Part 6 (1/2)
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 sweats.h.i.+rts 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 s.h.i.+rts 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.