Two things: First, whenever I name a place in Westchester, such as Vanilla Bean, the Westchester Mall, or OCD, I am automatically back on Westchester time. Whenever I name a place in California, we're obviously on California time. PM me if you're confused about something specific. Second, check out my other story: Story of Our Lives (A Gossip Girl/Clique crossover)! Hope you like it!

Heart ya,
Joy

BEVERLY HILLS
STUDIO CHARMANTE
11:58 AM
DECEMBER 3, 2012

"Do you want us to come in?" Merri-Lee offered, her eyes probing the sleek glass building.

"It doesn't matter," her daughter replied distractedly.

"Come on already," Jaime called from the old-fashion Mustang that had come with their new driver.

"Alright, good luck, have fun; Alicia's parents will join you, okay, sweetheart?" She swooped Dylan into a tight embrace. "Love you, hon." Then she departed toward the car. Dylan wasn't quite sure, because the windows were deeply tinted, but she could have sworn that the 20-something-year-old driver put his arm around her mother.

BEVERLY HILLS
STUDIO CHARMANTE
11:59 AM
DECEMBER 3, 2012

"I'm here!" Massie sing-songed as she sauntered toward the tightly knit group, Claire next to her, wearing a huge, white smile.

Alicia whirled around, narrowing her dark eyes. "I see Kristen didn't want to come with you."

Massie didn't favor her with a response. Instead, she and Claire strutted toward the assymetrical doors, their heels clicking smartly against the pavement.

And Dylan was right on their heels.

BEVERLY HILLS
STUDIO CHARMANTE
12:00 AM
DECEMBER 3, 2012

Ally knocked on the door bearing a tasteful bronze plaque stating, 'Pop 'n' Lolly's Personal Studio: No Entrance Without Invitation.'

Immediately, it was pulled open by Pop. "Hey," she smiled. "Come on in. You all know us? I'm Pop, and she's Lolly." With a slight wink in Claire's direction, she beckoned the women into the room.

"Girls only," smirked Lolly, with a pointed look toward Len Rivera. "Sorry."

With a small grin, he backed out, closing the door behind him.

"Come meet the staff," Pop offered. "Here's Nellie, Marina, Kay, Vanessa, Zara, and Gianna. And these are Massie, Alicia, Dylan, and Claire. Right, girlies?"

"Yup!" Claire chimed cheerfully, linking one arm with Massie and the other with Dylan.

"Where's Kristen?" Lolly inquired. "You know, the blonde one?"

'We know who our friends are,' Massie fought the urge to snap. Instead, she apoligized, "She couldn't make it. There's only us."

"That's a shame," Pop mourned. "She would have made a good model."

"Well, you have us!" Alicia piped. She was silenced quickly with a glare from Claire, who was rewarded with one of Massie's perfect smiles. What was going on here?

"So let's establish some basics," Lolly guided, pointing to a circular wooden table in the back. The others followed her and sat down, Claire and Dylan on either side of Massie. Alicia was the awkward one, sitting two seats away from the closest girl.

"Do we need the adult?" Lolly asked preliminarily.

Alicia translated for her mother.

"No, no," she assured them. "Estoy seguro de que está en las mejores manos."

With a smile, Alicia walked Ally to the door, then joined the cluster. Everyone was listening intently to Pop.

"First of all, each of you needs to pick a designer."

"Ralph Lauren!" Alicia blurted instantly, signing next to his name.

The others conferenced before calmly selecting the brands they wanted to sponsor. In her peripheral vision, she caught a sympathetic glance being passed from Lolly to her sister, the model's eyes flicking slightly toward Alicia. Did they feel sorry for her?

"I'll take Louis Vuitton," Massie told the twins.

"Juicy Couture," added Claire.

"And I want... Gucci," Dylan finished.

"That sounds great," agreed Pop, passing the list of names around. "I'm glad we've got some rich girls with real taste."

Claire gulped and shot Massie a look. Massie sent back a controlled, 'Don't worry; I've got it covered,' message.

'Good,' Claire mouthed, satisfied. She sat back in her chair. She'd never much liked Alicia, and she was beyond glad that the Pretty Commitee had decided to diss her. But she desperately missed Kristen, and she was actually considering flying back to Westchester to stay with the Delta if her friend couldn't come here.

OCTAVIAN COUNTRY DAY
SOCIAL STUDIES
9:02 AM
DECEMBER 3, 2012

Kristen slammed the notebook she'd bought at Walmart for $8.50 down on her desk. If Alicia was here, they'd be texting secretly, giggling about the ugly old hag of a teacher they had for homeroom. If Dylan was here, Kristen would be cheerfully convincing her that in no way was she fat, and that her dancing routines were looking better and better. And if Claire was here, they'd be trading gummies back and forth, possibly passing notes about their financial situations. She even yearned for Massie's endless taunts about her cheap taste in everything from clothes to school supplies to hair products. In short, she missed the Pretty Commitee. Missed them so much it hurt.

GOLDEN ISLES
PARADISE SUITE
1:08 PM
DECEMBER 3, 2012

Sadly, Alicia dropped a frozen chocolate-chip waffle into the toaster and flopped onto a stool. Vaguely, she wondered if she was depressed. How could losing three friends really affect the dramatic soap opera that was her life?

But looking like a total LBR in front of Pop 'n' Lolly, that was a matter she needed to do something about. She couldn't afford to lose the best opportunity of her life to Claire Lyons, for God's sake.

And then, slowly but surely, a plan began to form in her head. Alicia was sure that the only reason Massie was here was because Claire had recommended it, because she knew the twins hadn't wanted the Alpha. So if she could manage to re-befriend the girl, Massie would begin to be mean to both her and Claire. And if Pop'n' Lolly caught her being mean to anyone, she would be out. And the promise that Claire had made, that Massie wouldn't show any attitude whatsoever, would turn out to be a complete lie. So there was a strong possibility that Claire would be out too.