The Pretty Committee Strikes Back Part 6

The dog lifted her black face and raced into the house. A few seconds later, she was back in her canoe, curled up in a ball, happily chewing on Aibo's plastic tail.

"Show's over." Ma.s.sie closed her window and the girls returned to their sleeping bags by the campfire.

Claire had a pit in her stomach. Part of her wanted to race to her brother's side, but she didn't dare leave the room for fear of them laughing at her while she was gone. She stuffed a few squares of chocolate in her mouth. Maybe the sugar would make her feel better.

"Okay, we have to get back to our lists. We leave tomorrow morning and I still have to pack and do a full cosmetics run," Ma.s.sie said as she wheeled her mannequin into the middle of their circle. "As you can see, I dressed her for inspiration."

Claire watched the girls study the Ma.s.sie-size mannequin as if they had been commissioned to paint its portrait. They tapped away at their PalmPilots as the wolves howled in the background. Even Kristen took notes, and she wasn't going, so Claire figured she should probably jot a few things down on her sc.r.a.p paper.

THE OUTFIT ON THE MANNEQUIN.

- Low-waisted cargo pants, army green - Double belt thing-looks like two brown belts, but I think it's just one wrapped around twice.

- Beige, fuzzy, tight V-neck sweater. (Looks itchy.) - Tons of tangled necklaces - Brown fluffy moccasin boots Deep down inside, Claire knew she wouldn't look anything like the Ma.s.sie-size mannequin. Her suitcase would be filled with long johns and thick socks, and sweatshirts in forbidden pastel colors. At least this time she'd know what she was doing wrong.

For the next twenty-five minutes, Ma.s.sie sat in front of her Mac typing up a list of acceptable clothing. The girls stayed close to the fire and offered up their suggestions.

"Let's start with outerwear," Ma.s.sie said.

"Cropped bomber jackets with furry hoods," Dylan shouted.

"Agreed," Alicia said. "Nothing past the knees."

"Wool and cashmere coats for nights," Ma.s.sie added as she typed.

"Given," Alicia said.

"Okay, footwear," Ma.s.sie announced. "What are we thinking?"

"Wait," Claire said. "What about hats and gloves?" Everyone looked at her as though she'd insisted they spend the week naked. "You know, for warmth?"

"Fine." Ma.s.sie looked over her shoulder at Claire while she typed. "But no ski hats or waterproof gloves. They have to be cute, feminine, and matching."

Claire sighed. "What about these red hunting caps?" She pointed to her head.

"Those are just for this meeting," Ma.s.sie explained. "They're so not cute enough for the trip. I'll lend you something."

Claire's stomach leapt at the thought. She loved borrowing Ma.s.sie's clothes. It was like wearing a bulletproof vest that protected her from teasing, dirty looks, and Gap jokes.

"Now, can we move on to footwear?" Ma.s.sie pleaded.

Claire nodded.

"Moccasins, knee-high Uggs, and cowboy boots," Alicia insisted.

"Agreed," Dylan echoed.

"Sounds good," Claire chimed in, knowing full well she'd be wearing her tan-and-brown L. L. Bean Storm Chaser boots.

Kristen didn't say a word. She was too busy pretending to be interested in an old copy of Teen Vogue. Teen Vogue. She had obviously stolen it, because it said Dr. Holland on the address label. She had obviously stolen it, because it said Dr. Holland on the address label.

Alicia reached behind her and held up one of Claire's sneakers. "What about rhinestone-covered Keds?"

All four girls cracked up. Claire nearly choked on a graham cracker. How long had they been holding that in? She was about to blame the tacky DIY project on Layne but decided to own it instead. The Pretty Committee girls were like wild animals: if they smelled fear, they'd pounce.

"I was wondering when one of you would notice." Claire sat up tall. "I was almost starting to think you liked them."

No one said a word.

"I'll be bringing them to Lake Placid, so if anyone wants to borrow them, let me know." Claire leaned back on her elbows and casually picked a piece of graham cracker out of her teeth.

She had done well.

"Those things are even more pathetic now that Mischa Barton is modeling them." Ma.s.sie rolled her eyes. "She just misses being someone we'd like."

"Ah-greed." Dylan tried to force the red hunting cap over her thick curly hair. It stood straight up like Elmer Fudd's.

Claire burst out laughing.

"What?" Dylan squeaked.

"Nothing," Claire said. Luckily she wasn't the only one who noticed how ridiculous Dylan looked.

"You look like that hunter guy from Bugs Bunny," Alicia said.

Kristen lifted her head and giggled. "Elmer Fudd."

It wasn't long before everyone was laughing at Dylan and the focus was off Claire. She had learned a lot in the last six months.

