The Other Block

GLOSS and GOSSIP

The scent of Bergamot and expensive hairspray drifted through the halls of the Block estate long before the sun had fully climbed over the Westchester trees.

Inside her room, Madeline Block was buried under a mountain of white silk sheets and a weighted duvet, blissfully unaware of the seventh-grade storm brewing down the hall. Being a sophomore at Octavian Country Day had its perks—namely, a "Senior-Lite" schedule that meant her first period didn't start until 10:00 AM.

Click. Creak.

The heavy mahogany door to Madeline's room swung open. The light from the hallway spilled across the carpet, but Madeline didn't stir.

"I'm telling you, Alicia, if she wears those leggings again, I'm going to have to stage a formal intervention," a sharp, high-pitched voice whispered.

Massie Block swept into the room, phone pressed to her ear behind her bean the dog followed her. She was already perfectly polished outfit , her signature glossy hair bouncing with every step. She didn't even glance at her sleeping sister. Instead, her eyes were locked on the prize: Madeline's vanity.

"Hold on, Dylan is clicking in," Massie said into her mic, her fingers dancing across the acrylic organizers on Madeline's desk. "Hey, D. Yeah, I'm in Mads' room. She's literally dead to the world. It's actually impressive."

Massie picked up a heavy, frosted glass bottle of Rhode skin glaze. She pumped a generous amount onto her palm, smoothed it over her cheekbones, and then reached for the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.

"No, Kristen, I'm not stealing it," Massie rolled her eyes, catching her reflection in Madeline's lighted mirror. "I'm 'curating' her collection so it doesn't expire. Besides, she has three of these. Sophomore year must be really hard if you need this much highlighter to look awake."

Madeline groaned, shifting under the covers. "Massie... get out."

Massie didn't even flinch. She grabbed a Drunk Elephant bronzing drop and mixed it into her moisturizer. "Go back to sleep, Mads. Some of us have an empire to run before first period. Isaac is pulling the SUV around in twenty minutes and Alicia says the coffee line at Starbucks is already wrapped around the building."

"Take your own makeup," Madeline mumbled into her pillow, her voice muffled and thick with sleep. "And stop talking so loud. Tenth grade starts three hours after yours for a reason."

"Whatever. You're lucky I'm even in here; it keeps you relevant," Massie whispered into the phone, ignoring her sister entirely. "Anyway, guys, did you hear? My dad said his friend from college is arriving today. They're staying in the guest house. Apparently, there's a daughter. Claire? Or something? I already checked the OCD register—she's not on it yet."

Massie snatched a tube of Ilia lip oil from the tray and tucked it into her Prada book bag. She took one last look at her sleeping sister, then turned on her heel.

"Okay, I'm leaving. Meet me at the fountain in ten. And Kristen? If you're wearing those shoes, walk ten paces behind me. Peace."

The door clicked shut, leaving Madeline in the sudden, blissful silence of the morning—at least until her 8:30 alarm would inevitably remind her that being a Block meant looking perfect, even if she got to sleep in.