Serenity pulls up to the front gate of the guarded community located in Calabasas.

"Name?" The guard asks holding onto his clipboard.

"Serenity Woods," she gulped. "Here for Anastasia Kara- Kara...um..."

"Karanikolaou," he finished for her. "You're on the list, I just need your I.D. for scanning and I'm going to record your license plate."

She nodded, handing him her driver's license and waited for him to do his job. She took several deep breaths, nervous she was about to pull up to the house Stassie shares with Kylie Jenner. The guard gives her I.D. back and tells her the directions.

When she pulls up to the mansion, she's in awe. It looks much larger in person than she assumed. She parked on the curb even though the driveway was empty. A ring of the doorbell and a moment later, Stassie answers the door.

"You must be Serenity," Stass said. She leaned against the doorframe wearing a simple t-shirt & sweats but her long blonde hair was already combed and eyebrows already done. "Gigi said you did really good at the trial run."

"Yeah," Serenity grinned. "I thought it was gonna be you there."

"No, that was Chantel, a friend. Well...come on in. I'll give you the tour."

Serenity walked in and the house smelled like 'clean' despite the dogs she just saw running around. They got to the living room and another girl was on the lush couch watching music videos while snacking on yogurt.

"Jordyn Woods meet Serenity Woods," Stass introduced. "She lives here sometimes."

"Hi," Serenity waved with a smile.

Jordyn looked her up and down and simply nodded her head before getting back to the TV.

"I hope you know we're not related," Jordyn said plainly.

"Don't mind her," Stass said. "She's just like everyone else, you know? Living the lives we do, you can't trust every newcomer off bat. You'll get used to it. And if you play your cards right, she'll warm up to you."

"Gotcha," Serenity nodded.

After the rest of the tour, Stass and Serenity sat by the fire pit outside, sipping on pink lemonade.

"Gigi tells me you're still in high school?" Stass studied Serenity, looking deeper than her perfect winged eyeliner.

"Senior year...at West Bev."

"West Bev," Stass nodded. "I remember wanting to go there but my mother opted against it. Wanted something a little more private. She hates public schooling. Anyway, what about home life?"

"It's quiet. Not much going on."

"Friends? Best friends? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Give me the dirt, it gets boring in this big ol' house."

Serenity sips on her drink, wondering if she should speak about losing her baby. "Um...my best friend's name is Tiffany. My boyfriend is Sam but most of us call him Sammy, he's on the football team. And I mean...the world of beauty is my life."

"No need to bring that up," Stass laughs. "You already got the job. But fine...I'm sure more dirt will surface the closer we get. So you'll get notified a week in advance before I have to make appearances and go to events. Sometimes it may be last minute but since you only have school, I figure that won't be a problem to get over here nights and weekends. Since you're still fresh on the scene, you'll get paid $500 per visit, is that cool?"

Serenity nearly choked on her lemonade. To the average rich person in California, 500 is chump change. But Serenity was never high maintenance & always made due with whatever she got, it didn't matter how blessed her parents were.

"More than cool," Serenity smiled.

. . . . .

Speaking of first days, Tiffany was about to start her first day at her internship.

"Hello," Tiffany spoke to the receptionist all perky. "I'm Tiffany Kelly, a new intern."

"Welcome aboard Miss Kelly," the male receptionist smiled. "I'm Kyle and...here is your welcome folder. You're actually early, the other interns haven't arrived as of yet but you can go ahead down the hall, 3rd door on your right, Conference Room 3."

"Thank you," she beamed.

She tried to pace herself but couldn't help it, the excitement was bursting through her soul. She had spent hours watching most of C. Thomas Howell's films and gained a massive celebrity crush. She knew he wouldn't look like the same young Ponyboy from 'The Outsiders'. But she saw overtime that his eyes never changed. They were still deep and brooding, still pulling the viewer in.

And then the door opened, shaking her out of her deep thought. It was him, dressed in a casual suit; cleaned, groomed, & holding a few stapled packets. The scruff on his face was fresh and the grey stood out along the roots of his hair, fading into the brown.

"Are you...Tiffany?" He asked, looking down at his paper.

