"God, Erika, what are you doing in there?" Erika heard Benny Costa cry from behind the door of the the girl's personal bathroom. "Its that Scottish Salmon we had at the Mastro's Penthouse huh? I told you not to eat it, it makes you shit like crazy!"

Erika finished puking out her guts, hastily flushing the toilet. Benny's bathroom was jaded lavender counters and rugs, a small section blocked by decorating room dividers embellished with drawings of Cherokee legends. Erika thought the girl took her heritage way too seriously. According to her father, she and Damon were part-Italian but you didn't see her running around worshiping Pizzahut.

"I'm changing," Erika snapped,  looking at her horrid expression in the mirror. With her once elegant bun now a sloppy mess, makeup-less face, and small frame hidden by a baggy grey KENZO sweater and Victoria's Secret PINK booty shorts, she looked like a lazy Lindsey Lohan - and not the Lindsey from 'Mean Girls' either.

"Erika, come on!"

"Wait, gosh!" She called back, opening the drawers of Benny's elegant sink counter to look for a tube of Mascara. She found the usual in the girl's drawer; makeup, jewelry that could buy a family two houses tossed away as if it were trash, and - 'Ohhhhhh, look what we have here.'

Erika stared profoundly at a First Response Early pregnancy test - however what really interested her was the tiny pink plus sign. 'This is gossip gold.' It was also a great way to subside her anger and embarrassment over her suspension - and rejection.

Smirking, Erika opened the door to see Benny leaning in the doorway. She had been braiding her long locks - although Erika suspected the girl had a weave because there was no way her shoulder-length hair had grown past her shoulders in only three weeks. However, Benny quickly gawked when she saw her drawer open.

"Why the fuck are you looking through my stuff?" She shouted angrily, startling a smug Erika, as she stormed past her to shove the drawer closed. 

"So whose the baby daddy, Benny?" Erika asked, jittery inside at the new dirt she had on the girl. "I think this secret is far more worse than going to rehab, don't you think?"

Benny placed her hands on her hips, glaring at the girl. However, her expression softened and she sighed. "You can't tell anyone."

'Can't say I won't,' but Erika returned the girl's somber look with what she thought was a sympathetic look. She made a note to practice sympathy, it was the best strategy when getting the dirt. "When did you find out?"

"I think......I think it happened at the game after party," Benny admitted sheepishly, hand rubbing the nape of her neck.

"How?" Erika asked, trying not to grimace at the thought of what had happened to her that night - and what had been repeated that day. "Brett was with Mia all night."

"But then she left and we talked and - ugh, I don't want to talk about it." She groaned.

"So you're pregnant with a Richers' baby," Erika thought aloud. That baby was going to be the most luckiest person alive. With one parent heir to a major fashion corporation - Benny - and another heir to the biggest law firm in Los Angeles, they were going to be set for life.

"Erika, you can't tell anyone," Benny pleaded, brown eyes desperate and Erika liked how even the most toughest person could fear her. "I'm serious, okay? If this gets out, my parents are going to cut me off forever and when I say forever, I mean send me off to a Cherokee reservation in fucking Idaho."

"Ew, you'd look even more disgusting in Idaho."

"Exactly! Wait.....you bitch." She scolded after processing Erika's words.

"Well, how are you going to pull this off?" Erika raised an elegant eyebrow and then quickly lowered it when she realized she was in need of a touch up. It was as if her beauty was dying away with each day she went without her daddy's bank account.  "I don't know how you're going to explain why you can't fit into your mom's size zero dresses."

Benny bit her glossed red lip. "I'm gonna.....I'm gonna get rid of it."

"Good," Erika shrugged, moving back into Benny's tumblr grunge bedroom. Benny thought of herself as a Tumblr girl - three of her pictures had been major hits on the site - and her bedroom was a tumblr girl's dream; neon stars hanging from the broad ceiling over her black Moschino logo bed, dark purple walls covered with pictures of the she and Jac's adventures, and a whole side of the room dedicated to her flat screen TV - along with a living room set - and a Windows 8 computer.

Erika fell on to her soft bed, wishing the girl hadn't completely demolished her balcony so she could look out over the city. If a bedroom didn't have a city view, Erika liked to deem it crappy. 

