The music pumps louder as a new song starts and Marleyna whips around to Brooke. The two of them scream and start dancing. I stand there dumbfounded. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey." It's Keiran. "Some party, huh?"

"Has Brooke been like this all night?" I ask, not caring that Phil is still taping.

Keiran laughs. "Pretty much. She seems really into her new friend Marleyna." She looks over at her date, Tom. "Have you guys met Tom?"

I'd like to say yes, at the dance, but since we seem to be pretending this is the only party that matters, I don't.

Zac shakes his hand and the two get into a deep conversation about the Mets.

One of the camera crew, Kayla, drops the bright light that was just trained on my face. "Girls, Addison is radioing me," Phil informs us. "Some new scene they're setting up. I'll be back. Addison wants to see you too, Charlie."

"Be right there," I tell him and watch him leave. Hallie bounces over in the meantime.

"Okay, someone tell me what is going on," I say. "I'm so confused. We just met Marleyna and she's being nice now? And why are she and Brooke acting like BFFs?"

Hallie rolls her eyes. "They showed up together and had a long talk with Addison before the cameras started to roll. Get this-they were here when I arrived and when I tried to walk over, Brooke actually said 'not now.' And brace yourselves: I overheard Addison say to someone on the phone that Marleyna could be a great 'addition.'"

"Addition to what?" I freak out. "The show? Our group? That girl can't stand us and we can't tolerate her!"

"But she loves Brooke," Keiran points out. "Every time I try to talk to Brooke, she pulls her away, and I have to say, Brooke doesn't seem to mind."

"Brooke is in awe of her," Hallie agrees. "The money, the house, the fact that Marleyna is fawning all over her and throwing money at a party we're supposedly throwing. Obviously, this girl wants on the show."

"You think?" I watch Brooke and Marleyna dancing. Hank and two other camera guys, hired for the night, follow their every move. The two are laughing and falling all over each other. A group of people are gathered around them, either to get on camera or to see what the commotion is about.

"There you guys are," Addison says. Like the rest of the crew, Addison is underdressed for the party, but she still looks great in a white cropped jacket, a navy v-neck, and jeans. "You look beautiful, Charlie. I have a dress just like that."

"Is that what you wore to your sister's wedding?" I ask.

She grins. "Yep, and my sister was so mad that everyone kept complimenting me on it. That's what she gets for not making me a bridesmaid."

I laugh. Addison had told me stories about how she and her sister got along-or rather didn't-when they were growing up. Addison is the younger sib too, just like I am to Bella, and being the younger sister can be pretty rough sometimes.

"What do you think of the party?" Addison asks me.

"It's beautiful," I say tentatively. "But just so you know, no one at school is going to believe we paid for this."

Addison tucks her hair behind her ear nervously. "I know what you mean." She looks around. "It's not really what I had in mind." I look at her curiously. Isn't she the one who let Marleyna and Brooke have free rein? "It will still look great on the show. Phil has gotten some beautiful shots of the boats going by at night and everyone dancing. He'll want to get some stuff with just you later as well." Introduction time. I grab Zac's arm. "By the way, Addison, this is Zac."

Addison smiles brightly. "I figured as much. It's nice to properly meet you. We've heard a lot about you."

I blush. I don't want Zac to think I talk about him all the time, even if I do.

"All good, I hope," he says and shakes Addison's hand.

"Absolutely." Addison grins. "Speaking of new faces, what do you guys think of Marleyna?"

"Brooke made us pretend to meet her when we were reintroduced last week," I say.

"This was a much better introduction though, don't you think?" Keiran says wryly. "At least this time Marleyna did more than just grunt at us."

Addison frowns. "You guys don't get along? Brooke made it sound like you were fast friends."

Hallie scrunches up her nose. "Not in my book. Especially when she keeps Brooke all to herself when we're around."

"Interesting." Addison begins typing on her BlackBerry. I can't tell if she's texting or just writing notes, but her face looks concerned. Then she slips the phone back in her pocket. "I should tell you guys that Marleyna has signed a waiver and her early footage went over well with the suits."

