My Summer

“Tori, you look different.” Victoria fell into the warm embrace of her life-long best friend, Stephanie Lutz. Her long black hair was swept back into a high ponytail and she was wearing faded jeans and a hot pink tank-top, Victoria decided to not even ask the label as she would have with Ireland to really accept the time behind it.
“Don’t you just hate my hair?” Victoria reached up to touch her red bob. Once sleek and daring, it was now to Ireland-y and not to mention runway.
“Yes. You knew you were coming to Cali. Why the heck didn’t you go to the salon?” Stephanie ran her fingers through the ugly revolting color and the sharpness of it for her sweet friend.
“I know. Does anyone have availability?” Victoria laid down on the couch.
“You can’t go out like that. I’ll just call Nicky to come. She’ll fix it in a heartbeat!” Stephanie pulled out her blue chocolate phone.
“Thanks a ton. Mmm is someone baking cookies?” Victoria could smell the delicious aroma of melting chocolate chips and yummy dough.
“Yes, but you can not have any. You have put on some weight and its swimsuit season here in Cali.” Stephanie sat down on the couch by her friend, pinching the skin showing from under her cami.
“Thanks a lot. I’ve been so stressed putting up with New York I think I’ve been overeating.” Victoria rolled her eyes and smacked away her friends arm. Just as Stephanie went to call Nicky, the glass door slid open, and a tall, slightly muscular kid walked in.
“Hey Steph!” He smiled, and Victoria gazed at it. White and wide, basically his smile was amazing (just like his body)!
“Oh, hey Luke.” Wait that was Luke Hodges? The dorky kid from next door who used to play dinosaurs with Stephanie’s older brother.
“Oh Tori, I had no idea you were here. Nice hair by the way. Very out there.” Luke smirked, and Victoria felt the blush rise to her cheeks. “Matt is upstairs right?”
“Like usual.” Stephanie rolled her eyes at him and turned back to her phone. “Thirty minutes? Perfect, and bring the blonde hair dye, this one is going to be a first.” She turned to Victoria. “Blonde sound good?” Victoria nodded; it had been her intended color. “Sound great. See you in thirty. Okay bye.”
“So, um he’s changed. A lot!” Victoria whispered in case he was still lurking like he used to.
“Maybe, but he’s like my brother.” Stephanie stood up, “And he has a girlfriend, who just happens to be in better shape than you bikini wise.”
“Oh.” Victoria looked down at her almost flat abs. “Is she pretty?”
“You’re prettier.” Stephanie winked, and walked towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water and a cookie, offering Victoria just water.


“Oh wow. You seriously are meant to be a blonde!” Stephanie adored Victoria’s hair. Now reaching just below her ears and layered around her face.
“I know!” Victoria squealed. She had never felt to pretty in her life. The soft texture of her hair was appealing and comforting. All she needed to do was drop ten pounds and she would be stunning. Maybe even for Luke’s approval.
“So, I guess that we should start working out right about now. We have a week to whip you into shape. I’ve helped worse cases though. You should be no problem. No food for a week, got it? It’s the only way.” Stephanie pushed Victoria from behind to the gym.
“No food?” Victoria’s stomach replied to this was a loud roar. “See my stomach is speaking for itself!”
“No. Now get on the treadmill.” Stephanie turned it on high.
After running three miles on the treadmill, biking four on the elliptical, doing 300 crunches, and fifty push-ups, Victoria was dripping sweat and tired.
Stephanie finished off her sixtieth push-up and jumped up.
“I need a shower!” Stephanie wiped her face with a navy blue sweat towel.
“Is that like your daily work-out routine?” Victoria followed Stephanie from the gym upstairs to her room.
“Only before swimsuit season and a big party where I need an ultra flattering dress, in which cases yes.” Stephanie opened the door to her room and bee-lined for the bathroom.
“God I’m going to die!” Victoria yelled at the shut bathroom door.
“No you’re going to look hot in a bikini, and be able to eat ice cream if you keep a daily beach-run up.
“Wow my wildest dreams are coming true!” Victoria laughed.
“That’s great.” Stephanie yelled. “Now drop and give me twenty.”
“No way you physco!” Victoria clutched her stinging abs.




