Best Friends for Never Page 2

  “I honestly don't know what it is with Massie and Claire,” Judi said. “I thought they would be the best of friends by now.”

  Massie peered around the door to see Claire's reaction. But her seat was empty. She must have slipped out while Massie was on the phone.

  “I agree with Judi,” Kendra added. “I am so surprised.”

  “You don't look it,” William said.

  Kendra shrugged. “Botox.”

  “Just because they live on the same property doesn't mean they have to be joined at the hip,” Jay said. “Maybe they need a little more time to adjust to each other. You know, like a couple of territorial house cats.”

  “Hissing cats would be a welcome change around here,” Kendra said. She moved a half-eaten strawberry around her plate with a small silver dessert fork. “I've tried everything to bring them together. I am fresh out of ideas.” She pushed her plate off to the side, moving the deep red herringbone place mat with it so the plate wouldn't scratch the glossy oak table.

  Massie stood up quietly, holding the dangling charms on her bracelet so they wouldn't clang. She scooped up Bean and tiptoed up the stairs to her bedroom. She had a deliciously devious idea.

  But before she did anything, Massie plopped down on her purple down-filled duvet and turned on her PalmPilot. Like other great historical figures, she had to sum up the latest events so future generations would have a record of her life.

  CURRENT STATE OF THE UNION

  INOUT

  Shoporexic Shopoholic

  Halloweenie party Chic-or-treating

  Claire Becca Wilder

  THE GUESTHOUSE

  CLAIRE'S BEDROOM

  8:22 PM

  October 23rd

  Claire was in her bedroom, sitting at the dark mahogany secretary by her window. The antique desk came with the room, along with the rest of the dusty old furniture that had once belonged to Massie's grandmother.

  “Okay, I know this is going to sound creepy,” Claire said into the phone. “But my brother has a crush on Massie.” She was talking to Layne Abeley, her first and only friend in Westchester.

  “Isn't she a little old for him?” Layne asked.

  “Not if he's looking for a babysitter.”

  Claire kicked off her white platform Keds and propped her legs up on the desk beside her unfinished fashion design homework. Even though FD was a required class at Octavian Country Day School, she had a hard time taking it seriously. How would an education in pattern making, sketching, sewing, and draping (whatever that was) possibly help her become a famous photographer? Her old school in Orlando would never offer a course about fashion. But then again, nothing about OCD reminded her of home.

  “How was Mr. Block's birthday dinner?” Layne asked. She was chewing right into the phone, but Claire didn't mind. Layne's new favorite snack was popcorn and mustard, and lately she made almost constant crunching noises. Claire was just glad Layne had gotten over the oatmeal, her old favorite snack. Popcorn might be louder, but it was a lot less mushy.

  Claire had begun filling Layne in on the bet she made with Massie when she was distracted by a ding. Someone had sent her an instant message.

  MASSIEKUR:R U THERE?

  Claire's insides froze. Massie's bedroom in the Block residence faced Claire's bedroom in the guesthouse, so there was a good chance she was being watched. Claire pushed her feet against the floor in a desperate attempt to slide her heavy leather upholstered chair away from the window.

  Why did I open my big mouth during dinner?

  “So wait,” Layne said. “If you repeat anything, even shoes, you'll have to wear a snowsuit to school?”

  “Yup.”

  “That's impossible. Why did you agree to that?”

  “I'm tired of Massie thinking I'm a loser,” Claire said, her voice drifting off. “I want to prove I can be just as tough as she is.”

  “Do you have any idea how many outfits are in a month?” Layne said.

  Claire heard the rustling sound of a paper bag through the phone before getting an earful of Layne chewing her popcorn. It sounded like she was stomping on a pile of foam packing peanuts. Layne made a swallowing noise and then continued. “I'm sorry. That wasn't helpful. I'll bring you a bunch of clothes tomorrow.”

  “No, don't!” Claire said. Layne's latest obsession was secondhand old man pants and vintage concert tees. If Massie was embarrassed to be seen with Claire in this year's Gap, how would she ever take Claire seriously in Salvation Army?

