“Your cupcakes were a huge hit.” VJ stretched out on the stone steps, tipping his head back as a breeze ruffled his uniform jacket. “Any other ideas planned for the campaign?” He nudged her knee with his,

She smiled, crinkling her nose, “Covering up all of Bebe’s posters with my own?” She giggled, “The thought of Bebe winning makes my skin crawl.”

He grinned as she draped her legs over his lap,

“But honestly, campaigning again feels like too much after the presidential elections last semester. People might start thinking I’m an attention whore.”

He raised a brow, studying her “I’m surprised you’re so blasé about it. The Liz from last year would have been making a little chant with Lisa on the announcements. Or choreographing a flash mob. You really don’t care?”

She bit her cheek, eyes on the football field, “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just over high school.”

He let her words linger, staring out over the sports fields,. “It’s getting a bit old, huh? Next year we'll  all be at Lumiere and everything will be new and exciting again.”

He could feel her shrinking beside him. She didn’t say anything. 

He breathed in, then exhaled slowly, “You’re not eating again.” His voice was gentle,

She twisted a stand of hair in her fingers, “Yeah. I just want to cut back a bit on my meals. I’d like to lose a bit of weight before the showcase. No biggie,”

He watched her, weighing her words,“Oh Liz, you’re already perfection.” 

She sighed, “Thank you.” She kept running her fingers though her hair, twirling the ends with her pink nails, “It’s just until December. And I’ll still be eating breakfast and dinner.” A lie.

VJ nodded his head, not wanting to push her any further, “I understand. Coach Frio always wants us eating boat loads of carbohydrates to bulk up. You’ve never met a chap more tired of spaghetti than this one.”

Liz laughed, her relief was visible.

“So what do you think of signing out of the dorm again tonight and having a little sleep over with me?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder,

He looped his arm around her, “With your parents home for the night? That’s quite brazen.”

She shook her head, “Trust me, they don't check on me.” At least not when they weren’t worried about her embarrassing them,

He caught the shadow in her voice. What was that supposed to mean? But he didn’t press. Instead he smiled, lifting her chin and kissing her, “I’d like to have an actual conversation with them first. Let them see I’m not just the bloke sneaking out at 3 a.m. I want them to like me.”

She pouted, then caved, laughter chasing away her nerves, “Deal.”

Lisa’s house was always like a zoo. It was much smaller than Elizabeth’s but still beautiful. Honestly, it was like a dollhouse with pink roses surrounding their white picket fence. Ryan and Ethan were home for the night and the twins, Darlene and Arlo, were downstairs arguing about something menial as usual. The girls had just escaped to Lisa’s room after Holly got a chance to meet Lisa’s older brothers.

“Lynn, Ethan is so fine. Why did you let him go again?” Liz flopped onto Lisa’s bed with a dramatic sigh as soon as they passed through the door.

Kaylynn plopped down beside her, "It's not just about looks, you know.” 

Liz shot her a grin, “Okay but he's cute, a little older and super smart, what more could you want?”

She scoffed, “A connection.”

“You both have the working parts, no?”

Lynn rolled her eyes, “Perv.” She playfully pushed her, “Emotionally, duh.”

Liz shifted, a bit, resting her hands on her chest, “I get it. But I think most of the time, looks is all anyone sees. Not even just the genetic stuff–” 

“I’m tired of hearing you gush about my brother,” Lisa spun around in her desk chair, “Are you guys doing anything else for your campaigns? I’m fiercely in need of another project.”

Liz rolled her eyes, staring at the ceiling. Lynn exhaled slowly, the tightness in her chest releasing a little,

Holly shook her head, “I don’t know what else to do. I've never been nominated for this type of thing.”

“We could film a video for socials and end it saying vote for Holly if you want.” Liz rolled over, facing Holly,

“It might be like, a conflict of interest to have you in Holly’s video. Especially after you already gave away your cupcakes together.” Lisa twisted back and forth in her seat.

Liz shrugged, “I don’t mind. Everyone sees enough of me already. Holly needs it a little more than I do.”

Holly slouched a bit,

“Not that you’re like, desperate or something,” Liz said, sitting up, “Just, you’re new and people don’t really know you yet.

Lisa sat up, smiling brightly, “Speaking of knowing people have you been admitted to the debutante ball, Holly?” 

“The debutante ball?” Holly echoed, perching up on her elbow,

Lynn laughed, “It's like you're not even from earth sometimes. Basically, we get presented to society like little dolls to tell the world that we’re ready to get married and have babies.” 

Lisa rolled her eyes, “I mean, that’s what it used to be about. Now it’s more about presenting yourself as a well connected young woman; Charity, networking all the fancy grown up stuff.” 

"It's like, Sunset Valley tradition. For anyone whose anyone at least." Liz joined in, "You should get presented even if it's just in two months. It’s literally like, the day after my annual November party and it would be social suicide if if you didn’t go.”

Holly imagined being presented at the top of the De Guelle’s Country Club staircase and twirling through the ballroom, hand in hand with Parker. It seemed so dreamy. She nodded, smiling

“Yay! We can beg my mom to get you signed up with the committee. And since you've got Parker, you already have an escort." 

“Great, because we have to start getting our dresses designed. Like, yesterday.” Lisa said. “And just think. This is just the prerequisite to all the college banquets and fundraisers we'll be going to next year.” She chimed on, working on her cork board again,

She took down a few memos about tests and replaced them with new ones she had on her desk. Fluttering about being an organized, hard working and connected woman of society seemed to make her so happy. It made Lynn bored. And honestly made Liz a little nauseous, in the force herself to throw up kind of way.

A faint shuffle from the hallway caught their attention. The shadow of someone sitting against the door blocked the light from the hallway.

Liz smiled mischievously at Lisa, “I just love wearing bikinis” She began in a valley girl accent, “Don’t you, Holly?”

Holly made a face, “Um. I guess?”

Liz strolled over and leaned close to the door, speaking almost directly through it.“I just love how they look on me. