Ma.s.sie rolled her eyes. There had to be some kind of explanation for all of this. ... And in a flash everything became clear. Alicia was walking around with top secret info and Todd, the infamous eavesdropper, had box seats. It all made perfect sense.

"Okay, well, have fun at the show," Ma.s.sie said, turning toward the stairs. "Oh, one question," she called down to Todd. "Do you know the name of the fat camp in upstate New York? I have a friend who's interested and I s.p.a.ced on the name."

"St. Barf's," Todd called back.

"Thanks." Ma.s.sie smiled to herself. Case closed.

She ran back down the stairs and pushed Todd into the living room. "Take that, Goldberg," she said as she slammed him against the leopard print wallpaper. "You better start talking or I'm going to show you my my version of the Smackdown. And there won't be anything fake about it." version of the Smackdown. And there won't be anything fake about it."

THE F FISHER H HOUSE.

4:00 PM PM.

December 2nd Alicia whispered into her phone, "You're not going to believe this, but I'm standing in Harris Fisher's bedroom."

"No way," Faux-livia said.

"Swear," Alicia barked. "Four-way Strawberry and Kori and I'll tell you what I see. Hurry, he'll be back from the bathroom any minute."

"No problem," Faux-livia said. "How do I do it?"

"Ugh, are you serious?" Alicia hung up. "Useless," she grumbled.

The musky smell of boy's deodorant mixed with laundry detergent and sweaty socks was everywhere. Alicia wasn't sure if she actually liked the odor but decided she'd better get used to it.

She lifted her cell phone and took a picture of his chocolate brown walls. They were covered in posters of Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and a bunch of rock bands Alicia couldn't care less about.

"Cute." Alicia sighed when she saw his twin beds and their matching blue comforter covers. She took a picture of his color-coordinated throw pillows.

Alicia got shots of his white digital clock radio, the stack of Car and Driver Car and Driver magazines by his bed, and a gla.s.s of moldy orange juice. magazines by his bed, and a gla.s.s of moldy orange juice.

A Sports Ill.u.s.trated Sports Ill.u.s.trated swimsuit calendar was tacked above his computer and Alicia leaned in to see what he had planned for the holidays. Were they going to any of the same parties? swimsuit calendar was tacked above his computer and Alicia leaned in to see what he had planned for the holidays. Were they going to any of the same parties? THE STROKES THE STROKES was written in big red letters beside the dates of their New York tours. Just below that, in blue he'd written, was written in big red letters beside the dates of their New York tours. Just below that, in blue he'd written, ASK "A" TO GO ASK "A" TO GO.

Alicia's palms started to sweat uncontrollably and she fought the urge to scream. "Ehmagawd," she whispered to herself.

Alicia took four pictures of the calendar and then quickly stuffed her phone in her pocket when she heard Harris's footsteps.

"Sorry 'bout that," he said as he strolled back into the room. He pulled a black tube of ChapStick out of his Levi's pocket and smeared the peach-colored wax all over his naturally red lips.

"It's okay." Alicia giggled. She shifted from one foot to the other before leaning back and resting her b.u.t.t on the edge of his dark wood desk. ... Now what?

When Harris had driven her home, the music in his Mustang was blasting, so they didn't have to talk. But it was silent in his bedroom and he was staring straight at her.

"Cool shirt," Alicia said, pointing to his baggy white tee. "Who makes that?"

Harris turned his neck and pulled the label out of the back. "Hanes."

"Love them," Alicia said. She turned her head slightly to the side and raised her eyebrows, forcing herself to look into his green eyes. She had seen that move drive a man wild on The Young and the Restless The Young and the Restless. But Harris didn't seem to notice. He sat on his bed and grabbed his iPod off the night table. He started clicking through his playlists. Once he found the right song, he pushed a b.u.t.ton and a loud, thrashing guitar solo blasted through his speakers and filled the room with the sound of angst.

"How awesome is this?" he said, playing air guitar.

Alicia loved watching his long dark bangs flop around his face. Their kids would definitely have perfect hair.

"So, uh, what are you doing this weekend?" she asked, hoping he would finally ask her to the concert. The antic.i.p.ation was maddening.

"You know, the usual." He was still strumming.

"Cool," Alicia shouted over the music. And then, in a final attempt to do something s.e.xy, she winked.

