THE BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S BEDROOM
11:45 AM
October 25th
Massie stood in front of her full-length mirror and tilted her head to the right. She always did this when she tried on a new outfit. The off-center angle helped her see what she looked like through someone else's eyes. It was the closest thing she had to a second opinion.
“Ugh, I can't wear this either,” Massie said to Bean, who was curled up in a tiny ball on a hill of sweaters. She pulled a red V-neck over her head and tossed it on the bed with the rest of her rejects. Normally, the fluffy purple duvet was the only burst of color in Massie's all-white room. But today clothes in every color were in plain view. Massie put her hands on her hips and evaluated the mess.
“It looks like my closets all barfed at the same time. This bet is a nightmare.”
Bean opened her eyes and stretched.
“Bean, everything in my closet feels stale. If my jeans don't get a few new shirts to play with, they're going to die of boredom.”
The dog licked her paws.
“How am I supposed to go to the mall today and not buy a single thing?”
Bean barked once.
“Nice try, Bean, but Halloween costumes don't count,” Massie said. “I'm talking about something new and cute and envy-worthy. I don't want anyone to think I'm slipping ever again.”
“Honey, we're leaving in three minutes,” Kendra's voice announced over the intercom.
“'Kay, Mom, I'll be right down.” Massie spoke into the box on her night table.
But she was still in her underwear.
Massie peeked out of her bedroom window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Claire struggling to find something non-repetitive to wear. But her lights were off. She was probably already waiting downstairs.
UGH!
Massie's phone rang three times before she found it underneath a crumpled blazer.
“Hey, Kristen, what's up?”
“Nuthin'.” Kristen sounded bummed.
“What's wrong?” Massie held a gray DKNY T-shirt up to her face, then tossed it over her shoulder.
“I can't believe you're not coming shopping with us,” Kristen said. “This is the last Saturday before Halloween, and if we all want to wear the same costumes—”
“Do you honestly think I want to go with Claire?” Massie asked. “Or that I would ever pick her over you guys? Puh-lease! Have we met? I'm making this sacrifice for the greater good of the party and you know it.”
“Sorry. It's just that I'm kind of bummed about Dylan liking Derrington, and Alicia is obviously taking her side because she says Dylan was talking about her crush way before I was, but that's only because I told you and not Alicia.”
While Kristen talked, Massie tried to think of a way to be seen with her friends. What if they bumped into Becca or Liz? It wouldn't look good if she wasn't there.
“Hey, don't you guys have plans to go to the mall today?” Massie asked.
“No. We're going to—”
“Kristen, don't you guys have plans to go to the mall today?” Massie's words were razor sharp.
“Oh yeah, right,” Kristen said. “We've been planning it for days.”
“But remember, you have to act like it was a total accident,” Massie said. “My mom thinks Claire and I are quote friends end quote. If she thinks I had anything to do with this, the party will be off.”
“No problem. Acting is my specialty. My mom still thinks I wear old-lady cardigans and baggy slacks to school every day, doesn't she? We'll call you when we get there.”
The girls hung up and Massie turned to face her closet one last time.
She decided the only way to survive the bet was to treat her old clothes in new ways. This way her mind would be tricked into thinking that she had gone shopping. She threaded one of her father's Armani ties (left over from her short-lived Avril phase) through the loops of her Sevens so it would swing across the outside of her leg when she walked. Then she slid a white Brooks Brothers shirt (mostly for sleeping) over her tank top. She left every button open except the bottom two. Once the sleeves were rolled up and her charm bracelet was fastened, she was ready.
“Boarding school chic,” she said to Bean.
“We're leaving,” Kendra said through the intercom.
Massie walked downstairs and greeted the mothers, Claire, and Todd with a smile. She was pleased to see Claire standing uncomfortably in an ultra-tight mustard yellow T-shirt that barely covered her midriff.
“How does it feel to have your sister borrow your clothes?” Massie asked Todd.
He was standing by the front door, eating a banana.
“Ha! I knew she would notice,” Todd said to Claire with a cocky grin.
His voice was thick and garbled because he spoke with his mouth full. The gooey sound made Massie's stomach turn.
Claire scowled at her brother.
“It's laundry day, that's all,” she said to Massie. “Besides, we never said anything about borrowing.”
“Go for it. Seeing you in Todd's clothes is almost better than imagining you in my old snowsuit.” Massie twisted the dangling tie around her wrist as she spoke.
“Don't get used to it,” Claire said. “My mom told me I could buy a few new things at the mall today.”
Massie couldn't believe how cruel life could be. The corners of her mouth felt like they were carving their way through drying cement as she forced a that's-so-great-I couldn't-be-happier-for-you-if-I-tried smile across her face.
“So you've been keeping track of my ensembles, have you?” Todd whispered all over the back of Massie's neck. “Did you happen to notice the new gray Dockers I got last week?”
His hot breath smelled like banana.
“Did you happen to notice my two-inch Choos?”
She lowered the heel of her boot on Todd's foot. He let out a soft yelp and limped over to his mother's side.
“Love hurts,” Massie said.