Notes: kay, so i know its been forever since i've updated, and i'm sorry for that, but i've been super busy. also, i know this is a short chapter, but i have terrible writer's block; it's not even funny.

so, enjoy!

[2]

"I can't believe she—Cam! Are you listening to me?" Claire hissed at her boyfriend, eyes narrowed, mouth pursed. Following his line of sight which was gazing out into the distance, she saw mess of black hair atop of a fully developed, curvaceous body. "Who—," she squeezed out between gritted teeth, half to herself. "—the hell is she?"

"Nikki Dalton," Kristen drawled lazily, inspecting her nails with a blatantly uninterested look. "17. Father, some nameless, low-class lawyer. Her mother works at Macy's and they're low middle class. My sources tell me she's only in Briarwood 'cause her sister's sleeping with the principal."

"Gross." The redhead wrinkled up her nose in distaste, running her slim fingers through already perfect locks, "Kallinger? He's such a creep."

"Right? He totally hit on me once," Alicia shuddered, recalling the intensely awkward and repulsive experience.

"Leesh, any straight guy would hit on you. Hell, I'm pretty sure even gay ones would," Layne snorted as she straightened out her grey leggings.

Claire had tuned out of the conversation the second Kristen had finished. A familiar uneasiness wrapped around her gut like a fist. Her boyfriend was still preoccupied with staring at the new girl, "Cam—Cam!"

"Hm? Yea, babe?"

She stood up abruptly, ignoring the urge to stomp her feet, and muttered venomously, "You know what? Fuck you, Cameron Fisher." With that, she whirled around, hiking her Gucci bag higher on her shoulder, and began to make her way across campus, shoulders tense.

"Shit," Cam murmured half-heartedly.

Derrick dropped down beside him with a shit-eating smirk, "Ladies. Trouble in paradise?"

"I don't have time for this."

"Dude, why are you even dating her?" Landon asked in disbelief.

"I dunno. She's hot?"

"I bet she's wild in the bedroom," Kemp snickered, thrusting his pelvis suggestively.

Cam scowled, "Oh, fuck you guys."

"You know you love us, Cammie," Derrick simpered, planting an over-exaggerated kiss on his cheek.

"When are you gonna dump Claire and go for Derrick? The sexual tension between you guys is incredible," Kemp wolf-whistled.

"Oh, Cammie-boy and me—we're already in a relationship. He doesn't want anyone to find out though, thinks they'll judge us. It breaks my heart," Derrick hooted.

Cam finally burst out laughing, elbowing his best friend in the gut, "What the fuck."

As they goofed off the way boys did too often, rolling around in the grass, play-wrestling, Cam stared in the direction the black-haired girl had been. Nikki Dalton, huh?

Claire glared at herself in the washroom mirror. She still looked amazing, so why did she feel like complete shit?

"Claire-bear, you okay?" Knowing green eyes stared at the blonde girl.

"Layne? What are you doing here?"

"Claire," Layne rolled her eyes, exasperated, "No matter how huge of a bitch you are, you're still my friend." She drew closer, placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "You know Cam. He's a guy. They'll fuck anyth—"

Her words cut off as Claire pushed her against the door forcefully, pressing her lips against Layne's. Her tongue slipped between the lips of her best friend while her hands grasped desperately at pink highlights and black hair. It was only the slight pinch from the hair-yanking that brought Layne back.

"What the hell are you—"

"I'm losing control. I'm losing control and I don't know what to do and I just want to forget so just let me have this. Please."

Layne gaped at the girl standing before her, the weight of being utterly perfect pressing on her thin shoulder blades. Moving smoothly, she captured Claire's lips with her own, sliding her hands under the silken shirt the blonde wore.

After all, she needed to forget too.

It was 12:30 and table 21, unofficially reserved for The Elite, was basically empty. "Move," Claire snapped at a terrified looking student as she shoved her tray onto the smooth surface. Fucking freshies, she thought. Where was everyone?

Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she scanned the cafeteria anxiously.

