Hey guys! I changed my Pen Name from GlitterGirlie28 to Luv2Live Live2Luv. So yes, it's still me, in case you're wondering. It's also your last chance to vote for the poll on my profile, so please do.

Heart ya,
Joy

THE RANGE ROVER
BACKSEAT
8:54 AM
JANUARY 2, 2013

Claire was slightly squished from sharing seats made for three with five, but it was 100 times better than the alternative, which was to be forced into the trunk of the car while the others gossiped and giggled about her.

"Ratings." Massie turned to Alicia, who unbuttoned her cozy Armani parka to reveal a golden draped jersey top with a boatneck. On her legs were tight black Seven skinny jeans. White flats completed the outfit, and next to her on the seat was a white Christian Dior bag. Black drop earrings hung from her ears. "9.4. Kinda plain. Dylan?"

The redhead had on a blue-and-green-print Tory Burch structured miniskirt with a sea-green lace tank. A cultured pearl necklace, earrings, and bracelet added a taste of sophistication. They perfectly matched the Ella Moss purse that sat on her lap. Tall, narrow Chiristian Louboutin heels encased her feet. Mojito Madness by Essie was painted on her nails. "9.5. I heart it."

Kristen was clothed in a black Nicole Miller minidress with a ruched bodice and a ruffled organza skirt. It had a cross-over sweetheart neckline. Short white pumps were on her feet, and in her hand was a classic white Juicy Couture clutch with a bow. A little bit of lipstick and some sparse silver eyeshadow were her only cosmetics. A scent of Light Blue by Dolce&Gabbana wafted through the air. "You look like you're going to a funeral," scoffed Massie. "9.3."

Claire was the only one left. Nervously, she handed her Abercrombie&Fitch sweatshirt to Kristen to hold and turned to her leader. She was wearing a cotton-candy pink racer-back tank with black leggings. She also had little white strappy sandals with a huge rose over her big toe on the right one. Sephora makeup that had been layered on by Massie early this morning was the only part of her that was remotely acceptable. "8.7." Massie rolled her eyes. "Remind me why I let you join the Pretty Commitee."

Claire shrugged meekly and ducked her head, but Massie had already moved on. "Do me."

She was dressed in white True Religions with a snappy pale green Burberry blazer with a white tank tucked underneath. Under the fold of the shirt was a wide white belt. On her lap was a bamboo-colored Coach clutch. On her wrist were a set of white bangles with matching diamond earrings. Her toes were closed into pumps that matched the top.

"9.9.," proclaimed Alicia.

"Thanks." Massie smirked and proceeded to turn on the small TV set that was attached to the seat in front of her. FOX was replaying the events of last night. "Hey, that's you guys!" It was true. Alicia and Dylan were standing with Katy Perry and Robert Pattinson. His girlfriend stood in the background, glowering and looking like she'd had way too much to drink. "I love your outfits."

"Thanks," Dylan sang. "It was all me."

Claire looked over at Kristen as the group bantered. The soccer star sat nibbling her nails and playing with the ends of her wavy locks. "What's wrong?" she whispered.

"Nothing." Kristen looked out the window at the cars passing by, pointedly ignoring Claire.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, okay? Leave it."

CLAIREBEAR: Sumthing's wrong w/Kris.
MASSIEKUR: We're having an emergency meeting after skl.

OCTAVIAN COUNTRY DAY
CAFE
11:23 AM
JANUARY 2, 2013

The Pretty Commitee was preparing to walk into the lunch room when Skye and the DSL Daters blocked them. Automatically, everyone gave the two groups a five-foot-wide berth.

"Are you aware that you are the first group to stay alive this long under Skye's rule?" Chelsea, the Beta, asked.

Without giving them a chance to answer, Hilari added, "So we want to congratulate you."

Bree nodded. "We are proud to present to you..."

"Skye," Maya finished.

The Alpha held out a small tube emblazoned with one word: Skye.

Just like Glossip Girl was an Alpha trademark, Skye-flavored Glossip Girl was Skye's trademark.

Skye dropped the tube into Massie's outstretched hand. "Thank you."

"Use it well. You get only one." And with that, they turned away.

RANGE ROVER
BACKSEAT
3:00 PM
JANUARY 2, 2013

"Listen up!" Massie tapped the window with her sharp fingernails.

All heads turned to her.

"Impromtu GLU meeting in my room until 5:00 today. Got that, Isaac?"

He saluted into the rearview mirror.

"Why?" Dylan asked.

"Kristen has something to tell you," was her simple answer.

No one had anything else to say. The Pretty Commitee was silent until the were seated comfortably on Massie's white shag rug.

BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S ROOM
3:18 PM
JANUARY 2, 2013

Usually, before a meeting there would be strains of conversation. Someone would be eating, someone would be texting, someone would be humming, two people would be talking, whatever. But now there was silence. Everyone was focused on Kristen.

"Bad news or more bad news?"

"Just tell us," Alicia urged.

"Okay, cause: my dad moved to Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah for alcohol rehabilitation. Effect: my parents are getting divorced. Bonus effect: my mom might be moving away from Westchester."

"What?" Dylan jumped up, near tears, and flung her arms around Kristen's neck. "You can't leave us."

Alicia was on a different train of thought entirely. "Cirque Lodge? Isn't that where Lindsay Lohan went?"