"Yes," she smiled wide. "Nice to meet me. You! I mean-- pleasure to meet you...Mr. Howell."

Tiffany was utterly starstruck as he walked up to where she was seated and shook her hand.

"Pleasure's all mine, Tiffany. It's good to see a fresh face that's early to an appointment."

"My father always says if you're on time, you're late, and if you're early, you're on time."

"He's right. And it also shows that you give a damn."

Soon, the other two interns Alec and Twan walk into the conference room and the meeting begins.

"Now," Mr. Howell began. "I'm not gonna bore you guys with all the logistics because you already know what this may or may not entail. Plus, we've all got work to get done. But congratulations to each of you for earning your place here, even if only temporary. You're each gonna be given different jobs around the office, sometimes on set, but the learning experience will be one in the same. This will help you to get familiar with what goes on in the film industry as well as the chance to network with others and get your foot further in the door."

Tiffany watched him with awe, practically hearts in her eyes. She felt her phone vibrate, knowing it was either her parents, Serenity, or Nate. But at this moment, she was far from interested in anything other than Mr. Howell.

"So first up, we have Twan...Kuyper? Did I pronounce it right?"

"Yes sir." Twan sat up and walked up to him, taking his packet.

"You'll be shadowing and assisting Julie Myers, one of our editors. You'll find her on the 2nd floor, Studio B." Twan leaves with a smile on his face and Mr. Howell continues. "Alec Bailey?"

Alec quickly walks over to him.

"You'll be with Greg Hollingsworth, he handles casting, all-around good guy. Good luck to you."

After Alec leaves, Mr. Howell goes and sits in front of Tiffany. She gets highly nervous, she wonders how she's been able to contain her screams so far.

"And you," he holds his hand out. "You'll be working directly with me on the weekends since I saw you're still in high school. But that's good, you're starting early!"

Tiffany was clenching her fists in her lap. The excitement was nearly consuming her. She never thought she'd get to work directly with the man himself.

"Do you have a car," he asked her.

"Yes," she blurts out.

He laughs. "Good. Sometimes you'll be running errands, picking up coffee, picking up props, whatever I'll need on set and in the office. Pretty much like a personal assistant. This is strictly for work, though. Not my home life, understood?"

"Understood," she nods quickly. "Wait..."

She didn't want to ask, but the question was burning at the base of her throat.

"With all due respect...did I get this position because I'm...a woman?"

"Absolutely not," he answered, unoffended. "If anything, your job will be more exclusive as far as being on set because I'm always on set! I gave you this particular job because I see the drive in you. Not to mention, you wrote the best cover letter I've ever seen, especially for a minor."

"Oh," Tiffany stopped him. "I'm...not a minor. I'm 18."

"Sorry, I just figured since you were still in high school..."

"No," she chuckled. "Plus the internship rules stated it was 18 and over."

"It did?" He thought. "Oh...wow, I didn't write the fine print. Anyway, let me give you a tour. We just remodeled so everything is bright and modern, minimalistic which is the new trend I guess."

. . . . .

Kali and Johnson meet at the Peach Pit. He had been avoiding her all week despite saying he'll talk to her when he returned from Malibu.

"Hey," she spoke with caution.

"What's going on," he asked.

"I missed you this week."

"You missed who? Your boyfriend? Because I don't know who he is and apparently neither do your parents. So...congratulations." He picked at his curly fries.

"Okay, ouch. I guess I deserved that." She fidgeted uncomfortably with her jacket. "Look, I'm sorry."

"Got that right."

"I talked to my parents earlier and they are still pretty firm on their rules. But..."

"But," he repeated.

"They said I could have a boyfriend, he just needed to be a man of faith. And absolutely no sex until marriage."

"So I basically have to change myself just so I could be with you?"

"You have me already," Kali explained.

"Come on now Kali, thou must not tell lies," he mocked.

"As much as it makes me cringe to say this," she squeezed her eyes shut. "As long as I live under their roof, I have to live by their rules."

Johnson laughed in her face & tossed a couple more fries in his mouth. "So...what, I have to wait until we're in college to date you properly? The sneaking around thing was a thrill at first, yes. But..."

