Reality Check

  “You've been with her all week and have barely given us the time of day,” I add. “You missed coffee Tuesday afternoon and you got ready for the dance with her instead of us. You didn't even tell us you weren't bringing a date!”

  “Sorry, Char, that I actually made plans without clearing them with you first,” Brooke says, her voicing dripping with disdain. “I forgot I have to ask the show frontrunner before I make plans.”

  “God, Brooke, get over it already,” Keiran says, sounding angrier than I've heard her in a while.

  “Guys, we're getting off base here,” I say. Things are getting heated and it's not just from all the people crammed into this tiny space. The cameras have been all but forgotten. “Brooke, it's a nice offer, but we don't want to go on Marleyna's boat. Marleyna can't stand us. Besides which, this is our party, and I don't care what she says, the host doesn't just sail away while everyone else is watching.”

  “I don't know why you think Marleyna doesn't like you guys.” Brooke is shaking. “She said it's you three who are being rude to her.”

  “What?” Hallie gapes. “She barely speaks to us!”

  “That's not what Marleyna says,” Brooke counters. “You'd think you could be nicer to one of my friends.”

  “We're your friends,” Keiran says. “Remember us?”

  “Brooke, who are you going to believe?” I question. “Us or a girl who seemingly became your best friend at the most convenient time ever.” I can't say “when we just landed a TV show” but I think she gets my point.

  “Brooke! Let's go!” Marleyna yells. A cute guy is helping her onto the ship and she moons Hank, who is filming her.

  Brooke looks at us. “So what's it going to be? Are you going to try to be nice and come or not?”

  “I'm not leaving,” Hallie says quietly, and crosses her arms, her beaded bangles jingling.

  “Me either,” Keiran seconds, looking away.

  Brooke looks at me. I look back at Zac. I don't want to go, but I know if none of us goes this is going to be a major problem. How did a good night go sour so fast? “Zac and I just got here,” I say. “I want to enjoy the party.”

  “Suit yourselves,” Brooke says, and pushes through the crowd, almost knocking Kayla out of the way. Addison is standing behind her and she radios to Phil that Brooke is approaching the boat.

  “Brooke, don't be like this,” I yell after her.

  If Brooke hears me, she doesn't let on. Instead she marches straight toward her obvious new BF, Marleyna.

  ten

  Star Power

  It's Thursday morning at school and a cute senior I've never spoken to before is smiling at me. “Hey, Charlie! What's up?”

  A guy from our chemistry class winks at Hallie. “Looking good, Hallie.”

  “Keiran, that is the most fab shirt ever,” Pat Neiman tells her, which is funny because Pat has never said a single word to any of us before. As school royalty, she only speaks with those in her inner circle.

  I look at Hallie, confused, and she bursts out laughing. “Did we just enter an alternate universe?” I ask as the three of us walk down the hall to our lockers.

  “I think word about our show is officially out,” Keiran says just as a group of freshman girls walks by us, whispering.

  “Do you think the after-party was the tip-off?” I deadpan. I stop for a second to tie my belt again. It's a high-waisted one that ties over my blue wrap shirt.

  “The after-party or Brooke's seemingly new alliance with Marleyna,” Hallie quips.

  “Brooke or no Brooke, word travels fast in Cliffside,” Keiran marvels as she puts books back into her locker and tucks new ones against her red short-sleeved sweater.

  Hallie opens her locker and checks her salon-perfect brown hair in the tiny locker mirror. “The Crab Shack was packed last night and everyone was asking if we were coming in to do another taping or party. The place is never that crowded on a Wednesday night in the spring.”

  “Even Mr. Sparks asked me about the show after class today,” I tell them. “You should have seen how excited he was about getting Cliffside on the map.”

  “I'm glad Cliffside is getting props too, but being recognized is a little weird, isn't it?” Keiran says as she looks over her shoulder at a girl standing, mouth open, a few feet away. “The attention feels fake. It's not like these people suddenly realized how amazing we were and decided we should be friends. They're talking to us because we're on a TV show.”

  Keiran's right and the thought makes me feel a little queasy.