The girls continued working on the list until Ma.s.sie was satisfied.

"Done." She finally hit print and presented them all with a copy of the master packing list.

CONFIDENTIAL THE PRETTY COMMITTEE'S MASTER PACKING LIST LAKE PLACID.

OUTERWEAR.

- Cropped bomber jackets with furry hoods - Nothing past the knees - Wool & cashmere coats (for nights) - Matching hat & glove sets only (strictly for warmth) Nothing you would ever wear skiing FOOTWEAR.

- Moccasins - Uggs (knee-high only) - Cowboy boots for night - Rhinestone-covered Keds (if you dare) TOPS.

- s.e.xy V-necks - Earth tones only only - No Juicy Couture sweats (jeans, purses, and tops are okay) - C&C tank tops for layering - Cute dresses for night - No waffle shirts or any other form of long john you might wear skiing BOTTOMS.

- Dark wash jeans - Cords (earth tones only) - Skirts for night (nothing below the knee) - Tights (no black) - No long johns SLEEPWEAR.

- Camis and boy shorts. End of story.

JEWELRY.

- Ma.s.sIE ONLY: Necklaces (as many as the neck can hold) - Diamond studs - Gold hoops - Rings (all kinds) - Watches (all kinds. Even Baby G-Shock are okay, Claire[image] .) .) - Brooches are so out. Leave them behind.

TECHNOLOGY.

- Portable DVD players (and chargers) - Cell phones (and chargers) - Sidekicks (and chargers) - Video cameras (and chargers) - IPods/iPod shuffles/iPod minis/iPod nanos (and chargers) - Portable speakers (and plugs) - Bose noise-reduction headphones (extra AAA batteries) - Digital cameras (and chargers) - No Game Boys (antisocial. Besides, boys will have them. Good excuse to talk to them.) - Flashlight optional (do they run on batteries? If so, bring batteries.) UNDERWEAR.

- Socks - Bras (ALICIA!) - Underwear (No granny panties, Claire[image] .) .) COSMETICS.

- Face soap - Body soap - Deodorant - Moisturizer - Powder - Razor, shaving cream - Perfume (one for day/one for night) - Q-tips - Makeup remover - Electric toothbrush - Dental floss - Toothpaste - Mouthwash - Tweezers - Eyelash curlers - Mascara - Zit cream - Cover-up - Visine - Nail polish (top and base coat too) - Nail polish remover - Nail file - Cuticle clipper - Eyeliner - Eye shadow - Blush - Lip gloss - Lip balm - Lipstick - Shampoo - Conditioner - Deep conditioner - Leave-in conditioner - Brush - Comb - Hair dryer - Diffuser - Curling iron - Flatiron - Antifrizz serum - Shine serum - Bug spray OTHER.

- Scented candles - Magazines - Gum (sugar-free) - Lavender-scented sheet spray - Satin blindfolds for sleeping - Slippers - Bathrobe - Shower cap - Hair clips and elastics Claire reviewed the list knowing full well the only approved item she would have was the underwear, because she'd just bought ten new pairs from Victoria's Secret.

"Remember"-Ma.s.sie put her hands on her hips-"if this doc.u.ment is leaked, it could be very dangerous."

Claire tried as hard as she could to think of how this type of information could be "dangerous." She couldn't come up with a single thing and hoped someone else would ask, but they all seemed to understand completely.

"In case any of you aren't sure why why this cannot fall into enemy hands, I'll explain." Ma.s.sie looked right at Claire. Thankfully the room was dark, so no one could see her blush. "I went online and did a search. There are no cute stores in the Adirondacks. So if everyone starts dressing like us, we can't run to the mall and get something new. We will only have what we packed." this cannot fall into enemy hands, I'll explain." Ma.s.sie looked right at Claire. Thankfully the room was dark, so no one could see her blush. "I went online and did a search. There are no cute stores in the Adirondacks. So if everyone starts dressing like us, we can't run to the mall and get something new. We will only have what we packed."

"Ahhh." Claire nodded, pretending to get it.

"You can always call me," Kristen offered. "I'll be shopping all week, so I can send something up in case there's an emergency."

It was obvious that Kristen was trying to sound excited about her situation, because she spoke in a high-pitched everything's-okay-with-me-why-do-you-ask? tone that Claire had never heard before.

And it was obvious by the way the corners of Ma.s.sie's lips curled up that she was about to bust Kristen on her fake enthusiasm. But the pling! pling! sound on her computer alerted her to an IM she had just received from SHORTZ4LIFE. And that took priority. sound on her computer alerted her to an IM she had just received from SHORTZ4LIFE. And that took priority.

