Chapter One

A brand-new start. A place with no dark memories, no heartbreak and betrayal, no whispered rumors. A place where there was no past, only future. I had secretly prayed for the chance to move to such a place for so long, and then suddenly, inexplicably, my wish came true. Two months ago, my parents announced they would be moving to Harmon Vista, a small but extremely affluent town located about an hour and a half from New York City. My father had just opened up the first northeastern branch of his gourmet restaurant, Jade Palace, and he wanted to be close enough to monitor its progress on the notoriously fickle Manhattan dining scene.

Although I'm a city girl at heart, I didn't even mind the fact Harmon Vista was so small it only had one high school--Harmon Vista High, which was actually considered the best public high school in the country. Besides, the town was filled with so many trust fund babies HVH practically counted as a private school anyway. That was another thing I didn't mind, the fact a majority of my classmates will most likely be spoiled snobs. I would still be infinitely better off at HVH than I was at my old school.

"Keira? Earth to Keira!"

I snapped out of my thoughts, and flashed a weak smile across the table at Claudia Gregoraci. She was the same age as me, and the daughter of one of my mom's good friends from the interior design firm she used to work for. I'd only met Claudia two weeks ago, when I finally, finally arrived in Harmon Vista, and she seemed incredibly grounded for someone whose father was the CEO of a multimillion-dollar luxury cosmetics company. Not to mention friendly. At least I can be assured not all of my classmates were going to be horrible.

"Sorry," I said, idly stirring my straw in my nearly untouched lemonade. "I kind of spaced out for a minute."

"I can tell," Claudia teased, reaching back to twist her wild chestnut hair into a bun. Her stack of brightly colored plastic bangles clattered against each other as they slid down her arm. "Because HV's such an exciting town you must have had so many amazing experiences to dwell on."

Her joking sarcasm was not lost on me. HV, as the natives called it, was pretty much as peaceful (translation: boring) as a town could get, especially since a majority of its residents were still enjoying their vacations in Capri or the Cote d'Azur.

"Oh, you have no idea," I said, playing along. "It's so much fun shopping in a mall with clothes I will never in a million years be able to afford, or watching movies in a deserted movie theater. Day after day."

Claudia laughed. "You poor thing. It'll get better, I promise. Besides, the whole summer vacation thing gets pretty tiresome after you see the same people over and over again for sixteen years anyway." A shadow crossed her face after her statement, but she quickly covered it up.

I shot her a sympathetic look. Claudia had returned from her family's villa in St. Tropez around the same time I arrived here, while her parents had both opted to stay for a bit longer. They wouldn't be back until Sunday night, and Claudia had been living in her house all alone. Well, except for the maid and the cook, but from what I could tell by my few visits to Casa de Gregoraci, neither were really the talkative types.

"But anyway," Claudia said quickly. "Things will definitely pick up once school starts. I mean, this place is normally packed with HVH kids." She waved her arm around Tadini's, the gorgeously decorated, elegantly casual Italian restaurant we were currently lunching in. "Of course, whether that's a good or bad thing is up to your tastes," she added wryly.

I shook my head. "I can't believe so many families are still out of town. I mean, school starts in three days!"

"For a lot of the kids here, school is merely a formality," Claudia said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, even if they have really shitty grades, a hefty donation from their parents in the form of a new science wing or something will guarantee admission to college. It's highly unfair."

Tell me about it. "So, tell me more about HVH," I said casually, though I wasn't feeling very casual inside. Happy though I was to be somewhere new, being the new kid always sucks, especially when you're about to start your junior year of high school. "What's it like?"

Claudia narrowed her eyes and tapped her fingers on the table, obviously trying to decide how to respond. "Weeelll…" she said slowly, drawing out the word so it was several syllables instead of one. "I mean, in terms of academics, it's really, really good, obviously. The teachers are great. The campus is beautiful."

"What about the students?"

She hesitated. Uh-oh. Not a good sign. "Some of them are decent," she allowed. "It's very…hierarchical, so I can't really tell you much about those outside my 'class'." She made air quotes with her fingers on the last word, which was laced with slight sarcasm. "But there are people you should definitely avoid too." She leaned forward and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "For example, if you ever meet someone named Helena Farrenstein, turn and run the other way."

I frowned. "Who's Helena Farrenstein?"

