Y'all know the drill by now. 110 Reviews for an update. I'm so glad everyone likes Laynes angle of the story. I thought that was going to be a really interesting twist. This story isn't romance driven so I haven't been actively trying to incorporate the romance aspect, but I'd like to start trying in the upcoming chapters. I'm also going to try adding more of the girl's friendship. Let me know what you guys want to see in upcoming chapters and I'll be sure to include it.

"Fuck no Plovert! You better cut that shit out right now."

"THIS IS MY TRUCK AND I'LL PLAY WHATEVER MUSIC I FUCKING WANT TO."

Sandwiched in the backseat between Kristen, who been engrossed in a quiet, serious phone call since they pulled out of the Plovert's driveway, and Derrick who was sleeping with his cheek smashed against the window drool on his chin, Claire sighed and wished she had opted to ride with Massie and Dylan instead. It would have been far more awkward but blissfully quiet.

The ninety-minute ride to the city wasn't incredibly long by any standards, but it felt excruciating. The weight of Layne's words from last night sat heavy on Claire's shoulders and try as she might to forget them, they felt etched into her brain, deep like words carved into a wooden desk.

"I have a test for you, Little Bitch. It's a pass fail."

She had already been incredibly nervous about today's plans, and the added weight of Laynes words was only worsening her frazzled nerves.

The day after Halloween, Claire discovered, was a holiday on its own amongst the Westchester crowd. Every year Ameswood's finest made the hour and a half trek out to Manhattan for something called Anarchy, an underground rave in the heart of the city every November 1st. Those who had made the journey all the way east for Massie's party made sure to stay for Anarchy. Even the Pretty Committee seemed excited, and the boys were certainly eager, louder and more boisterous than Claire had ever seen them.

It was already late when Chris had pulled up outside Claire' house, throwing rocks at her window and whisper screaming obscenities, and now it was even later, quickly approaching eleven o'clock. It had been a relatively peaceful car ride until about a half hour ago, Chris had started blasting an old Dubstep remix that had Cam seething immediately.

They parked the side by side cars in a nearly empty parking garage: Massie and Dylan climbing from the back of Josh's Jeep in a tangle of long limbs and giggles, Alicia smiled dreamily as Josh reached up and helped her down, Kemp just looked put out.

"Quick ride my ass. Everyone was tripping balls the entire ride, but me." He complained. From the pleasant, drowsy looks on the girl's faces, Claire could tell what he meant. Before they'd set out, Cam had gifted the group with a generous amount of party favors. Specifically copious quantities of ecstasy he'd scored from his older brother Harris. It seemed the other girls hadn't waited to for them to start. "Why the fuck did I have to drive? Fuck that I don't drive my own car man. That's bullshit. I should be tripping too."

Josh was practically asleep on his feet, hugging Alicia from behind and burying his nose into the crook of her neck. Massie propelled herself up onto Derricks back without warning, wrapping her thin arms around his neck and pressing a soft kiss on the top of his head, far more affectionate than Claire had ever seen her be in public. "We did Nose Goes Hemp."

"Thasss true. Thasss as fair as it gets." Dylan agreed solemnly, wiping her eyes and smearing her glittery white eyeliner. She was heavy lidded and spoke with a heavy lisp

They were all properly dressed, the boys in colorful muscle tanks and board shorts and the girls in sparkly bra tops and short shorts. Massie had her hair up in two artfully twisted Miley-esque buns, held together by sequined scrunchies and Alicia's raven mane was pushed out of her face with a fresh dandelion flower crown. Kemp had forgone the shirt entirely and his exposed chest was covered in nothing but tiger striped body paint

Dressed in nothing but a rhinestone corset and sequined black hot pants, Claire wished she had popped one as well, just to feel less anxious if anything. She was jittery and paranoid and couldn't help but sense Layne around every corner, waiting for her with red lips, a devils smile, and a cigarette.

She watched as Derrick passed around a water bottle. They pressed the white tablets into their tongues like candy, Cam and Kristen took two each, looking devilish, sticking their tongues out at each other and swallowing in sync.

"Bottoms up Lyons" Kristen handed her the water and a tablet, looking more mischievous than Claire had ever seen him "Lets get this started".

Bright, ribbons of electric pink and neon green light flitted through Claire's fingers, wrapping around her waist, reaching up to caress her neck. The music, an electronic mix with a deep bass and heavy drop, was the most amazing thing she'd ever heard, loud and soulful.

Sweat dripped down her forehead in little rivets, carving out a smooth path until it collected in the hollow socket of her collarbone, a warm salty puddle. Her hair, which had long ago been pulled back, up into a messy bun at the top of her head, was slick with moisture. Claire vaguely had the impression that she was submerged in water, eyes blurred and ears muffled. There was an arm around her waist, lips pressed against her neck, a warm hand spread across her thigh creeping to the hem of her shorts.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Claire thought that if she ever started going to church, this is what it must have felt like.

Like being saved.

"We are being saved Claire." Layne Abeley, in all her smoky red pink glory, was as smug and serene as ever. Even in the middle of a warehouse in the meatpacking district surrounded by sweating, gyrating bodies Layne looked as perfect and put together as ever. She wasn't high, but her eyes were still bright, reflective in the darkness. "Some of us just need a different kind of saving." She pulled Claire close, flushing their hips together in time with the music and tossing her head back in a joyful laugh. "I can save you Claire, you just have to let me. Say you'll let me Claire." She pouted, lips dark and glossy, the color of fresh blood, leaning in close to speak directly into her ear "Just say it. I'll make life so good for you Claire; I can change everything for you. You just have to give the word." Soft warm lips, plumper than any boys against her temple, the scent of cigarettes and vodka and roses permeating alabaster skin.

I have a test for you, Little Bitch. It's a pass fail.

She said it.