"Leesh!" Claire scolded. "Who cares?"

She scowled.

"So, here's the plan."

Audible sighs of relief were heard. How could they have forgotten about Massie's plans?

"We're going over to the Pinewood Apartments right now to-"

"You live in Pinewood?" Alicia gasped. "I thought you were in the Montador."

"Me too." Dylan and Claire backed her up at the same time.

"Well, I don't."

"It doesn't matter. We're going over there right now to talk to her mom. There must be something we can do." She turned on the purple plastic intercom next to her bed. "Isaac?"

"Yes, Miss Block."

"Can you bring us over to the Pinewood Apartments?"

"I would, but I've never heard of them."

"You know, the tall brown building next to the Montador?"

"Oh, of course. What are you doing there? Is your mother making you donate more clothing, Massie?"

She noticed Kristen was obviously insulted, as she was crying and fidgeting with the end of her ponytail.

"One of my friends lives there," she explained shortly.

"Who?"

"Kristen Gregory."

"I thought she lived in the Montador."

"Isaac, are we playing a slumber party game?" she demanded.

"No."

"Then why are you giving me 20 questions?"

"Fine, Miss Block, I'll bring you."

"Thank you, Isaac." Three minutes later, they were on the road, speeding toward 393 Taconic Avenue.

PINEWOOD APARTMENTS
APARTMENT 48
3:36 PM
JANUARY 2, 2013

Flanked by Massie and Claire on either side, followed by Alicia and Dylan, Kristen reached out to open the door.

"Wait! Outfit checks."

"Massie! I can't believe that's what you're thinking about a time like this," Claire scolded in shock.

"It makes me feel more confident, okay?"

"I feel better when my friends are happy. So let's just do these quickly, okay?" Right now, Kristen's word was law. So they started on Claire. They'd already rated everyone in the morning, so it went quickly, and Massie gave Kristen the go-ahead. She cracked the door open and poked her head in. "Mom?" she called softly.

"In here, sweetie!"

"I have a few friends with me. Can they come in?"

"I guess, honey. Hold on a second." She blew her nose with a loud honking noise. "Alright."

She led them into her mother's bedroom, where they tried to look polite.

"This is Massie Block, Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil, and Kuh-laire Lyons. Guys, this is my mom, Marsha Gregory."

"Miller, now," she corrected. "Marsha Miller."

"So, um, are you really leaving?" Massie blurted.

"We're not really sure yet, sweetie. Everything's up in the air right now. We'll just have to see." She glanced at her daughter. "Is that why you brought your friends? So you'd have moral support while you interrogated me?"

Kristen giggled, a foreign sound to the Pretty Commitee. They'd never heard the sporty Delta make a sound quite like that. "Maybe."

It was Alicia's turn. "Where would you go?"

"Maybe back to Greenwich."

"In New York?"

"The city?"

"No, Connecticut, actually. It's where I grew up. I've always wanted to go back there. It's not too far. You could always visit," she offered.

"Please don't go!" Alicia begged.

"We wouldn't until next summer, anyway. This old place needs a lot of fixing up if we're going to sell it."

"No kidding," muttered Massie, flinching as she looked at the worn floorboards and the half-rotted ceiling.

"Don't you rent apartments?" wondered Dylan.

"You can either rent or buy. We purchased ours," she told the redhead.

"So we have more than a year. Is that what you're saying?"

Marsha nodded. "If we ever even move at all."

RANGE ROVER
BACKSEAT
3:56 PM
JANUARY 2, 2013

The Pretty Commitee, minus Kristen, were getting dropped off one by one. They all knew they were supposed to be happy, but they just couldn't bring themselves to smile. Next summer loomed like a giant, dark rain-cloud over them all, and they couldn't celebrate that Kristen was staying if there was even the slightest chance she might eventually leave.

"Let's think about something else," suggested Alicia.

"Yeah, like what?" Massie snorted bitterly.

"Gossip?" she proposed hopefully.

Massie fake-laughed. "No."

"Shopping?" Dylan.

"No."

"How about we take a moment to think about Kristen instead of your little-rich-girl passtimes? She's having real problems and all you guys are doing is ignoring them," Claire snapped.

"It's nawt helping us to mourn her," Alicia responded. "And she's nawt going to know what we're doing, so..."

"It doesn't matter. Haven't you ever heard of karma?"

"Whatevs." She leaned her forehead against the window.

"We're at your place, Dyl," Massie said in a monotone.

She waved goodbye and got out. Once they'd dropped Alicia off, the two best friends scooted next to each other, embraced, and cried.

WANG HOUSE
DYLAN'S ROOM
4:22 PM
JANUARY 2, 2013

Dylan didn't know if her reason was paltry compared to Kristen's, but she cried anyway. She'd gotten her hopes up that maybe her family would come back to Westchester with her, but they hadn't, and not one of them had called today.

"Dylan! What's wrong?" Vera ducked inside. "Friend issues again?"

She didn't want to admit she was being selfish by wanting her mother to tear herself away from her work so she could be with her. Merri-Lee had done enough by allowing Dylan to stay in Westchester. So instead she replied, "Kinda."

Vera just looked at her, waiting.

"My friend's dad was just admitted to Cirque Lodge, and now her parents are getting divorced and she might be moving."

"Oh, sweetheart." She opened her arms. "Come here."

Dylan leaned on Vera's chest and sobbed.