***
“Gemeri!” Gemeri looked up from her spot where she was surrounded by all of her luggage. Slowly she raised a hand.
"Actually it’s jem-eri. With a j sound.” Gemeri replied and followed his pointing finger to the direction of the cabin she would be staying in. The heels of her Mui Mui shoes were repeatedly getting stuck in the soft ground. Where exactly were the sidewalks? Then and there she vowed to never wear heels in nature again.
The cabin was slightly dilapidated and smelled like the outdoors. There were glass windows, a bathroom (few!), two full length mirrors, a brick fireplace, and four bunks. So it wasn’t a hotel and it wasn’t like New York to Gemeri, but at least she wouldn’t be alone. She would make three wonderful friends who hated not wearing heels, shared a love of fashion, and were new to the whole outdoors thing. And best of all, it would be documented in a movie. Hopefully to be the greatest movie of all-time.
Just as Gemeri started to pack away her clothes into the little wooden trunk made from tree trunks in front of her wooden queen-sized bed, another girl walked in. She was tall, and skinny. Her skin glowed, and Gemeri knew that her tan was not spray on, it looked real. Toffee brown hair was gathered into two braids on either side of her head, and glossy side-bangs like Chloe’s fell over her left crystal blue eyes. Quickly she caught on to the sight of an extremely beautiful girl around her age staring at her. Who the heck was this? Kaitlyn, Chelsie, and Jenny were supposed to be boarding with her. Who was this, this imposter?
“Hi,” Gemeri held out her hand in a very warm way, something she rarely did to strangers, “My name’s Gemeri. But if you want you can just call me Em. My friends at home do that.” The girl stared at her hand for a second considering whether or not to touch it.
“Oh,” She set her hand until the baby soft hand of her new roommate, “I’m Daisy.” Gemeri took this time to reflect upon the splash of freckles on her nose and cheeks. They almost looked painted on. In a pair of khaki short shorts, a navy blue cami, and a cropped tie in the front flowered shirt, she looked kind, and friendly. Gemeri wondered if she set off the same vibe in her yellow tube-top, jean short shorts, and white juicy zip-up. This morning after her plane ride she had changed into this outfit and put her hair into a casual messy bun, hoping that no one would care. After all it was the wilderness.
“That’s a lovely name. I only ever met dogs named Daisy,” Gemeri noticed Daisy’s cheeks go red and immediately recognized her mistake. “But I think I like it much better on a human.” She finished, wow like that was much better.
“Thanks. It was my grandma’s name.” Daisy carried a navy blue duffel and a large suitcase over to the bed by Gemeri’s.
“That’s so cool. My name, well my mom thought I was such a precious gem or something and somehow they came up with Gemeri.” She smiled and reached to grab her Chloe jeans when she was reminded of Chloe again who was probably at her beach house unpacking, and Hayden, who she knew for a fact she was scouting for boys and rolling her eyes at her cousin’s attempt to copy her American accent.
“It suits you. Do you know when we get some grub? I’m so hungry I could puke.” Daisy began to follow Gemeri to unpack her things in the trunk.
“Who knows?” Gemeri felt so ashamed to think she hadn’t eaten in three days so she would look good the day she arrived, sticking to a couple of bites of dinner to not look suspicious and three hours of intense work-out.
“Oh, not the eating type I guess? You sure don’t look like it.” Daisy pulled out of pack of cheetos from her duffel as Gemeri blushed profusely.
“No, I just ate a filling breakfast at the hotel this morning.” That was a lie, she had been careful to only eat one biscuit, a fruit salad, and drink a large glass of orange juice, and she only had eaten because she knew she may have to hike, which wasn’t healthy on an empty stomach.
“Hah, and I’m going to marry Prince Henry.” Daisy popped open the bag.
“Well, unlike you, apparently, I have to watch what I eat to maintain a figure.” Gemeri scowled.
“Or, like a normal person, you suck it up and think of the extra fat as cute and a reasonable excuse to go to the gym more often and eat low-calorie ice creams.” Daisy laughed, “But that’s just me.”
“If I went up a size this summer how would I fit into my closet full of bikinis when I go back home?” Gemeri chose that exact moment to pull out her cute white Ralph Lauren bikini with the lime green label on it.
“Okay you’ve got me.” Daisy pulled out a modest red one-piece. “Because this is what my mother bought me to wear in free time down at the lake.”
“I brought like ten bathing suits. We can share!” Gemeri tried to contain the laughter of the ugly swimsuit in her throat when all of the sudden the door slammed open and two girls flounced in, a look of rage in their eyes.
“Oh my God, they can not do this!” A tall girl with a high auburn ponytail squealed. Gemeri took note that she was only in a pair of white tight biking shorts, a lilac sports bra, and a black puma jacket.
“So I guess that Kaitlyn is the one bunking in another cabin?” Daisy stood up and walked over to hug the two girls that had just walked in.
“Yes! And it’s so infuriating!” A short girl with mid-back length black beach waves cried, her large chest bouncing underneath her flimsy white t-shirt she had paired with pink soccer shorts and green rainbows.
“Well, guys I guess this is our first movie where we are separated.” Daisy scrunched up her face. “But on a happier note, this is Gemeri our new roommate. And Gemeri this is Jenny.” She pointed to the girl with black hair, “And this is Chelsie.” She pointed to the steaming auburn haired girl.
“Hey guys. I’m Gemeri. Look I’m really sorry about taking that other girl’s spot. I guessing she means a lot to you.” Gemeri stood up she was the same height as Chelsie.
“Obviously!” Jenny growled.
“Go down there and tell them to put you in a different cabin!” Chelsie crossed her arms over her chest, or her lack of one.
“This is where I was assigned.” Gemeri stood up straight. “And as a professional actress I refuse to go and beg for a room assignment change.”
Okay so professional was a little over the top, but who cared.
“You’re such a jerk!” Chelsie mumbled and walked right back out the door she had just come through.
“Seriously!” Jenny growled through bared teeth. Gemeri didn’t step back or crumble in posture, but stood there taking it.
“Thanks I’ll add that to my résumé.” Gemeri called out after them as they left. “Don’t worry Daisy,” Gemeri noticed the worried look on her face. “In no time we’ll be painting rainbows and eating together as friends.” At that Daisy lost it and fell into a fit of laughter, clutching her abs. Gemeri smiled and appreciated the way Daisy found her statement funny. But was it really that funny? Obviously Daisy couldn’t picture them all getting along, and in a way the really worried her.

