"My brother found it when he was surfing the web last night," Hallie says. "He said the story was picked up by several sites, like E! Online."

I don't want to look at this. It can't be good, but I can't tear my eyes away.

"I don't want to read any more." I hand the paper back to Keiran and take some deep breaths. In and out. Out and in. Slowly. Slower still. I will not get manic.

"Are you okay?" Keiran asks quietly, looking over her shoulder at me, slumped down in the backseat, picking at the threads of my jeans.

The angry tears that have been so frequent the past few days spring back to my eyes. "No, I'm not."

"He's a jerk, Charlie!" Hallie says defiantly. "I can't believe a guy would stoop that low. Wait till I tell Brandon. Do you want him to track Danny down and pummel him?"

I shake my head. "I don't need any more press."

Zac is going to see this. What's he going to think? I feel like such a fool.

Hallie pulls into the Cliffside Marina parking lot. It's just a short walk to the actual boat slips and the boats kept by half the town. That's where the shoot is taking place. Apparently TV Guide thought it would be fun to have us beach girls shot on a large boat. Yeah, that's original. Sigh. Maybe I'm just bitter.

When we get out of the car, I can hear music thumping in the distance. A large boat near the end of the slip is full of people and I can see camera equipment and flashes. That must be the boat.

Keiran grabs my arm. "Does that boat look familiar to any of you?"

"It's a big, fancy, schmancy boat." Hallie shrugs. "They all look the same. It's probably some local hoping to make gas money."

Keiran shakes her head. "I don't think the owner of that boat needs gas money. Look at the name on the back of the boat. You've seen it before."

Hallie inhales sharply. "NO. WAY."

My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. "They're using Marleyna's boat?" I freak. "Are they crazy?"

Further proof that Addison is a big fat liar who doesn't care a shred about us. All she cares about is the show! How ironic is it that it's okay to acknowledge the show within the show now by taping our TV Guide shoot, after Addison stressing forever that we can't talk about the show on camera. I am calling Susan.

"I am not going on there," Keiran says defiantly. "I can't stand that girl."

"Brooke must be eating this up," says Hallie bitterly.

"I'm calling Addison," Keiran says and punches the numbers in her cell phone. A second later she groans. "It went right to voice mail."

"What do we do?" Hallie asks.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think we have to go." I make a face. "We can't not show up. TV Guide will freak."

"So?" Keiran demands. "They didn't give us all the details. This is entrapment. I bet they did this on purpose just to force another confrontation with Brooke and Marleyna."

"So let's give them what they want," Hallie pushes. "They want a war, we'll give them one. I am not being nice to either of them just because the camera is on." She tugs on Keiran's and my arms. "Let's go."

"Addison has turned the screws on us again," I tell them angrily.

"You let us worry about Addison," Hallie tells me. She's staring straight ahead at the boat slips and the dock we're fast approaching. Her beaded flip-flops clack and click as she walks. "You just concentrate on getting through this photo session. Brandon is stopping by later anyway and if they give us any trouble, I'm sure he can take care of them. You have enough to worry about."

I smile at her and open the gate to the dock. "Thanks, Hallie."

The three of us slowly approach the back of the boat. I wasn't really paying attention to Marleyna's boat the night of our party, but now I can't help but stare. Up close, the boat looks like it's the size of my house. There is a mammoth outdoor deck area with a wet bar and several white cushioned seats and banquets, and sliding glass doors that must lead to the interior kitchen and bedrooms below. There is a camera crew, which I assume is TV Guide's, setting up lighting and taking test shots, but I don't see any sign of Brooke or Marleyna. Addison is MIA too. Above the deck is a smaller one for the captain. Since we're staying docked, the crew has cameras up there to capture every angle. Hank spots us and runs over with our mics and our battery packs. Without asking, he hooks us up.

"You girls are going to be on all day today," Hank tells us. "Boss's orders."

"Where is the boss anyway?" Hallie asks, casually, tugging on one of her curls.

Hank shrugs. "She was flipping out when we got here and she's been on the phone ever since. I'm sure she's around someplace."

"Charlotte?" A thirty-something woman with wire-rimmed glasses and a chic fitted blazer and jeans stands beside me. "I'm Grace from TV Guide. I'll be writing the profile on you and the girls."

Smile. Make nice. "Hi, Grace." I shake her hand. "Nice to meet you. This is Hallie and Keiran." Everyone says hello.

"We're so glad you girls were available to do this," Grace tells us. "I'm a huge fan of the show already. Everyone in the office is talking about it."

