Chapter Six

  “Please, please let our luggage be here,” I whispered under my breath as my dad and I walked into the hotel lobby after soccer practice. I was also crossing my fingers.

  Dad approached the reception desk and smiled at the woman standing there. “I’m hoping you’ve got some good news for us, Laura,” he said.

  “Hello, Mr. Burke.” She typed on the computer screen in front of her before frowning. “I’m sorry, but your luggage has not arrived.”

  “Ugh!” I smacked the palm of my hand against my forehead. No dress. No party. I’d flown all the way out here just to be snarked at by Sienna. This was definitely not a trip to remember.

  While I was having my mini meltdown, Laura continued to type.

  “However, you did get a delivery,” she said. “Actually, not you, Mr. Burke, but a package came for Devin.”

  “A package? I’m not expecting anything.” I said, surprised. Unless Sienna had sent me a box of snakes or something, I couldn’t imagine what it was.

  Laura retrieved a large white gift box from under the desk. It had a blue ribbon and a matching bow attached. She squinted at the gift tag.

  “It says ‘To Devin, from the Kicks,’ ” she read. “The Kicks. Is that some kind of dance group, like the Rockettes?”

  I laughed. The Rockettes were a dance company that dressed all in the same outfits and did synchronized moves. Our family watched them every year during their television holiday special. I couldn’t wait to tell that one to Jessi, Emma, Zoe, and Frida. I just imagined what our new team cheer would look like—lined up in a row, high-kicking!

  “No, that’s my soccer team,” I said as I grabbed the box. “And I think they just saved the day for me!”

  When my dad and I got into our hotel room, I put the big box on my bed and slid the ribbon off. Nestled inside the box, under sheets of tissue paper, was a royal blue dress. I carefully folded the paper back and pulled it out, holding my breath a little. Then I quickly tried it on.

  The dress had a high neckline framed with cap sleeves over the fitted bodice. It came with a metallic silver belt that I put around my waist. The skirt had fluttering pleats and flared out with a crinoline lining, which made it poof around me. It hit about midthigh, which was a little shorter than my other dress, but I loved it. I spun around, and the skirt twirled like a dancer’s. Maybe “Rockette” was fitting!

  Also in the box was a metallic headband that matched the belt, and silver, sparkly high heels.

  I grabbed my phone and took a mirror selfie before sending it in a group chat to the Kicks.

  I you all so much! You saved my life! How did you do it? Thank you!!!!!

  My phone immediately got flooded with replies.

  My cousin works with a designer in NYC. I told her what you like, and your size, and she picked it out and overnighted it to you. She gave it to us at a big discount, but we all chipped in! This was from Zoe.

  You’re welcome. Save it for my next red carpet premiere! Frida texted.

  We’d never leave you stranded without a dress! Be safe in those heels—don’t pull a me and trip! I laughed at Emma’s text. She’d had to practice in heels for weeks before Zoe’s bat mitzvah.

  I told everyone it had to be blue so you wouldn’t forget us. Have fun! Jessi replied.

  I was interrupted in the Kicks text fest by a knock on my bedroom door.

  “Devin, does it fit?” Dad called.

  I opened the door. “See for yourself.” I did another little twirl.

  My dad smiled. “Devin, you look beautiful! And so grown-up. Being back in Milford has reminded me of when you were just a baby. Where did the time go?”

  This was very sweet, but I didn’t have time to deal with Dad’s nostalgia. I had a party to get ready for!

  I put the dress away in the box, and Dad dropped me off at Kara’s so we could get ready together. I had the box tucked under my arm. Kara grabbed it as soon as she saw me.

  “Let me see!” she said eagerly.

  “It’s not the same dress that I showed you,” I told her as she pulled it out of the box. “Our luggage still hasn’t come, so my friends bought me a dress.”

  Kara froze, looking at the dress in her hands. “They bought this for you?”

  “Yes. Well, Zoe has a cousin who’s a designer, and she—”

  “Of course she does,” Kara said, rolling her eyes. She let go of the dress.