***

“Oh, mum look its Hayden!” Ellie, Hayden’s obnoxious eight year old cousin began to yank and pull her mother’s knock-off Ralph Lauren Sweater. Hayden rolled her eyes and pushed her gold D+G sunglasses over her baby blue eyes. Could cousins be any more out? They were an incredibly lame group of dirty blonde haired people waiting on the bench outside of customs. She noticed that Elizabeth had lost her baby fat, and was slightly larger up top. She had put her hair up in a messy bun the way Hayden had taught her last summer. Oddly, she was also wearing a thing green cotton dress that matched the bright green of her eyes. Well, at least she was an improvement to Ellie who was in hot pink leggings, with a white T-shirt dress that had a large E bejeweled on it, and ketchup stain on the right shoulder. They were family, but she sometimes she still wondered if God was trying to socially end her.
“Hey guys.” Hayden stopped rolling her suitcase at least three feet away from her family in case they plainness would rub off on her. Unfortunately, Ellie ran forwards and wrapped her arms around Hayden’s stomach. Elizabeth stood slowly, and Hayden couldn’t help but notice her legs with extremely fit, like somebody who spent hours doing sports, but she knew Elizabeth hated them.
“Come ‘ere love!” Aunt Clarissa squeezed Hayden lightly. Annoyed, she pulled back. Didn’t anyone know that her white Tocca with the gold beaded waist was specially ordered and could only be dry-cleaned? Elizabeth stepped forward and scrutinized her beautiful cousin with extreme dislike. She thought she was worth more than them, that 1) being American everyone automatically liked her (she looked all-American!), and 2) the way she had changed her so much (even for the better!)
“Where are Ryan and Dimples?” Hayden looked around for her adorable baby cousins.
“Dimples?” Elizabeth cruelly snickered. “We still call him Fredrick. And they’re with the nanny.”
“Oh.” Hayden was slightly disappointed to know her nick-name hadn’t stuck, and even more disappointed to know that nanny still existed. Last summer she had lashed out on her about having to hand-wash all of her clothes, cook her a low-fat diet, and about changing Elizabeth (into what Hayden thought was a normal girl!).
“Yeah, mum’s going to take us to the mall! Lizzie is just mad that she can’t stay with her mates and all of the boys they fancy!” Ellie grinned and turned to look at the gold beaded bracelets around Hayden’s tan skinny wrist.
“Oh, shut up Ellie. And I do not fancy Dean!” Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest.
“Oh, fickle! You’re a liar!” Ellie stuck out her blue tongue at Elizabeth’s turned back.
“Mum please!” Elizabeth begged.
“Girls, quiet down.” Aunt Clarissa took hold of Hayden’s largest suitcase and motioned to Elizabeth to take the smallest. Ellie flounced around ahead of them as they headed outside to the pouring rain. Not exactly an outstanding way to start this summer.
“Mum said that Lizzie had to take you to a party at Jane’s house tonight. I want to go, but I’m too little!” Ellie chattered in Hayden’s ear, driving her headache over the edge.
“But, mum said she doesn’t have to come if she doesn’t want to. She could be jetlagged!” Elizabeth cut-off her sister.
“No, it sounds fun!” Hayden recollected all of her expensive dresses her mother had forced her to pack in case there was a special occasion. “Is it a birthday party, or a tea party?’
“Neither.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “It’s a party party.”
“Oh.” Hayden felt her cheeks heat slightly as her cousin embarrassed her again. Oh well. No one was around to witness this. “Even the better.”
“Oh girls, that is so sweet! You can help each other get ready!” Hayden rolled her eyes. Yes, such a wonderful Kodak moment. Would they catch the part where dear Lizzie was getting her eyes clawed out?
“Ooh! Can I help?” Ellie squealed with delight, AGAIN!
“NO!!!” Elizabeth and Hayden yelled at the same time, and Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and pouted as she looked out the window. At least she was quiet. She knew that even Victoria was probably having more fun that she was!


