Ma.s.sie would take his hand and lead him up the stairs to her bedroom.

"What about your mother?" Cam would ask.

What a considerate guy, Ma.s.sie would think while turning the gla.s.s k.n.o.b on her bedroom door. Ma.s.sie would think while turning the gla.s.s k.n.o.b on her bedroom door.

"She won't be home for another hour," Ma.s.sie would say, pushing the door open and revealing her immaculately clean all-white room.

"This is perfect," Cam would say as he started to take off his leather jacket.

"No, leave it on," Ma.s.sie would say.

He would smile appreciatively.

"Are you ready to do this?" Ma.s.sie would ask.

"I can't wait," Cam would say.

"Awesome, let's go."

Cam would plug his iPod into her speakers and blast some Strokes song that Ma.s.sie had never heard before. But she would bob her head and pretend to love it anyway. Then Ma.s.sie and Cam would start pulling the books off her bookshelf and hurling them on the floor. They would tear the goose feathers out of her down comforter and throw them at each other like they were having a s...o...b..ll fight. They would toss her CDs around like Frisbees and yank the evenly folded sweaters out of her walk-in closet and lob them into the air, giving each other points every time one of them landed on top of the white shade of her floor lamp. They would wrap toilet paper around her mannequin and write their names with lipstick on her bay window. They would be laughing so hard Ma.s.sie's stomach would start to feel like she had just done a thousand crunches. But she would ignore the pain because she'd be having too much fun. She was so tired of her mother nagging to her keep her room "spotless" and couldn't think of anyone she'd rather mess it up with than Cam Fisher, the cutest boy in ...

The familiar smell of chocolate, spices, and vanilla filled the air and pulled Ma.s.sie out of her fantasy. She was no longer laughing with Cam. She was back in Joel's mind-numbing history cla.s.s and Alicia Rivera was standing in front of her, reeking of Angel perfume.

Ma.s.sie refused to look up. Instead she moved her fuzzy purple pen vigorously across the lined pages of her Claire Fontaine notebook so Joel would think she was taking notes. She could feel Alicia glaring and knew it was time to remind the EW who she was dealing with. Ma.s.sie was about to stand up and confront her when Alicia swatted Ma.s.sie's pen out of her hand. It looked like a purple fuzzy dart as it shot through the air and landed on the light brown carpeting two rows away. Ma.s.sie looked straight into Alicia's eyes, trying her hardest not to let the rage she was feeling show on her face. She stuck her leg out in front so she could drag the pen toward her with the wedge heel of her new boots. But Alicia beat her to it. She stepped on the pen and twisted her toe into it like she was grinding out a cigarette. Ma.s.sie leaned forward in her chair and pushed Alicia's leg, but Alicia was too quick for her. She hooked her thin fingers around the chunky gold chain of Ma.s.sie's charm bracelet and closed her fist around it. Ma.s.sie struggled to pull away, but Alicia was stronger than usual. Ma.s.sie took a deep breath in and counted silently in her head. ... One ... two ... THREE. One ... two ... THREE. On the final count Ma.s.sie pulled back as hard as she could, but Alicia held on with all her might and ripped the bracelet right off Ma.s.sie's wrist. On the final count Ma.s.sie pulled back as hard as she could, but Alicia held on with all her might and ripped the bracelet right off Ma.s.sie's wrist.

The tiny bell, the Eiffel Tower, the miniature black pug, the white-gold horse, three stars, and her favorite charm of all, the diamond-encrusted gold crown, scattered and bounced across the carpet like a handful of dice. Ma.s.sie fell to her hands and knees. She needed to get that crown back.

Ma.s.sie could hear the girls in the cla.s.s snickering but didn't dare look up. She was too humiliated. Why wasn't Joel getting involved? Why was Alicia doing doing this to her? Why wouldn't everyone stop laughing? this to her? Why wouldn't everyone stop laughing?

"Looking for this?" Alicia said, standing over Ma.s.sie. She slowly opened her fist and revealed a sparkly gold crown in the center of her palm. Ma.s.sie reached for it, but Alicia closed her fist and stuffed it in the front pocket of her Ralph Lauren suede pants. She let out a maniacal laugh, grabbed the Prada shoulder bag off the back of her chair, and strolled out of the cla.s.sroom, looking calm and confident.

Ma.s.sie was still on her hands and knees gathering her charms when all eighteen girls stood up and applauded for Alicia. Even Joel was clapping.

