Confessions of a Teen Nanny 02 - Rich Girls (13 page)

Liz began to search the halls again. She noticed the time on one of the hall clocks. She was already late for her date. She flipped open her cell phone. No service.

"Fine." She glared at the phone. "Be that way."

She tossed it back into her bag and raced down a hall that led to the cafeteria.

Of course. Contraband snacks.That's got to be where David is.

She pushed through the door and there he was, star- ing longingly at a vending machine."David," said Liz."Are you okay?"

"I'm hungry," he complained."And I don't want you to go home."

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"Oh, David, I have to see my family for Christmas," Liz said."And I'll see you the minute you get back to New York." She kissed his head and ruffled his hair. "But you were very naughty sneaking away like this. You had me very worried."

"I'm sorry."

"Well, you're going to have to apologize to a few other people, too," Liz said."So let's get back to where your mom is and tell them to stop searching for you."

"Okay," David said, taking her hand. Liz wished she had brought some money with her to buy him a snack.

They returned to the admitting station, where Dr. M-C was demanding a private room for Grumpus. The attending nurse had gone back to work and was just letting Dr. M-C rant and rave.

"Everything's fine," Liz announced. "I found him."

"Oh, David!" Dr. M-C gushed. "I know you were upset about poor Grumpus and that's why you ran away. Don't worry, Grumpus will be fine!"

"But, Mommy," David said. "Grumpus doesn't exist. I made him up. Can we go get ice cream now?"

Dr. M-C stared at David, straightened up to her full-- and quite imposing height--shut her eyes, and took in a deep, slow breath. She looked as if she was trying not to faint. Or explode.

"Listen," Liz said, before Dr. M-C dragged her into

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any more craziness. "I'm late for my date. Do you think you can drop me off at Parker's? I'll let him know I'm on my way."

Dr. M-C opened her eyes and shook her head as if to clear it. She focused on Liz. "All right," she said.

Once they left the hospital vicinity, Liz's phone worked again. Only now, all she got was Parker's voice mail. She left two messages, then finally tried the landline at the house.

"Devlin residence," an older woman answered.

"Hi there, I'm Liz," she said. "May I speak with Parker?"

"Master Parker just left," the woman said. "He and Miss Isabelle Schyuler have gone to the Caribou Club. He said he had made reservations for dinner. Perhaps you'll find him there."

Liz shut the phone and sank back into the seat. Those were our reservations. Our romantic dinner. Only he's having it with Isabelle instead.

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payback time!

B ack in New York, Liz sat at the counter of the Salad Patch between Jane and Belinda with her head down. She sighed as she finished the tale of her Aspen misadventure.

"What a disaster," Belinda said. "It must have totally ruined the rest of Christmas break for you."

"It did," Liz confided. "The day after Christmas, Adrienne and I went to Serendipity for frozen hot choco- late, and I just sat there."

"You turned down chocolate?" Jane asked. "Now I know this is serious."

"Didn't Parker understand you didn't mean to stand him up?" Belinda asked.

"I e-mailed him an apology after I got back, explain- ing the whole hospital mess, but all he wrote back was,`No prob. Stuff happens.'" Liz moved her uneaten salad around on her plate. "He should have gotten back into town last weekend, but I haven't heard from him."

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Loud giggling grabbed Liz's attention. She glanced down the counter to where a few girls from P-B sat star- ing at her.They immediately lowered their heads and gig- gled more quietly.

"What's with them?" Liz asked her friends.

Jane and Belinda glanced nervously at each other.

"What?" Liz asked, tension creeping through her entire body.

"Uh," Jane mumbled, her perma-cool completely ruined, "we didn't really want to tell you," she began.

"Because, of course, the rumors are, like, totally ridicu- lous," continued Belinda.

"What rumors?" Liz asked.

"Well . . ." Belinda hesitated.

"Well, what?" Liz practically shouted.

"Calm down!" Jane said."It's no big deal, really. People are just kind of saying that you were screwing around with Parker because you're a social climber."

Liz's eyes widened."How can anyone think that?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"They're also saying that the thing with Isabelle is serious, that Parker is just slumming with you." Belinda studied her paper napkin.

Now Liz's mouth dropped open.

"We know it's not true," Jane said.

"And that's what we told everyone else!" Belinda

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nodded vigorously, her waves bouncing.

"Everyone?" Liz said faintly. "You mean, that's what everyone thinks?"

Just then, the little bells over the door chimed, and Cameron and Mimi sauntered into the restaurant.All heads turned, then a buzz of gossip took over the room like a swarm of bees.

"What are they doing here?" Liz asked. "They NEVER eat lunch here."

"But they know you do," Jane pointed out. "This is totally calculated."

The girls strolled to the counter and stopped directly behind Liz.

