"Look, we won't do it when you're with us, okay?" Ava says, sounding annoyed. "I can see it makes you uncomfortable." She looks at Lauren. "And we were going to stop doing it soon anyway, right Lau?" Lauren nods.

Well, I guess if they were going to stop anyway, they're not that bad. And they have been pretty great to me these last few weeks when no one else (other than Austin, of course) has. "I'm not mad," I say. "You do what you want." Ava smiles.

"Are you free tomorrow night? We're doing dinner at Mr. Chow." Lauren squeals. "You have to wear the dress. We'll all wear it. It will look so cute."

Ugh. I hate matching outfits. It's so babyish. But Lauren and Ava are looking at me hopefully, and I feel guilty saying no. I do like Mr. Chow. They have the best fried rice with shrimp. Besides, what's the alternative? Going home and being grilled by Mom and Dad or Nadine? Listening to Mom pace the halls as she waits for the DHL guy to bring an advance copy of her Fashionistas issue, which is due any day now? No, I need to get out. Even if it is a work night, it's not like I'm going to bed early. I can hardly sleep anymore. "Okay," I agree.

They both let out an ear-piercing squeal.

I look at my watch. It's now 2:30. I'm already thirty minutes late and by the time I get back to the set it will be forty-five. That's pushing it.

My Sidekick hums and I groan. It's Nadine.

FUTUREPREZ: Where R U????????????

Fashionistas

March Issue

Mommy Dearest

Being a mother and manager to one of young Hollywood's hottest stars--Family Affair's Kaitlin Burke--is a juggling act, but Meg Burke says it's all in a day's work. "If you want to keep your kid on top, you've got to push them hard. Even if they hate you for it." Looking out for your superstar daughter's interests are one thing, but critics say Meg's bullying is not only alienating her daughter, it's turning off the whole town.

By Andrew Pullichi

It's almost eighty degrees on this January morning in Los Angeles, but Meg Burke looks cool as a cucumber. Dressed in a dazzling Michael Kors pant suit and Jimmy Choo heels, the mother of Family Affair's Kaitlin Burke says she doesn't perspire. "I will myself not to," she declares. "It's so uncivilized. I tell Kaitlin if she just concentrates, she can do it too."