The Clique: Confessions of an Upperclassman

Octavian Country Day School Monday, September 12th 7:39 AM

Alicia wandered through the halls of OCD, taking in the new décor. Plastered on every wall were posters encouraging her to vote and telling her who to vote for. Massie’s face gazed down at her, looking as in-command as ever, and it made Alicia feel both nervous and comforted.

“So, if she already has all her posters up, what does she need our help with?” Kristen wondered aloud. She and Dylan followed behind Alicia in search of their alpha.  The clicking of their heels on the marble floors echoed throughout the school, and by the time they found Massie in the gym, it seemed as though she was waiting for them.

“Good morning girlies!” Massie beamed. She wore a sleeveless black turtleneck paired with a pink tweed blazer and matching skirt. Her hair was swept up into a voluminous ponytail and her black Valentino pumps completed the I-Mean-Business look. Next to her on the metal bleachers were four purple velvet boxes.

“Mass, how on earth are you so awake right now?” Dylan yawned.

“Yeah, did you get all of these posters up this morning?” Alicia questioned. She secretly noted Massie’s dilated pupils, despite the bright gym floodlights.

“Forget that-” Kristen interrupted, “What’s in the boxes?”

Massie smiled again and grabbed one of the boxes. “Okay so first, Starbies opens at like 6:00, Dyl.” She rolled her eyes playfully brushing off the question. “And yes, Leesh, I had the posters printed, pre-glued, and delivered here this morning, so sticking them up was a breeze. And now…”

She opened the box in her hands, revealing neat stacks of silky purple ribbons, each on with a small embroidered “Block” on it.

“Ribbons?” Dylan asked, pulling one of them out and reading the text.

“Campaign ribbons!” Massie exclaimed, “Those big tacky buttons are so out. No one wants to wear a big red, white and blue eyesore that leaves holes in their designer tops. So, I thought ribbons would be perfect instead. Bows are trés trendy right now and people can tie them into their hair, on their bags, or around their wrist- whatever they want as long as everyone knows they’re voting for moi!”

Each of her friends now grabbed a ribbon. Kristen tied hers around the base of her ponytail, Dylan around her wrist, and Alicia made hers into a bow attached to the strap on her spaghetti-strap top.

“I totally heart it!” Alicia said, smiling down at her little purple bow. “I’m guessing those boxes are for us to pass out then?”

“Yep, I want each of you posted at one of the entrances. No one gets in without a ribbon!” Massie handed each of her friends a box and they headed out to complete their mission. Once they had gone, Massie grabbed the last box and set off to visit each classroom. She placed a ribbon on each teacher’s desk and even tied a few around doorknobs, slid some into lockers, and pinned one to a bulletin board. She made her way to her advanced English literature classroom, and was just placing the last ribbon onto her teacher, Ms. Vasquez’s desk, when she walked in.

“Miss Block,” she smiled kindly, “You know it’s discouraged for staff members to endorse a student candidate.”

Massie widened her eyes and gave her best innocent puppy dog expression to Ms. Vasquez. “I know,” she admitted, “But I had a few extra and thought you might like one. Maybe you could make use of it outside of school?”

“Take a seat, Massie.” She said gently, and while Massie settled down at her desk, she noticed the small woman pick the ribbon up off of her desk and tie it carefully around the strap of her tote bag.

As students began flooding the room and taking their seats, all wearing matching purple bows, Massie took a moment to check her phone. A notification from the Pretty Committee group chat was there at the top of her screen and she quickly tapped it.

Alicia: Just in from the OCD gazette, early polling shows Massie in the lead- but just barely!

Dylan: After 2day, it will B by a landslide!

Massie hearted the messages and felt her heartbeat quicken. In less than two weeks she could be OCD’s newest student body president. She had always been a leader, subconsciously influencing others’ style, throwing the best parties, coining cute new slang. Now, she had an opportunity to be a leader, officially. She could vote on the school board along side the principal, and would have full control over student body issues like dances, dress codes, and extracurriculars. Just as her dreams seemed to be coming true before her eyes, Kristen took the seat next to her and waved her hand in front of the alpha’s face.

“Earth to Massie!” She laughed. “I just saw Lizzie hanging her posters. It looks like she’s using the same ones from last year.”

Massie slipped her phone back in her bag and cocked her head to the side. “Old posters? Was she just expecting to win again?”

Kristen nodded, “I think so. But now that she sees you’re putting up a fight, she’s gonna go way harder at the debate.”

“We’ll be prepared.” Was all Massie could say before the bell rang, and she was sucked back into her academics.