Benny joined her, reaching for the remote she had tossed carelessly on to the bed earlier and pointing it at her TV. "What do you want to rent? Fifty Shades of-"

"Are you serious?" Erika scoffed. "Fifty Shades of Grey? Are you kidding me, Benny? You better be." Then when the girl only shrugged, Erika snatched the remote from her, renting the movie, 'Gone Girl,' because she liked thrillers and crazy bitches.

"When is Jac coming over?"

"She has to babysit her niece. Apparently, her aunt came and dropped the baby on her because the nanny is a psycho - or she quit." 

"Ugh, great, I'm stuck with you."

"What?"

"What?" Then Erika shrugged, not even paying attention to the movie they'd just rented. She thought of what was waiting for her at home and wondered if Matthew would give her the 'Damon treatment'. Would he really....well, would he really be that ruthless towards her? She was his daughter after all and her fuck up wasn't as big as Damon's.

Then again, Damon's 'news' he'd had for their father had seemed to push him back into Matthew's good graces. Now if only she could figure out what that 'news' had been.

"I have an idea," Erika steadied herself on her knees. "You know? A way to kill that baby of yours?"

"You she-devil!" Benny gasped.

"What?" Erika rolled her eyes. "You're not keeping it."

"Whats the plan?" 

"How about we drink until we throw up," Erika suggested, not hinting to Benny that when she said 'throw up', she meant literally. "And fo check out your mom's new collection."

"My mom locked the door to her studio," Benny said. "And besides, she's finally working with Givenchy. If I screw this up for her, my nightmares of Idaho are going to be a reality."

Erika pulled out her phone, pretending to text. "Then I guess I'll just have to text Mia Matthews and tell her you slept with her boyfriend-"

"Erika, no! Fine."

'Works every time,' and there they were in the broad gold reflected-walled Costa fashion studio, bopping their heads to Tiesto's Wasted while trying on every dress Mrs. Costa had created and downing gold bottles of Samuel Adams Utopias beer - and not the small size.

Benny, swinging her wild curly hair as she tried to put on a bright pink Cosabella bra over a strapless, aztec pencil skirt dress - and stumbled drunkenly, spilling beer all over the dress. "Shit!"

"No offense to your mother but it was crappy anyway," Erika giggled, freeing her hair of the sloppy bun she'd been in. Then she hid herself in one of the many clothing racks that filled the reflecting studio, kicking off her Prada flats as she went.

She suddenly realized that what she had thought as ratchet, was pretty damn fun. She had been missing out at all the parties she'd been to. Plus, it kept her from thinking of all the worries swirling through her head. So if this was what being ratchet was? She'd gladly take it.

"Catch a thong, Benny!" She screeched, tossing a random pink thong out of the clothing rack and directly into Benny's face who squealed, fumbling with the thong before tossing it over her head and on to the floor.

Erika moved her out from under the clothing rack, grabbing her beer off of the glossy wooden floor and taking a long swig. The liquid stung down her throat but with each drink she took, she felt lighter. 'Well now I see why Brett loves liquor so much.'

"Hey, I kind of hate you and you're really crazy," Benny slurred drunkenly, grasping what little belly fat she could. "But heres my baby, now raise it for me."

"Ew, don't give it to me," Erika retorted. "I'd flush it down the toilet, kind of like how I did a few hours ago. I wasn't taking a shit, I was throwing up our Mastro's Penthouse dinner." And then Erika quickly clamped her mouth shut with her hands in horror.

'Why did I say that?'

Benny stopped twirling around the racks, dropping the beer bottle in her hands and it clattered to the floor. "What did you say?"

Before Erika could say anything, the door to the studio swung open and they both froze. If Mrs. Costa, Benny's sweet mother, seen them going through her collection, she'd go from zero to one-hundred real quick.

"Sorry, I'm late," A high-pitched, happy-go-lucky voice said. "All my maids are on Spring Break so I had to make up my own bed and I got really confused. I didn't know what sheet went first or how to put the pillows in the pillow case and-" Paisely stopped short when she entered, staring at the two girls.

"Is that.....is that," Then her voice went low. "Is that Samuel Adams beer?" She asked with longing in her eyes because everyone knew Beverly Hills' own Paris Hilton was practically addicted to drinking, almost as much as Brett Richers was to Ectasy.