"Hi, Liz," Mimi said. "I was sorry you didn't stay longer in Aspen. It would have been fun to see you at the Red and White Ball."

"I'm sure," Liz said. She pulled out her money to pay. She wanted to get out of there--fast.

"You would have loved Parker's outfit," Cameron said. "He looked totally hot."

"And Isabelle!" Mimi gushed."She looked drop-dead gorgeous."

"They made the cutest couple," Cameron agreed."So perfect together."

"Cameron," Jane asked, swiveling around on her stool to face the girl,"are you this much of a bitch when you get

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up every morning, or do you have to do warm-ups first?" She stood up, and Liz stood beside her.

Cameron gave a smug smile and turned to Mimi. "Some girls have such a hard time with jealousy."

"Some girls have an even harder time with their curtsy," Belinda said."I hear that not even your trainer can stop you from looking like a clown.The word is that Mimi's is much better."

Cameron looked wounded. Mimi looked smug. Liz and her friends strolled out of the Salad Patch, heads held high.

"My curtsy is totally fine!" Liz heard Cameron whine behind them.

Once they were outside, Jane, Belinda, and Liz burst out laughing. Clutching one another to keep from top- pling over, they headed back to school, laughing the whole way. Finally they got control of themselves. Liz wiped her eyes, not sure if the tears were from laughing or from being so upset.

"Are you okay?" Jane asked gently.

"I'm better than okay," Liz replied."I'm seriously angry."

"Why is angry good?" Belinda asked.

"Because when I'm mad, I go into action," Liz said. "Instead of curling up into a little ball and whimpering."

"What kind of action do you have in mind?" Jane asked.

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"I'm going to find out once and for all what is going on with the whole `Parker and Isabelle' thing."

"How?" Belinda asked.

"By observing them together in their natural habitat." Liz pulled out her phone and hit autodial.

"Adrienne?" Liz said."I need to get into the Manhattan Cotillion next week. And you are going to help me."

After school that day, Liz and Adrienne argued over a soda at Viand Coffee Shop on Madison Avenue.

"No way!" Adrienne said. "Liz, you have lost your mind!"

"No, I haven't," Liz insisted. "This is a great idea. If I can just see Parker and Isabelle together, I'll know what's going on. I'll come right out and ask him--with Isabelle standing right there, if I have to."

"Liz," Adrienne said. "I applaud your proactive think- ing, but we cannot crash the biggest social event of the year at the Plaza Hotel."

"So," Liz said, her eyes flashing, "the dance is at the Plaza!"

"Ohmigod." Adrienne smacked her forehead. "I so should not have said anything."

"It will be easy to get in," Liz pressed."All we need to do is dress up, and we'll look like we belong there."

Adrienne frowned. Liz knew her friend was weakening.

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"Besides," Liz continued, knowing which buttons to push, "don't you want to get between Cameron and Brian? You know you almost managed to make him forget that blond bitch when you had half a chance. It would be perfect justice if you could steal him away from her at the ball."

Adrienne bit her lip.

Great, Liz thought. She's considering it.

"Come on,Adrienne," Liz wheedled."We'll slip in, I'll talk to Parker, you grab Brian, we push Mimi and Cameron down a flight of stairs, and bang, we're out of there."

"That sounds satisfying, but impractical," Adrienne said with a giggle. Then she groaned. "Please, Liz, I beg you, don't make me do this!"

Liz's shoulders slumped."Adrienne, I can't keep going on like this," she confessed, all the bravado gone from her voice. "I have to figure out if Isabelle really is a threat. If Parker is serious about me or not. All of the gossip--"

"Forget the gossip,"Adrienne said. She took in a deep breath and then let out a slow exhale."All right!" she said. "Let's do it." She stood and grabbed her purse."But to pull this off, you have to come with me."

"Where are we going?" Liz asked as she followed Adrienne out of the coffee shop.

"I have to stop by Valentino and pick up Cameron's dress," Adrienne explained. "If anyone can help us, it's Kevyn."

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The girls practically ran the few short blocks to Valentino. Kevyn stood near the window, gazing forlornly at the street. He crossed to them as they burst through the glass doors.

"Hey there, sugar," Kevyn said, kissing Adrienne on both cheeks. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Adrienne said, shaking the snow from her coat. "This is my friend, Liz Braun."

Kevyn nodded at Liz. "Welcome to our little shop."

"Is something wrong?" Adrienne asked. "You look awful."

"Well, thank you," Kevyn said, putting a hand on his hip. He shook his head. "You're lucky you didn't find me here with my head in the oven.What a day! That Cameron of yours is such a pain!"

"Believe me, she's not my Cameron," Adrienne said.

"What happened?" Liz asked.