  “I'm sure Nurse Adele will be able to give me a few things from OCD's lost and found,” Claire said. “Remember that great outfit she gave me when Alicia wiped red paint on my pants?”

  “Yeah, but I have tons of great new clothes, so it's no problem,” Layne said. “You'd do it for me, right?”

  “Of course I would.” Claire meant it.

  “Hey, did you take the Smile Much quiz I e-mailed you?”

  “Yeah,” Claire said. She twirled the phone cord around her finger and wondered if she was the only person in Westchester younger than eighty-five who still used a land line.

  “How did you do?”

  Claire turned to her computer and clicked on the quiz.

  “I only scored a fifteen. According to the results, that makes me a ‘Mopey Dick.’”

  “Why so low?” Layne asked. “I got a perfect thirty. According to the quiz, I'm ‘Happy as a Clam.’ What did you pick for number four?”

  Claire scrolled down.

  IF YOUR LIFE WAS A RIDE AT SIX FLAGS, IT WOULD BE …

  (A) THE JESTER

  (B) HURRICANE HARBOR

  (C) THE SCREAM

  “C.” Claire sighed. “You?”

  “A,” Layne said. “What about the next one?”

  Both girls read silently.

  IF YOUR BEST FRIEND WAS ABDUCTED BY ALIENS, WHAT WOULD YOU MISS THE MOST?

  (A) LAUGHING MY ABS OFF

  (B) HANGING OUT WITH SOMEONE WHO GETS ME

  (C) MISS?

  “I picked A and B,” Layne said. “I'd miss you for both reasons.”

  “Me too.” Claire thought it was better to lie than to hurt Layne's feelings. If she had been with her Orlando friends, she would have answered A and B. But for now she picked C. She liked Layne but still secretly longed to be a part of Massie's fabulous foursome, just like everyone else at OCD. Massie, Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen went to every party in town and wore the coolest clothes, and everyone at school referred to them as the “Pretty Committee.” So what if they threw smoked salmon at her a few weeks earlier? She would be willing to put it behind her if they would. Fitting in with them meant fitting in with everyone, and who wouldn't want that?

  “What about the last one?” Layne said. “Once again I picked A.”

  Claire scrolled down to the final question.

  THE HOT NEW GUY SITS BESIDE YOU IN SCIENCE LAB (OMG!). HOW DO YOU DEAL?

  (A) INVITE HIM TO EXPERIMENT WITH YOU AFTER SCHOOL

  (B) FLASH HIM THAT “COME-HITHER” SMILE YOU'VE BEEN PRACTICING IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR. THEN WAIT FOR HIS MOVE

  (C) SWITCH SCHOOLS. HE'S MORE DISTRACTING THAN A REAL WORLD MARATHON

  “What difference does it make?” Claire said. “It's not like we even have boys at our school.” She wound the phone cord tightly around her index finger and watched her skin turn from pink to purple.

  “Easy, Mopey Dick,” Layne teased.

  “All of my Florida friends have been e-mailing me about their latest crushes. Meanwhile, the only Westchester guy I've been hanging out with is Mr. Block. Don't you ever want to meet cute guys and have crushes and get all nervous when they're around?”

  “No,” Layne said. “I try not to want anything—that way I'm never disappointed.”

  “How is it possible not to want anything? What about that color printer you keep talking about?”

  “It doesn't apply to merchandise.”

  Claire heard a loud snap.

  “Ow!” Layne said. “I think
that kernel just broke my tooth.”

  DING.

  MASSIEKUR:DESPR8

  “You okay?” Claire tried to stay focused on her conversation with Layne, but Massie was obviously determined to get her attention. Massie was switching her desk lamp on and off so quickly, Claire thought her room looked like it was caught in a severe electrical storm.

  “Layne, can you hold on for a second?”

  Phone in hand, Claire slid off her slippery leather chair and landed under her desk. If she was going to keep ignoring Massie's cries for help, she would have to take cover. She couldn't believe she had been reduced to hiding from Massie in her own house. It was beyond embarrassing.

  Claire moved her hand across the bottom of the windowsill until she found the bottoms of the heavy beige curtains. She gripped them between her index and middle fingers and slid them shut.

