Westchester Studios
Backstage
March 8, 2008
5:00 PM
"Good evening America!" A deep voice boomed. The PC could hear the audience, who were barely a hundred feet away cheering loudly.
"Eh. Ma. Gawd!" Alicia whispered-screamed.
Massie started fanning herself.
Claire started biting her lip.
Kristen started twisting her blonde locks.
Dylan stood, smiling reassuringly at the girls. "It'll be fine, I've done this before, it'll be so easy, you'll be so excited afterwards, I swear-"
"Shh!" Hissed Massie. It wasn't that she was concerned about the audience hearing them, but the fact that Dylan was more experienced in an area, let alone being interviewed live, then her. It was just irritating.
Dylan shrugged.
"And now, you're favorite television host…Merri-Lee Marvil!"
If possible, the audience started cheering even louder.
"Good luck girls!" Merri-Lee winked before heading out. After a few minutes, the cheering stopped.
"Thank you!" She cried. "How is everyone?"
More cheering.
"In past shows, we've usually talked to successful stars, blooming celebrities, inspiring people with life stories to share…today, though, I'll be interviewing five young ladies, one of them being my daughter, and talk to them, figure out what goes on in lives of average teenagers…but be surprised, these girls aren't exactly average…please join me in welcoming…Massie Block!
Massie gulped, and then walked out of the doors.
"Good luck," Claire whispered, the others nodding.
Once on stage, the lights of cameras all over her nearly rendered her blind. She straightened her back, and filed (fake-smiled) confidently.
"Hi," she stretched her smile once reaching Merri-Lee and shook her hand formally, unlike the times she was at Dylan's, where she was like a second daughter to her.
Merri-Lee smiled. "Alicia Riviera!"
Massie turned to see her friend walk with poise out of the doors. She smiled wide, and waved to the cheering audience. Once reaching Merri-Lee and Massie, she too shook her hand.
"Dylan Marvil!" Merri-Lee beamed.
The crowd cheered ever so slightly louder, which triggered a feeling of jealousy for Massie.
"Claire Lyons!"
The crowd kept their volume, perhaps because of Claire's fame in Dial L for Loser. Once again, Massie felt that insanely annoying feeling, but tried to shake it away, and continued smiling.
Claire grinned excitingly, and waved enthusiastically at the crowd.
Massie exchanged a 'what is she doing?' glance with Alicia.
Gawd, she's acting so LBR'ish! I mean, she's the only one who's not new to this whole fame thing, yet she's the one acting like a little kid, all excited of being on TV…chillax Kuh-laire!
"And finally, Kristen Greggory!"
Kristen sauntered across the stage, and waved surely at the crowd.
"Sit down, girls!" Merri-Lee indicated to the plush white armchairs closely grouped near them. Besides each armchair, there were large glasses of water, and a box of Kleenex.
The girls sat down.
"So," Merri-Lee smiled sweetly. "How are you? You all look great!"
Massie wasn't sure if she should say 'good' or 'thank-you' so she just smiled politely, trying to reserve her excitement.
"Thanks," Claire beamed.
"We're good," Dylan added.
"Well, tell us about yourselves. As individuals and as best friends."
It took two seconds of silence to let Massie know the girls were expecting her to reply first.
"Well," she started. "Um, I'm Massie Block," eh ma Gawd! How retarded! They already know my name! "And, um, well, I guess in some ways, I'm like any other sixteen year old girl." AS IF! "I mean, I'm practically a fashion guru," she smiled, and was grateful for many chuckles in the audience. "I devote my time to hanging out with friends, fashion, riding on my horse, Brownie, and spending quality time with my pug, Bean." Massie exhaled. Not bad.
Merri-Lee nodded. "What are some things you strongly believe in?"
"Well," Massie fumbled for time, "Er, I feel a personality can be seen through many different ways of appearance. Like…what you wear. If you're always wearing dark colors, it shows that you're probably a more 'gothic' kind of person…?"
Merri-Lee nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"Um, but then, I always believed, and still do, that I'm completely different from all the other girls in our grade."
"How so?"
Massie wasn't sure how she could inform them that she's the alpha, the most popular girl of the school, without looking as if she was trying to brag.
Sensing her sense of insecurity, Claire straightened, and giggled loudly, hoping to catch Merri-Lee's attention.
Merri-Lee raised her eyebrow towards her.
"Sorry! I was just, um, thinking of how Massie truly is unique."
Merri-Lee turned to her. "Could you explain it then?"
"Well," Claire started, looking confident, "she's ah-bviously the most popular girl in BOCD, she's the alpha who keeps our school running, makes it interesting."
Merri-Lee smiled, indicating to continue.
"She's exactly like those popular girls you read about in books, just not as mean." Claire shook away the memories of Massie when she first came to Westchester.
Massie blushed, and put her freshly manicured hand to her heart, acting touched.
"Yeah!" Piped Alicia. "I mean, we all know BOCD wouldn't be able to survive their social status without Mass!"
The others nodded in agreement.
"Well, it looks like Massie does have such an impact on our teenage population here in Westchester!"
Massie reddened. Awkward but cool. I just hope Skye's watching!
"Now, you girls are best friends right?" Merri-Lee asked.
They all nodded.
"For how long?"
Kristen straightened. "Well, Leesh and Mass met in fourth grade, and then Dylan and I started hanging out with them in the middle of fifth grade. Claire just moved to Westchester three and a half years ago."
"And you guys are the alpha clique at BOCD, I hear?"
They all blushed. "We're called the Pretty Committee," Alicia added.
"And what a right name! You all look gorgeous! Of course, we know where Dylan gets it from!" Merri-Lee winked as the crowd cheered.
Suddenly, Massie remembered the tip Merri-Lee gave her before airing. Remember, we've reserved a certain time on CTV, so try to remember to look at our time clock. When it reaches eleven seconds, we have to wrap it up for the ads.
Massie glanced at the time clock and read the top number (00:43:45) for time left for the show and the bottom number (00:00:18) for time left until the break.
As of on cue, Merri-Lee cleared her throat. "OK, time for a break, but when we come back, we'll be talking to the girls about their feelings towards each other, and just what makes them TPC." Then, she flashed a wide smile, causing the crowd to cheer again.
"Off air in 3…2…1!"
A/N: You liked it? If so, please R&R! And just so you all know, Girly.X.Girl is the beta for this story, she deserves all credit! (For beta-ing)