"That's good to hear," Hallie says.

Grace nods. "It sounds like you have a lot of killer story lines coming up and some great new additions to the cast.

Marleyna was just telling me about her first taping. Speaking of which, I was wondering if one of you would want to get an interview done now before..."

But I'm no longer paying attention. At the word Marleyna, my blood boils. Marleyna is part of this photo shoot? Even if this is her boat and she is joining the cast, which we already know, she's not one of the principals. Addision never mentioned she'd be here.

"Marleyna is here?" Hallie questions darkly. "Who approved that?"

Grace looks confused. "Well, I thought you guys did?" She poses it as a question, which only leads me to believe she's right. This came from our side. "We saw her in a promo, but she's not in the press material. Addison was-"

"Where is Addison?" I want to know and I want to knownow.

Grace points to the double doors. "She's inside with the other girls, who are picking wardrobe. I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet because she's been on the phone, but-"

I don't need to hear more. I storm through the double doors with Hallie and Keiran hot on my heels. My slip-on sneakers are perfect for hurrying along. We may be contracted to do press and shoot the show, but they can't treat us like this.

I look at the spacious living room. It's been transformed into a wardrobe area. Racks of bathing suits and cover-ups surround the room. Rows of cute heels line the floor. In one corner, a makeup artist is laying out her equipment in front of a traveling mirror. Next to her is a guy with styling tools. Both of them smile at us. I try to smile back, but I have a one-track mind: Find Addison.

"Where is everyone?" Keiran asks and Hallie shushes her.

"I hear someone talking," she says.

The three of us take a step into the room, but stop. The voices are coming from another room. We tiptoe across the living room, aware that we're being watched by the stylists, and move closer to what I assume is the kitchen. A bright light shines through the doorway. I know that type of light well. It can only be one thing: a video camera light.

"Are you sure it's okay I'm here today?" I hear someone say in a small voice.

"Leyna! Of course it's okay." I recognize Brooke's voice.

"It's just, after the way the girls treated me at your party..." Marleyna's voice trails off.

"They're just jealous," Brooke says dismissively. "They can't handle the fact that I'm moving on. We don't have the same interests anymore and I'm not the type to be friends just for the sake of being friends. You and I have much more in common."

"True," Marleyna admits. "They have no taste in shopping. Especially Hallie. What was she thinking wearing that dress to the party? I guess that's what you wear when you're gunning for the Slutty Playmate crown." The two of them giggle.

I grab Hallie's arm to keep her from diving through the door and tackling Marleyna to the floor.

"What about Charlie?" Brooke's voice drips with disdain. "'Hey! Look at me. This is my party and I'm not leaving. I want to stay with my people. I can't go on that boat.' Please. She just put on a show for the cameras. She loves coming off as little Miss Goody-Two Shoes. Always in charge. Always the center of things. And you know what? When you and I showed up on your yacht and people were all over us, she couldn't handle it. She can't stand when someone else gets the spotlight."

I grab Hallie's hand and squeeze tightly. She actually yelps, but thankfully not loudly.

"Well, she better get used to sharing," Marleyna tells her. "You and I are the new act in town and we're not going anywhere. The only one being voted off around here is Keiran. She's such a wet blanket."

Brooke giggles. "That girl is a ghost both in school and out. Charlie and Hallie are the only people who actually pay attention to her."

I glance at Keiran. Her face falls. Hearing Brooke be so evil toward one of my best friends-one that was her best friend too only weeks ago-is more than I can take. Even though I'm still holding Hallie's hand, I push into the kitchen and she stumbles in behind me.

Brooke and Marleyna are at the kitchen island munching on a vegetable platter. Both girls are wearing bikinis, their mics, and heels. Marleyna has a tiny pink wrap tied sideways around her matching bikini. Brooke is wearing a black one that leaves nothing to the imagination. If TV Guide thinks I'm putting on anything that looks like that, they've got another think coming. Phil and Hank are taping them.

When Marleyna sees me, she drops her celery mid-bite. Phil whispers something into his headpiece and turns one camera my way.

"Hi, girls!" I say cheerfully, and shaking, I make my way over to the island. I grab a carrot, swipe some dip, and take a munch. "What are we talking about?" I rest my elbows on the cool marble countertop.

Brooke looks momentarily stunned.