  “Imagine how odd it's going to feel when our faces and actions are all over TV,” Hallie says, sounding nervous. She swipes her lips with pink gloss and then checks her reflection, bending carefully to look at her locker mirror so her jean mini doesn't ride up too far. Putting her gloss away, she straightens her black ballet top.

  The class bell blares above our heads and I wince. I will never understand why it has to be that loud.

  “Weren't we supposed to meet Brooke here before lunch?” I frown.

  Things are definitely strained after Saturday's pier blowout, but I called Brooke yesterday to make a peace offering and she said we could talk things out at lunch. “Addison left me a message last night saying she needed our schedule for next week by the end of the day.”

  Hallie looks around. “I don't see her. Maybe she thinks we're meeting at the cafeteria.”

  We head down the hall, making it barely two feet before we're stopped by yet another person asking about the show.

  “How do we get on it?” Molly Lawson wants to know as she snaps gum in my face. “Are you taping at work one day this week so we can be in the background?”

  “You know, I took a year of acting classes,” Bridget Minter brags. “If you need extra people, let me know.”

  “Thanks, we'll think about it,” I say as we keep walking. Keiran tries not to laugh.

  Two guys on the basketball team run up behind us and drape themselves over Hallie. “Tell us about this show of yours,” Corbin Peters says. “Is it true you might let that guy you're going out with be on it?”

  “Bad move.” Kyle Boren shakes his head. “I'm a lot more photogenic. And I actually treat my dates to more than just McDonalds.”

  “I'll keep you in mind,” Hallie says with a smile. “But right now, we have to get to lunch.”

  “I'll buy you lunch,” offers Corbin.

  “I'll buy you dessert,” says Kyle, lightly pushing Corbin out of the way.

  “Maybe another time,” says Hallie as she follows us up the hall ramp.

  The cafeteria is packed by the time we get there and there's a large commotion in the center of the room. I strain to see what's going on. Brooke is standing on a table waving us over.

  “What's going on?” Keiran asks. “Why is she surrounded?”

  “Excuse me! Excuse me!” Brooke yells over the crowd. “Could you let my friends through?”

  “Hi, Charlie!” I keep hearing as I squeeze through the crowd.

  The three of us take seats around the table and Brooke beams proudly.

  “Is that a new outfit?” I ask her.

  She looks down at herself. She's wearing a funky wrap dress that has green and blue swirls all over it. “Do you like? I splurged on it yesterday in Greenport when I was shopping with Marleyna. A little thank-you to myself.”

  I frown. “I thought we were going to go shopping this Saturday.”

  Brooke shrugs and pulls her red hair into a low chigrion. “Marleyna thought shopping would be a good pick-me-up since I was so devastated by our fight,” she emphasizes. “I told Addison we were going and they taped me at the shop. The store even gave me a twenty percent discount as a thank-you for the publicity.”

  “About Saturday night,” I start to say, but Brooke cuts meoff.

  “Let's not talk about it,” she says, looking around. “Especially here.”

  I'm confused. “I thought that's why we were meeting for lunch today.”

 
“We always have lunch together,” Brooke says matter-of-factly. “But today I'm in a good mood and the last thing I want to discuss is why you guys dissed Marleyna, who bent over backward to help our party be a hot topic for the remainder of the school year.”

  “Hmm… why would we dis Marleyna?” Hallie asks sarcastically. “Maybe it has a little something to do with the fact that she always treated you like dirt till you got your own TV show.”

  “Or the fact that she completely ignores us and just focuses on you,” Keiran adds, taking a bite of her turkey sandwich.

  “And that you've dropped us the past week or so just to hang with her.” I can't help bringing it up again.

  Brooke stirs her Sprite with a straw, not looking at us. “I didn't realize you guys were so jealous of me making other friends.”

  “That's not it,” I say defensively. “This is about Marleyna's attitude, and you know it.”

  “Marleyna sees the real me,” Brooke declares. “She realizes who I am and that she never should have put me down like that. She's apologized. Sort of. Why can't you guys be happy that the two of us are getting along?”

  “Because,” Keiran says quietly. “We don't trust her.”