Erika scowled and turned away from the girl, vowing to never get drunk again. She had nearly spilled one of the biggest secrets of her life. 'Partying is officially ratchet again,' She decided. "Benny, why the hell did you invite her?"

"Because she's my friend and I'm not going to stop talking to her just because you hate her." 

Erika turned around, studying Paisely's calculated swirling pony tail, Valentino bambolina dress and strappy Gucci sandals. Paisely had a Barneys shopping bag pressed tightly to her chest as she stared in awe at the chaos around her. 

"Join the fun, sweetie," Benny was about to hand her a beer but Erika stormed over to her and snatched it away.

"You know how she gets when she's drunk, she won't be able to even remember where she lives." Erika snapped, irritated greatly by Paisely's prescence.

"I will never forget that time where you ran through the mall screaming, 'Shaniqua is going to get me!'" Benny chuckled, oblivious to the tension between Erika and Paisely. "Your most hilarious moment yet!"

Paisely gulped when she noticed Erika's glassy stare and turned back to Benny. Erika smiled slightly, pleased that she had won the staredown - but wondering if she should pray to Isis or something to not let Paisely dish on the bathroom incident.

Reverting back to her regular ways, Erika flipped her hair over her shoulder haughtily, handing her own bottle of beer to Benny. "Now that you're here," She shot Paisely a glare. "I guess its safe to say the fun is over."  Satisfied by the girl's expression, Erika shoved past her and out into the Costas indoor pool, illuminated by the white-blue lights hanging over the dim, grey room.

"Oooooooh!" Paisely clapped her hands giddily. "I love swimming! Benny, can I borrow a bathing suit?"

"No." Erika said quickly because she wasn't ready to see what her reaction would be if Paisely was in a bathing suit especially after that failed kiss. "No swimming."

Benny followed Erika out into the indoor pool room, giving Erika knowing look before turning to Paisely who was still in the doorway. "Erika's right. Who needs bathing suits?" She said, the liqour having hit her hard. 'And hopefully the baby too.'  Erika was not going to be caught hanging out with a teen mom, it was not accepted and her motto; 'Stay Classy,' would be violated.

Although after drinking it up with Benny, getting suspended, and kissing Paisely, Erika was pretty sure she had already violated that motto.

"Oh my gosh, what are you doing?" Paisely gasped.

Benny pulled her plain white  Anthony Thomas Melilo t-shirt over her head, revealing her Agent Provocateur bra before jumping repeatedly until she could slide out of her Curriculum Vitae blue lace shorts. Then before the girls could gawk any further, she cannon-balled into the pool in just her underwear, spraying the girls with water.

"Yay!" Paisely shouted gleefully and to Erika's horror, she stripped down too, her curvy figure even more noticeable in her black basic Chanel logo underwear.  She took a few steps back, bumping into the wall behind her to gain momentum - and then she squealed, running and jumping into the pool.

Erika shrieked as even more water sprayed her. "Paisely, what the hell?"

Benny floated in the glittering blue pool on her back, giggling hysterically. "Erika, come on in, its nice!:"

Paisely swam up to the foot of the pool with a genuine smile. "Yeah, come on! " She tilted her head slightly, gesturing for her to join. 

Rolling her eyes, Erika reluctantly stripped down, wondering if she looked as fat as she felt after drinking all that beer. Benny made wolf howls, sounding exactly like the obnoxious Lacrosse team, Paisely joining in playfully.

Then because Erika just loved to be the center of attention, she paraded around the edges of the large pool, posing and blowing kisses to her admirers - and noticed Paisely's expression as she looked at her. It wasn't that usual 'I-want-to-be-just-like-her' adoring look, it was the look Erika got when she looked at her but hated to admit it. 

"Thank you, thank you, you're way too kind." She imitated a shrill Ariana Grande voice with absolute perfection.

"Woah, I see one bad bitch right there!" Benny howled. "Damn, look at that no-ass back of hers!"

"And look at that pregnant bitch in the pool!" Erika snapped so quickly that only Benny caught it, who froze in horror, giving a quick glance at Paisely before shooting her the middle finger.

