OCTAVIAN COUNTRY DAY
SOCIAL STUDIES
9:03 AM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

Kristen couldn't believe it had been close to three weeks, and the Pretty Commitee-Witty Commitee war was still at a dead end. Vail was continuing to work as a spy, but she wasn't uncovering any information that would help the Witty Commitee blackmail them.

And because Vail was lying to Massie, they hadn't found out anything important about Kristen's clique.

She knew that while the Witty Commitee was the most popular group, they should use it to their advantage. So every day, they marched into school like they ruled the world, but it wasn't enough.

Being Alpha wasn't any fun for Kristen. She missed carefree afternoons with the Pretty Commitee, where they'd drop the invincible facade and be themselves for a change. It was so much easier when Massie was in charge. Which was why she was planning on seeking out the leader this afternoon after school, just them, Alpha to Alpha, and negotiate a peace treaty.

She'd been dreading it since last night, when she'd made the fateful desicion. But she was going to follow through, whatever it took.

OCTAVIAN COUNTRY DAY
ORCHESTRA
9:41 AM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

Even though Claire hadn't seen him again, she still thought about Cameron Fisher. More than once, Kristen had yelled at her for zoning out during an important meeting. His eyes, one blue, one green, danced through her head, and the scent of Drakkar Noir, the cologne he'd used that day, followed her everywhere. And she remembered giddily what he'd told her. 'You're, um, really nice, and, uh, really cute. Do you want to, uh, go out sometime, maybe, Claire?'

The rest of the Witty Commitee had laughed, but Claire had accepted the offer. She was meeting him Saturday night for coffee at Starbucks.

"Claire. Claire!"

"Yeah?" She shook her head quickly and looked up at Ms. Faye.

"Scales, please." She shot a look at Claire's viola, which was leaning haphazardly against her chair.

"Sorry." She positioned it in her hand.

As the girls' instruments whined through their music, Claire took her mind away and dreamed about the Pretty Commitee.

OCTAVIAN COUNTRY DAY
MATH
10:04 AM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

While both her friends and ex-friends worried about the fight occuring between them, Massie worried about Merri-Lee's New Year's Yves party. She was throwing it on the West Coast for the first time, and Massie still hadn't convinced Kendra to let her go. Alicia had permission, and so did Dylan, obviously, and Massie refused to be the one left behind.

She reached up to twirl a strand of chestnut hair around her finger, which was what she always used to do when thinking about Ahnna started to drive her crazy. But she stopped herself at the last second and slowly lowered her hand.

What could she do about the party?

The only reason her parents wouldn't let her go was because they thought they were traveling too much. So she'd countered with the argument that Vera Wang would take all three of them. But William had insisted that just because she was famous didn't mean she was trustworthy. So she'd asked Merri-Lee for references. But the famous news anchor had been so busy that she hadn't gotten back to her.

Massie sighed, turning her thoughts to her friends. Secretly, in her heart of hearts, she missed the Pretty Commitee the way it used to be, when she was still innocent. What had changed? She wasn't sure.

When the bell rang, she passed up her packet, gathered her books, and raced out the door. When she skidded into her seat at Table 18, the last thing she expected was to be bombarded. But that's exactly what happened.

"Did they say yes?" Dylan demanded, shoving Alicia to the side.

"N-"

"The plane leaves tomorrow after school!" her Beta exclaimed.

"I kn-"

"What are we going to do without you?" Vail added.

Oh, yeah. She'd forgotten that even the Pretty Commitee wannabes were allowed to go.

"Why can't you come?" The other trainee they'd decided on, Zara Warren, widened her huge brown eyes in disbeilef.

"Cuz I'm going to Paris," she blurt-fibbed. "My parents told me this morning. Sorry!"

"But-" Dylan's sobs were drowned out by Alicia's screams.

"You're going to leave us all alone?!" she yelped. "At an internationally televised party?"

"You can do it," Massie told her. She raised her hand. "Alicia is in charge while I'm nawt there. And we'll do outfit-checks this afternoon at my place. 4:30 on the dot. Bring everything you're planning to wear."

BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S ROOM
4:26 PM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

ALICIA'S POV

Alicia leaned back in the comfy massage chair Massie had recieved as a Christmas present. As it vibrated, the initial shock of Massie leaving them by themselves faded. Instead, only the realization that she'd be the leader for an entire four days was left. The more she considered it, the more she couldn't wait for the first-class-only airplane to take off.

"Is everyone here?" A shout forced her to open her eyes.

She mumured "Yes" along with the rest of them and stood up.

"First, we'll do plane outfits," Massie decided. "Comfy, but cute enough to walk into a designer store should you lose your luggage."

The girls rushed off to change. When they returned, they fell into a line, which Alicia headed.