Finally, Josh and Massie stumbled up to the table, laughing hysterically, hair mussed and reeking of cigarette smoke. Slowly, in clumps, The Elite filed in. Claire slumped in her seat before mentally reprimanding herself and straightening up. It was the first day of school, and already things were going all wrong.

Cam swung down on her left, "Hey, babe. Sorry, alright?"

Claire shrugged indifferently, ignoring his subtle sigh of relief. Her head lifted a fraction when he placed his toned arm across the small of her back. Maybe things were looking up; maybe they wouldn't be so bad after all.

The thought instantly shattered when a perky, bubbly voice interrupted, "Hey, guys! Can I sit here?"

The whole room seemed to hold its breath. The very idea of asking The Elite for a spot at their lunch table was preposterous, let alone from an unknown, commoner girl. A year ago, when Juliet Rose, the daughter of a world-renowned model had attempted to gain a spot at table 21, she had had to transfer out of the school district.

Select members of table 21 tensed, ready to rear and strike. Layne, Massie and most of the boys couldn't be bothered with such trivial girl drama to care, but Alicia, Dylan and Kristen stared intently at Claire, waiting for her reaction.

Before Claire could reply with a snide remark, Cam grinned, oozing charisma from his pores, "Sure, go ahead."

Nikki giggled, "Thanks."

"No problem."

She moved closer to Cam, inch by inch, until her thighs were touching his and began to introduce herself with a pretty, little smile.

There was a pinching in Claire's nose as her breathing stuttered when Cam only seemed to accept the new girl's excessive touching. She squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing at her temples furiously. Nothing could calm her down. She tilted her head up and shot her eyes open, aiming her piercing ice-blue eyes towards the girl sitting across from her, "Layne, washroom—now."

"Um," Nikki blinked, oblivious to all the stunned looks directed her way. "What's wrong with her?"

"Oh, Claire?" Dylan widened her eyes innocently, examining the apple she turned over in her palm. "She's just…It's been a long day."

Kristen sniffed sanctimoniously but said nothing as her fingers tapped on the keyboard of her phone. Suddenly her brow furrowed and she stood up gracefully. "Later."

Nikki, even more bewildered, fleetingly glanced to the other members of the table. It was as if it was an ordinary occurrence.

"So, how are you liking Briarwood?" Cam's deep rumble sounded too close to her ear, sending shivers down her back and goosebumps on her neck.

A high-pitched laugh escaped her mouth as she lightly placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's great. I love it. Everybody's so nice. Like you, Cam."

Alicia and Dylan turned to each other, amused. She was so naïve. How cute.

"Well, well. Landon Crane. Who would've thought?" With a perfect brow raised, a sneer on her lips, and superior look in her eyes, Kristen stared down at the blonde in front of her. Faster than he could comprehend, she snatch the book from his hands, the one he had been scribbling in just moments before.

"Hey, don't—" Landon shut his mouth and stared at the floor guiltily.

"'He lowered his head to her—'"Kristen read out, voice ringing in the empty classroom. "What the hell, Landon?"

"I—I like writing, okay?"

"Evidently," She shoved the black notebook in her purse. "I'll be calling in a few…favours in the future, and unless you want everyone to see his…" She trailed off, dangling the words in front of his like bait.

"Kristen, please."

Kristen momentarily felt the pang of her conscience fleeting. She chewed on her lip before reminding herself to harden her heart. She did not get this high up in the social ladder by being gentle and kind and compassionate. It was ruthless, in Westchester. If you showed any sign of weakness, of mercy, at all, you would be destroyed, just like that.

"Nope."

"Bitch," Landon whispered to himself.

"Watch what you're saying," She snapped.

"Sorry, sorry."

Smiling with glee, she strode out of the room, allowing the rush of power envelope her completely. Claire may have been the queen, but as far as power went, Kristen ruled over all.

"Wait!"

Kristen was beginning to get irritated. "What?"

"What do I have to do?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out."