“We’re five minutes from recording time,” Ms. Gibson announced.

Tiffani looked up from her donut (the fifth one she’d eaten, if truth be told), and wailed, “But my makeup’s gonna be all messed up!” She grabbed a mirror and began reapplying her lipstick.

“Are you nervous?” Ophelia asked Emily.

“Of course. I don’t like talking to big groups.”

“Well…” Ophelia thought a moment, “At the risk of sounding cliché, picture them all in their underwear!”

“But there’s some people you just don’t want to see in their underwear,” Emily replied. She and Ophelia chuckled.

“Then picture Charise and me whacking your brother in the head with a newspaper,” Ophelia suggested. Emily giggled and relaxed.


“Everyone get into position,” Charise called out. “Angela, is the camera ready?”

“I certainly do believe it is,” she said, adjusting the settings a bit.

“Everyone remember-- smile, enunciate, and try not to look down at your notes too much,” S said. “Don’t worry; you’ll all do fine! Remember, this isn’t live, so if you mess up, we can reshoot.”

Okay… and… go!” Ms. Gibson called.

“Hello, and welcome to Clique News Crash,” Emily said. “I’m Emily Desjardin.”

“I’m Tiffani Royale.”

“I’m Ophelia Foley.”

“I’m AJ Desjardin, and we have Angela Paxton working the camera. This is the Monday morning edition of CNC.”

“This is a brand new show here at Oakdale,” Emily said.

“We’re going to give you news, gossip, and lots of laughs. So, watch us. I hope you’ll enjoy the show,” Tiffani grinned.

“Today, we’re going to do something special-- karaoke. We’re asking all interested students to stop in during the first half of lunch. We’ll tape you doing karaoke, and then later today, the tape will be shown,” Ophelia said.


“We have some special guests helping us today,” AJ said. “Some Oakdale alumni-- the lovely, gorgeous, talented Charise Marlow and… uh… the other one, Samuel Verona!” Charise and S walked into view of the camera, gave quick waves, and walked off.

“They’re a little camera-shy,” Emily said with a giggle.

“But that’s okay, because I know Charise will be happy to demonstrate her wonderful singing voice later today,” Ophelia added. Off-camera, Charise cried out, astonished, “Ophelia!”

“So, stop in at the auditorium and show your skills,” Tiffani said. “And now for the sports, with AJ Desjardin…”



The pretty blue-eyed girl with black hair stared up at the television. “S…” she whispered.



Ophelia, Emily, and Tiffani sat in Ms. Gibson’s classroom, waiting for the rest of the Clique News Crash crew to get there. Tiffani had turned the television on to a show about celebrities.

“…And Julianna Delorice has been spotted at another of Paris Hilton’s parties. The party-hearty ex-lead singer of All That Glitters was spotted drinking heavily and…”


Charise walked in.

“Hey, guys,” she said.

Ophelia hurriedly switched off the television with the remote control.

Charise sat down and stared at her cousin for a second, noticing a somewhat guilty expression on her face. “Let me guess, celebrity news.”

“Yes,” Ophelia responded.

“About a singer.”

“Yes.”

“Female.”

“Yes.”

“Between ages thirty and forty.”

“Yes.”

“Brunette, light skin, green eyes, skimpy clothing, and likes to party.”

“Yes.”

“Lives in England but has been traveling through the USA lately.”

“Yes.”

“Julianna Delorice.”

“How did you know?” Tiffani blurted out.

“Let’s just say I know about these things,” Charise said with a grimace. “Everyone else is in the auditorium. I was sent to come get you.”

“I thought we were supposed to meet up in here,” Emily spoke up.

“Change of plans. Now come on,” Charise said.