"Oh, I don't watch network television." Mikayla shrugs. "Just the History Channel, Bill Maher, and some CNN."

"Anyway," I interrupt, "It was supposed to be at four thirty, but Laney just left me a message saying they moved it up and I have to be there in forty-five minutes."

"Kates, wait," Liz looks tentative. I can't look at her directly or I'll burst into tears. "Are you sure you have to go? Let me at least walk you out," she says. She has a weird look on her face.

"No thanks," I tell her and sling my Cinch bag over my shoulder. "I think I can take it from here. It was nice meeting you, Mikayla."

And then I turn to leave through the crowded restaurant, my eyes brimming with tears. I don't even give Mikayla a chance to say goodbye.

Saturday, January 31

NOTE TO SELF:

Call Laney. C if I can get an article in Self.

Study 4 SATs.

VF party -- Sunday, February 8

Final Jay Godfrey fitting -- Tues. @ 7

Gift suites: Sat. all day.

Date w/A: Sat. night B4 he leaves 4 scrimmage.

Sun. -- Tina coming @ noon, Paul styling @ 2, Shelly coming @ 2:30.

Find date 4 VF party.

Eight: All's Fair in Friends and Vanity Fair

Tonight is the night. I'm about to go to the most talked-about event of the year, which some might call an award in itself.

I'm not talking about the Oscars, silly. Who wants to sit for four-plus hours in a stuffy auditorium as part of a live audience? Can you say boooring? I'm talking about the Vanity Fair party at Morton's in West Hollywood. And this year I have my own invite, which means I can share the dish as it unfolds in front of me. Here we go ...

"We're minutes from talking to George Clooney!" Matty sounds hoarse. "Julia Roberts! Maybe Robert Redford. I can't breathe."

I fan his neck with my small clutch.

"Matty, you've got to calm down," I tell my brother as our limo inches closer to the Vanity Fair party. Yes, Matty is my date tonight. With Austin and Liz out of town, Matty seemed like the next best option. Needless to say he was really excited. Mom was a bit unsure, though. She and Laney seemed concerned about me bringing my brother as my date to the biggest party of the year. They went over the pluses and minuses of taking Matty for an hour, until finally Matty and I broke in and told them that we were going together whether they liked it or not. Geez. It's not like they had to worry about us going all Angelina Jolie and her brother on them. Eww.