"Why are you taking her her side?" Ma.s.sie shouted. "She started this." side?" Ma.s.sie shouted. "She started this."

But everyone kept clapping.

Ma.s.sie tilted her neck back, hoping the tears would fall back inside her head, but they were coming too quickly now and couldn't be stopped. When the first one managed to escape and roll down her cheek, Ma.s.sie surrendered. She had no choice. She curled up on the floor and broke into loud sobs in front of the entire cla.s.s.

Suddenly she felt a light tickle on the back of her neck, but she refused to react. It could be a trap. But when Ma.s.sie felt it again, she looked up. For some odd reason, she was back in her seat.

"What?" she snapped.

"You dropped this on the floor when you nodded off," Joel hissed. He was holding Ma.s.sie's fuzzy purple pen between his fingertips like it was a dirty pair of underwear from the lost and found. "I'll try to make things more interesting for you next time, Ms. Block."

"Thanks," Ma.s.sie said as she took it. "You know, for the pen, not for making cla.s.s more interesting."

The girls in the cla.s.s burst out laughing. They didn't realize she was being sincere, but Ma.s.sie didn't care. At least they were laughing with her, not at her.

Joel shook his head and then walked away. Ma.s.sie curled in toward her desk and examined the pen like she was on CSI Westchester. CSI Westchester. There were no signs of it getting crushed under Alicia's boots or dragged across the carpet by Ma.s.sie's heel. It was in perfect condition. There were no signs of it getting crushed under Alicia's boots or dragged across the carpet by Ma.s.sie's heel. It was in perfect condition.

Ma.s.sie grabbed her wrist and instantly breathed a sigh of relief. The diamond-encrusted crown was exactly where it was supposed to be, on her charm bracelet right between the pug and the stars. It was all just a dream. ...

Or was it an omen? Ma.s.sie rolled her pen between her palms, thinking about Alicia and how to keep that dream from becoming a reality.

Finally the bell rang, marking the end of history and the beginning of World War III.

OCTAVIAN C COUNTRY D DAY S SCHOOL L LUNCHTIME.

12:30 PM PM.

November 14th The minute the lunch bell rang, Alicia gathered her books and bolted out of history cla.s.s. She couldn't handle another nasty confrontation with Ma.s.sie. She'd tried her best not to cry after Ma.s.sie called her an EW and even managed to put on a happy face while Ma.s.sie was spying on her with her compact mirror. But she didn't know how much longer she could keep her cool. Thankfully it was time for her to meet Olivia and head into Manhattan for the Teen Vogue Teen Vogue interview. She needed to get out of OCD for a while. interview. She needed to get out of OCD for a while.

"How was history?" Olivia asked when Alicia arrived at their meeting spot by the alumni photos. "Did you talk to her?"

"Nope, now let's go before we see her. She always goes by here on her way to the Cafe."

"Let's go out the back," Olivia said.

"Done." Alicia put her gray wool coat on while they zigzagged through the bustling lunchtime crowd, avoiding anyone who might have heard about the fight.

"What's up, gang?" a voice bleated over the school's intercom system. a voice bleated over the school's intercom system. "Deena Geyser here with your afternoon news brief." "Deena Geyser here with your afternoon news brief."

Alicia and Olivia rolled their eyes the minute they heard Deena's voice.

"Is she chewing gum?" Alicia said. "She always does does that. It's sooo unprofessional." that. It's sooo unprofessional."

"Is that what that slurping noise is? I always thought she had a speech peppermint."

Alicia stopped walking and looked at Olivia with a puzzled look on her face. "You mean a speech impediment?" impediment?"

"Really? You think she has both?" both?" Olivia said, her blue eyes filled with pity. Olivia said, her blue eyes filled with pity.

"Probably." Alicia didn't bother correcting her.

"But before I get started," Deena continued, Deena continued, "I have a few announcements to make. ... Since I like to put humor in my daily broadcasts, I am officially changing my name from Deena to Comma Dee. Funny, right? And the best part is I can spell it with just a comma and the letter "I have a few announcements to make. ... Since I like to put humor in my daily broadcasts, I am officially changing my name from Deena to Comma Dee. Funny, right? And the best part is I can spell it with just a comma and the letter D. ... D. ... I'd show you, but this isn't television, people; use your imaginations. ..." I'd show you, but this isn't television, people; use your imaginations. ..."

