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THE RISE OF THE NEW ELITES

By:

Jomarie Anne

“Come on, Carly!” Seth knocked on my room with his usual annoying door-banging sound every morning. “Hey, do you know what time it is?”

I buried my face under my pillow and groaned. I looked at the clock. Eight. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and we were supposed to have cheerleading practice today. Amber needed to schedule one for the weekend since she had to call off practice when we went to looking for Macy in San Jose.

I got up groggily and immediately went to the bathroom. Practice will be at eight-thirty. After preparing, I went to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. Seth was watching TV.

“Since when did you care if I was going to be late at practice?” I asked as I munched on my wheat bread. “I thought you wanted me out of the squad.”

“I just hate to see your Queen Amber pick on you if you’re late at practice.” He said.

I rolled my eyes. “If I’d known better, you’re just touched when she told you she’d given you her approval to date her cousin.”

He turned around, looked at me irritably and shook his head. “It’s not like I was asking for her permission. I’d date Megan regardless of what anyone says.”

Wow. And where did my brother get his courage again?

“How brave,” I commented.

“And you told me she’s making you act as her assistant now, right?” he added. “I don’t want you saying I kept you from reaching your dreams.”

“Well, she didn’t exactly say that I’m gonna be her assistant now. Not yet, anyway.” I shrugged and flipped my hair over my shoulder.

Seth was staring at me blankly. What was his problem anyway? After we got back from San Jose, he was really determined to have me quit the squad. And then he realized he couldn’t control his little sister anymore ‘cause I already had my own mind to make decisions for myself so he let me go.

“What?” I demanded and got up to get ready to leave.

“Oh please don’t transform into Amber.” He shook his head once again as if becoming like Amber Hampton was the worst thing that could happen to me. I beg to differ.

I laughed. “There’s only one Amber Hampton and there can’t be anyone else, remember that.”

I bid him goodbye and left.

***

Since the gym was closed during the weekends, we stayed at the field. I wasn’t late, thank god. Amber was first to be there as usual, with Allan.

Oddly enough, she was wearing a cap and she wasn’t in her practice clothes. She looked over to me as I ran. Eight-thirty five. Great.

“Made it.” I panted.

“You almost didn’t.” she glanced at her watch and grabbed her clipboard.

“At least I wasn’t late.” I whispered to Allan as soon as Amber was out of hearing distance.

Allan laughed. “Don’t be the next Britney Connor,’

“Alright, practice starts no,” Amber called out to the team and walked back to me. She handed me the clipboard containing the routine.

I stared at it blankly. What was I supposed to do?

“Okay, so here’s how it’s gonna go, Carly,” she said. “You see, I will be busy with the sorority for this week. I need someone to take charge of the squad just for the week. That’s’ you.”

My eyes probably went as big as flying saucers. Was she really asking me to be her substitute? Oh my gosh. Yeah, maybe she did ask me to be her sub.

“Carly, hey.” Amber was snapping her fingers in front of my face. “Are you following me?”

“Oh yeah,” I said, still totally at loss. “What do you need me to do?”

“Call out the steps today.” She replied. “I’ll be observing here, don’t mind me. I’ll just be watching. Do what you have to do so the squad could perform the routine well.”

Seriously? The captain was telling me to take charge for the whole week. Woah.

“Can you do it, Carly?” she asked me. Her face wasn’t at all requesting. It was more of challenging.

I couldn’t speak for a moment. Of course I could do it. I’ve always wanted to do it. But with Amber there watching my every move, it was making me nervous. What if I call out the wrong step and mess up? God.

“or maybe I should ask Allan to do it instead.” Amber said.

“I’ll do it.” I said, almost in panic. “Should I start?’

Amber smiled in what looked like a smile of satisfaction. “Good. Go on,”

The practice went fine, I knew I could have done much better but at least I hadn’t made any mistake. Amber, as she’d said, just stood behind, watching the team too. But I knew she was really watching me. With Allan assisting me, the job was a little easier.

“Great job, guys! “ I clapped my hands as practice ended.

“Good job, Carly,” Amber walked up to me as the team left. I smiled nervously, waiting for any negative feedback. “Just an advice though, don’t be so uptight. Let loose a little. Dictatorship doesn’t work for you. Yet.” She leaned over and whispered but smiled before she walked away.

I was left there speechless. I didn’t know if it meant she was satisfied or what. Yeah, maybe I’d been a little uptight but hey, I was nervous. That was an excuse, wasn’t it?

“Did you hear that?” Allan nudged me, smiling. “She just commended you. Way to go, Carly.”

“She did say I was kind of uptight.” I said. “I still can’t believe she just asked me to take charge for a whole week. Can you believe it?”

