Alice looked at Liz and Jefferey’s test papers. She examined, let out a soft breath and shook her head, carefully setting them down on the marble bar, "Not quite up to par…"

Liz nodded, “I know.”

Jefferey said nothing.

They sat in the Ecochard's bar lounge going over their test from earlier today. Despite having a book to write, spas to go to and general gossip to catch up on with Judy and Iliana, Alice made a point to check in on her children’s school work. Of course out of concern, but also to ensure they weren’t making a spectacle of the family. Giselle was a prodigy–no worries there. But Jefferey and Elizabeth…sometimes lacked focus.

“We said nothing below 95 this semester.” Her tone was icy. She barely looked up at them, eyes locked on their papers.

Liz nodded. She felt her chest tighten.

“Is the new boyfriend distracting you?” Alice’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I don’t think  I’m asking much.”

Liz furrowed her brow, flipping her hair before crossing her arms, “Yeah. It’s not like I’m student body president or head of youth community service. Or waking up at four in the morning to practice piano and dance as Clara this year.”

Alice didn’t flinch, “That attitude is not very becoming Elizabeth.”

“Why am I even getting the same lecture as J? He quit lacrosse last year, spends his time half-assing the cello and debate doesn’t require any skills other than being a jerk. He’s got a girlfriend too and he only scored 77%” 

“I’ve always had a girlfriend.” Jeff leaned back in his chair, “It’s not going to change my performance this year anymore than last.”

   Alice smiled slightly, "You shouldn't be using such harsh language." She began, "And the cello is very demanding. It requires more discipline than you give him credit for..."

Liz rolled her eyes and slouched in her stool. “I still got an A.”

“Oh Elizabeth.” Her voice glided out like a sigh, You’re a young woman. In this world, we claw our way up ladders in Louboutins, clutching Birkins–We don’t settle for Kate Spade. In spaces where you can’t rely on your looks, you’ll need your brain.” She stood up, walking around the table with a coffee in hand, “And please, watch your posture.”

  Elizabeth couldn't stand her mom. She had such a stick up her ass about everything she did and didn’t give a single fuck about anything Jefferey did. He got a 77 and it was no big deal. He skipped classes, showed up completely wasted at their parents' parties and he and Parker were almost always together but somehow if Liz was even just seen with Parker, she was "embarrassing." It was so unfair.

  She changed into an oversized hoodie, dumped her ballet bun for a messy ponytail and grabbed a 6 pack from her dad’s cabinet. Then she drove out to the abandoned mine, the only place in Sunset where she could get away with drinking in public and not get caught, especially on a school night. Here, the world was quiet and perfect for disappearing.

  She couldn't call the person she actually wanted to be with… She was sure right now he was probably on the phone, making Holly laugh. Or maybe she had him over, looking at the pictures she’d drawn today. Her chest tightened, her eyes narrowed. There was one other person she didn't mind seeing.

  A voice floated through her window, "Hey you."

  Chris. The "just a guy from summer" Lisa asked her about when they saw him while shopping on Chemin De Rose. She called him on impulse right before she left home.

  She smiled, unlocking the door and stepping into the cool night air. "Hey." She opened her arms and he hugged her, a little too long to be friendly, "Thank you."

  He shrugged, "Just left the kid. His mom's pissed again. So honestly, your text was a lifesaver. Shit hit the fan with your mom?"

  She nodded, "You know how it is." She took a sip from her can.

  He eyed the drink, "Got any left?" .

  "Only one...We can share." 

He grinned, a little cocky, "Or, if you wanna come to my place, we can both get properly fucked up."

  She laughed, rolling her eyes, "Ew. Never say that again."

  He stepped closer, eyes trailing her up and down, “Well, I don’t wanna be sober alone.” He held her gaze, “How come you’re here without Parker? And I thought your ‘prince’ was supposed to be back once school started.”

  Liz didn't answer, just took another sip,

  "So it's just gonna be you and me?" His voice dropped,

  She smiled, shaking her head tightly, "Oh, we're not like..."

  Chris raised a brow, leaning in "Come on. I've been patient." The breeze swept his hair, 

  "Oh." She stopped him with a finger against his lips, "Don't be taking advantage of a drunk girl."

