The Clique: Confessions of an Upperclassman

Octavian Country Day School Monday, September 5th 8:59 AM

Alicia took a deep breath and gave her best 100-watt smile.

“Five… Four… Three… Two…” Her classmate behind the camera pointed at Alicia and the red light in the filming room showing that they were live clicked on.

“Good morning, Octavian Country Day School! This is the morning announcements, and I am your host- Alicia Rivera.” She flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and squared her shoulders. She knew that over in the east wing of the school, Massie and Kristen would be watching from their advanced literature class and Dylan would be listening while trying to hold her eyes open in French class. “Let me be the first to welcome you and wish you a happy first day of classes for the fall semester. If you’re joining us as an upperclassman this year, I hope you’re ready for a great time of investing in your future. And if you’re an underclassman this year- I wish you the best of luck!”

Alicia smirked at this last part. Starting the year off encouraging her classmates to think about their futures would add to the pressure they felt and focus their competition on the metrics Massie had decided. She had also ad-libbed the good luck message to the freshmen and sophomores, remembering how hard she and her friends had worked those first two years and how much they went through to reach the top of the social hierarchy.

While Alicia went on to read off the rest of the scripted announcements, across the school, Massie sat watching the flatscreen in her classroom and waiting. Sitting open on her desk was the binder she had made with her future plans, and one specific announcement from Alicia that morning was vital to her future.

“The theatre club has announced their annual play this year will be none other than Romeo and Juliet!” Alicia’s voice came high-pitched through the TV speakers. “Auditions will take place this Friday after school in the auditorium. For more information, please see the director, Mrs. Sawyer.”

Massie flipped her binder to the page she had printed out for Dylan’s plan and neatly printed Romeo and Juliet in the notes. This would be a great opportunity for the redhead to take the lead and have something ah-mazing for her Julliard applications.

“Thank you again for listening to this morning’s announcements and have a great first day! This is Alicia Rivera, signing off!” The TV in her classroom switched off and the students mumbled to each other while their teacher got set up. Massie’s eyes widened in confusion, and she shot a glance at Kristen, who shrugged in response.

Every year, on the first day of classes, Alicia would make the same announcement- that the student council body would be accepting nominations for class president during lunch. But Massie hadn’t heard anything about it this time, and, based off of her friend’s shrug, Kristen hadn’t either. Massie’s mind flipped through the possibilities. Did Alicia forget a line? Or skip it? Are they not taking nominations today? Is there no more student council? No more class president?

While these latter ideas scared her, Massie took a deep breath and remembered that nothing would stop her from achieving each and every goal in her plan. She would find out why there was no announcement for it, and she would do something about it. No matter what the reason was.

“Good morning, class,” the small, mousy-haired teacher at the front of the room smiled warmly, “my name is Ms. Vasquez, and this is advanced English literature. Please take one of the handouts that are being passed around the room- these have the list of required readings we will be using this semester.”

Kristen handed one of the freshly printed pages to Massie. The alpha took a deep breath, adjusted herself in her seat, and focused her mind on English class for the next 45 minutes.