"Are you hinting that we're adding a new 'friend'?" I ask.

Addison shifts uncomfortably. "I wouldn't say you have to be friends with her, but she will be in Brooke's segments when we don't tape the four of you together. Speaking of which, Brooke and Marleyna had a great idea for tonight and I'm guessing none of you know about it."

"About what?" Hallie asks darkly.

"Hey guys!" Brooke rushes over with Marleyna. "Are you ready to go?"

"Go where?" Keiran looks at Brooke, who is holding hands with Marleyna. The two of them look like kindergarteners and they're giggling madly.

"Didn't I tell you?" Brooke asks. "Marleyna's dad gave us their boat to use tonight! We're going to shoot on it. Is that incredible or what?"

Brooke points to the small yacht (yes, yacht) that is anchored to the pier. I've seen boats this large docked here before, usually with license plates from Florida or Massachusetts, but I've never actually known anyone who owned one. The boat has a large deck, several levels, and an interior living area. Phil and Hank are already on board setting up their equipment. I look at Brooke. Her face is flushed and she looks happier than I've seen her in weeks, which is funny because I thought she'd been pretty happy already.

"But the party just started," I say delicately so that Brooke doesn't get crazy. "And it's our party. We can't leave."

Marleyna rolls her eyes. "No one expects the host to actually socialize with everyone here. Trust me. You can slipout."

"We were hoping to get some footage of all of you on the boat," Addison tells me gingerly. "But obviously if Charlie isn't going..."

"Let me guess-if Charlie isn't going, it isn't worth doing the scene," Brooke snaps, shocking me.

"No," Addison says slowly, "I was going to say if Charlie isn't going then we need another crew here to cover her. We haven't done a lot of footage with Charlie yet."

"I'm not going on the boat either," Keiran says. She avoids Brooke's piercing stare and the loud sigh from Marleyna. "I don't know why I'd go on the boat when my real friends are here."

Marleyna rolls her eyes. "Brooke, are we going or not, because Daddy already gassed up."

Addison looks at me. I look at Zac. Leave? Now? I just dragged him here.

"What do you want to do?" Zac asks me, but his face says it all. He doesn't want to go either.

"Well, I'm staying," Hallie says defiantly.

"Girls, let me hold you right there," Addison says, and she appears to be listening to the voice in her head phone. "We want to get this discussion on tape."

"Nothing like an awkward conversation to make good television," Zac quips, but no one laughs.

"Hallie, what do you mean you're not going?" Brooke demands. "Marleyna was nice enough to-"

"You didn't ask us, Brooke," I interrupt. "You decided without talking to any of us first. Just like you did with the decorations for tonight's party. This place doesn't look anything like the Crab Shack we know and love."

"Forgive me for wanting to add a little glamour to our lives," Brooke says.

Marleyna puts a hand on Brooke's shoulder and gives her a sympathetic glance. "Brooke, don't ruin your night."

"I'm not," Brooke says. "I just can't believe my best friends would question me about a surprise. Surprises are usually good things."

"This one isn't," Hallie says. "Especially if it involves hanging out with her." Everyone looks at Marleyna.

Three of the camera guys from the second crew come running over. They turn their equipment on and start taping immediately.

I look sheepishly at Zac. He hasn't said much, but I feel like my new world is being judged, and seeing it in a harsher light, it doesn't look all that glamorous.

"I think I'll give you guys a second," Zac says.

"You can stay," a camera guy says. "Addison wants you in the shot."

"That's okay," Zac tells him. "I'll wait over there."

I look at my friends and at Marleyna, who is staring at us with a look of disgust written all over her pretty face. "Maybe Marleyna wants to wait somewhere else too," I suggest lightly.

"Why?" Brooke snaps. "It's her boat. She can stay."

"This is between us, Brooke," Hallie reminds her. "Unless you're now a package deal."

Marleyna holds her hands up in defeat. "I have to say goodbye to a few people anyway. I'll meet you on the boat, Brooke. Don't take long."

Brooke looks like steam may come out of her ears. "How could you be so rude?" she asks.