He shrugged. “I think she’s busy with her sorority. Hey, isn’t that what you wanted? You’re going to be assistant head cheerleader soon.”

I looked at him. “You think so? I’m not so sure I can do it. I mean, it’s too soon and I never really expected this much attention from her.”

“Well, I think that’s the reason she’s evaluating you. To see if you could do the job.” Allan smiled. “I think she’s always got her eye on you, anyway. With Britney now gone, she needs you.”

Hearing that just made me feel more nervous. If Amber was indeed doing that to promote me, then I had to do it perfectly.

“I think you deserve it more than I do.” I pouted. I mean, I was just a freshman.

Allan shook his head. “Nah, I’m not a leader. You are. At least, that’s what you need to prove to the captain.” He gave me a pat. “You can do it, Carly.’

I smiled. “Thanks. Sorry about Britney, I knew you guys were kinda close.”

“She deserved it.” He shrugged. “Besides, you’re here now. As long as I’m here, I promise to help you out and get you to the top, future captain.” He winked.

I laughed. “Don’t call me ‘future captain’ yet. I’m not yet ready until Amber tells me I am.”

“Hey, no one can tell you that except yourself buddy.” Allan said.

I do hope I’d be ready by the time Amber gives me the ‘go’ signal. I grabbed my bag and got ready.

“Bye, Allan, I’ve gotta go now.”

“Where are you off to? You’re always hurrying, you know that?” he teased.

“Gotta go to work,” I smiled. Of course I was always in a hurry. Life couldn’t seem to offer me a pause button in order for me to survive.

“Carly ‘Busy Girl’ Lawrence, tsk.” Allan clicked his tongue and laughed.

I laughed. “Yeah, that’s me. See you on Monday!”

I took a walk down the road leading to the café. If only I was a rich girl like Amber Hampton and take a day off from my job which was obviously far from the life of a sophisticated and pampered lady.

I went straight to Laurent’s office after practice. This week was ‘hell week’. I had so many things to do that it seemed like I was an octopus with tentacles doing different tasks.

It was a good thing and such a relief that I had thought of the idea of training Carly by making her do the job for a week. After supporting me with the whole ‘Macy’ thing, she deserved it. With Carly doing the job, at least I’ve already trained her and she could help me out in handling the squad while I was busy with the Marks & Spencer event.

So I was headed to Laurent’s office since he offered to let me check and see if we could hire any of his models for our event. I hope this would work. Amelia kept bugging me about it all week and we only had six days left before that event.

As I entered the office, I found Megan reading a magazine in the lounge. She looked up as I walked at the same time Laurent entered the room too.

“Good to see you, Miss Hampton.” He smiled. “I’ve already line up my five top models. You’re free to pick out the best and I do hope they pass your standards.” He winked.

“Thanks for helping out, Laurent.” I smiled. “I really appreciate it. I have confidence in your ladies.”

“Amelia told me that you needed a model.” He said. “Well, who could better fit an M & S outfit than my ladies, right? Ladies!” he called out and instantly, five girls who looked good enough to be on America’s Next Top Model, stepped out from the dressing room. They smiled.

“Great,” Megan grinned at me. “Shall we begin?”

“Whenever you’re ready,” I smiled as I took my seat and crossed my arms over my chest.

“I hope this works, Meg.” I whispered.

“Me too,” Meg whispered back as she took out a notepad from her bag.

“So, Cassandra Waters,” I referred to the first model. “Tell me about yourself, interests and after that, I need you to do a little strutting at the catwalk.”

“The pleasures mine, Miss Hampton.” She smiled with her glossy lips which looked like Miranda Kerr’s. The lady was good, typical model material and her walk was great too but somehow, there was something lacking. Something that the sorority was looking for.

“Thanks. Next!” I called out as Megan took notes. There were still four models to go anyway.

Unfortunately, though Laurent’s models were perfect, they lacked some of the qualities of a Theta lady. I sighed as the final model walked. I leaned back on the couch.

“Thanks, ladies! Now, you may leave us for a moment.” Megan smiled. She finished her notes and handed it to me.

I looked at it. The words fiery, confident and perfect were written on it. I exchanged a look with her.

“They’re good,” she said. “But not that good.”

“And basically, we’re not settling for something that’s ‘good’.” I said. “Good isn’t enough. I need someone perfect.” I sighed.

“Hey look, Cassandra was actually exceptional. We can work something out to make her more fit if you want.” She suggested.

No way was I going to settle for some model who was good enough. If I was going to lead the sorority well, I needed someone who could surpass the standards. Someone who embodied everything the sorority was. Cassandra was great but she just wasn’t Hampton material and I wasn’t going to go for anything less just because I was desperate now.

“No, it wouldn’t work.” I replied. I got up and gestured for Meg to follow me to Laurent’s office.