***

“Ahh,” Ireland laid down on the comfortable green and white cushions on her wooden armchair. Bridget, the waitress that looked around Ireland’s age came to pick up the glasses from her three previous pina coladas. Bridget watched as Ireland downed yet another smoothie in disgust. You may be on vacation but you can still get fat, Bridget thought to herself, picking up the not so generous tip on the glass and bamboo cube next to snob.
“Do you want another?” Bridget set her hands on her hips, holding the green plastic tray between her hip and arm.
“Another? Not really.” Victoria began to feel a large brain freeze coming on and set down her green glass. “Do you like work here every summer?”
“No.” Bridget rolled her eyes, “This is my first year here. I’m earning money for soccer camp.”
“Sounds exciting,” Ireland fake-yawned as she spoke. She was the kind of girl that would be Ireland’s friend if she had money. Tall, with long wavy brown hair that reached just past mid-back and straight side-bangs, a douse of freckles sprinkled her nose, and her blue eyes matched the white shorts and her navy blue striped bubble shirt of her uniform. Bridget wished that she wasn’t a waitress or she would have given this rich little snob a piece of her mind, but instead she smiled it off and walked back to the tiki-bar. Connor was leaning over the bar examining the rich red-head tanning (or more likely burning) by the pool.
“For Christ’s sake Connor, stop staring. She’s off limits. Not that it matters she’s rich and wouldn’t look at you worth anything” Bridget growled at him. He’ been her best friend since the day she was five, and just as middle-class too. They had searched for a job together to earn money for the co-ed soccer camp on the corner of the island. Skilled equally, they practiced after school everyday in Connor’s backyard, and therefore had reached the requirements for camp easily, except for one thing, money.
“I guess.” Connor ran his fingers through his shaggy blonde hair that was the perfect length so it wasn’t girly and showed off his gray eyes that Bridget secretly adored. “But still it’s worth a shot. I’m taking my break …” He looked up at the surfboard clock over his head, “About now.” He pulled off his shirt and walked away from the hut to the redhead.
“Um, that’ my chair.” Connor cautiously sat on the end.
“I don’t see your name on it.” Ireland smirked and flipped the page of the latest Teen Vogue.
“Really, well why don’t you take a look on the right side of your head.” Connor crossed his arms over his chest as Ireland looked to her right.
“I don’t see anything.” Ireland pulled up her new gold Ivan shades to look at Connor. She had never seen him before in any of the summers she’d been here. Even though she liked to keep her relationships local, she had to admit he was gorgeous! She could only hope in her white and gold bikini should looked nearly as darling. Especially because she hadn’t taken off her sheer gold cover-up.
“Oh, it must be the wrong chair.” Connor stood up and looked down at Ireland. “But it never hurts to check.” Ireland bit her lip. Was he already leaving?
“Or maybe I didn’t look hard enough.” Ireland took of her gold sheer cover-up and folded it neatly, sticking it into the cube cubby. Connor smirked and grabbed her arm to pull her away from the chair.
“No, I’m positive that’s not it.” Connor nudged her, and she nudged him back in the ribs on his sun-tanned skin. “What was that for?” Ireland laughed and stood-up walking over to the pool, readying herself for an expert dive into the clear chlorine water.
“Because,” Ireland stopped and looked over her shoulder, “I felt like it.” Then she jumped into the pool gracefully, welcoming the cold which was a nice contrast to the warmth of the sun.
“Oh,” Connor shrugged, “So do you have a name?”
“Ireland.” Ireland replied as she emerged from the chill of the water.
“It’s different. Well, if you do find my chair, just ask around for Connor. They all know me.” Connor, what a perfect name Ireland smiled to herself. Miss Conner, wait what was his last name? Had he said it? Where was he going? All she wanted to do was follow him, but she looked at her mint green scoop to realize she should probably head back to the pent if she wanted to be ready in time for dinner with her parents, something she rarely enjoyed in her hometown of New York, New York. Depressingly, that meant his name would have to wait. Distraught she dragged herself from the pool and gave bid him good-bye, and then she carefully packed all of her belonging into her beach-bag and headed for the elevator.