"Miss Alicia Rivera is wearing a navy blue-and-white polka-dotted Alice&Olivia skirt with lots of volume and flip," she announced. "Tucked in is a simple cerulean Burberry cami. On her feet are white closed-toe Gucci platform pumps which are easy to slip on and off if uncomfortable. Pearl earrings are in her ears, and she is holding a white Guess carry-on. A simple scent of-" she sniffed the air around her friend- "Oscar de la Renta's Live in Love perfume is perfect for a jaunt to L.A. I give you a... 9.3." She smiled. "Next!"

"Miss Dylan Marvil has on a pale green Agnes B frill top with an asymmetrical hem cinched with a skinny gold belt. She paired it with adorable white Miss Me skinny jeans and Christian Louboutin gold-studded ballet flats. She is carrying a black beach basket Hermes tote. She doesn't need any makeup because she is beautiful the way she is. I give you a... 9.8." Everyone air-clapped.

"Miss Vail Collins is sporting a salmon-colored Juicy Couture sweatsuit and classic black Uggs. On the back of her jacket is written Juicy Royalty in white. Her hair is styled in waves, and peeking out are casual white and silver Chanel hoop earrings. For makeup, she is adorned with liquid eyeliner, mascara, and a dab of lip gloss. I give you a... 9.2."

"Miss Zara Warren is clothed in a white Ralph Lauren scoop-neck t-shirt minidress. Fastened around it is a dark mauve belt, and she is wearing matching cowgirl boots. In her ears are coordinated drop earrings, and on her wrist is a bracelet. From the same set, I presume?" Zara nodded. "To add to her outfit, she has on Lust lip gloss by MAC and Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture perfume. I give you a... 9.4. Swimsuits, please!" She snapped twice.

Alicia loved Massie's ratings as much as the next girl, but it did bore her after a while. Not that it mattered. If Massie Block wanted to play a game, the Pretty Commitee had darn better want to play that game.

"Miss Alicia Rivera is wearing a black-and-white floral-patterned Vera Bradley bikini with a bandeau top. On her feet are plain black summer flip-flops. They're sweet for now, but no more Forever 21, okay, Leesh?" The Beta blushed and lowered her head. "She is carrying a pale blue knit clutch. Waterproof lipstick, eyeliner, and blush finish the outfit, along with gold aquamarine Louis Vuitton teardrop earrngs. Total 10."

"Really?" Alicia's face brightened.

"Uh-huh."

By the time everything had been rated, Alicia had to get home for dinner. When Isaac dropped her off in front of her mansion, she waved good-bye to Massie and power-walked inside, bracing herself against the freezing air.

She was just about to sit down at the table with Ally and Len when her phone rang.

MASSIEKUR: Get back here ASAP.
HOLAGURRL: Y?
MASSIEKUR: Get back here. Now.

With a quick apology to her parents, she called Alex to take her to the Block Estate. "What's wrong?"

Massie pointed across the room, where Kristen sat stiffly, her back ramrod straight.

Massie rolled her eyes. "She came here because she thinks I should just let her back in the Pretty Commitee."

KRISTEN'S POV

"What?!" Kristen exclaimed, jumping up. When had her entire plan turned upside-down? She'd come for a one-on-one face-to-face discussion with Massie, and ended up in an argument. "That's not what I said!"

"So what did you say?" Massie asked snobbily.

"I said that we should stop fighting because it's getting old." She was sure those were the exact words she'd used before.

"Only cuz you know you'll lose." Massie smirked. "It's just a matter of time before we bring you down."

"You mean with your Massies-in-waiting, Vail and Zara?"

"How do you know about those?"

She'd slipped. Through sealed lips, she uttered, "Vail's ours, goddammit."

"What?" Massie's amber eyes widened. "You're lying."

"Ask her."

"Fine." Massie pulled out her iPhone and hit 7 on her speed-dial. "Vail?"

"Hey, Mass!"

"Who are you?" she inquired bluntly.

"Vail Collins," she answered without laughing.

Kristen cracked a grin.

"Which clique do you belong to?" the girl snapped. "Pretty Commitee or Witty Commitee?"

"Pretty Commitee, of course." She sounded as though she was being insulted.

Kristen raised her eyebrows and yanked out her Motorola. "She has to say that to your face. Let's see what she says to me." All this time, she'd just blindly assumed that of course Vail was loyal to the Witty Commitee. But maybe, maybe... "Vail?"

"Hey, Kris!"

She scowled. "I'm here," she said quietly. "I heard what you told Massie about being in the Pretty Commitee. So I'll ask you."

"Witty Commitee. You know I just had to say that to her." A sigh and a muffled gasp were heard on the other end of the line, then a single sob. "You should know I work for you."

"Are you sure?" Kristen hated to think she was hurting her Omega. But she had to find out.