  Why is she acting like this? I wondered. I changed the subject.

  “So, what are you wearing?” I asked. I looked around the room nervously. Was Sienna coming here to get ready too? I’d never even asked if she was going to the party, because it seemed like a sore subject between me and Kara.

  “Sienna helped me pick my dress out, and I love it,” she said as she walked over to her closet. “She was a little mad that Charlotte didn’t invite her, but they only just met this year, and it’s not like we’re all in the same grade or anything.”

  “Sienna seems like she can get mad easily.” The words just popped out of my mouth. But I wasn’t lying.

  Kara made a tsk noise with her tongue. “I thought you two would hit it off. I’m so confused about why you seemed not to like Sienna from the start.”

  “It wasn’t me. It was her—” I started, and then stopped. “Look, Kara, maybe we should just not talk about Sienna, at least for tonight. I’ve been waiting for weeks to come here and go with you to Charlotte’s party. Let’s just try to forget it and have fun.”

  Kara hesitated, but then her big smile returned. “Okay, but only if you let me do your makeup!”

  I dutifully sat in front of Kara’s lighted makeup mirror as she used brushes and wands, and applied powder all over my face.

  “Open your eyes now!” Kara said when she had finished.

  I opened my eyes and gasped. Was that me, or one of Frida’s movie star friends? My eyes had glittery shadow and were lined with kohl black liner, giving me a dramatic look. My cheekbones looked like a model’s, and my lips were pouty and perfect. I’d had my makeup done by a professional when I’d modeled, but that had been for a natural look. This was full-on glam.

  “Did you really learn how to do this from watching videos?” I said, shocked. “This is amazing!”

  “I think I might be a makeup artist one day,” Kara said. “I know we’re not supposed to talk about her, but Sienna thinks I’m good enough.”

  “You could be if you wanted to.” I was impressed. “I feel beautiful!”

  “Now let me get mine on while you do your hair,” Kara suggested.

  I followed the instructions Zoe had texted me for my hair. I borrowed Kara’s flat iron to straighten it, then used a tiny bit of gel to smooth it back and pull it into a long, high ponytail. I then added the silver, sparkly headband that had come with the dress. Simple and elegant.

  By the time Kara was done, we both looked like superstars or maybe even top models. I was really surprised at the transformation, and I also wondered if Sienna was the one who had given Kara the idea to become a makeup artist, and why Kara had never mentioned it before.

  We stood in front of the mirror together, admiring ourselves and each other. Kara’s dress was supercute: a sleeveless, V-neck black dress with multicolored flowers embroidered all over it. The glossy tulle skirt flared out right above her knees, making it look like a ballerina’s tutu. To complete the look, she wore strappy, high-heeled black sandals.

  “This calls for a besties selfie!” she cried, and we took turns taking photos of ourselves together.

  I felt a bit like Cinderella as Mr. O’Connell drove us to the event hall at the country club where Charlotte’s party was being held.

  The hall had many round tables scattered around a dance floor. Charlotte’s colors were pink and white, and white linens covered all the tables, which were adorned with bouquets of pink and white flowers.

  “I thought she was doing a World Cup theme?” I asked, remembering some images Charlotte had posted on social media a few weeks before.

  “It was a toss-up between that theme and Pretty in Pink, and pink won,” Kara said. “Not everything has to be about soccer, you know.”

  “I’m not complaining!” I promised. “This is really nice.”

  We picked up a pink table number card and found out that we were seated with Rachel, Madison, Jolie, Bella, and Kaitlyn. I secretly thought that this would be a lot more fun than Patruno’s, since Sienna wasn’t here to be all snarkmaster with me.

  “Devin, you look gorgeous!” Rachel cried. “Kara must have done your makeup. She’s the best out of all of us.”

  Kara smiled. “Thanks. You’re sweet!”

  I glanced around at my friends, who looked so glamorous. “You all did a great job yourselves!”

  Jolie giggled. “Remember when we were little and walked around with skinned knees all the time?”

