THE BLOCK ESTATE OUTSIDE GLU HEADQUARTERS

8:47 PM
November 17th

“Shhh,” said a kind voice.

Alicia whipped her head around and saw a skinny boy dressed in all black. A dark ski hat and big women’s sunglasses covered his face.

“Todd?”

“You know my name?” He beamed.

“Given,” Alicia said, pulling a piece of black glove fuzz off her lip.

“This is my best friend, Nathan.”

Alicia lowered her eyes one more time. Nathan was petite and fragile. His disguise was the same as Todd’s, except he wore a shower cap and a blue gel eye mask.

Alicia wanted to laugh, but more tears came instead.

“Why the crying, angel?” Todd asked. He held out his sleeve and Alicia wiped her nose on it.

When she lifted her head, a shiny streak of snot glistened on his black fleece Patagonia.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” she sniffed.

“No prob,” Todd said, smiling at the stain. “I’ll sell it to Nathan.”

Tiny Nathan giggled, then punched Todd’s leg.

“Ew, why?” Alicia said.

Todd rolled his eyes. “You’re like the hottest girl at OCD.” “Shut up,” Alicia said, hoping he’d continue. She was desperate for a compliment, even if it was coming from Claire’s younger brother. “If I’m so hot, why does everyone worship Massie so much? What makes her so great?”

Tiny Nathan squeaked, “Afraid,” then buried his head in his hands.

“He’s right,” Todd said, throwing a protective arm around his little buddy. “Massie always used to make my sister cry. And what she did to you tonight was way worse than anything she ever did to Claire.”

“I know, but—wait,” Alicia said. “How do you know what they said?”

“I have an eavesdropping problem,” Todd said, taking off his big J.Lo sunglasses and stuffing them in the side pocket of his black jeans. “But I’m working on it.”

Tiny Nathan giggled.

“You’re way cooler than Massie, if you ask me,” Todd said, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

Alicia smiled.

“I thought you were in looove with Massie,” Tiny Nathan said.

“That was before.” Todd grabbed Alicia’s hand and kissed it gently.

Alicia rolled her eyes and giggled before pulling her hand away.

“You’re the future of the Pretty Committee—Massie is over,” Todd said. “Like, if she’s Coke, you’re C2.”

Alicia was about to ask how he knew they called themselves the Pretty Committee but quickly remembered his “eavesdropping problem.”

Todd unzipped his fleece and handed it to Alicia. She hadn’t realized she’d been shivering. “Where’s your jacket?” he asked.

“In the limo.” Alicia draped Todd’s coat over her shoulders like a shawl, steering clear of the snot streak.

“So you’re rich too? Hmmm.” Todd smoothed imaginary chin hairs and nodded. “You should start your own group. Call it the Unbelievably Pretty Committee.”

Nathan-giggled.

“I’ve been thinking about it.” Alicia could feel her confidence coming back. “I have a lot to offer. For starters, I won’t be mean. I’ll take my girls shopping every day, I’ll introduce them to Briarwood boys, and I’ll let them eat candy.”

“Will you let us hang out with you?” Todd asked.

Alicia slapped Todd on the back. “Given!” She leaned down and patted Tiny Nathan on top of his shower cap.

When she looked up, a set of high beams shone directly into her eyes. Alicia covered her face immediately. If Todd saw how puffy and red her face was, he might think twice about calling her the prettiest girl at OCD.

Dean pulled the limo into the Blocks’ circular driveway. He must have seen her call even though they’d never spoken.

He honked twice.

“Bye,” Alicia shouted as she sprinted for the limo. She turned quickly and blew the boys a couple of air kisses.

“Great boobs, by the way,” Todd shouted.

Alicia scowled and folded her arms across her chest. She started crying again. How could she have been stupid enough to trust them? All this time they were probably working for Massie.

“I love the square toe,” Todd said. “It’s cool.”

Alicia turned around and smiled at the misunderstanding. “Ohhh.” She unfolded her arms and stuck out her foot. “Thanks. They’re from Spain.”

For most of the ride home Alicia was in a daze. Her eyes felt swollen and her body felt weak from exhaustion. She curled up on the backseat and buried her head under Todd’s fleece.

“How much time do we have, Phil?” Alicia whispered so Dean wouldn’t hear.

“You’re live in three … two …” said imaginary Phil. He gave Alicia the signal to begin her newscast.

“Good evening, Westchester.” Alicia sniffled. “This just in: After a long night of severe torture and humiliation, Alicia Rivera has announced that she is leaving the Pretty Committee and starting her own. As of tomorrow she will be looking for new best friends. She has already assigned Olivia Ryan the role of beta, but there is still plenty of room for others. So if you want to be part of the Unbelievably Pretty Committee and you want to conquer Massie Block, go to OCD tomorrow and wear something cute. Alicia will be scouting all day. This has been Alicia Rivera. Thanks and good night.”

Alicia reached under the fleece and wiped away her last tear. Finally it would be Massie’s turn to cry.