Laurent smiled expectantly. “So, have you chosen anyone?”

“Your models were really good Laurent, we can’t deny that.” I smiled. “Unfortunately, we’re looking for something else we couldn’t seem to find from any of the ladies.”

He looked disappointed.

Thankfully, Megan jumped in to save me. What could I say? I wasn’t the type to play ‘nice and considerate’.

“Look, we really appreciate it. It’s just that we decided to check on other options. If we do change our minds, we’ll have our assistant contact you.”

I wanted to roll my eyes if I hadn’t caught myself. Of course, we wouldn’t be changing our minds. Meg was just too polite.

I smiled at Laurent. “Thanks for the help, anyway. I’m sure my grandmother will appreciate it too.”

Laurent smiled. “Anytime, girls!”

So we left and headed back to the sorority house.

***

“It’s really hard to find someone else who’s got the Hampton style,” Megan sighed as we sat by the pool. “Time’s running so fast we have to find someone already.”

“I know, okay?” I sat up. “Why don’t you make a list of the girls in the university who could qualify? Come on, I’ll say if it’s a no or a yes.”

Finally, we were on to something. Lounging by the pool seemed not so fun when I was worried sick on finding a model. I got up and went inside my office.

“Alright,” Meg walked in after she’d done her list and sat down. “I’ve rounded up the most popular girls in ECU. Say yay or nay,” she smiled.

She said a couple of names, some girls I didn’t even know existed. Let’s face it, popular as I am, I don’t really mingle with anyone else outside the squad or the sorority.

“Lana Wang,” Megan said. Finally, someone I was aware of. Wait, what was that? Was she seriously suggesting Lana? Give me a break.

“I said model, not gangster.” I rolled my eyes.

She laughed. “And after teaming up with her against Britney I would’ve thought you guys have developed even a little ounce of friendship.”

As I’ve said, I don’t make friends with gangsters. “That was a payback for what I did for her.” I reminded her. “Next please?”

“Alright, if you don’t want gangsters, I’m sure you’ll agree with this.” Megan smiled. “Carly Lawrence?”

“Nope, don’t touch Carly.” I said. “I’ve got other plans for her.”

“Is that so?” she raised an eyebrow. “Is she in for the promotion now, ma’am?” she teased.

“Aren’t you supportive of your sister-in-law?” I smiled as I tapped my foot. Even though I was pressured with this whole event, spending time with Meg and talking about random stuff felt good. This was usually how we spent our time together back in high school.

Meg shook her head and laughed. “It’s not because she’s Seth’s sister. The girl’s got what it takes, you know that. And she’s my friend too.”

“yeah, yeah.” I smiled. “Next please?”

Meg went back to her list. Her eyes squinted and her lips formed a thin line. She glanced up to me and smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t believe I’d even say or consider this, but next on my list is Tamara Sherwood.”

My smile instantly faded. Seriously, sometimes I couldn’t really figure out what gets into my best girl friend’s head that she’d consider the idea of choosing Tamara to be the sorority’s model or even considering letting her into any of the activities when the girl was obviously scheming to destroy me every day of her life.

“Tell me that’s a joke.” I muttered. “You’ve got to have someone better than that.”

“Look, if you can just see it this way, Amber,” she started explaining. “Obviously, the only person who can fit our qualifications is a Hampton. The two of us have no way of being the mode but Tamara has. Why? Well, the fact that she is also a Hampton and she isn’t technically part of the sorority since her mom denounced everything related to the Hamptons. Face it, she’s the perfect catch.”

“Megan, where did your mind go?” I glared at her. I seldom get mad at Meg but her kindness could sometimes be too much. “There’s gotta be some other way. I am not pathetic enough to have my nemesis enter my own world.”

Meg sighed. “Alright, look, I’m sorry. Maybe you’re right. Choosing Tamara was a stupid idea. There’s gotta be some other way but just keep in mind, Alpha, that technically, we only have three days left. Tuesday is the registration and Friday night’s the event.”

I smiled. “Have faith. Stop resorting to radical ideas, Megan. I’ll have those flyers distributed all over town so we could hold the auditions tomorrow.”

She stood up. “Okay, I’ll go print them out. By the way, Amelia keeps asking me when she ‘d be able to meet your new assistant.”

I got up too. Seems like I have to make my own decision now. It was time.

“I’ll introduce her tomorrow.” I said. “Meanwhile, I got some place to go.”

“Really?” she smiled. “She’s gotta be nice right? I don’t want bitches inside the mansion. Aaron will surely be glad to meet a new face.”

I smiled. “Tell him to get ready. I’ll need his help.”

I guess it’s show time now for Carly Lawrence. I just hoped she doesn’t go in shock after I change her life.