  He threw his hands up, "I'd never."

  Liz stepped closer anyway, her hands on his shoulders, "We can have fun. But I'm not having sex with you."

  He shrugged, taking her hand and leading her back to his car.

  Liz  knew what she was getting into by calling Chris. With him, hooking up had rules. Blurry, but understood. There was always a line and he knew not to cross it. She needed company who wouldn’t judge and he was perfect for it. VJ or the girls would just make her feel worse. And... at the moment she didn't necessarily feel above messing around to stay inebriated. With Chris it would just be hazy heated memories on his couch, the world shrinking down to hands, mouths and white noise, which was better than her mother practically crucifying her when she stumbled in drunk. Even if it meant facing a hangover and a huge weight of guilt tomorrow.

Liz woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling. Her head pounded, still drunk from before, little bits flickered through her memory–warm hands, the weight of a body pressed close, desperate for feeling and numbing at the same time. She slowly turned to her right. Chris was asleep beside her. Right. 

She fumbled through her phone. The glow was way too bright against the dimly lit room. No message from her mom, thank God, Her silence was a relief. But then a new text popped up,

im knocking on your window. are you home?

no

It’s 3 am

Liz bit her lip. He’d be furious if he knew she spent the night with Chris . She considered lying and saying she was with VJ but truthfully, she actually needed a ride. She was much more than buzzed this time.

im w chris

why?

we didnt hook up if that's what u really want to know

what about you and VJ?

fight with my mom. im a little drunk

you should be careful.

can u do me a favour? i left my car at the mine. can u come get me?

be there in 15

Liz could hear the crunch of Parker’s tired as he pulled up in front of Chris’ place. The door swung open before she could move and his eyes scanned her face as she slipped quietly into the passenger seat. The scent of smoke and air freshener filled the whole car,

He closed the door behind her, sitting beside her in the drivers seat with his jaw clenched tight,

“Gotta  admit, I didn't see this coming.” He mumbled,

“My mom is such a bitch.” She leaned her head against the cold window,

“You said you wouldn't hook up anymore but then you tell me you're with Chris.” His words were a little sharp, not quite angry,

She glanced at him quickly, then back out the window again, “I said we didn't do it.” Her voice was tiny, almost childlike,

“Come on. You know it's close enough.” Parker’s knuckles were almost white on the steering wheel as he pulled onto the street, heading downtown. “I told you I'm here for you. You don't have to sink that low just to drink. Are you really okay?”

“Well he's your friend.” Liz whispered, “It can't be that low.”

“You’re 16. He's 20.”

“17 in a few months. And you'll be 19 soon too. What's the difference?”

He sighed, keeping his eyes on the road, “He’s also a drug dealer. With baby mama drama. Cops-involved-type-baby mama drama.”

Liz looked out her window in silence.

Parker sighed sharply, glancing at her flushed cheeks and hunched posture. She was obviously drinking a lot. Reasoning with her might have been useless. Despite how annoying she was right now, she was still Elizabeth. He pulled into a at a convenience store to get her some water and sat with her in the parking lot. He leaned back in his seat, staring at the roof of the car and lighting a cigarette, his second since leaving her balcony.

“I think I have a problem.” She said quietly between sips.

Parker cleared his throat, “If you're giving blow jobs for beer? Yeah. But I get it.” He blew out the window, “But do me a favor. If you've gotta be with some guy besides VJ at 3 a.m., just call me. It's hard enough knowing you've got a boyfriend now.”

She sipped her water again, fingers trembling, “Promise you won't tell?”

He tiled his seat back, “You know you don't even have to ask me.” He looked at her, finally letting himself smile a little, “You're gonna have the worst headache tomorrow,” 

And that she did. All day Liz had a pounding head ache. When she woke up again that morning she texted Parker to tell him even her hair hurt. In home room she told Lisa and Holly she wasn't feeling well and tried to look bright eyed and bushy tailed despite it. 

As they sat at their usual lunch table, Liz and Lisa flipped through their planners as Mr. Koffi gave the daily lunch time announcements. They had midterms approaching, ballet, homework and the Halloween season was approaching so they’d be in charge of hosting a dance by late October. Liz didn't have time to have a hangover. 