  “'Kay, I'm back, sorry 'bout that.” Claire peered out from under the desk at the round chunky legs on her four-poster bed. They looked like something straight out of a knight's castle. An ivory lace runner hung over the top of her dark dresser drawers and made her think of old ladies. All of the furniture in her room looked tired and unfriendly, like it would much rather be somewhere else. She missed the bright modern bedroom she left behind in Florida and made a mental note to ask her mother if she could remove the yellowed photographs of the Blocks' dead relatives so she could put up some of her own shots.

  “I want to find a boyfriend.” Claire sighed. “Maybe then my life won't seem so pathetic.”

  “You can't expect someone else to make you happy,” Layne said. Then she launched into a speech about boys and how much trouble they could be, but Claire was too distracted to pay attention. Someone wearing a pair of black pointy-toed boots was standing in front of her desk, tapping her foot. Claire's heart started to pound.

  “Layne, I have to finish my design homework. I'll see you tomorrow in class,” Claire said. She yanked on the phone cord until the beige base fell off her desk and landed on the floor in front of her. She pulled it toward her and quickly hung up.

  “Why were you ignoring me?”

  Claire craned her neck out from under the desk and looked up. Massie stood above her with her hands on her hips. She was snapping her Dentyne Ice.

  “I have no idea what you're talking about. I've been down here for like the last ten minutes, looking for my earring.”

  “When did you get your ears pierced? After dinner?”

  “Is this about the bet?” Claire asked. “Are you mad?”

  “No. I welcome the challenge. Now get up.” Massie offered her hand. Claire took it.

  The crown charm on Massie's bracelet dug into Claire's palm, but she didn't dare complain.

  Once they were face-to-face, Massie spoke.

  “Claire,” Massie said. Her voice was suddenly sweet. “Remember a few weeks ago you said you wished your parents would let you have a cell phone?”

  “Yeah …”

  “Well, I know how you can get it.” Massie started pacing. “From now on, all we have to do is act like we're best friends and our moms will give us anything we want.”

  “What are you talking about?” Claire asked.

  “I overhead them talking about how badly they want us to get along, sooo, all we have to do is give them what they want and we'll get what we want.” Massie flashed a proud smile.

  “But how—?”

  “Look, you want a cell phone and I want a boy-girl Halloween party. Follow my lead and they're as good as ours.”

  Claire weighed the options. If she agreed, Massie would be grateful, which could lead to friendship down the line. She'd also get a cell phone, which would definitely help her fit in around school. And she'd finally have the opportunity to meet some Briarwood boys at the party and find a crush. Her days as “Mopey Dick” would be behind her forever.

  “Okay,” Claire said. “Let's do it.”

  THE BLOCK ESTATE

  THE LIVING ROOM

  9:00 PM

  October 23rd

  “Stop acting so scared,” Massie said. She smacked Claire's hand away from her mouth, putting an end to the irritating nail-biting sounds. “You're acting like you've never lied to your parents before.”

  Claire was about to respond but was silenced by Massie's palm.

  “Shhh.”

  They were pressed up against the leopard print wallpaper just outside the living room, waiting for the perfect time to interrupt their parents' conversation.

  “What about The Producers?” Kendra asked her husband. “You liked that play.”

  “No, dear, I said I didn't hate it.”

  “Well, I hated it,” Jay said.

  “You hate anything that doesn't take place on a football field,” Judi said.

  Massie looked at Claire and rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe their parents talked about such boring things.

  “Okay, we're going in,” Massie said. “Remember, even if something I say sounds strange, go with it.” Then she grabbed Claire by the elbow and pulled her forward into the room.

  “Hey, everyone.” Massie squeezed Claire's arm.

  “Hey,” Claire said, right on cue.

  Massie took a deep breath. The familiar smell of coffee and burning wood filled the air. Massie instantly relaxed. She had worked this room a thousand times.

  “Claire and I just wanted to say happy birthday to Dad one more time before we went to bed,” Massie said.

  “Y-yeah, happy birthday, William,” Claire added. Her voice was strained and her smile forced.