* * *

“Grandma, I’m going to go out and tan. I’m so pale.” Chloe looked at herself in the mirror. Since moving to New York she had lost the last bit of flab from her stomach, which was now completely flat and white. Luckily she now filled out her Start it Up roxy bikini. Carefully, she twisted her hair into an adorable side-braid Ireland had taught her, and let her glossy side-bangs hang over her right eye. Fiddling through her jewelry box, she came out with a red headband and stuck it before her braid, but further back than the start of her bangs. All in all, she was improved from lost year!
Her baby blue Ivan tunic (a generous gift from Ireland), laid on her bed along with the matching Ivan straw bag. Inside was a hot pink beach towel, an apple (the appropriate snack according to her new BFFs), and the latest read of Harry Potter (well, in this case what the BFFs didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them). With ease she sprayed rubbed in tanning oil across her pale skin, luckily the bronzer darkened her New York white flesh, embarrassing for a former Miami girl! After standing in front of her black room fan, she pulled on the tunic and her white tan flip-flops.
When she stepped outside, the long expansion of sand and surf awaited her. At the sight of it, she dropped her bag, stripped off her cover-up, and flicked her shoes into the sand. Acting on impulse, she ran straight into the warm waters, and flopped in, letting herself get wrapped into the waves. When she came up she was in the middle of a group of people. Nervously, she looked around at the five or so faces glaring at her. “Uh, private meeting,” A girl with long hair up in a sloppy bun on top of her head rolled her eyes at Chloe.
“Oh sorry,” She went to duck underneath a tall boys arm, but he stepped over in front of her. “Excuse me,” instead of moving he just smirked at her. “Um, excuse me?” She squeaked.
“What?” The girl stepped forward.
“I said excuse me, but I guess I should of just pushed past him.” Chloe stepped up to her full height like Ireland had taught her to do to seem more impressive.
“Or you shouldn’t have even come near me.” Again she stepped forward.
“Guess not, I mean did you even think to brush your teeth this morning?” Chloe waved her hand over her nose.
“Um hello? Do you know who you’re talking to?” The girl stepped back, her face screwed up like a squashed up box.
“A girl who think she’s Brittany Spears?” She referred to the fact that her bathing suit was a two piece black thing, and she wasn’t exactly meant to be wearing it.
“Better question, who the heck are you?” Her eyes squinted at her.
“Chloe, oh and I would advise you not to forget it.” Chloe shoved past the tall boy’s empty gap and swam further out away from the wanna-be Brittany Spears. At least she had come out on top of her, or at least she hoped so!

