"What good is being responsible anyway?" I question bitterly.

Being responsible hasn't saved my beloved job. Or made me hear back from the Manolos director yet (he's still out of town). It hasn't gotten me an offer for that Broadway show, Meeting of the Minds, either (even if the show's producers said I nailed my audition). So why shouldn't I blow off a little steam? As Ava says, everyone needs to party.

Nadine glares at me and I glare back. We're still glaring when Mom sweeps through the hallway on her way back from her Pilates workout on her new Pilates machine she bought to reduce the stress that's been brought on by her Fashionistas article. (She hasn't left the house in days she's so upset over it.) "Hi, girls," Mom says as she picks up the phone in the hall. "On your way out?"

"Kaitlin is," Nadine says, her eyes never leaving my face. "Not that I think it's a good idea."

"What did you say, Nadine?" Mom asks. She has the phone to her ear. "I couldn't hear you. I'm leaving another message for my lawyer." Mom is threatening to sue Fashionistas for defamation of character.

My stomach tightens. I don't want Nadine giving me a hard time in front of Mom. If it wasn't for the Fashionistas article taking up all of Mom and Dad's attention, Mom would be flipping out over all the stupid articles being written about me. Every day this week there's been another picture of me with Lauren and Ava or an article about my supposed "reckless" behavior. How is shopping and going out for dinner or dancing with friends reckless? (There was one article about my nice Valentine's Day dinner with Austin, but still.)

The press is so over-the-top sometimes. They've written so many false stories about me lately, including the kidnapping and my vacation BFs, that I'm not worried about what they're writing now. It's not like I'm driving without a license and getting into fender benders or shaving my head.

Nadine looks incredulous. "Haven't you been reading the tabloids this week?"

"Nadine, I've been a bit preoccupied," Mom snaps. "I have a lot on my plate with this Fashionistas fiasco. I don't have time to read all of Kaitlin's clippings."

Thank God.

"But --" Nadine tries again.

"Nadine, seriously, if something is wrong, Laney will tell me," Mom says.

Laney has been annoyed, but she's only yelled at me twice so far. She's also been busy. One of her other clients got into a huge fight in Vegas and caused massive damage to one of the casinos. Luckily, Laney has experience putting out Vegas fires!

"I know Kaitlin has been going out lately, but there's nothing wrong with that," Mom continues. "I've been begging Kaitlin to be seen at events for years. I'm just glad she finally listened."

"Wow, Mom, thanks," I say and shoot Nadine a triumphant look.