  I got a little self-conscious. I had skinned my knees good wiping out at soccer practice earlier that week. They had mostly healed up, but I hoped no one noticed. I should have asked Kara to throw some makeup onto my knees, too!

  Soon I didn’t have time to worry about anything. Charlotte made her entrance in a gorgeous, light-pink ball gown that touched the floor. Her red hair was swept up into big, beautiful curls, with a tiara nestled in it.

  “She really does look like Princess Ariel,” I whispered to Kara. Because of her red hair, we always used to call her the Little Mermaid when we were younger.

  Then the music started, and we all hit the dance floor. Kara and I clowned around together, coming up with crazy dance moves and making each other laugh. The friendship seesaw was definitely back on top, and I was happy.

  Kara and I were dancing when Charlotte ran up to us and grabbed each of us by the hand. Then we all started twirling around.

  “This is a great party!” I shouted over the music. “It’s everything I dreamed about back in California!”

  “It’s so nice that you flew out here to celebrate with me, Devin,” Charlotte said. “I hope we can talk before you leave. I want to hear all about California.”

  I nodded. “Definitely!”

  The song ended, and Charlotte broke away from us. I ran back to our table to get a drink of water, a little sweaty and out of breath. When I checked my phone, there was a text from Jessi.

  Baby is on the way! I’ll keep you posted. Hurry home so you can meet the new little Duke!

  I texted back emojis and then started asking questions. What hospital were they at? Was Jessi there with her parents or at home? How long had her mom been in labor for? Was it scary? I promised to go see her as soon as I got home, and we kept texting back and forth. I forgot about the dancing and the party for a while, until Kara came over.

  “Devin! What are you doing?” She sounded annoyed.

  “Um, I’m texting my friend Jessi—” I began, but before I could finish, Kara cut me off.

  Kara rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Don’t you, like, see Jessi every day? I never get to see you!” she said, her cheeks red and flushed from dancing.

  “Yeah, but she’s having a baby—I mean, her mom is having a baby.” I got nervous, and the words wouldn’t come out right.

  “Whatever. I’m going to dance with my friends,” she said, and then she stomped off in her high heels.

  I sighed as I slumped in my chair. The friendship seesaw had just landed on the ground with a thump, and I think I had been knocked off!

  Chapter Seven

  The rest of the night was awkward.

  Kara barely talked to me. She stayed glued to Madison and Jolie, and when we were all out on the dance floor, she never even looked at me!

  The more I thought about what was happening, the angrier I got with Kara. She was being so unreasonable! I mean, I wasn’t texting Jessi for no reason. Her mom was having a baby!

  I was so upset that I stayed off the dance floor after that. I ate my dinner, but I didn’t bother to hit the dessert table, which was full of pink cookies, pink cupcakes, and jars filled with pink candy. I thought about asking my dad to come pick me up, but I didn’t. I had begged and begged to come to Connecticut for this party. He’d be upset if I asked him if I could go home in the middle of it! So I stuck it out.

  Near the end of the party, the deejay asked everybody to come onto the dance floor for Charlotte’s favorite song. I stayed at my table, even though Rachel tried to pull me away to dance with everybody. I was done, checked out, and did not feel like dancing.

  After the song ended, Charlotte came over and sat down next to me.

  “Is everything okay, Devin?” she asked.

  “I’m fine,” I said, and I suddenly felt bad. This was Charlotte’s special party, and here she was, worried about me.

  Charlotte didn’t press me to find out what was wrong. “So, what’s it like living in the land of sunshine all the time? I’m thinking of going to school out there. I really hate the winters here, you know?”

  “I like winter, but yeah, the weather is basically always sunny, and you can be outdoors all the time without wearing sixteen layers of clothing,” I replied, smiling for the first time in an hour.

  “I guess you made some friends out there too?” she asked.

  “I did,” I answered. Then I found myself just blurting out everything that had happened. “I mean, that’s normal, right? Only, Kara’s acting like it’s wrong that I have other friends besides her, which is just not fair. My friend Jessi texted me because her mom is having a baby, and I’m excited for her, and it’s not like I was ignoring Kara, and …” I stopped. “Sorry. I’m not making any sense.”