Seperate Ways

Chapter One



Ireland debated between her favorite mint green Marc Jacobs trench and her gravy Ivan Belise trench. Either way it would look fabulous with her black Jill Stuart sundress from Paris. Victoria marched over, checking her dark red sheek sharp bob in the large floor to ceiling windows across the room on her way.
“Why are you taking so long?” She set her hands on her tiny hips, demonstrating her perfect posture.
“Because, I can’t decide between Marc or Ivan!” Ireland moaned rolling her emerald green eyes with annoyance.
“Well, I can! Ivan is still new, and his success hasn’t been proven, while Marc is everywhere, I mean please they’re already making fakes of him! It’s still unknown if Ivan will make a breakthrough or not in the fashion world. If he does, you’ll definitely want bragging rights for discovering him, so wear Ivan Saturday at the mall with your purple tocca, and wear Marc to school.” Victoria threw the mint trench into Ireland’s outstretched arms.
“I already knew that!” Ireland grabbed her black BCBG heels from one of the many shoe compartments on her wall, “Just Marc doesn’t look as good with Jill as Ivan does sometimes!”
“Whatever!” Victoria fixed her high-waisted ODYN jeans, “I hate to break it to you, but Hayden and Gemeri are expecting us downstairs in three minutes, and we’re at the pent!”
“True!” Ireland carefully fixed her mascara in the mirror hanging on the closet door, “But then again all of New York City is waiting!”
The sound of a door opening and slamming followed by the flush of a toilet caused Victoria to jump up from Ireland’s queen sized bed.
“Oh my gosh! I almost forget you were even here!” Victoria set a hand on her heart, covering the clear crystals of the M on her Marc Jacob’s vintage tee.
“Ha-ha!” Chloe stepped out of the bathroom in her Chloe skinny jeans, swell Betty dress, and her gray spring sweater. “I’m feeling so bleh! I’ve been trying those diet shakes my aunt has been forcing on me and ewww!
“Enough said!” Ireland held up a hand to Chloe, signaling her to stop talking.
“Can we go?” Victoria was holding Chloe’s red Dooney and Bourke Hayden bag, her own Louis Vitton, and Ireland’s black leather clutch.
“Is my pearl in there?” Ireland asked referring to her pink Blackberry Pearl.
“As always!” Victoria tossed her the adorable clutch and dug her coach sunglasses out of her Louis.
“You reminded me, my Pradas are on the nightstand!” Ireland’s tip-toe ran all the way to her nightstand and fetched her black Pradas and stuck them in her long loose red curls.
“Oh my gosh, I heart your belt Ire!” Chloe nodded to the large buckled belt around Ireland’s mint green trench while digging her secretly fake Dolce and Gabbanas from her bag.
“Thanks! I found it in my closet yesterday. I must have misplaced it a year or two ago, it’s kind of big on my waste, but it’s really in!” Ireland smiled and opened the door to the rest of the apartment, by-passing the kitchen, living room, dining room, four guest bedrooms, five bathrooms, her parent’s bedroom, the den, her brother’s room, her younger sister’s room, and went straight to the door. “Okay outfit check!” Chloe stood up straight next to Victoria and waited outfit approval.
“Check, check. Okay lets move.” Ireland nodded in satisfaction as she stepped into the mirrored elevator. “J’adore the new elevators. No I can see New York from my bedroom and the elevator!”
“Lucky for you!” Victoria rolled her eyes. She lived in a disclosed mansion and drove for forty minutes into the city just to attend school there everyday, and still everyone thrived on how lucky Ireland was for so many things. But she had to admit she had copied Ireland’s hair in desperate need of approval!
“You are so jealous!” Chloe whispered into Victoria’s ear.
“No I’m not!” Victoria hissed back.
“What’s going on? Secret meeting or something?” Ireland caught the two whispering.
“Nothing.” Victoria growled and turned away from Chloe in attempt to make her keep her mouth shut.
“She stepped on my new shoes and I was just welling at her. You know.” Chloe set her hands on her hips.
“Well actually I don’t. What is welling?” Ireland leaned back on the handrail slightly.
“Whisper-yelling.” Chloe said matter-of-a-factly. Leave it to Chloe to make up a word when she’s in the act of lying.
“Oh, cute I like it.” Ireland took out her phone and wrote down the word into her notepad, reminding herself to use it eventually. “I’ll keep it.”
Chloe smiled like a child being rewarded with a piece of candy after behaving in the store, and it made her feel sick to think that she was normally the one beaming at the compliments Ireland gave her.
“I know! I just thought of it of the top of my head!” Chloe lied knowing perfectly well she had waited for the perfect moment to reveal the word she had spent two weeks coming up with so Ireland would favor her when she used it, or look at her with more interest when she remembered the adorable word that she so brilliantly came up with. So if she couldn’t have the money that Ireland had, then she could make up for it with her brains.
“Do that more often! I could publish a dictionary of cute sayings in a year or so.” Ireland put her phone back in her bag. Uh, didn’t Chloe care about getting credit for all of those words, Victoria asked herself. Well, a month ago would she have she minded herself? The answer was no. She would have been honored that Ireland even cared what she was saying. Finally, the elevator door opened to the lobby, where Gemeri and Hayden were sipping down skinny lattes with hazelnut and vanilla.
“Thanks.” Chloe nodded to the elevator man on their way out while Victoria and Ireland just walked past without paying him any interest. She was still not quite used to the rude ways of being a rich snob. The old man smiled and let the next group of people into the elevator, leaving Chloe to blush, using her glossy side-bangs to try and cover her face as she fast walked to her friends. Even though she had with them for a whole month now, she still couldn’t get over the fact that Hayden Smith looked just like Hayden Panettiere, and they shared the same name. She often told the story about being downtown and someone asked her her name and she had said Hayden, so they had run to the manager and told them Hayden Panettiere was there.
“Hello Chloe to earth?” Hayden was standing in front of Chloe her arms outstretched for a hug. Chloe once again found herself blushing as she hugged Hayden and Gemeri. Studying Hayden, she found herself staring at the same outfit Hayden Panettiere was wearing on the June/July cover of teen vogue. Maybe she liked to have people think she was an actress or something Chloe guessed as she graciously accepted a coffee from Gemeri. Know she turned to study Gemeri, who was beyond gorgeous. Her long dark brown curls reached just at mid-back. In a white tube top, over a brown and white striped henley, and brown short shorts. Stunning as usual, she was slightly tanner, and her amazing chocolate brown and azure eyes were shining with what could only be beauty, or that’s at least what Chloe guessed. It was hard to know.
“What’s into you?” Gemeri noticed that Chloe was staring at her eyes.
“I like your outfit.” Chloe lied staring at her fingernails that were painted Christmas red.
“Not mine?” Hayden asked.
“No I love your’s too.” Chloe smiled and sat down on the leather couch next to Hayden.
“Um, we need to leave pronto! Not sit around and sip our lattes!” Victoria rolled her eyes.
“Vicky chill out. We have time!” Ireland sat back next to Chloe. “You know I like your style.” She inhaled deeply and shut her eyes.
“Me too, I don’t think Ireland has ever said to chill out before!” Gemeri grinned child-like and set her feet on the glass coffee table knowing people wouldn’t dare to yell at her. You didn’t want to see someone to gorgeous cry. Seriously, you didn’t.
“Don’t call me Vicky.” Victoria remained standing, rolling her eyes, “It’s ugly!”
“Something is up with you today V.” Ireland stared up at her best friend with as much concern as she could muster. For a month Victoria had not been her second in command. She refused to buy her glass bottles of French water, give her sushi a piece or two of sushi if her black-bean burger was overcooked, lending her brand-new clothes she hadn’t worn to complete her outfit to be the best, or invited her to an amazing fashion show with her. She knew something was up, but Victoria would have to be the one to admit it.
“No. I’m fine.” Victoria sat down in her hip.
“I just thought something was up because you only ever wear those pants with your black Ivan blazer.” Ireland lied and smiled.
“It was to hot outside.” Victoria remarked, shocked that Ireland hadn’t noticed the change in her mood, again!
“Well it’s never to hot to look in style.” Ireland mumbled loud enough for Victoria to hear, but not loud enough so she would find need to comment. And that was that.