Alicia heard gasps and giggles from every girl she pa.s.sed.

"I would also like to say congratulations to Alicia Rivera and Olivia Ryan once again for winning the OCD Fashion Week Uniform Contest last week. ..."

A round of applause erupted in the halls.

Olivia started jumping up and down. "That's us!" she screamed. But all Alicia could do was look over her shoulder for signs of Ma.s.sie.

"They are about to leave for their big interview with Teen Vogue, Teen Vogue, so if you would like to see them off, please head over to the parking lot ASAP. ..." so if you would like to see them off, please head over to the parking lot ASAP. ..."

Everyone they pa.s.sed in the halls looked at them with envy in their eyes. Alicia unb.u.t.toned her coat so they could get a good look her new suede pants, argyle sweater, and nubby blazer. She slowed down to her regular leisurely pace, deciding to enjoy this red carpet moment.

"Why are they looking at us funny?" Olivia whispered out of the side of her mouth. She tucked a white-blond strand of hair behind her ear and looked uncomfortably at the ground. After a second she shot her head back up and looked straight into Alicia's big brown eyes. "They must have heard about your fight with Ma.s.sie."

"This has nothing nothing to do with to do with Ma.s.sie," Ma.s.sie," Alicia snapped while managing to keep her head up, shoulders back, and eyes fixed on the Exit sign at the end of the hall. "They wish they were the ones getting interviewed by Alicia snapped while managing to keep her head up, shoulders back, and eyes fixed on the Exit sign at the end of the hall. "They wish they were the ones getting interviewed by Teen Vogue Teen Vogue this afternoon. They want to be us." this afternoon. They want to be us."

"Really?" Olivia covered her mouth and widened her eyes. "You mean they're actually jealous of me?" Olivia covered her mouth and widened her eyes. "You mean they're actually jealous of me?"

"And me," me," Alicia reminded her. Alicia reminded her.

"Maybe they'll come back with the inside scoop on some new trends. ..."

Alicia knew her fake broadcasts were ten times better than "Dee's" real ones, but she wasn't going to trash her. Alicia needed the publicity.

"... and speaking of trends, it seems like Ma.s.sie Block's infamous charm bracelet has started a phenomenon. I've been seeing charm belts, charm necklaces, and even charm key chains hanging off some of your pocketbooks. ... I guess this is turning into a real CHARM SCHOOL. ..." and speaking of trends, it seems like Ma.s.sie Block's infamous charm bracelet has started a phenomenon. I've been seeing charm belts, charm necklaces, and even charm key chains hanging off some of your pocketbooks. ... I guess this is turning into a real CHARM SCHOOL. ..." Deena started laughing at her own joke. Deena started laughing at her own joke.

"She makes it seem like Ma.s.sie invented jewelry," jewelry," Alicia said as she pushed open the heavy wood doors that opened onto the school's parking lot. Alicia said as she pushed open the heavy wood doors that opened onto the school's parking lot.

"Oh. My. Gawd," Olivia said, her wide eyes fixed on the crowd.

Alicia froze too. She couldn't believe how many girls had skipped lunch to see them off. "I bet there are at least fifty people here."

"What are they doing on the other side of the parking lot?" Olivia asked.

"No one expected us to sneak out the back door," Alicia said. "If anyone asks, we did it to avoid Princ.i.p.al Burns, NOT Ma.s.sie, okay? Let's go."

Alicia moved across the cracked gray cement in the parking lot with ease and confidence. Olivia was a few paces ahead.

As she got closer, Alicia could see that everyone was bundled up in their puffy winter jackets, hats, and scarves, but she was too excited to notice the biting wind and left her coat unb.u.t.toned.

"Look," Cindy Bennett shouted when she saw Alicia and Olivia coming toward her. "There they are!" The crowd of girls ran across the parking lot to greet them.

"Oh my Gawd." Cindy tried to catch her breath. "You are so lucky." She pushed her way through the crowd and stood right beside them. "If you see Orlando Bloom, pleeease take a picture of him for me?" Cindy handed Alicia a silver Sony camera. "He was on last month's cover. I have it up in my locker right now."

Alicia took the camera and dropped it in her Prada bag, "No problem."

"You guys look incredible," Denver Gold shouted. "Smile!" She snapped their picture. "Don't forget us when you're famous."

"We'll do our best." Alicia kissed her hand and waved back. She had never been happier in her entire life. For once everyone was there for her. her. Ma.s.sie who? Ma.s.sie who?