“And this year’s nominees for homecoming court are…Bebe Hart partnered with Malcolm Landgraab, Elizabeth Ecochard partnered with VJ Alvi and Holly Alto partnered with Parker Langerak.”

Oh and now she was running for homecoming queen.

The cafeteria applauded the nominees and went back to their usual banter. Holly turned to Parker, surprised anyone even knew her name. He looked like he barely believed he was nominated either. Liz’ eyes flickered to them as they shifted closer together.

“It seems like more and more people are starting to notice you, Holly.” Lisa sighed as she closed her planner, taking a sip of her smoothie and tucking her hair behind her ear. Her jealousy read a little too clear.

Jefferey sat beside her, eating his lunch and texting on his phone, completely unbothered about not being nominated.

Elizabeth immediately noticed how chummy Holly and Parker looked. She could tell they were holding hands under the table, sitting close enough that her soft curls brushed against his letterman jacket. She also looked beautiful, with her bangs that had really settled, pink glossed lips and perfectly styled uniform. She really looked good beside Parker. They made a cute couple.

“Yeah. Congratulations.” Liz managed, but it came out flat. She didn’t even pick at her food, which was literally just an orange. Instead she sat fumbling with her necklace charm.

Holly smiled, “Thank you. But we have to withdraw.” She added,

“What? Why?” Parker asked,

Liz shook her head, “Yeah, why?”

“I can’t run against my friend.” She said quietly, “And I really don’t stand a chance against you or Bebe.”

Kaylynn’s eyes narrowed, but she smiled, “Seriously, stop that. You’re absolutely stunning. You were nominated for a reason.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t even nominated,” Lisa chimed in, “But if I was, I would have ran too.”

 “Competition can be friendly. Right Liz?” Lynn continued,

Liz nodded. She was happy for Holly, and Parker too of course, but she couldn't shake that little knot she kept feeling in the pit of her stomach. Parker was nominated alongside a girl who wasn’t her. He'd spent the previous night with her but he was holding another girl’s hand under the table right now. Why did it bother her so much? She set them up. And it wasn't like she wanted him or something…

Lynn gently nudged her shoulder, “Right Liz?”

Liz nodded, forcing a smile, “Of course! You should run. I have enough attention on me as is. And we can't let Bebe think she's got no competition.”

VJ joined the group at their table. setting his lunch tray down beside Elizabeth and pressing a quick kiss on her cheek,

"Hi, princess. Looks like you're going to be the homecoming queen." He glanced at her lunch–or lack there of, "Not eating again?"

She shook her head. “I'm a little nauseous today.”

“Oh no. I can grab some medicine from the school shop.”

Liz shook her head, “That's okay. Thank you.” She leaned on his shoulder.

Liz eyes met with Parker's. For a minute he stared at her, she almost felt like she could read his expression, until his eyes quickly shifted back to Holly. She laughed softly beside him, cheeks flushed, playing with her hair. The knot tightened.

But VJ was so sweet. Straight A's, a gentleman, hard working, handsome. And she'd cheated on him...She reached for his hand, tightening her fingers around his without even realizing.

“So to campaign,” Lisa fiddled with her straw, “What if we do, like, a cute little a cupcake giveaway?” 

Liz hummed, “I don't know. Doesn't that seem kind of  Disney channel-ish?” 

“But no other nominees  have done it. And it does seem very ‘you.’ All cute and sweet.” Kaylynn took a bite out of her cake pop, “We can do some for both you and Holly.”

“It does sound cute…” Liz said, head still pressed against VJ’s arm, “But if we’re going to do it we should make them all pretty and detailed…Maybe at my house tonight, we can turn on 10 things I Hate About You and make it like, a whole thing?”

Kaylynn and Lisa nodded enthusiastically.

Perfect, because if she had to take the time to do all of that by herself too she'd probably slit her throat.

Liz stared at the line of food colouring bottles on the kitchen counter. "We're not really decorating these in bright orange, are we?"

Lynn stirred the batter, rolling her eyes playfully, "We can make them into pastels by dipping toothpicks in to get a tiny bit instead of just squeezing." 