* * *


“It is just so gorgeous out! Don’t you think Hayden?” Gemeri turned to Hayden who was watching her feet as she walked.
“Yes! I’m so going to miss it here over the summer. I’m being sent to England to catch up with my cousins. Snoozer. I do that every year!” Hayden took another sip of her latte. “Surprisingly I’m not the only one ditching this summer, V’s going to California. Guess that girl needed some sun!”
“V? Does Ireland know?” Gemeri stared at the back of Victoria’s head. The bright red of the bob was perfect with her fair complexion and it made her glow, but she doubted V would be sticking with it for long. It made her resemble Ireland, and Gemeri could tell things had become a little rocky between the two.
“No. Did you not see the way Ireland attacked her outfit in there? Honey, I don’t think she even knows Victoria is eyeing Cole!” Hayden replied to Victoria. She was also staring at Victoria as she followed behind a chatting Chloe and Ireland. For a month V had steered clear of Ireland, for a month Chloe had been allowed to join them in the quest of running the school. Clearly, a lot could change in a month. Victoria no longer adored her bob, or dressed like Ireland. She never walked in on a private I to V talk, where they stopped talking immediately and glared at her as she walked away. Now, Victoria often eyed Ireland, and kept her mouth shut. V watched them with a larger curiosity in their behavior, wondering why they followed and adore Ireland. There was something up, but Hayden had no desire to find out what it was, instead she watched her friend kick a stone down the sidewalk following Ireland obediently, but she had a feeling that this wasn’t going to last long.

* * *


“So, what are your plans for the summer?” Ireland asked Chloe. She admired the way Chloe had an extra bounce in her step, a bit more freedom from what others thought about her. And she wasn’t drowning in money. At the same time those things made her feel sorry for Chloe. Not to mention the fact that she had no mom or dad. Just grandparents, and personally Ireland was not incredibly fond of hers.
“Oh my grandparents and I always spend our summer down south.” Chloe answered, making sure it didn’t sound to lame. “By the beach, we rent a house and spend all summer down by the waves.”
“Where in the south?” Ireland asked as nonchalantly as she could muster. No New Yorker would dare to spend their summer in the redneck south.
“Isle of Palms, it’s in South Carolina. We have family friends there that don’t really get the time to use the house so we move down there every summer. Maybe you can visit or something. I promise you its really great.” Chloe felt herself get sort of excited. No one would believe she was friends with Ireland Callenhaugh. She had appeared in at least eleven teen vogues from celebrity events, to dancing at someone’s sweet sixteen! “Well, that’s not my sort of thing. I’ll probably spend a week or two in Hawaii, visit Hayden in England, then finish of my holidays here. That’s what I stick to most years. But maybe before you had down south you could come to Hawaii?” Ireland couldn’t believe that she had turned down an invite to hang with Chloe alone; she had expected to use Chloe as her new Victoria, but not in South Carolina!
“I don’t know, it’s kind of far.” Chloe knew her grandparents would never let her go, but there was always hope. Wasn’t there? “But you know I’ll ask.”
“Great. Normally I would ask V, but something is so up with her, and she’s going to California. That’s a first; she normally lets her parents leave her here, but to each their own. I never really saw California as somewhere she would fit in, who knows she may come back with blond hair and a belly ring.” Ireland admitted she knew that V was dumping her for the summer to Chloe only because she needed Chloe to know that she was still in charge and knew everything. Seriously, everything.

***

What were they talking about? Victoria asked herself as she kicked a random stone down the sidewalk. Her heels were starting to bug her to no end, and she began to worry if her outfit was up to its usual standards. After all, she was supposed to know everything about the fashion world. Maybe daring the shirt without the coat was the wrong thing, but it would have covered her new Suzanne belt, which would definitely not work.
At least this was the last day of school. The last day of eighth grade. The last day of middle school. And if her planning went right, the last day of being part of this overly-popular clique run by the red-headed dictator. Which reminded her to schedule an appointment to fix her hair, it was a little much for California in her opinion. She wanted blonde and care-free, not runway model in disguise (which she currently was). At least tomorrow was summer. She would be able to change into her old self. The one who didn’t care if her closet consisted of tee shirts and jean, who would choose dare in a game of Truth or Dare, or who would whip your butt in Kung-Fu Warriors 3 and not be ashamed. She would be her old-self, the one she often referred to as Tori.