Ann Fox smothered them both with a hug, "Great outfits," she said, throwing her arms around them. When she released her grip, she gave them a more thorough scan. "Alicia, those suede pants are to die for. And Olivia, I love your winter white cords. And that's a fab fab poncho. Is it real rabbit fur or faux fur?" poncho. Is it real rabbit fur or faux fur?"

"F-"

"It's real," Alicia interrupted. She pulled Olivia by the arm and led her toward the stretch limo that was waiting for them in front of the school's entrance. Dean, her family's driver, stood patiently beside it, his hands folded behind his back.

"Sorry about the pulling," Alicia said once they were away from the crowd. "But you almost told Ann your poncho was fake. Never Never admit to a fake unless you're dealing with a member of PETA." admit to a fake unless you're dealing with a member of PETA."

Olivia touched her index finger to her temple and said, "Got it."

"Ready, ladies?" Dean asked when the girls got to the limo. His smile accentuated the tiny wrinkles around his eyes.

"Yeah," Alicia said. But she didn't move toward the open door. Instead she looked back at her adoring fans and waved goodbye. She noticed Claire's friend Layne Abeley, standing off to the side of the crowd with her two Gwen Stefaniwannabe friends Heather and Meena. Layne wasn't wearing a jacket, just a T-shirt that said BORED WITH BRITNEY BORED WITH BRITNEY and a pair of secondhand plaid pants. and a pair of secondhand plaid pants.

"Did Layne say anything to you?" Olivia asked. "Like congratulations or anything?

"No, why?"

"Because she didn't say a word to me. All she did was stand off to the side and whisper with Meena and Heather."

"I bet she just came out to make fun of our fans," Alicia said, blowing air kisses to everyone. "Ugh, that's so Layne. She thinks she's so above everyone because she has the guts to wear those used clothes."

Olivia shrugged.

"Yeah, who cares." Alicia stepped into the car and slid across the b.u.t.tery leather seats and Olivia followed. Dean had turned on the seat heaters, so their b.u.t.ts were warm and toasty the minute they sat down.

As the limo pulled out of the parking lot, Alicia scanned the crowd one last time. After today's fight Alicia didn't expect Ma.s.sie, but Kristen and Dylan had no excuse, unless of course they knew she cheated. ...

Alicia felt a quick pang of guilt when she remembered what she had done to her friends but waved it away like a bad smell. It was time to have some fun.

Once they were on the road, Alicia cranked up the volume on the stereo and the girls sang along to Avril Lavigne's latest song.

When they got to a red light, Alicia opened the sunroof, stood up on her seat, and sang the rest of the song with her head sticking out of the top of the limo. Olivia popped up beside her.

"SIT DOWN!" Dean shouted. "I am not moving this car until you SIT."

The girls couldn't hear him over the loud music and a.s.sumed the symphony of honking horns meant everyone was in love with their performance. They sang louder and waved their arms in the air.

Dean shut off the music and craned his head out the window. He slapped the outside of the door, then looked up at the girls. "Hey, ladies, these people don't sound like they want to wait much longer." His small brown eyes looked tired and puffy.

"Then drive! The light is green," green," Alicia said. Alicia said.

"SIT!"

The girls quickly ducked back into the car, hysterically laughing. Tears ran down their faces as they rocked back and forth, holding their stomachs. Olivia started pointing at the seat across from her but was too breathless to speak.

"What?" Alicia said, wiping her eyes.

Olivia pointed again. "What is that?" that?" she finally managed to say. she finally managed to say.

A white envelope wrapped in a red bow had been placed on the leather cushion. Alicia was about to sit on it. For my Teen Vogue For my Teen Vogue-have fun today. Love, Dad had been written in black marker on the outside. had been written in black marker on the outside.

"I don't know," Alicia said, grabbing it out of Olivia's hand. She gently pulled one end of the ribbon.

"Hurry," Olivia said. She was bouncing up and down on the edge of the seat. "Gawd, you are so so slow." slow."

Alicia purposely moved even slower. Once the bow was undone, she rested the sealed envelope on her lap and turned to face the window. She knew the antic.i.p.ation was killing Olivia and thought it would be funny to milk it.

"Gimme that," Olivia said, swiping the envelope and tearing it open. She reached inside and pulled out three concert tickets. She held them in front of her face like a hand of cards. "BEYONCe! TONIGHT! MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!"