"What are you asking me to do, Jack? If my parents disown me, are your parents gonna take me in? Huh? I'm not sure what more you want from me!"

"I don't mean to get all Ryan Gosling on you...but I want all of you, Kali. I wanna be able to show up at your door with, I don't know, some fucking flowers and have it be okay. I'm not an atheist but I'm not some hardcore Bible thumper either, that doesn't mean I'm the devil's offspring."

"Of course not."

"So tell your parents that. Tell them that I'm still a good guy and I have your best interests at heart." Johnson shrugged. "Easy."

"It's not that easy," Kali's voice cracked.

"Right," he nodded. "Well, when it starts to become easier, you give me a call."

"What are you saying?"

Johnson took a deep breath. "I'm saying I don't wanna be someone's dark secret. Maybe right now isn't the right time for us, you know? Things aren't what I thought."

"We're...breaking up?"

Tears welled up in her eyes. Johnson couldn't find it in himself to repeat the words so he just nodded his head. He kissed her on the cheek, left money for his check, and left Kali alone at the table.

Meanwhile at another table was Lucy, finishing up her smoothie and studying her last few index cards. One of the waiters approached her table even though it wasn't part of his section.

"I'm sorry to bother you," he spoke. "But I was wondering if you've ever been to New Jersey."

"What?" She chuckled.

"Let me...fix that," he laughed. "You look really familiar and I just moved out here from New Jersey. I was wondering if..."

"I've only been to New York," she smiled. "Manhattan and The Hamptons, to be exact."

"Oh," his face fell. "Sorry. I'm Ty, by the way."

"I'm Lucy. Nice hair. You know, now that I think about it, you look a little familiar too."

"Maybe I just have one of those faces."

"I guess I'm in the same boat."

"Your face is prettier than mine," he chuckled.

"Is it?"

"Beautiful actually," he licked his lips. "If we didn't meet in Jersey, I'm certainly glad we met here."

"Is this how you talk to most girls?" She bit back a smile while peeking down at her cards, flattered.

"Just you."

"Just me, huh? Well, I'm flattered. And I don't mean to burst your bubble but I'm also in a relationship."

"That's cool," he laughed. "I respect that. But just know, Lucy, if we meet again, it's fate."

"I'm sure we'll meet again since you work here now."

"Ah, see?" He clasped his hands together. "Already."

"You're a mess," she joked.

"But I clean up well," he smoothly replied. "I'll be seeing you."

Lucy gathers her things and leaves her tip on the table after Ty returns behind the bar. She takes a deep breath once the fresh air hits her & immediately calls Kian.

"Yello," he answered playfully.

"Hey you, what are you doing tonight?"

"You," he snickered.

"Kian, be serious." She shook her head & smirked.

"I am...kinda. I might have set up a romantic something for us at a nice restaurant. Gourmet ice cream after at Casa de Kian."

"Yeah?" She blushed. "And what time is this romantic something?"

"I'll pick you up at 7:30, reservations are at 8:15. And I'm head over heels for you enough to dress up so you gotta dress up too, Miss Durant."

"Aw Kian," she smiled. "This is still so weird to me."

"How?"

"Because you're Kian Lawley for goodness sakes. The guy that's always so grungy & a prankster among other illegal things. So when you get all romantic it's like a whole nother side of you that I'm still getting used to." Lucy reaches her car and gets inside.

"Well...you change me, you know? Not in a bad way because you never asked me to change. It just sorta happened. But I don't mind it. I guess I like being good for you because you're good for me. Who knows where I'd be right now if you never stumbled into that bedroom at the pool party."

Lucy felt her cheeks grow warm & tingles near her heart.

"I'm glad I did."

. . . . .

The night is rounding up in Los Angeles.

Back in Calabasas, Stassie is on the couch on her laptop. Turns out, she's internet stalking Serenity, getting a glimpse into her normal life. Deep in the pit of her stomach, she ached for a normal life. Kylie was her best friend and that friendship also came with its perks. But it also came with its cons.