***


“Okay, everyone look over here! This is your very last day of middle school!” The fake photographer acted like she really cared about how excited the girls were to finish of middle school once and for all.
“I’m so done here!” Ireland smiled again. “I’m ready for this day to be over and to be on my jet for Hawaii!” One of her many fans looked up at her to see if she would reveal what hotel she would be at so they might meet up and be VBFFS (Vacation Best Friends Forever), but Ireland was careful not to divulge her information to the girl.
“Aloha!” Hayden whispered in her ear, “Or should I say, How do you do madam?” Gemeri laughed at Hayden’s attempt at a British accent.
“Well, all I’ll be saying is I’m ready to head out to Grinshburg to film for Crystal Lake!” Gemeri replied, making sure she smiled directly at the camera.
“Just be happy you won’t be saying Surfs up Dude!” Ireland turned to face Victoria. “Isn’t that right.”
“Hope you have fun in Hawaii.” Victoria remarked nonchalantly, smirking because Ireland still had no idea she was ditching her here this summer.
“What does that have to do with Hawaii? I’m talking about that California lingo. Surely you’ve been practicing for this summer?” Ireland looked straight into Victoria’s eyes. How did she find out? Victoria bit her lip, bidding herself to find something to say back. But what? What could you say to that; yes, I’ve been practicing daily or flat out deny it? Hayden watched Victoria, willing her to deny everything and to cancel her trip, but instead she sat dumbly and bit her lip- great give away.
“You knew?” Gemeri asked with caution.
“For awhile now, I mean one month of her odd behavior and something was wrong.” So she had noticed? “So, I figured out she was hanging this summer in California. No biggy. Instead I planned my usual vacation to Hawaii, added in a trip to England, and made sure I was back in time to hang with Gemeri for a couple of weeks.” Ireland smiled.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Victoria lied despite her attempt at not sucking-up to Ireland.
“No, your not. You’re just freaked that I figured out, but then again, what made you think I wouldn’t? After all, I am Ireland.” Ireland watched as Chloe stepped forward to join them as the camera drifted away to take pictures of other girls eating cake and dancing.
“Hey guys!” Chloe was eating a slice of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting and large white sugar flowers. Victoria’s stomach grumbled with desire.
“Chloe, why are you eating that? It’s probably loaded with sugar and fat!” Ireland shook her head at the cake. Chloe blushed and dropped it on the closet table without a second thought. Victoria took one look at Chloe who would give everything just to be Ireland’s friend and in return Ireland bossed her around, treated her like crap, and then took full advantage of whatever Chloe would offer. Just to make her meet her standard.
“Because like a normal person, she craves sugar!” Victoria grabbed the cake and picked off a sugar flower. “Here’s to being normal!” Victoria dropped it in her mouth. “I think I could get used to this!” She declared. “By the way, I’ll see you all next school year!” And then Victoria as they knew her disappeared once and for all.
“Did I miss something?” Chloe asked tucking her bangs behind her ear.
“Not a thing.” Hayden answered shocked that V had just left them.
“No.” Gemeri backed her up.
“Okay.” Chloe smiled and took off her sweater placing it on a hot pink chair.
“So, tonight I guess dinner is at my place. Only pajamas, no teary good-byes, and all contact information ready? Get it? Got it? Good!” Ireland grabbed her bag off of a chair. “Byeas!”
“Um, where is she headed to?” Chloe watched Ireland depart in the opposite direction of Victoria.
“Not sure, but does it matter? Tonight we enjoy each other, and then we disappear for a summer and join back together before school begins. We all handle it different, and control is her way.” Gemeri smiled. “Anyone for cake?”
“Me!” Hayden screamed tugging Chloe’s arm over to the cake.


***

“I’m going to miss you!” Chloe wrapped Hayden into a warm hug. “It’s been one month since you became my friend and now we have to separate for a whole summer!”
“I know! It totally sucks!” She rolled her eyes at the way it was all working out for her. Chloe smiled. She couldn’t believe one month and she was exiled to summer. It would stink to be Chloe and not automatically be on top wherever she went.
“At least you be with family!” Gemeri laughed at her own joke. How would family make the exile to Europe any better?
“Well darlings, wish me luck in England. Hopefully I bring back a beautiful British lad with me!” Hayden kissed Gemeri and Ireland each on one cheek.
“Good luck!” Gemeri went into Hayden’s hug.
“Thanks!” Hayden stood back. “Well my ride’s here! Make sure to call once a week, and write to me darlings!” Hayden watched the doorman open the car door. “I miss you already!” With that last phrase Hayden was in the car and gone.
“Well I need to get upstairs to finish packing.” Ireland hugged Chloe and Gemeri each into one arm.
“Aw. Well we part now, so until the end of summer I’m going to miss you! Make sure you write me letters, no cell phone service, BLEH, but still.”
“When have I not?” Ireland hugged Gemeri again, squeezing her tight. “Until later.”
“Until later!” Gemeri smiled and felt her eyes beginning to well up with tears. Did she seriously think she could make it through a whole summer in the wilderness without her friends?
“So, are you excited? I mean after all you are going to be a movie star.” Chloe broke the silence.
“I’m already wondering if it’s worth it, since I’m not even the lead.” Gemeri admitted.
“Trust me you will not regret it!” Chloe watched as a silver range rover pulled up. “That’s you?”
“Yeah, that’s me.” Gemeri hugged Chloe tightly. “Hopefully you’ll come back next year to us.”
“What makes you think I won’t?” Chloe felt slightly offended.
“It’s hard. Trying to always find something good in it all is hard. That’s why V left. She was sick of it. I just thought Ireland probably told you a different story. But that’s the truth. Live this summer to its full normal advantage, because when the school-year comes around, you’re going to be grateful.” Gemeri stepped outside into the warm summer night, hoping that Chloe would seriously take her words to heart.