"No way," Harris said. "My chemistry teacher has the exact same eye twitch as you. I think it's kind of cute. But then again, anything's cute on a hottie." He flashed Alicia a mischievous smile. She could feel herself blush.

"I don't have an eye twitch," she said with a playful lilt in her voice. "But I sooo love that you think I'm a hottie."

Harris threw his head back and laughed.

"Actually it's my chemistry teacher who's the hottie. You should see her. She looks like Halle Berry, you know, but with a twitch." Harris held his gaze on Alicia for a second too long. She scratched her forehead, hoping her hand would cover her pout.

Harris turned down the music, moved closer to Alicia, and put his arm around her. "You'll be even hotter than her, though, when you get older," he said.

Alicia smiled. "Whatevs," she said softly.

Harris backed away from Alicia and sat on the edge of his bed. "So, do you have the Strokes tickets?" He rubbed his hands together as if he were trying to stay warm.

"Given," Alicia said. She opened her green Coach vintage hobo bag and pulled out a small yellow envelope. "Here."

Harris grabbed it and fell backward onto his bed. He pulled the tickets out and examined them. "Box seats! You rule!"

Alicia said nothing. She was still trying to adjust to the fact that he would choose his twitchy chemistry teacher over her.

Harris leaned over the side of his bed and pulled out an old tin film canister. He pried it open with his thumb and pulled out a thin stack of twenties. He counted out $180 and handed it to Alicia.

"No, that's okay," she said, waving her hand at the cash. "Consider it an early holiday present."

Harris's face lit up like a Christmas tree, even though he said the required, "Naw, I couldn't. I'd feel terrible."

"Well, maybe I could go with you, then." She was tired of waiting for him to ask her. "And then you won't feel so bad."

"That would be great," he said.

"Really?"

"Yeah." Harris nodded.

"Cool, I can pick you up in my limo, or you can drive the Mustang if you want; it's your call-"

"But I already promised my friend Angela."

"Oh." Alicia felt her throat dry up.

Harris held out his arm, offering the money again. Alicia shook her head and pretended to pull a piece of hair off her low-cut sweater. She thought of how excited she had been when she saw his calendar and punched herself in the thigh for being so stupid.

"What was that for?" Harris asked, walking toward her.

"Leg cramp."

Harris grabbed Alicia by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet. Then he took her in his arms and squeezed her tight. But she knew this was nothing more than a pity hug.

Alicia pulled back, anxious to get away from his musty armpit. Then she lifted her dark eyes and looked up at him.

"Can I call you in a few days?" he asked with a warm smile.

"Given." Alicia could feel herself blush. Maybe there was hope. Maybe Angela was just a friend. Maybe ...

"The White Stripes are about to announce their tour dates and I'd kill kill for box seats to their show." for box seats to their show."

The "game over" sound effect from Todd's video games played in Alicia's head. "'Kay, well, I have to go."

"Thanks again," Harris said, flashing every white tooth in his beautiful mouth.

"Yup." Alicia picked her leather bag off the floor and stormed out of his room, slamming the door behind her. She considered running back in and blaming her dramatic exit on a sudden gust of wind. But why bother? If he wanted to think she was upset, let him. Maybe next time he would think twice about using her.

The tears started to come and Alicia raced down the stairs, hoping to get away before she ran into Cam. She had been humiliated enough for one day ... or so she thought.

When Alicia opened the front door, she gasped.

"Ma.s.sie?" Alicia said. She hadn't spoken to her ex-friend in days and her name sounded strange coming out of Alicia's mouth.

Ma.s.sie looked away. "Is Cam here?"

"Hi, Alicia." Cam appeared from the kitchen with a smile. "Come on in, Ma.s.sie."

"Thanks." Ma.s.sie pushed past Alicia.

"Is Harris still upstairs?" Cam asked.

"Oh yyyeah." Alicia tried to look s.e.xy and devious when she answered him. She wanted Ma.s.sie to think they had spent the afternoon kissing. "I had to tear myself away because I have to meet a bunch of friends. It wasn't easy." "Uh, okay." Cam looked confused.

"Cam, let's go to your room." Ma.s.sie smacked him playfully on the b.u.t.t and he took off up the stairs. She chased after him.