"Rude? What about you?" Hallie asks. "How could you book a ride on that Kim Kardashian wannabe's boat without even asking? Or do all this redecorating behind our backs? This is my parents' place."

"You've been with her all week and have barely given us the time of day," I add. "You missed coffee Tuesday afternoon and you got ready for the dance with her instead of us. You didn't even tell us you weren't bringing a date!"

"Sorry, Char, that I actually made plans without clearing them with you first," Brooke says, her voicing dripping with disdain. "I forgot I have to ask the show frontrunner before I make plans."

"God, Brooke, get over it already," Keiran says, sounding angrier than I've heard her in a while.

"Guys, we're getting off base here," I say. Things are getting heated and it's not just from all the people crammed into this tiny space. The cameras have been all but forgotten. "Brooke, it's a nice offer, but we don't want to go on Marleyna's boat. Marleyna can't stand us. Besides which, this is our party, and I don't care what she says, the host doesn't just sail away while everyone else is watching."

"I don't know why you think Marleyna doesn't like you guys." Brooke is shaking. "She said it's you three who are being rude to her."

"What?" Hallie gapes. "She barely speaks to us!"

"That's not what Marleyna says," Brooke counters. "You'd think you could be nicer to one of my friends."

"We're your friends," Keiran says. "Remember us?"

"Brooke, who are you going to believe?" I question. "Us or a girl who seemingly became your best friend at the most convenient time ever." I can't say "when we just landed a TV show" but I think she gets my point.

"Brooke! Let's go!" Marleyna yells. A cute guy is helping her onto the ship and she moons Hank, who is filming her.

Brooke looks at us. "So what's it going to be? Are you going to try to be nice and come or not?"

"I'm not leaving," Hallie says quietly, and crosses her arms, her beaded bangles jingling.

"Me either," Keiran seconds, looking away.

Brooke looks at me. I look back at Zac. I don't want to go, but I know if none of us goes this is going to be a major problem. How did a good night go sour so fast? "Zac and I just got here," I say. "I want to enjoy the party."

"Suit yourselves," Brooke says, and pushes through the crowd, almost knocking Kayla out of the way. Addison is standing behind her and she radios to Phil that Brooke is approaching the boat.

"Brooke, don't be like this," I yell after her.

If Brooke hears me, she doesn't let on. Instead she marches straight toward her obvious new BF, Marleyna.

ten.

Star Power It's Thursday morning at school and a cute senior I've never spoken to before is smiling at me. "Hey, Charlie! What's up?"

A guy from our chemistry class winks at Hallie. "Looking good, Hallie."

"Keiran, that is the most fab shirt ever," Pat Neiman tells her, which is funny because Pat has never said a single word to any of us before. As school royalty, she only speaks with those in her inner circle.

I look at Hallie, confused, and she bursts out laughing. "Did we just enter an alternate universe?" I ask as the three of us walk down the hall to our lockers.

"I think word about our show is officially out," Keiran says just as a group of freshman girls walks by us, whispering.

"Do you think the after-party was the tip-off?" I deadpan. I stop for a second to tie my belt again. It's a high-waisted one that ties over my blue wrap shirt.

"The after-party or Brooke's seemingly new alliance with Marleyna," Hallie quips.

"Brooke or no Brooke, word travels fast in Cliffside," Keiran marvels as she puts books back into her locker and tucks new ones against her red short-sleeved sweater.

Hallie opens her locker and checks her salon-perfect brown hair in the tiny locker mirror. "The Crab Shack was packed last night and everyone was asking if we were coming in to do another taping or party. The place is never that crowded on a Wednesday night in the spring."

"Even Mr. Sparks asked me about the show after class today," I tell them. "You should have seen how excited he was about getting Cliffside on the map."

"I'm glad Cliffside is getting props too, but being recognized is a little weird, isn't it?" Keiran says as she looks over her shoulder at a girl standing, mouth open, a few feet away. "The attention feels fake. It's not like these people suddenly realized how amazing we were and decided we should be friends. They're talking to us because we're on a TV show."

Keiran's right and the thought makes me feel a little queasy.