1:38 PM
October 25th
Massie couldn't believe she was standing in The Limited. The store's cheap knockoffs had always been an endless source of jokes among her friends. Alicia called their fake wannabe Prada bags Fraudas, and Dylan referred to their tweed page boy caps as “craps.” But at that moment, Massie would have given anything for one of their shiny BO-inducing polyester sweaters like the one Claire was trying on.
Massie grabbed a pair of red fishnet hose off the rack near the cash register. The Dirty Devil costume originally called for bare legs, but she was drawn to the “bad girl” quality of the fishnets. Or was she? She put them back on the rack and decided to stick to the original plan. But maybe the fishnets are better. She picked them up again. But instead of looking at the tights, she focused on Claire, who ran from rack to rack, deciding what to buy next.
“Claire,” Massie snapped. She stuffed the hose back on the rack. “It's hard for me to concentrate on our costumes with you bolting all over the store, trying to buy tacky sweaters.”
“Sorry,” Claire said. “There's nothing I like here anyway.” She tiptoed away from Massie, the excitement on her face fading.
Massie walked aimlessly around the store, touching fabrics and forcing herself to walk past the colorful stacks of camisoles and cardigans. She was about to cave and try on the only thing with cute potential in the entire store (a navy-and-pink fuzzy scarf) when she received the text message she had been waiting for.
KRISTEN: ? R U?
MASSIE: THE LIMITED. HELP!
KRISTEN: STAY CALM. WE'RE COMING.
MASSIE: ACT NATCH.
KRISTEN: GIVEN.
Seconds later Kristen, Alicia, and Dylan appeared in The Limited.
“Oh my God, is that Massie?” Alicia shouted across the store.
Massie tossed her last gummy worm in the round clothes rack as soon as she heard them.
“I—I think it is,” Dylan said. “Hey, Mass. What on earth are you doing here?”
Dylan waved frantically from the other side of the store.
“Now, isn't that a coincidence,” Kendra said to Massie. “You must be so surprised.”
“I am.” Massie put her hand on her heart for effect and went to greet her friends.
Their arms were full of shiny, tissue-stuffed shopping bags from Versace Jeans, Sephora, and BCBG.
“You didn't see Becca or anyone while you were shopping without me, did you?” Massie whispered.
They shook their heads.
“Good,” Massie said quietly.
“What are you guys doing here?” Massie's voice was now loud and clear.
“You mean us?” Dylan shouted. “Oh, we had this day planned for months.”
Massie shot her a look. “You call that acting? You did a better job playing a flying monkey in The Wizard of Oz when we were seven.”
“I told you to be subtle,” Kristen said. “You were waving like you were about to set sail on the Titanic.”
Massie could feel her mother's eyes burning a hole in her back.
“Go to the dressing rooms and I'll sneak in as soon as I can,” Massie said.
“Cute tie belt thing, by the way,” Alicia said.
“Thanks,” Massie said. She meant it. That compliment had been the only good part of her day.
She watched her friends as they tried to squeeze their bags past the mannequins and displays on their way to the back of the store.
“Massie,” Kendra said quickly. She said it the same way she said “Bean” when the dog picked through the trash.
“Uh-huh?” Massie smiled innocently but kept her distance.
Kendra signaled for her to come closer.
“I have the feeling that you and Claire aren't getting along as well as you were the other night,” she said. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course. Why?”
“Well, I thought you two wanted to spend the day together, and now I see your friends are here.” Kendra checked to make sure they were alone by the hair accessories display.
“The truth is, dear,” she said softly, “Judi is concerned. She doesn't think Claire has hit her social stride yet and really wants you both to get along.”
“Everything is fine,” Massie said. “Don't worry, okay?” She started to back away, but her mother grabbed her thin wrist and stopped her.
“I hope so, because Judi and Claire are two of the sweetest people I know, and I would hate to see them upset.”
“Mom, everything is—”
“She would be devastated if she thought you were lying about your friendship with Claire just to get permission for your party. It would also mean calling the whole thing off, and I know how much everyone in your grade has been looking forward to it.”
“You have nothing to worry about, okay?” Massie stood on her tiptoes and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I was just on my way to find Claire before you stopped me. So can I please go help her shop? She needs me.”
“Yes,” Kendra sighed. “You may want to suggest she try black. It will look so pretty with her bright eyes.”
Massie gave her mother the thumbs-up sign and hurried off. But Claire was the last thing on her mind.