A/n: disclaimer I do not own anything of the Clique including any of the characters.

Wow, it has been a long time since I updated this and I am truly sorry. A lot happened, and I wasn't inspired major writer's block. I'm feeling better, and I do truly plan on finishing all my stories even if it takes me awhile to do so.

~Halo.

When did life become so bad? It feels like yesterday that I was enjoying being with my friends without a worry in the world. My life was perfect before that stupid masquerade party...well it was almost perfect.

"I think it's better if we move forward with the clues, then try to figure out who wrote them because we might ruin out of time." Cam said humbly as he weighed in his own thoughts of what we our next move should be.

None of us really had that much sleep last night, because we are all eager to get Claire back safely. Sleep seems so less important when your best friend is in danger even though it is a key factor to your body functioning. We all want to find the culprits and hold them responsible, but it might take too long to uncover the truth.

"I second that." I agreed with Cam full-heartedly.

I scanned my friends sitting in front of me, and noticed that they all look they could use a rest. Alicia's typical shiny raven hair is dull, and thrown back into a messy bun to hid her shame. Dylan's bright green eyes, are now lifeless. Kristen's perfect skin is on the verge of a major breakout of zits galore. My fashion style has been suffering, because I have been wearing sweats on a regular basis.

"Well, then that's go to the studio." Derrick said, and we all fell into alignment as we walked out of the GLU Headquarters.

Derrick still hasn't talked to me after he found out my secret, and I don't know how much more I can handle not speaking to him. Before, we were an item, I didn't care about what he thought of me, but now I care deeply of how he thinks of me.

"Who is going to drive with who?" Kristen asked as we walked to our cars, because of course none of us had thought of that detail.

"Well, obviously Alicia will have to drive since she knows how to get there and then we will have one other car following her." Josh stated as he continue to hop into Alicia's black Range Rover.

"Derrick, how about you and Massie drive together?" Cam suggested, but it didn't turn out to be a suggestion because they all had piled into her car before we could make a choice.

"I guess we don't have a choice." Derrick said as he opened the passenger's side car door open for me. Of course he will be a gentleman, but still manage to be an ass at the same time.

"Oh, how kind of you." I said the sarcasm oozed from my voice as I stepped into my rightful seat. 'This is going to be a long ride' I thought to myself as he shut the door and walked over to his side.

The car started on cue, and we eased our way out of my driveway and out to the main street. At first I listened to the radio and hummed to the music, but eventually the silence became to deafening. I need to talk to him, but how? He seems to be in his world as he drives following closely behind Alicia's car and humming along to song inside of his head, because he hates pop music.

"I'm sorry." I blurted out.

"Did you fart?" was his response.

"No, how the hell did you get that from me saying sorry?" I asked angrily with his childish behavior.

"Well, then why are you apologizing out of nowhere?" He questioned, as he stole a glance at me which made me blush.

"I'm sorry for not telling you the truth," I paused thinking of what to say next, because it is important for him to know that I had no intention of hurting him. "I just wanted something that I could do without it being publicized. It was the only secret that I ever had."

"You should have trusted me with knowing I wouldn't have told a soul." Derrick snapped angrily. His focus shifted from me back to the road, and his hand reached over to the dial as he continue to turn up the radio even louder.

Okay, there might be one thing that he hates more than pop music and that would be me. I turned my attention to the window, and stared out at the buildings that we passed by. Suddenly we took a left turn into a parking-lot and had come to a stop. Immediately I jumped out of car, and walked over towards my true friends.

"Let's get this over with." Dylan said as she pulled the door open that entered into the grand studio. We walked past the front desk that had no one in it, and climbed the stairs to reach studio C.

Alicia had some sort of card, that looked a lot like a hotel key-room which is designed to open up the studio. Of course a studio as beautiful as this, in New York would have such high security. We entered the room, and immediately the rows of mirrors had shown our reflections.

"Wow, I really look like shit." Kristen cursed as she stepped towards the mirror to examine herself more.

"You're not the only one." Alicia said as she walked towards Kristen to give her some moral support.

"At least you don't look like you're eighty years old." Dylan fumed as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Hey, you could be worst off. You could be wearing sweats like me." I gulped as I studied myself in the purple Juicy Couture tracksuit.

I had been avoiding mirrors on purpose, but now that I clearly see how badly this game has messed with my image, I know I need to end it conclusively. My self-esteem is suffering because of these stupid idiots, that needed to ruin my life. Why couldn't they just took me instead? It would have saved me the trouble.

"While, you girls were too busy focusing on how horrible you look-" Derrick began to say, but was interrupted by Cam.

"We found the next clue-"

"It says, Claire was too good for all of you. She is kind, loyal, real, and a great friend but she had a flaw. She friended all of you, and fell into a black-hole. She never shared anyone's secret, but she shouldn't have trusted any of you because you all told her secrets to the world. Roses are red, grass is green, this dirty soccer player has a secret she has been hiding from all of you." Kemp finished and everyone had turned their attention to the dirty blonde for an explanation.

The truth can only set you free, right? Until next time.

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