Lynn had brought pink aprons and baking supplies from home. She was totally in her element here. Whenever she wasn’t practicing in the gym, the kitchen was her sanctuary.

“It’s almost spooky season, so we should get into the spirit.” She placed the mixing bowl on the counter, fixing her ponytail,

Lisa turned up the volume on the kitchen TV as Heath Ledger sang ‘Can't take my eyes off of you’ to Julia Stiles, "This scene is criminally cute."

Liz smiled, "Heath ledger is criminally cute. The way Patrick falls for Kat is so sweet. I swear every guy has that one girl that just like, drives him crazy."

Elizabeth's phone chimed. She checked the screen. Parker."It's my parents." She shut it off, "I'll take this outside.

She tiptoed over to the living room. VJ and Jeff were totally consumed playing Call of Duty but Parker wasn't there. Her phone vibrated again,

im out back

Quietly, she stepped outside to the pergola. Parker sat on the stairs, smoking,  eyes fixed on his phone.

  Liz sat down beside him cross legged, "Share with me?"

Parker handed it to her, smirking, "You're not afraid to smell when you get back inside?"

She giggled, handing it back. "Um...Thanks so much for last night... But I think it's kind of inappropriate for us to hang out one on one now."

He raised a brow, "Could have fooled me. Better to hang out with me than suck Chris's di-"

"Shh. Quiet please." She placed a finger on his lips, "I was drunk. And Chris isn't dating my friend. You're off limits. Even if it's just friendly, this should be the last time."

He blew out a slow breath, "I get it. I guess." His voice lingered,

Elizabeth nodded and the two sat in silence for a second, 

"You and Holly are really sweet together. Congrats on the nomination." Her voice was small again as she twirled her hair around her finger,

Parker nodded, "Yeah. You too." His smile was warm, but a little empty.

She furrowed her brows, voice a little hesitant, "What happened out on the football field... If you don't mind me asking... I thought that side of you was like, 'trained away' in boot camp." She made using air quotes,

He sighed, breathing out a laugh, "The testostermone took over?"

"It's testosterone." She laughed, relaxing a little "I'm surprised you even know what it does. Promise no drugs were involved this time?"

He nodded, "Clean since the end of summer– aside from a few drinks, smokes and weed. Obviously. I keep my promises."

"And what about last night? Why were you on my balcony again?"

His eyes flickered to different parts of her face, tracing all her features and lingering a little longer on her lips, "I wanted to be the one to tell you, We're together now. Me and Holly."

No duh, that much was obvious. With how close they sat at lunch, "At 3 a.m.?"

He smiled, softening. It looked like he was only now going to say what brought him out here, "I get you have all this pressure on you to be perfect and all... But I have a hard time getting you off my mind." His dimples caught her attention again, stealing her breath,

She could feel her cheeks blushing. "We had a good time, P... But we had to get back to real life." 

He slouched back, his grin teasing, "I know. But a little fantasy never hurt nobody."

She shook her head, shoving his shoulder playfully. "Is Holly's giving you blue balls?"

"Chill, chill." He laughed, "Just thinking out loud." He scratched the back of his neck, "Why do you always think I only care about sex?"

She paused, biting her lip. "Your turnover rate used to be pretty hard to ignore..."

He shook his head, "I could never be like that with you." He stared at the wood beneath them, "You say this should be the last time, but we both know it won't be…I'm not saying I want us to jump into something. But I'm tired of pretending like I'm not into you. I just...wanted you to know that."

Oh. She thought. It wasn't like she didn't know...But she couldn't seriously consider being with him. Though somehow, hearing him say it out loud was different. She couldn't stop the smile forming on her face. She pulled her hair over her shoulder nervously, 

"I don't know what to say." Her voice was soft,

He shifted closer, embracing her in a gentle hug. His head rested lightly on top of hers, "You don't have to figure it out here and now. Holly and I have fun, you and VJ are doing your thing…" He rested his chin on top of her head, "No ulterior motives. Just being here is good."

Elizabeth's heart felt heavy with everything he'd said. She couldn't make any promises, but for this moment, she felt comfortable just staying in his arms.