"The ladies in the workroom worked their fingers to the bone getting the deb dress ready," Kevyn explained. "Valentino himself flew in to make sure every pearl and bead was perfect. Do you know that the Warners insisted on using real pearls on the dress? The work that went into it was incredible. And today, just as we're steaming out the wrinkles to pack it for you to pick up, we get a call from Mrs.Warner." Kevyn began a devastating impersonation of Mrs. Warner: "`Cameron isn't happy, the poor thing. And

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after all, the dress is a little ostentatious, don't you think?'" Kevyn sighed. "So they went to Vera Wang up the street and bought something"--he shuddered--"off the rack!"

"No!" Adrienne gasped.

Liz fought back a laugh. Kevyn was extremely dra- matic. It wasn't as if a dress was a matter of life and death. Then again, she mused, in this world, fashion somehow becomes an earth-shattering issue.

"Trust me, darling," Kevyn continued,"if it weren't for the thirty-thousand-dollars' worth of pearls sewn to the bodice of this dress, I would throw it into the street for the buses to run over. Preferably while Cameron was still wear- ing it."

"We know just how you feel," Adrienne said.

Liz nodded. "We definitely relate. Cameron Warner seems to be at the center of all the bad things that have been happening to us lately."

"Do tell," Kevyn said.

"As you know, Cameron stole Adrienne's boyfriend," Liz said."And now Cameron is helping one of her friends put the moves on my guy. She just loves manipulating everyone around her. Like a game."

"We need your help to get back at them," Adrienne said.

"How?" Kevyn asked, obviously relishing the plan.

"We're going to crash the cotillion," Liz declared.

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Kevyn smiled at them. "Get you two!"

"The biggest obstacle is getting in," Liz said. "And to do that, we have to look like we belong there."

"Can we borrow some clothes?" Adrienne asked. "Pretty please? We promise to be really careful."

"I have a better idea," Kevyn said."You come here the night of the party and I will not only lend you fabulous gowns, but I'll get my friends together to get you ready for the ball. Hair, makeup, jewelry--the works!"

"You'd really do that?" Liz asked.

"Honey, I'm so annoyed with Cameron," he said, "I'd do anything to make certain that you two look better than she does! She needs someone to knock her off her little diamond pedestal."

Liz grinned. "Sounds like payback time to me."

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kicking debutante butt

"C ameron!" Mrs. Warner called, drawing on her long gray satin gloves. "Hurry! You can't be late for this!"

Adrienne stood in the hall of the Warners' apartment, waiting to be allowed to leave. She glanced at her watch again. She didn't have much time to get over to Valentino's to get ready.

I never should have let Liz talk me into this, she thought. She'd been getting more and more nervous as the day approached.

The elevator door opened, and Brian stepped in. It was the first time she'd seen him outside of French class since their abbreviated date during Christmas break. He looked handsome in his white tie and tails, but not very comfortable.

Mr. Warner walked in, a glass of scotch in his hand. "Oh," he said, seeing Brian. "You again."

"Adriana," Mrs. Warner said, her tone imperious. "Might I have a word with you?"

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"Sure," Adrienne said, her heart sinking a bit. She knew Mrs.Warner was not pleased to see Brian--and that the COW would blame her.

They reached the dining room, and Mrs. Warner wheeled around. "I thought we had a deal!" she hissed. "What is that boy doing here?"

"Mrs. Warner," Adrienne said, "I'm doing the best I can. I'm still going to try to keep him from being presented with Cameron at the Plaza."

"I certainly hope you'll come through for us," Mrs. Warner said, straightening her diamond necklace. She turned and left the room.

Adrienne slowly returned to the hall. Our plan just has to work, she vowed.

Debi LaDeux appeared wearing a dress that looked straight out of the movie Gone With the Wind.

Either that or off the top of a wedding cake, Adrienne thought. Lace, ruffles, miles of tulle and ribbons made it seem as if Debi's dress were a living creature all on its own.

"Y'all," she drawled, her skirts rustling,"we have com- pleted our project. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Miss Cameron Warner!"

Cameron walked in slowly, with a bashful smile, eyes downcast. Her dress was incredible even if it was "off the rack." The cream satin bodice was fitted perfectly to her upper body, and had a cream piqu� off-the-shoulder

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reverse-shawl collar. A strand of pale pink pearls gleamed softly around her neck and her hair was gathered into a low bun at the nape of her neck and decorated with jasmine blossoms. Her makeup was subtle, pale, and natural. She looked virginal and sweet.

Nothing like her real self at all.

"I hate this stupid dress," she complained, ruining the illusion. "It makes me look like a Disney character."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Warner said. "It's perfect. You look lovely, Cam."

"Absoluteluh Duh-VINE," Debi gushed."Show them your curtsuh, daw-lin.'"

Cameron fell down into the much-practiced "Texas dip." Everyone applauded except for Adrienne. She resisted giving Cameron a push. She looked pretty easy to topple.