  “Wanna ask them?” Massie turned to Claire. She knew Claire would have no idea what she was talking about and hoped she would play along.

  “No, you should,” Claire said. “You're such a good asker.”

  “Thanks.” Massie looked at Claire with a humble smile and puppy dog eyes, hoping her parents would believe affection and respect flowed effortlessly between them.

  “Mom, Dad, Judi, Jay,” she addressed her audience. “Claire and I were talking before bed, which we've been doing ah lot lately, and—” She paused for effect.

  Claire nodded in agreement.

  Massie continued. “We were thinking about maybe having a Halloween party at the house this year.”

  Massie looked for her mother's reaction first, because it was the only one that mattered. Kendra presided over all things related to the house, school (before, during, and after), spending money, sleepovers, punishments, and food. Her dad only stepped in when it came to grades, curfews, and loud music that needed to be turned down.

  Kendra had a delicate white mug with gold trim raised to her lips but put it down before taking a sip. The clink of the china was the only sound in the room. Massie couldn't stand the silence and rushed to fill it.

  “Of course, we would stay in the backyard so the house doesn't get dirty,” she added quickly. “Oh, and Claire has a great idea. Wait till you hear it.”

  Massie knew it was crucial for her parents to think that she and Claire had spent hours discussing this and that saying no to the party would be like saying no to their first steps toward friendship.

  “Go on,” Massie said. “Tell 'em.”

  Claire stared right back at Massie and asked, “Whhhat?” through her teeth. It came out sounding like, “Ahhht?”

  “Ehmagod, you are sooo modest.” Massie put her arm around Claire. “She thought it would be cool to invite a few boys to the party, too. You know, just to balance things out and to get some interesting costumes in the mix.”

  Massie discreetly pressed her arm down on Claire's shoulder, reminding her to play along. Claire brushed her hand against the back of Massie's leg to say that she would.

  “Claire, that was your idea?” Judi asked. She sounded pleasantly surprised.

  “Looks like our little Lyon is one big dog,” Jay replied, and followed up with a phlegmy laugh.

  “Don't tease.” Judi slapped her husband's arm playfully. “I think it's perfectly normal th
at she's ready to interact with boys.”

  Massie could feel Claire starting to squirm under her arm.

  “So Mom, can I?” Massie asked.

  “Can you what?”

  “Can I have the party?”

  “Can you have the party?” Kendra looked from Massie to Claire and then back to Massie again.

  Massie's mouth dried up and a rush of prickly heat shot up the back of her neck.

  How could I make such a stupid mistake?

  “I assumed you two were going to co-host.” Kendra tapped the side of her mug with her bloodred acrylic nail tips.

  “Especially since it was Claire's idea to have the boys in the first place,” Judi said. She leaned in toward the dessert tray on the coffee table, snapped off a piece of biscotti, and popped it in her mouth.

  “Oh, we're definitely co-hosts,” Massie said. “We've already started working on our list.”

  “I hope your brother, Todd, is in on it,” Jay said to Claire.

  “Of course he is.” Claire stuffed her hands into the side pockets of her cords.

  “And how many kids did you plan to invite from your grade?” Kendra asked her daughter.

  Massie paused. If she said “everyone,” her mom might worry about noise or mess. But if she said “almost everyone,” her mother would be angry she was leaving people out.

  “Everyone,” Massie said, deciding that when it came to her mother, it was always best to include. She held her breath while she waited for a reaction.

  “We'll sleep on it,” Kendra answered.

  Massie stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips.

  “I need to know—” Massie felt Claire tap her on the back of the leg. “I mean, we need to know tonight,” she said. “Halloween is only a week away, and we want to get Landon Dorsey to plan it.”

  “Who?” Claire asked.

  “She's the best party planner in the entire 914 area code. There is nothing that woman can't do,” Massie said.

  Kendra looked at the girls one last time and sighed. “I'm okay with it if you are,” she said to the other parents.

  “Have Landon call me with the cost,” William said.

  “Thanks, Daddy.” Massie ran over to the couch. She hugged her father and planted a big kiss on his balding head.