"Our school's Queen Bitch. Her father is Harry Farrenstein, the hotel magnate? She thinks just because her family owns most of the luxury hotels on the East Coast that she can do whatever she wants, which she does. You really don't want to--" Suddenly, Claudia's face darkened.

My frown deepened. "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned, but Claudia wasn't paying attention. Instead, her gaze was trained on something over my right shoulder.

Or rather, someone.

When I turned around, I saw a leggy, stunning blonde stroll into the restaurant, clad in a head-to-toe designer outfit that probably cost more than my entire closet. Her seemingly endless, silvery blonde hair rippled behind her, framing a heart-shaped face with large ice-blue eyes and sharp cheekbones. She was followed by shorter but still extremely pretty brunette who bore a striking resemblance to Natalie Portman, and was wearing the same bored, haughty expression as the blonde.

The first girl's gaze flickered disdainfully at the patrons in the restaurant before settling on our table. A small smirk formed on her face, and she sauntered over, the brunette trailing loyally behind her. "Claudia," the blonde cooed in a syrupy voice that matched her obviously fake smile in sincerity. "What a surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"I think it would be more fitting for me to say that line," Claudia replied smoothly. She had by this time reined in her emotions, and she leaned back casually in her booth, eyeing the newly arrived duo with a strange mixture of faux friendliness and contempt. "Here I thought you were still supposed to be in St. Tropez having…fun with the entirety of the under-25 male population."

The blonde's smile tightened, but to her credit, she didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she trained her icily unsettling gaze on me. "Well, you know, you're so much the life of the party that it got too boring, so I decided to fly back here early to keep you company," she drawled, an underlying edge in her voice. "I didn't want you to get too lonely and all, but I see you've made a new friend…"

Feeling unbelievably awkward, I spoke up. "Hi, I'm Keira Lang," I said, extending my right hand.

"Helena Farrenstein." She looked at my hand and smirked, but made no move to shake it. "And this is Rachel Trellis."

"Nice to meet you," Rachel, the brunette, said in a voice that indicated it was anything but. She glanced up briefly from her BlackBerry to give me a twice-over before returning to texting, her fingers flying over the keyboard in a blur of purple nail polish.

I lowered my hand and narrowed my eyes. Ok, I really didn't like this Helena girl, or her friend.

"Likewise," I said, matching Rachel tone for tone.

Helena smirked again. That was getting on my nerves. "So, Keira, how did you have the pleasure of meeting dear Claudia here?" she asked silkily.

"We go way back," Claudia answered quickly, even though the question had been directed towards me. "Our families are best friends."

"Really? How convenient." Helena tossed her silvery hair over her shoulders. "Well, I'll leave you kids to your meal," she said. "I'm sure I'll see you around school." With that, she turned and walked away without another word.

The minute she left, Claudia's smile dropped, though an oddly triumphant expression took its place. "God, I hate her," she hissed.

"Yeah, she does seem pretty…bitchy," I agreed. Bitchy enough even for the usually good-natured Claudia to despise her.

Claudia sighed and lifting her can of Diet Coke to her lips. "You don't even know the half of it.

I walked down the empty hallway, my heels clattering loudly in the silence. I looked around curiously, wondering why there was no one here, even though it was between classes.

When I reached my locker, I stopped and gasped, my books falling to the floor. I could barely hear the ruckus they made through the sudden ringing that overwhelmed my ears. Spray-painted across my locker and over that all-familiar picture was the word SLUT in huge, glaringly red letters.

"You know it's true," someone sneered. I turned around and realized, with horror, that the previously deserted hallway was now filled with students, all of them glaring, laughing, or pointing.

"You're such a slut!"

"Go home, whore!"

"Slut, slut, slut, SLUT!" The chant rose in volume and I desperately turned, trying to find a friendly face, a way out, to no avail.

"Stop!" I cried. "Please stop!"

The mob of students closed in on me, threatening to trample me.

"You deserve this, you bitch," she hissed. Oh god, not her. Anyone but her. She reached out her hand and—

Brrrring!! Brriiiing!

"Stop!" I immediately sat up, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. When I looked around and saw that it was just a nightmare, the same nightmare, I collapsed in relief, refusing to let the tears spill down my cheeks.

Why was it still haunting me? It happened almost a year ago, and I hadn't had the nightmare since I found out I'd be moving. Why did it suddenly come back?

