Aren't you so proud? I think this is the fastest update I've ever done! I didn't even get ten reviews yet. I figured that after making you guys wait so long, the least I could do was another quick snippet. Is anyone starting to put the pieces together yet? I love getting your comments, the way you guys are so dedicated to the story makes my heart fly! Need to be at 90 reviews for my next post, so hurry up kids, its gonna be a big one.

"You really know how to fuck things up, don't you?" Alicia wasn't looking at Claire the way she usually did. Today there was thinly veiled disappoint instead of happiness clouded in her big brown eyes. She held her bedroom door open a few inches wider so Claire could just barely squeeze through, before locking it behind her quickly. Claire wasn't quite sure whom the locks were for though. In the two and a half months she'd known Alicia, she'd only seen the older girls parents exactly one time. Her mother was a well known socialite who spent more or less of her time traveling to and from the West Coast for appearances, while her father commuted weekly to Manhattan for work. More often than not Alicia stayed at her boyfriend Josh's house, because despite the independent front she put on, the girl was much more lonely than she let on.

"What did I do?" Claire sat stiffly on the edge of Alicia's fluffy bed, picking at her nails anxiously. It had been two weeks since she'd broken into the school after hours and for the most part things hand gone smoothly. After her information binge on Olivia Ryan, Claire had feared that somehow her snooping would get back to the girls in the Pretty Committee, but after a few days without confrontation, she assumed the worst was indeed over.

In fact, things had been going rather well, and this morning when she got a text to be at Alicia's by nine to get ready, she'd gotten excited. Because tonight was, The Night, October 31st, Massie Blocks infamous Halloween Party. Apparently Massie had secured all rights to the holiday back in fifth grade when she threw her first bash, and ever since, no one could compete. There was no better place to be tonight and Claire had a first class ticket, because while the guest list certainly wasn't small, it was indeed exclusive.

Unlike previous years the girls had decided not to go in-group costume, and Alicia had promised to help Claire get ready. Now the other girl stood before her frowning, arms folded across her ample chest, peering down at Claire.

"I ignored you looking into Olivia Ryan. I forgave you for hooking up with Landon. But when I tell you not to talk to Layne Abeley, you don't fucking talk to Layne Abeley." Her eyes were narrow and dark and there was something sinister and vaguely threatening in her voice.

It was the maddest Claire had ever seen Alicia get and she still couldn't understand why. She remembered vaguely mentioning to Alicia in the cafeteria, something about an upperclassman she'd heard about, a senior named Lana, or Lola or something like that. And Alicia had whipped around so fast and pressed her mouth to Claire's ear to whisper hotly don't you ever go near Layne Abeley, then she'd smiled like nothing happened and turned around to face Josh again.

Claire had met Layne in the library after school last week during a study group. She'd been camped behind the back books sucking heartily on a cigarette and flipping through a book on Aristotle. Claire hadn't even approached her in fact; it was Layne who had called her over, whisper shouting to get Claire's attention.

"Little girl!" Claire gestured to herself. "Yes you, dumbass. Come here."

She was tall, and thin and snow pale, with grass green eyes and hair so black it was almost blue. Faintly, she reminded Claire of Snow White, so dark and lovely.

She smiled through ruby red lips and held one delicate hand out for Claire to lift her from the ground. In the same way that Massie seemed to emulate authority and power, Layne radiated something darker and a lot more vicious. Her gaze was sharp and shrewd as she eyes Claire up and down, until finally her face settled into an impish expression and full, blood lips quirked up into a smirk.

"I know you. Your one of Massie's little bitches right? Another little puppy nipping at her ankles. God things have really changed if they're letting babies like you in." Layne took another long drag from her cigarette and flicked the ash onto the floor, grounding it into the carpet with the toe of her pumps. "At least you're a quiet one, I like a little bitch who knows her place." Layne hooked the strap of her black leather backpack around her shoulder and fluffed out her black waves till they flounced around her shoulders gracefully. She checked the screen of her cell phone and didn't look at Claire when she asked "Whats your name Little Bitch?"

"Claire. Claire Lyons."

Then Layne's pretty face broke out into a wide, warm grin and she pulled Claire in close for a half hug, whispering softly in her ear "Expect to hear from me soon Claire Lyons." Then she was gone, without another word. Claire hadn't even gotten her name until two days later, when she recognized Layne's face on a poster for Homecoming Queen.

It had seemed so strange and unreal, Claire had almost completely forgotten about it. But from the panicked expression gracing Alicia's elegant features, she understood that had been a stupid idea.

"I didn't talk to her. She talked to me."

"You think that matters? Are you really so stupid? Do you really not know anything Claire?" Alicia was glaring at her now, shaking her head in utter frustration. "It's like your living with your eyes shut. How do not understand Claire? If you get into shit with Layne I can't protect you. None of us can. Not even Massie."

"Protect me from what?"

Alicia blanched and bit her plump bottom lip in concentration before spinning away from Claire, and running her fingers through her thick hair and forcing a smile onto her pretty placid face.

"Nevermind. Lets get ready, yeah? Massie wants us there early." Alicia's voice was light and cheerful now, and even if Claire wanted to ask a question she couldn't as the other girl buzzed around the room. It was as if the last ten minutes hadn't happened, and Alicia slipped firmly back into her role, just as beautiful and sweet as before.

And if Claire thought things hadn't been bad before, she knew they certainly were now.