  “You have no reason not to trust her,” Brooke insists. She takes a spoonful of her yogurt, letting the spoon slide slowly out of her mouth.

  “You haven't given us a reason to trust her either,” I point out. “Now that she's around you've all but disappeared except for group tapings. You're acting sort of…” I look at the others for guidance and Hallie nods encouragingly, “different.”

  Brooke looks offended. “No, I'm not.”

  Drew Folton intercepts our conversation by sitting next to Brooke. He's a junior who plays football and I know for a fact that Brooke has always thought Drew was cute. “Hey, Brooke.” He flashes her a dazzling smile. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime.”

  We all look at Brooke, trying not to get excited. She looks skeptical rather than elated. “Where would we go?”

  “Your choice,” he says, leaning on the table.

  “How do you feel about being on TV?” Brooke asks, dead serious. “Because if we're going to go out, you have to sign a waiver saying you'll be on camera.”

  “Brooke!” I scold as I unwrap my sandwich. I'm glad I brought a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because I do not want to brave the cafeteria line and a zillion more questions about The Cliffs.

  “What?” Brooke's stare is taunting. “I don't want your problem.” I flinch.

  “I'd sign it,” says Drew, and winks.

  Brooke writes her number down on a napkin. “Call me then. By Friday or the offer is off the table. Now go!”

  “Brooke, you've always liked Drew. ‘Offer off the table'? Who are you?” Keiran asks.

  “I'm just weighing all my options, which is something Addison, I'm sure, would appreciate we all do more of,” Brooke says sharply.

  “Say what you really mean, Brooke,” I seethe.

  “Addison isn't here to be our best friend,” Brooke states matter-of-factly. “She's here to get a great show out of us, and I, for one, know I've given her great material—especially this week. Addison adores Marleyna and she loves the segments we're taping. She told me so.”

  “She did?” I don't believe it. I thought Addison said that what we normally did was what they wanted from The Cliffs. They didn't care about glam. They wanted a show about four best friends, not bickering buddies who are being pushed aside by an obnoxious outsider. At least that's what Susan told me she wanted. Addison too, I thought, but now… maybe I don't know Addison as well as I thought I did.

  “Don't get all freaked out,” Brooke tells me with a classic eye roll. “The show is still all about you, I'm sure. I'm just saying that when it comes to me and my story line, I want to spice things up. The guys I see have to be on the show,” Brooke says. “I don't want to hide my relationships or who I am from the world.”

  That was a dig at me. I wince. Her story line? What has come over Brooke? I stare down at my sandwich miserably.

  “You're all telling guys the same thing, aren't you?” Brooke asks. “Hallie?”

  Hallie blushes. “Right now I'm concentrating on Brandon. But I have been telling any guy who asks that if they want cameos they have to sign waivers to be on the show. That kind of scares some of them off, which is perfect.” She smirks.

  Keiran peels her string cheese, ripping it to shreds. “How come this show has done nothing for my love life?”

  “You have to have a night off from babysitting to actually take a guy up on an offer,” Brooke reminds her, but for once, she doesn't sound like she's teasing when she says it.

  “So, listen, Addison mentioned our schedule for next week,” I say, changing the subject before Brooke brings up Zac and how I'm a fool for letting him tell me he won't be a show regular. “She wants to know what we have going on so we can set a taping schedule.” I pull out my binder and Brooke slaps a piece of paper on top of it.

  “Done,” she says simply, and pops a grape in her mouth.

  “What do you mean, done?” I ask, and pick up the paper. Across the top it says The Cliffs schedule. “Did Addison make this?”

  “I did,” says Brooke. “You're not the only one who can type.”

  “I know,” I stammer. “I just thought… what's on here?” I glance at the list. Hallie at cheerleading. Again. Keiran babysitting. Again. Brooke on a double date with Marleyna. Brooke taking Marleyna shopping. Me at the coffee house. Again. Marleyna and Brooke at the mall.

  Marleyna, Marleyna, Marleyna. Her name is all over this sheet!

  “There's nothing on here that includes the four of us,” I mention casually, hoping Brooke won't explode.