Then sucking in a breath, Erika jumped gracefully into the pool, breaking the calm waters with elegance. She let herself sink deeper into the pool, wondering what the girls would do if she ended up drowning, and then broke the surface again.

Benny and Paisely cheered profusely.

"Benny!"

They all quickly fell silent at the sound of Mrs. Costa's worried shouts and her heels clicking through the first floor of the mansion.

"Where are you, honey? You won't believe what I bought at Saks today! It was only ten grand!"

"Dammit," Benny hissed. "I left the beers in the studio! I have to go get them before she knows we were in there!" Hurriedly, she scrambled out of the pool, nearly slipping on the wet linoleum as she ran back into the studio, shouting back at her mother.

Just like that, Erika was alone with Paisely, the doe-eyed girl staring back at her. Erika had to admit to herself that she was pretty. Her curvy figure looked perfect - even better than her own bikini body - and despite her makeup melting off thanks to the water and her glossy blonde hair, wet, frizzy curls bordering her face, she was......she was beautiful.

"So, um, about that kiss-" Paisely started but Erika sharply interjected her.

"It was nothing," She said dismissively. "Just me pmsing."

Paisely frowned, puzzled, her body bouncing with slow current of the pool. "I mean, I would but I'm with Chris and we have something great going on," Then she looked down sheepishly. "And I don't wanna ruin it."

'Chris Edwards? Chris over me?' Erika thought snidely to herself. Paisely was truly dumb because even to the not-so-bright eye, Erika was obviously the better choice whether you were straight or not. Baffled by this, Erika couldn't get any words out so she just glowered.

"I'm sorry I got you suspended," Paisely went on softly. "Its just really sad how you did that to Addie. She's a really nice girl if you talk to her. She was my lab partner in Biology and she was soooooo nice-"

"You manipulated her into doing all your homework, don't act like you're an angel." Erika rolled her eyes, wishing the girl would just drop the innocent act already and heaved herself up on to the pool edge before standing up.

"No! You told me to!" Paisely got out of the pool too. 

"I gave you a suggestion and you listened," Erika shrugged. "And why are we arguing about something that happened months ago?"

Paisely gasped slightly. "I don't know, I just wish we could be friends again."

"Like I said earlier, I ruined your life so stop acting so clingy-"

"Not really, its not like my Dad lost his job or anything and everyone thinks my boobs look fantastic!"

"Well I think the group is better off without you but I'm sure Veronica's lonely ass will let you join her. "

Paisely sniffled, looking as if she were about to crumple up like she usually did when Erika was being mean. "You're just saying that because you're mad that I don't like you."

Erika scoffed, resting a hand on her hip, all the while telling herself that statement wasn't true."Paige, honey, my problem isn't that you don't like me, Frankly, even if I did swing that way, I wouldn't be into you."

"But-"

"I just like playing games and well," Erika pouted falsely, shrugging her shoulders. "You just happen to be my favorite toy. You're like this wind up doll I used to have when I was little, always winding up for me even when I threw it against my mother's china vase."

"I-"

"The truth is," She moved closer to her, not even flinching at the their proximity. "I loathe you."  Then she stalked off, leaving the girl in the dim-lit room, rolling her eyes when she heard the girl whisper, "What does 'loathe' mean?"

If Paisely didn't like her, Erika decided that she could just go fuck herself - or fuck Chris. In fact, as she walked away, she was about to call up every connection she had to completely destroy the girl. It would surely make her feel less shitty and rejected.

Then, she had the most brilliant idea.  'Why not just go straight for the source?'

Stopping in the Costa hallway, Erika dialed the number of lonely, skanky Veronica who answered far too quickly.

"You must be pretty desperate to be calling me." She heard the girl's snappy voice retort.

Erika smirked. "You must be pretty desperate to pick up."

------------------

A/N: So this is the second-to-last chapter! I might split both last two chapters into three parts because I have ALOT to cover! Plus, I think its fitting considering its like the season finale of a show in a way :p

Also just wanted to say that when it comes to the second book, I am making sure I won't be writing the same book twice ;)

So thoughts? What do you think Erika has planned? 

Never going to stop saying it but thank you to those who read, comment, and vote! Much love <3