"Get up, honey," Mr.Warner said. "Time to go."

"I can't," Cameron complained from the floor. "The skirt is really heavy."

"It's interlined," Mrs. Warner said. "The dress at Valentino wasn't. He warned us about this."

"Well, why didn't you listen?" Cameron whined, swimming in satin.

"You were the one who insisted on changing dresses!" Mrs.Warner snapped."Perhaps you should have listened to me for once!"

"Don't worry, Cam-sweetie," Debi said, pushing Brian

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forward. "Your escort will help you up."

Brian gave his hand to Cameron, who leaned heavily on it and pulled herself up.

Adrienne smirked. Way to be graceful, Cam-sweetie.

"Okay." Mr. Warner downed his scotch. "Get Emma. We're off."

Adrienne went to Emma's room, where the little girl sat watching a taped Face the Nation on TV. She looked adorable in a tiny pink Valentino frock.

"Hey, Emma,"Adrienne said."Time to go to the ball."

Emma rolled her eyes and brushed wrinkles from her skirt as she stood. "Must I go?"

Adrienne nodded. "You must."

"I depart," Emma said. "Though not without acute reservations."

Adrienne brought Emma to the hall, and the Warners gathered for a picture taken by a Vogue photographer, thanks to editor in chief Anna Wintour, one of Mrs. Warner's best friends.

Finally, Adrienne thought, as the elevator doors shut on the Warner family. She pulled out her cell. "They're gone.We have one hour."

"Meet you downstairs," Liz said.

The two girls met on Fifth Avenue and raced over to Valentino on Madison. Kevyn paced in front of the door.

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The moment he saw the girls, he unlocked it and yanked it open.

"Hurry," he ordered. "Run to the back! Run, run, run!"

The girls dashed to the dressing room area. Three fashionistas stood waiting for them.

"Girls," Kevyn announced, "this is Linda, who'll do your hair." A skinny woman with beautifully high-lighted chestnut hair nodded. "Leslie, who'll do your makeup." A very thin, androgynous-looking person with a buzz cut, nearly invisible makeup, and baggy clothes stepped for- ward. Now Kevyn placed his hands on the shoulders of a tall black man. "And this is Jake, who'll do the styling."

"Thanks everyone," Liz said.

"Your dresses are already hung in the changing rooms," Kevyn said. "Now go!"

Liz stepped into one of the changing rooms, and began undressing.

"You can't wear a bra with that dress," Jake declared as he slipped into the booth with her.

"Hey!" Liz said. "I'm changing in here!"

"Chill out, honey," he said. "You can't do this by yourself. Don't worry, my eyes are closed. Take off your bra, step into the dress, and let me know when you are decent."

Liz stripped and stepped into the dress, pulling it up

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around her. This is bizarre. I'm not exactly used to having some guy help dress me!

Jake tugged a lot at the back of the dress. Finally he stepped back and announced, "You're good. Go out for hair and makeup."

Adrienne forced herself not to flinch while Linda tor- tured her with various curling wands and other wicked- looking devices. She couldn't help wondering if she'd wind up looking like a poodle.

"Just a few seconds more," said Linda, "and you're done."

Adrienne turned to the mirror. Her hair was piled on top of her head and was softly curling around her ears and spilling down the back of her neck."Will it stay?" she asked Linda, afraid that putting on the dress would mess up the gorgeous style.

"It will take two showers to wash out all this silicone, trust me," Linda said, grinning. "Now go change."

The two girls met in the hallway, and neither could believe their eyes.

Liz had never seen Adrienne so beautiful. Her friend actually seemed to glow. The pale peach dress, encrusted with crystals and pearls, was the perfect color for her com- plexion. Her titian-colored hair framed her face romanti-

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cally, and her subtle makeup made her pure competition for Cameron.

Adrienne admired Liz's stark white dress, which brought out her dark eyes and pretty collarbones. Her hair was pulled back in a glossy, sleek style, emphasizing her cheekbones. She dripped sophistication and glamour.

Kevyn applauded excitedly, gushing and compliment- ing everyone. "Now," he added, grinning, "the pi�ce de r�sistance:This is my friend Kyoko from Mikimoto."

A slender Japanese woman stepped forward and opened two beautiful boxes, each of which contained a fabulous pearl necklace.

"Only pearls are right for debutantes," Kyoko announced. "You can return them later."

"Are you serious?" Adrienne asked, her eyes wide.

"Go ahead!" Kevyn urged, clasping the lustrous pearls around Adrienne's neck.

"I feel like I'm about to get married," Liz said, adjust- ing her voluminous skirts.

"I feel like I'm about to yak," Adrienne said with a gulp. "I can't believe we're really doing this."

"You're both going to be fine," Kevyn insisted. "Now go to the Plaza Hotel and kick some debutante butt!"

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