locker doors to scatter off before the first bell, but Massie hesitated and turned to Claire.
"And if you fuck up? You might as well switch schools."
Then the bell rang and she disappeared down the hall toward homeroom with the sea of well dressed teens, leaving Claire all by herself with an armload of books and a bagful of crap.