Forcing myself to take a deep, calming breath, I drew my knees up to my chest and rested my forehead on them, counting slowly to ten. I barely made it to two when the same shrill sound that'd woken me up rang again.

My phone. I normally turned it off before I went to sleep, but I'd obviously forgotten last night. I retrieved it from my nightstand with slightly shaky hands. CLAUDIA CALLING, the cover screen announced.

I flipped my phone open. "Hey, I said," attempting to make my voice sound as normal as possible.

"Hey, girl!" Claudia sang. "I hope I didn't wake you!"

Peering at my clock, I realized it was only 8:30 in the morning. "No, not at all," I lied. "I was, um, just about to head down to breakfast. What's up?

"Well, I know this is kind of last minute and all, but I found out my cousin just got back from Spain this morning! Apparently, everyone's coming back early from their holidays this year. Anyway, he decided to kind of throw together this impromptu barbecue slash pool party at his house tonight, and I wondered if you wanted to come."

My first thought was, I really wasn't in the party mood. But, as I dwelled on it, I realized a party might be just what I need to take my mind off…things. "I'd love to come," I said, sitting down on my bed.

"Ok, great! We can go shopping after breakfast," Claudia burbled.

"Shopping? For a barbecue?"

"Well, it's not just a barbecue," Claudia said. "It's the best time to squeeze in one last summer fling before school starts! And what better way than at one of my cousin's parties? He has the hottest friends."

I laughed softly. Even in the mood I was in, her energy and enthusiasm contagious. "Ok, ok," I acquiesced. "We'll go shopping after breakfast."

Six and a half hours later, Claudia and I emerged from the last boutique, satisfied but content with the contents of the shiny shopping bags we clutched in our hands, though hers were notably more expensive than mine.

"Well, I'll say that was a very productive morning and afternoon," Claudia chirped, sliding into the driver's seat of her cherry-red convertible. She flung her purchases into the plush leather backseat, and I followed suit.

"Absolutely," I agreed, buckling my seatbelt and slipping on a pair of dark Gucci shades my parents had gotten me for my birthday last year. "That bikini you got was gorgeous."

"You didn't do so bad yourself," Claudia teased, smoothly merging into traffic from her parallel parking spot. "I can't wait to see the looks on the guys' faces when they see you tonight. They've been dying for some new blood around here."

I blushed. "I'm not really in the market for a guy."

"What?" she exclaimed. Conveniently, there was a red light, and she eased to a stop before turning to stare at me with wide eyes. "Why? You're single, and you're so pretty. I haven't seen you talk to any guys since you got here, and let me tell you, HV may be small, but it's chock full o' hotties."

"Well, I'm sure those hotties can find someone else," I said dryly. "I'm just…I just don't want a relationship right now."

Claudia snorted. "Who said anything about a relationship? A one-night stand or quick fling would suffice."

I shifted in my seat, desperately wishing for a change of topics. "It's not really my type of thing," I said. "Oh, hey, I love this song!" I announced loudly, turning up the volume. Lady GaGa's "Paparazzi" immediately filled the car. Even though I heard this song so many times already it was getting on my nerves, at least I didn't have to talk over it.

Claudia rolled her eyes. "Ok, I get the idea. But even if you're not looking for a guy, we both have to look our hottest. There's no way Helena Farrenstein and Rachel Trellis will beat us. I just wish Vicky could make it tonight."

I had heard Claudia mention Vicky, aka Victoria Lexington, a few times. Apparently, she was one of Claudia's closest friends. A relative of the Queen of England, Victoria was descended from blue-blooded aristocracy and was spending the summer at her family's manor in the English countryside.

I shook my head. It felt weird knowing all this information about somebody I hadn't even met yet.

"Ah, home sweet home," Claudia sighed, pulling into the circular driveway outside her ginormous mansion. Two stories high and surrounded by lush landscaping, the roofs were situated at differing levels, giving it a rambling, city-like effect. It made my own house, which was relatively large compared to my old home, look like a shack.

"Come on, let's go." She reached into the backseat and grabbed two armfuls of packages. We made our way through the huge foyer, up the winding staircase, and into her massive room, which was decorated in a funky palette of black, hot pink, and leopard-print.