  Hallie grabs the list and frowns. “I'm doing the cheerleading thing today. I don't want to do it again next week. And Kiki did babysitting already. I'd rather waitress at the Crab Shack or something.”

  “Can I get a job there too?” Keiran begs, looking over Hallie's shoulder at the paper. “I don't want to babysit on camera again. That was a nightmare.” Brooke snatches the paper back.

  “Fine,” Brooke snaps. “If you don't like my choices, then we can let the star set our schedule again.” She looks at me.

  “Brooke, I'm just saying there is nothing on here with the four of us,” I try again. “That's the backbone of our show. Us. Four best friends. Remember us? Everything you've scheduled only involves Marleyna.”

  “If you guys won't include her then I have no choice but to spend time with her alone.” Brooke sounds apologetic.

  “What's come over you?” Hallie looks hurt.

  “What's come over me is that I see what I want and I'm going after it,” Brooke declares. “I'm not satisfied being the farmer's daughter. I never was: This is my ticket out of here and I'm going to make it work.”

  “At what cost?” I ask, flabbergasted.

  But we're interrupted again. Two more guys want to ask Hallie out. While Brooke peppers them with questions about signing releases, Keiran whispers in my ear.

  “I'm worried, Charlie,” she says. “This isn't our Brooke. She's like a Stepford version created by Marleyna. We're not even on the air yet. What's Brooke going to be like once Teen Vogue starts calling?”

  We both look at Brooke. She's holding the waiver up for the guys to read. “I'm worried she's going to be consumed by this,” I admit sadly and hear the bell ring.

  Brooke leaves before I can ask when we can really talk, and a few minutes later, I'm walking the semi-dark hallways of Cliffside. The darkness fits my mood.

  What's happening to my friends? My biggest fear is coming to life already and we aren't even on the air yet. Is it the show that's the problem or Brooke's friendship with Marleyna? Would we still be fighting this much if Marleyna had never come into the picture?

  My next thought hits me so hard, it almost knocks the wind out of me. The real problem isn't who we are; it's who we're becoming the more we
do this show.

  We shoot footage and I can't get over how fake we're starting to sound. These aren't things we'd normally say to one another. It's what you say when a camera is shining in your face. And Brooke, sadly, only cares about one thing: The Cliffs being her ticket out of here. A ticket, it seems, that no longer includes us. Marleyna is her travel partner now.

  The newspaper office is packed when I get there and when I walk in, everyone looks up guiltily, like they've been talking. About me. I spot Zac in the back and make my way over to him to avoid the staring.

  “I'm so glad to see you,” I tell him and sit down next to him. “It's only one PM and I've already had the worst day.”

  “Are you okay?” Zac asks.

  “Yeah, just drama in the cafeteria,” I tell him. “More stuff with Brooke. What about you? How are you surviving your first experience in front of the camera?” I ask him.

  Zac tugs on his shirt, a cool navy blue one that looks great on him. “I made it out in one piece.” He sounds tired. “Although if you listen to the gossip around this place, you'd think you and I and a few others were ripped to shreds.”

  I groan. “People are talking about the fight at the party?”

  “More like giving nine million different versions of what went down,” Zac explains. “Some claim Brooke tried to push Hallie off the dock. Others say you threw a drink at Marleyna because she wouldn't let you on her boat. And then there is a third group, definitely in the minority, who claim you guys weren't even at the party. Apparently by the time I arrived, you had split.”

  “I'm sorry you got dragged into this.” I pull out my notebook and a pen to take notes.

  Zac sort of smiles. “What can you do? Three years of flying below the radar and one night on The Cliffs and everyone knows my name.” I must look as upset as I feel because then he says, “Listen, this isn't your fault, I'm just not…”

  I cut him off. “It's not?” I ask. “Because I could swear I'm the one who got you into this whole thing and you're not even getting billing.”

  “Or being paid.” Zac winks.

  Here is the silver lining in all this. My paychecks have started arriving and there is nothing like holding a check that big in your own hands. Every time I start to get a little down on what the show has been doing to my life, I see that check, signed by some bigwig at Fire and Ice, and I have to admit I feel ten times better. Especially after I've deposited it into the bank.