  “It’s okay,” Charlotte said. “I fight with my friends sometimes too. But we usually work it out. That’s just part of being friends.”

  “Thanks,” I said, and I grinned. “Wow, I guess turning sixteen makes you super wise and smart, right?”

  “Definitely not,” Charlotte said. Then she jumped up and held out her hands. “Come on, Devin. This is my party, and I say you have to get back onto the dance floor. And you have to obey the birthday girl.”

  I giggled. “Yes, Your Highness!”

  I followed her out to the dance floor, and even though Charlotte quickly got pulled away, I stayed. I found Rachel and Bella, and I danced with my old friends, including Kara, although it was awkward.

  When the party ended, Kara’s mom picked us up.

  “So how was the party?” she asked.

  “Okay,” Kara replied, looking out the window.

  “It was nice,” I said.

  “You girls seem quiet,” her mom said. “You must be pooped from all that dancing!”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Kara replied, and she stared out the window.

  Kara didn’t talk to me the whole way to her house. When we got there, she and I headed upstairs to her room.

  “You can shower first,” she offered.

  “Thanks,” I said, and soon I felt clean and a little more awake and comfortable in sweats and a T-shirt. Her dad had set up a small cot for me in Kara’s room, with a sleeping bag and pillows, and I stretched out on top of it, waiting for Kara to finish her shower.

  Kara finally came out in her pajamas, drying her hair with a towel. She tossed the towel over her desk chair and climbed into her bed. Then she picked up her phone and started scrolling.

  Is she ignoring me? I wondered. I remembered what Charlotte had said about friends working things out, so I decided to give it a try.

  “Kara, you’re acting like you’re mad at me,” I said.

  Kara didn’t answer. She didn’t take her eyes off her phone.

  I sat up. “Okay, this proves you’re definitely mad at me. What’s your problem?”

  Kara lowered her phone. “You know what my problem is, Devin. I already told you, but you don’t seem to care. You came all the way out here to Connecticut, and you’re ignoring me because of your friends in California.”

  “Jessi’s mom is having a baby,” I said. “That’s a big deal. And it’s not like I was texting her all night. It was just, like, a minute.”

  “Why were you even texting your friends at the party?” Kara shot back.

  “She texted me,” I countered. “And anyway, everybody had their phones out.”

  “Whatever,” Kara replied.

  “Do not ‘whatever’ me!” I said, and I heard my voice getting loud, but I couldn’t stop. “I could say the same thing about you ignoring me. My first night here, we had to do something with Sienna and your friends. You didn’t even—”

  “Ha!” Kara said. “Sienna said you would blame it on her. She says you’re jealous of our friendship. And you’re trying to make me feel jealous with Jessi. She also said—”

  “I don’t care what Sienna said!” I was yelling now. “I do not care at all!”

  Mrs. O’Connell knocked on the door. “Girls, is everything okay?”

  My heart was pounding and my blood was boiling. I didn’t answer Kara’s mom, but I picked up my phone. I texted my dad.

  Can you come get me? Please?

  “Girls?” Mrs. O’Connell stepped into the room.

  Is everything okay? Dad asked.

  Just please come get me.

  Be there in ten.

  “Kara, what’s going on?” her mom asked.

  “Ask Devin. She’s the one with the problem,” Kara replied.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. O’Connell,” I said. “My dad is coming to get me. I’m just—I need to go.”

  Mrs. O’Connell looked from me to Kara, and I’m pretty sure she figured out what was happening.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay, Devin? You’re flying out tomorrow,” she said.

  I looked at Kara, waiting for her to say something. To say she was sorry. To beg me to stay. But she didn’t say anything.

  “I’m sure,” I said.

  Then I got all my stuff together and left Kara without another word. Dad came to the door a few minutes later. I hugged Kara’s mom, thanked her, and when I got into the car, I broke down sobbing.