"Wait a minute. Brooke, you weren't just bashing your best friends, were you?" I tsk. "Oh, that's right, we're not your BFs anymore. You dumped us for the Paris Hilton wannabe over here." I nod toward Marleyna. "Smart move. She does have a lot more money than us. She's thinner. And this boat rocks. Which kind of makes me wonder, what does she see in you, Brooke? After all, you're a farmer's daughter who shops at the Tanger Outlets."

Hallie is behind me and she gasps. I don't care if I sound mean. I can't stop now. Brooke's jaw is on the floor. I look at Marleyna and smile sweetly. "Makes me kind of wonder about you too, Marleyna. What do you need Brooke for? You have tons of friends from your private school, I'm sure."

"Why do you have to be so mean, Charlie?" Marleyna sniffs.

I laugh. "Don't pretend to be so innocent. It's amazing how different you act when you have an audience. When you don't have one, you can barely give us a simple 'hi.' Could it be you're only interested in Brooke for the publicity? She does have a pretty sweet deal going here."

"CUT!" Phil yells. "Um, Charlie, you know you can't refer to the show when you're on the show," he reminds me.

"Why not?" I demand. "Isn't that what this whole episode is about? Us shooting a photo shoot for our show? You can't contradict yourselves all the time! You twist everything," I shout.

Phil turns to Hank and mumbles what I think is: "Find Addison."

Marleyna pulls her mic off. "How dare you say that stuff about me! And while we're taping!"

"If it's true, why not?" Hallie retorts and moves into Marleyna's personal space.

"You may be through with us, Brooke, but I never thought you would stoop this low," Keiran says quietly.

Brooke turns away and doesn't say anything. I hear footsteps and the next thing I know, Addison is standing at the table.

"Girls, what's going on here?" Addison is out of breath. Her cell phone is clutched tightly in her hand. "There's a reporter here. You're going to make things look very bad for yourselves."

I glare at her. "I think you've done a good enough job of that yourself."

It's as if Addison just realized who she was talking to. "Charlie. I didn't know you were-I wanted to talk to you. All of you." She looks at Hallie and Keiran. "I didn't know we were shooting here today. I didn't-"

"Save it," I tell her bitterly. "I'm done listening to your lies. We all are." I storm out of the room and bump right into Grace, who is furiously taking notes in the doorway. I look at her tiny tape recorder. The wheels are moving on the cassette. She's heard our whole conversation.

"Hi, Charlie," Grace says, trying to sound upbeat. "I was hoping you might have time to answer a few questions."

Addison is right behind me. "Not right now, Grace. I need to talk to Charlie privately for a second."

She ushers me into the bathroom and tries to close the door, but I won't let her shut it. "We don't have anything to say to each other."

"If you would just hear me out," Addison pleads. "I didn't know Marleyna was going to be here."

"Of course you didn't! You're on our side. How could I forget?" I say and try not to cry. I feel so beaten down and I haven't taken a single picture yet. How am I supposed to smile when I feel this way? Heidi Klum has a much tougher job than I thought she did. "I don't want to talk to you right now," I seethe.

"Oh, Charlie," Addison says, sounding forlorn. "You've got to hear me out. Please. This isn't what I signed up for either. If you would just listen-"

"I'll stay and do the shoot; you can tape whatever you like, but I am not posing with Marleyna," I cut her off. "She is not part of the main cast. If she wants to take some shots with Brooke, then fine, but not with us. I'm not talking about her to Grace. Hallie and Keiran won't want to either and you better back us up. It's the least you can do."

Addison puts her hand out to stop me. "I took care of that. She's not in the cast photos."

Wow. Really? "Good." I stare at Addison and Addison stares back in silence. "Can I go now?"

Addison looks like she wants to say more, but she fights against it. "Yes." She holds the door open and I slide past her. "But, Charlie?" she questions. "You can't avoid me forever. There is so much I want to say. We have to talk."

I don't quite understand what Addison is getting at, but I know one thing. "I'm tired of talking," I say wearily. "On camera and off."

fifteen.

A Spoonful of Sugar Doesn't Help the Medicine Go Down Keiran, Hallie, and I sit glumly in Milk and Sugar, aimlessly stirring our iced coffees. I'm supposed to be waitressing, but Ryan took one look at my puffy face and said to take the afternoon off-and eat and drink anything I wanted on the house. None of us have said anything for almost an hour.

"I don't think I want to do this anymore." Keiran's voice cracks as she says the words.

I instantly feel a wave of relief come over me. "Neither do I." I look at Hallie's sad face.

"I'm out too," Hallie chimes in quickly. After the TV Guide shoot ended, she got a call from Brandon. He confessed that he was only dating her to get on TV.