"Ehmagawd," Ma.s.sie squealed. "It's from Derrington!"

"What'd he say?" Alicia raced over to the iMac. Ma.s.sie leaned into the screen. Either she was blocking the IM from her friends or she had suddenly become farsighted. Whichever it was, she insisted that everyone stay seated. "I'll tell you everything," she promised. "I just don't need everyone breathing down my neck."

Alicia took a few steps back.

Ma.s.sie read and typed.

SHORTZ4LIFE: HI BLOCK HI BLOCKMa.s.sIEKUR: HEYSHORTZ4LIFE: WHAT R U DOING? WHAT R U DOING?Ma.s.sIEKUR: HANGING OUT WITH TPC HANGING OUT WITH TPC.

"Ask him if Josh Hotz is definitely going to Lake Placid," Alicia whispered, as if Derrington could hear her through the computer.

Claire felt her forehead break out in a cold sweat. Every time Alicia mentioned Josh, Claire tried not to look guilty. She widened her eyes and looked around the room like an innocent fawn.

Ma.s.sIEKUR: IS JOSH GOING? IS JOSH GOING?SHORTZ4LIFE: ALL MY BOYZ WILL BE THERE. ALL MY BOYZ WILL BE THERE.

JOSH, CAM, PLOVERT, & HURLEY.

Claire felt her heartbeat quicken when Ma.s.sie said Cam's name. More than anything, she wanted to ask Derrington if Cam had mentioned her poem, but she held back. She didn't want the Pretty Committee to know how desperate she was.

"Ehmagawd." Dylan slapped her thighs. "Ask Derrington if Plovert is still on crutches."

Ma.s.sIEKUR: IS PLOVERT STILL A GIMP? IS PLOVERT STILL A GIMP?SHORTZ4LIFE: LOL. YUP. CAST COMES OFF IN 2 WEEKS LOL. YUP. CAST COMES OFF IN 2 WEEKS.

"Love that!" Dylan said. "Now he can't run away from me."

"Should I tell Derrington you like Plovert?" Ma.s.sie's fingers hovered above her keypad.

"No! I'm not making it official until tomorrow." She paused. "Unless you think he's a bad crush. If you do, it's no big deal. I could always go for someone else. Like Josh." I'm not making it official until tomorrow." She paused. "Unless you think he's a bad crush. If you do, it's no big deal. I could always go for someone else. Like Josh."

"Don't even think about it, Marvil." Alicia threw a half-chewed marshmallow at Dylan's head. "Or I'll chop off all your hair while you're sleeping and make you eat it."

Claire stuffed four squares of chocolate into her mouth at once.

"No, please don't." Dylan grabbed her own waist. "I really don't want to gain all that weight back."

"Just think," Kristen said. "If you stayed here with me, we could work out every day."

"No offense, but I'd rather eat my hair." Dylan smiled.

SHORTZ4LIFE: IS CLAIRE GOING?Ma.s.sIEKUR: GIVEN.

Claire stood up and raced over to Ma.s.sie's computer. She knew she'd been asked to stay seated, but Cam was obviously asking about her. And she didn't want to miss a single word of the exchange.

"Is Cam with him?" Claire asked. "Ask him if Cam got my po-my e-mail."

Ma.s.sie started typing but was interrupted by another pling! pling! She started reading out loud again. She started reading out loud again.

SHORTZ4LIFE: DOES SHE LIKE JOSH? CUZ HE'S TOTALLY INTO HER DOES SHE LIKE JOSH? CUZ HE'S TOTALLY INTO HERMa.s.sIEKUR: DOES WHO LIKE JOSH? WHO IS HE INTO? DOES WHO LIKE JOSH? WHO IS HE INTO?.

Alicia jumped up and hurried over to the computer.

SHORTZ4LIFE: CLAIRE.

Claire nudged Ma.s.sie.

"Uh." Ma.s.sie leaned over her screen. "He won't say."

"I need to know who it is." Alicia pleaded. "Tell him we all went home and then ask him if it's me."

"Sneaky," Kristen mumbled, and rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, will you just let me pay for your trip?" Alicia snapped. "I can't handle your att.i.tude anymore."

"I don't want to go," Kristen said. "Honestly, I am looking forward to getting ahead on my reading."

"Fine." Alicia tried to push past Claire so she could see what Ma.s.sie was typing.

Claire carefully stuck her foot under Ma.s.sie's desk and knocked the plug out of the wall. The computer screen went blank.

"What happened?" Ma.s.sie pushed her chair back and lifted her keyboard. She pressed every b.u.t.ton and shook it around.

Claire pressed her elbow into Ma.s.sie's back, a.s.suring her that everything was okay.