Read Online Social Order by Melissa de La Cruz - Free Book Online

together, and some of the less popular girls were looking desperately around the room, wondering whose group might let them in. But nobody was going to rebel against a plan initiated by the Ashleys. And who wanted to look like a friendless whiner when there were TV cameras filming every word?
    At recess, after her honors science class, Lauren returned to the bench to find Matt and his cameras already set up and all the Ashleys preening with hairbrushes and lip gloss before filming began again. Even A. A. was fixing her pigtails and checking her reflection in her iPhone.
    Matt told them to start talking about their banner, and Ashley, of course, the good little soldier she was, rushed to be the first one to speak.
    â€œSo we should use canvas instead of paper, naturally,” she insisted. “That way we can sew or staple our items on and make it three-di—”
    â€œI already thought of that,” interrupted Lili, pullinga portfolio out from under the bench. “Here are some designs that I had put together.”
    â€œThese are great, Lili,” Lauren gushed, even though it wasn’t her turn to speak. She knew that if she complimented Lili’s designs, it would annoy Ashley.
    â€œYeah,” Ashley said flatly, giving the portfolio a cursory examination. “But I think we need to go in a different direction—I was thinking of bringing in some professional expertise.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Lili asked, looking affronted.
    â€œYou wouldn’t cut your own hair, would you?” Ashley asked. “You’d leave it to Frédéric Fekkai. Well. I don’t think we should design our own banner.”
    Lili looked as if it was the most obnoxious thing she’d ever heard, and Lauren had to agree. Besides, wasn’t that cheating? But maybe not, since they wouldn’t be graded on the activity.
    â€œWhat kind of item do you want to represent you?” A. A. asked, determined to stick to her talking points.
    It wasn’t clear who exactly A. A. was speaking to, and both Lili and Ashley started talking at once. Ashley, who had the louder voice, won.
    â€œA violin for Lili, I thought—we could have a miniature made up in rosewood. And I’d have a crystaltiara. Because, well, you know.” Ashley smiled up at the camera.
    â€œNo, I don’t.” Lauren feigned ignorance. “Why a tiara?” She wanted to show exactly how vain and pompous Ashley could be.
    But Ashley only smiled.
    â€œYou guys! I don’t want a violin,” argued Lili, jostling to open her portfolio. “That’s so dorky!” She frowned. “I was thinking, for me, a BlackBerry. I can get a faux one stitched in black leather. It’ll look really cool. Or maybe I could get, like, a pair of scales to represent how I’m on Honor Board.”
    Ashley made a twirling motion with her finger to indicate “big whoop.”
    â€œWhy do you always diss Honor Board?” Lili asked, sounding incredibly whiny.
    â€œI’m not,” Ashley said, giving Lili an unexpected hug. “You know I’m just teasing, Brainiac.”
    â€œWhat about you, A. A.?” Lauren asked, a bit disappointed that Ashley had backed off a prima donna scuffle.
    â€œI don’t know,” said A. A., scuffing one toe in the grass. “Maybe something sporty.”
    Ashley crinkled her nose.
    â€œHow about, like, a pair of long legs? They’re your best feature,” Lili suggested.
    â€œOr a big pair of pink lips,” Ashley offered.
    â€œWhy?” A. A. was bemused.
    â€œYou know, because you’ve kissed all these boys,” Ashley said wickedly.
    Ouch, Lauren thought.
    â€œNo, I haven’t!” A. A. protested.
    â€œHow many boys have you kissed?” Lili asked, sounding innocent but obviously seeing an opportunity to dump on A. A. as well. Votes were on the line, after all, although Lauren wasn’t sure if this was the right way