"No." The response was so quiet Kristen wasn't positive she'd heard her correctly.

"Did... what... no?! What do you mean, no?!"

"No, I'm nawt part of the Witty Commitee anymore."

For the first time, Kristen realized Vail had lapsed into a Massie-like exxagerated New York accent. "So... you're with Massie?" It seemed as though her emotions had shut down, and she realized what people meant when they said they felt empty.

"Yeah." Vail sounded just as numb as Kristen felt. "I guess I am."

"You were right," she told Massie quietly.

"I always am." She casually shut her phone off for the night and clapped her hands to shut off her lamp. And because she was looking down, she completely missed the look of intense heartbreak that flitted over her friend's face. And no matter how much she might want to deny it, Kristen Gregory would always be her friend.

BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S ROOM
7:49 PM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

Not one of the girls had known that Claire had been watching unseen from the loft above Massie's room. She had heard everything, and, involuntarily, she felt her fists clench up as she listened to Massie's stone-cold retorts. The second Alicia and Kristen left, she marched down the stairs. "Just what the fuck was that?"

"I'm the Alpha." Massie raised and lowered one shoulder.

"Stop using that excuse!" she screeched. "That doesn't give you the right to hurt other people like you're doing! They are people, nawt property!"

"So?"

"What is that supposed to mean, so?!"

"It means 'I don't care; get out of my face.'"

"You are a cold-hearted bitch. Mikayla was right all along. I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I figured you were capable of being a nice person. But I don't think you even know what that means."

Massie dropped her voice an octave to sound more gentle. "Look, sweetheart, you wouldn't be part of this if you hadn't sided with Kristen."

"I joined her because she was a good person, unlike you," she snapped.

"Whatevs. Alicia and Dylan have no problems with me."

"Alicia has lots of problems with you, or have you forgotten? In fact, she's plotting to take you over right now. She's going to join the Witty Commitee." It was the biggest lie she'd told for the cause since this whole thing started.

"No, she's nawt." But Claire didn't miss the fear that crossed the brunette's pretty features.

"Face it, Massie, you're not a leader, you're not an Alpha, and you're not prepared to run OCD. But we'll overlook everything you've done and offer you a postion as Omega in our group."

Massie thought it over. A smirk graced her face as she opened her mouth. "Kuh-laire, do I look like a video game?"

"No."

"Then why are you playing me?"

"I'm not, I swear." Claire held her hands up as though she was surrendering. "You get to join. For free. But Kristen stays Alpha."

"What about Leesh and Dyl?"

"I guess they can be honorary members, Zeta and Eta or something, I don't know. We can't fill up the entire Greek alphabet."

"I'll discuss it with them."

"Okay." The blonde smiled tightly and climbed into bed, already texting Kristen. Because Claire was pretty sure she had a lot to explain.

WANG HOUSE
DYLAN'S ROOM
8:03 PM
DECEMBER 27, 2012

MASSIEKUR: We're joining the Witty Commitee.
BIGREDHEAD: What?
MASSIEKUR: U heard me. They're kicking Vail out, so i'm Omega, and Leesh is Zeta, and ur Eta, or sumthing like that.
BIGREDHEAD: Whatevs.

She placed her phone on the small night table next to her and pulled the covers up to her chin, curling into a ball. She'd liked the original Pretty Commitee much better than this crap. She couldn't even remember why Kristen and Claire had branched off.

A quick knock sounded, and her door swung open. "Are you okay, Dylan?"

"Yeah, thanks, Vera." The woman made to leave, but she paused when Dylan called, "Actually..."

"What?" Vera came and sat down on the edge of the redhead's bed.

"Did you ever have any problems in school? You know, like, popularity and stuff."

"Oh, yes, definitely. I had a friend who tried to commit suicide."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Dylan. "But, see-" And the whole situation poured out.

"Oh, wow." Vera put an arm around the girl's shoulders. "Why don't you try to convince those girls, Kristen and Kuh-laire, as you called them, to rejoin you?"

"Cuz they won't," she replied. "What we need to do is get them to kick Mikayla, Alexia, and Maeve out, and then it will be us five again. After that, Massie just has to rise to the top and rename us the Pretty Commitee."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Vera asked skeptically. "It sounds like none of you want to be fighting."

She thought this over. "No, I guess you're right. But we can't just give up. Massie has to be the most popular girl in school. It's like a compulsion or something."

"Maybe she should take a break," Vera proposed. "You can all be part of the Witty Commitee, and if fate wants to make you friends, then you will once again be part of the same clique. But if fate wants to let the Witty Commitee rise to the top, then you will have to put up with it, and so will Massie."

"That what I tried to to tell her," Dylan sighed. "But she never listens to us."

"Well, she should start. And while you're at it, be nice to people. It's the only way for a queen to hold on to her reign."