"Bye, Alicia!" Cam yelled.

But Alicia was too choked up to answer. She let herself out and ran toward her silver-and-red Schwinn that she had dumped on the lawn.

Once she was halfway down Holly, Alicia cried openly. She hated that Harris chose Angela over her. But most of Alicia's tears were for Ma.s.sie. They were complete strangers.

If they hadn't been fighting, Alicia would have been on the phone with Ma.s.sie right now, making plans to meet at Starbucks. Once they got there, they would have sat beside each other on the purple velvet couch by the window, blowing on their fattening chai lattes and resting their feet on the coffee table in front of them. Alicia would have made Ma.s.sie pinky-swear that she would not repeat the truth about Harris. And Ma.s.sie would explain why she was going behind Claire's back to be with Cam. By the time the sugar and caffeine kicked in, they would be doubled over laughing.

But now that Alicia and Ma.s.sie were enemies, there would be no meeting at Starbucks.

The tears were coming even harder now and Alicia wiped her eyes with the Louis Vuitton scarf that was tied around her wrist. The Block estate was only five minutes away and if she pedaled fast enough, she could be there in three. She was desperate to tell Claire what really happened at the Fishers' house. Of course she would skip the part about Harris and Angela and go straight to the story about Ma.s.sie and Cam.

THE B BLOCK E ESTATE M Ma.s.sIE'S B BEDROOM 5:00 PM PM.

December 3rd Ma.s.sie stared at the same math problem in her textbook until the numbers looked blurry. Claire usually helped Ma.s.sie plot her x x and and y y intercepts. But for the last week Claire insisted on doing her homework alone. A knock on the bedroom door brought Ma.s.sie's attention back to reality. intercepts. But for the last week Claire insisted on doing her homework alone. A knock on the bedroom door brought Ma.s.sie's attention back to reality.

"Come in." She sighed. But her mother had already stepped into the room.

"When you have a minute, would you please get your CDs and sleeping bags out of the horse barn? The workmen will be putting up the mirrors tomorrow and they need room to move around in there."

"'Kay, I'll do it in a bit."

Kendra formed a tight O O with her mouth and exhaled slowly. "Thank you." Her rigid expression softened. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" with her mouth and exhaled slowly. "Thank you." Her rigid expression softened. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Ma.s.sie shrugged and turned around to face her flat-screen Mac computer. Moments later she felt her mother's thin hands on her shoulders and a tender kiss on the top of her head. The gesture reminded Ma.s.sie of the way her mother treated her when she was a little girl. Ma.s.sie couldn't help wondering if her mother could sense how upset she had been lately or if her self-help book club was actually starting to relax her.

"Mom, can I ask you something?" Ma.s.sie pushed her chair away from her desk and walked over to her bed. She leaned down, scooped up Bean, and crossed her legs.

"You can ask me anything you want." Kendra sat on the edge of the bed to avoid messing up the sheets.

"Do you and Dad ever fight?"

"Of course we do." Kendra's posture stiffened. "Why? Did you hear our argument about the new paintings in the living room? Because if you did, you don't have to worry. I don't really think he's a pa.s.sive-aggressive a.s.s-"

"No, this isn't about paintings," Ma.s.sie said. "I was just wondering what you say to Dad when you know he's mad at you."

Kendra lifted her chin and smoothed her dark brown bob. "Thanks to that workshop on surrendering control, I have learned to apologize."

"What if you didn't do anything wrong?"

"Honey," Kendra said, "it's never my fault, but I still say I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Because if I waited around for him him to say it, I'd be a very hostile woman," Kendra said. "Besides, it takes strength to apologize. It's a power move." to say it, I'd be a very hostile woman," Kendra said. "Besides, it takes strength to apologize. It's a power move."

Ma.s.sie rubbed the backs of Bean's ears.

"Why? Is something going on at school?" Kendra asked.

"Maybe." Ma.s.sie hung her head and bit her lower lip.

Then she lifted her eyes and looked straight at her mother for the first time. "But I didn't do anything." She squeezed the gold crown charm on her bracelet so hard the tiny spikes dug into her palm.

"Stay here-I'll be right back." Kendra hopped to her feet and left Ma.s.sie's bedroom and returned with a stack of paperback books.