She dreamed of a life where she didn't have so many followers online & where everyone wasn't down her throat about every little thing she did. She couldn't even be confident with herself without young girls tearing her down & picking her apart just to find a single flaw.

Stassie was mesmerized by the pictures on Serenity's instagram with her family, friends, and Sammy; wanting to be immersed into that world of simplicity.

Soon Kylie walked into the living room with her hair full of clips & wearing her sweats.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come?" She asked Stass.

Stassie knocked out of her trance, taking a deep breath and looking up at her friend. "I'm sorry, come where?"

"The Balmain show downtown," Kylie informed her. "We're getting a driver, I don't feel like driving."

"Uh," Stass glanced down at her screen. "No, I'm okay. Not in the mood for paparazzi today, they're so draining & scary."

"I understand," Kylie sighed. "Want me to bring you back something? Some candy, a smoothie or anything?"

"I'm okay love," Stassie smiled. "Thank you."

. . . . .

Meanwhile at the Gilinsky residence, Jack just finished his dinner and his mother picks up his plate.

"Someone was hungry," she said.

"Very," he rubbed his stomach. "But it was good, thanks Mom."

"Got room for dessert? We still have Oreo pie left. You'd better get to it before your dad does."

"I'll have it," he chuckled. "But in a minute though, gotta make a phone call."

"Calling Madison?"

He shook his head. "Madison and I, we're...not really together anymore. We had a long talk and I forgave her for what she did but that was still messed up. We're just cool for now."

"Ah I see. Well I'll put the slice aside on a plate for you."

Jack rushes upstairs and grabs his phone, plopping down on his bed. He calls Vanessa but it just kept ringing & his smiled slowly faded once he got her perky voicemail.

'Hey it's Vanessa, leave a message and I'll get back to you ASAP! Have a beautiful day.'

*beep*

"Hey," he sighed. "Just calling to check up on you. You've been weird and distant all week. I know you're busy with all your papers you said you had to write but...I can't stop thinking about you. Call me when you get this, okay? ...Please."

Jack hangs up and rolls onto his back. He can still smell Vanessa's perfume in his sheets.

But little did he know, over at Vanessa's, she wasn't alone tonight and she wasn't working on any school papers. Her phone was on silent in her room & she was outside in her pool, making out passionately with Kalin.

. . . . .

"After you, my lady," Kian held the door open for Lucy, looking dazzling in her red dress.

They lock arms as they enter the 5-star Steakhouse and get seated at their reserved table. He pulls her chair out for her and seems nervous as he takes a seat.

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

"Yeah," he took a deep breath. "I'm just so used to getting thrown out of places like these." He nervously chuckles.

"It's okay babe." She reaches across the table and holds his hand as they look over their menus. "What shall we order? I don't wanna get too expensive."

"Don't worry about that, have whatever you want." His thumb runs across hers.

"Whatever I want?" She says in a cute high-pitched voice.

He smiled while chewing his gum and kissed the top of her hand.

"Good evening, I'll be your server for tonight, can I start you two off with any drinks?" The server speaks.

Kian looks up and scratches his chin. "Just a Coke for me, please. Are they free refills?"

"Yes sir. And for you, Miss?"

"Um," Lucy purses her lips as she looks over the small drink section. "I'll just have the iced...tea."

Her eyes widened once she looked up and saw it was Ty from earlier. Kian didn't realize this exchange. He was still holding her hand and looking back down at his menu.

"Sweetened or unsweetened?" Ty smirked.

"...Sweetened." Lucy's eyebrows knitted together & she cleared her throat, quickly looking back at her menu.

___________________________

A/N:

- Pure coincidence they were sat at Ty's table? Or does Lucy have a stalker?

- What is Stassie's next move after internet stalking Serenity? Pure curiosity or is there a future hidden agenda?

- And Vanessa! She shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. It's not like she saw them kiss, tsk tsk.

- Sorry for the spaced out updates, holiday season is a busy one! I'm trying.

- Check out my Polyvore page for Lucy's outfit! Posting the link on my bio :)

PLEASE vote & Comment!! When you guys do that, it really encourages me to keep writing.

Love & miss u guys. xx