By 6:30, half an hour before the party started, Claudia and I were both primped, exfoliated, moisturized, depilated, tweezed, and coiffed within an inch of our lives. I didn't see the point of getting so decked out just for a barbecue/pool party, but maybe I was missing something here. Apparently, according to Claudia, anything her cousin was involved in was a big deal.

"You look gorgeous," I complimented her as she examined herself in front of the mirror. It was true. Her chestnut brown hair fell in smoother-than-usual curls down her back, and she had on a lime green print bikini that made her eyes—also green—pop out even more, under a flowy chiffon cover-up and strappy high-heeled sandals. I had never seen anyone wear heels with swimwear outside a magazine spread, but hey, it's probably another Harmon Vista thing. Another reason I complimented her, though, was I knew we wouldn't leave for another two hours otherwise.

I, on the other hand, refused to wear heels to a barbecue no matter how much she persuaded me. My feet were instead encased in comfy but cute flat jeweled sandals. Their metallic gold color matched the metal O-rings decorating my white bikini as well as the gold Lurex threads that shot through my sheer, gauzy white tunic. I had curled my hair so it fell in soft waves down my back, and caving in to Claudia's incessant badgering, applied black eyeliner, gold shimmer eye shadow, mascara, and a touch of pale lip gloss. Small gold leaf-shaped earrings dangled from my ears.

"Thank you." Claudia beamed. "And you, my dear, look like a Greek goddess. Carlo will die." She giggled.

"Who's Carlo?"

Ignoring my question, she shoved a tube of lotion and a bottle of L'Artisan Parfumeur perfume in my direction. "Here, use these," she instructed. "The finishing touches on your look."

I looked at the lotion dubiously. It had glitter in it. "I don't know…" I didn't want to look like a disco ball.

"It's really good, I promise." Claudia insisted. "I got it in Europe. All the celebs there love it."

Not wanting to waste any more time arguing, I sighed. "Fine…you should be glad I'm such a good friend," I joked. I rubbed the lotion over my arms and legs and spritzed the perfume on my pulse points. When I looked in the mirror, I was surprised. The shimmer in the lotion was a lot subtler than I thought, and instead of making me look like I was bathed in glitter, it made my skin look like it was emitting a soft radiance from within.

"Perfect," Claudia trilled. "Ok, are you ready?"

I nodded. "Yep. All ready to go."

"Good." She grinned, linking her arms through mine as we headed out the door. "I have a feeling tonight's gonna be a great night."

"Tonight's going to be an awesome night," Rachel declared, twirling a strand of dark brown hair around her finger. "Carlo is so smart to throw the first party of the school year."

Helena rolled her eyes even as she examined her reflection in the gilded three-way mirror. "The school year hasn't started yet, Rachel," she snapped.

The brunette pouted. "Well, it'll start in two days, so it's sort of considered—"

"No," Helena interrupted flatly.

Rachel frowned. "Why are you in such a bad mood?"

Helena ignored her friend and continued to analyze herself with a critical eye. In the corner of her eye, she saw understanding dawn on Rachel's face.

"Wait, is it because of that Keira girl?" Rachel asked excitedly, sitting straight up. The magazine she'd been reading slipped out of her lap and onto the plushly carpeted floor.

Still no response.

"It is! I knew it!" Rachel crowed, obviously pleased she managed to figure out the reason behind Helena's foul mood on her own.

"Please, why would I give a two-seasons-ago dress about her?" Helena sneered. "She's nothing."

"Well, she's very pretty, and she has that…thing about her we both know the guys will love," Rachel pointed out shrewdly. Girl wasn't as dumb as she seemed. "I mean, what if Rafael and them decide—"

"That won't happen," Helena snapped. "I've held that honor for the past two years, and there's no way I'll let some stupid little newcomer ruin everything for me."

"She's friends with Claudia though. So she'll probably be around Carlo all the time."

"Carlo's only one out of four. Besides, it's not like he's been very effective at getting his dear cousin the title."

"I suppose," Rachel said dubiously. She brightened. "Hey, maybe they won't even be at the party tonight," she added hopefully.

Helena let out an exasperated sigh. Or maybe Rachel really was as dumb as she seemed. "Don't be such an idiot. Of course they will. Claudia is his cousin." She narrowed her eyes. "But don't worry about Keira Lang being a threat. I'll take care of her."

Well, that's it for now! Please R&R and let me now what you guys think!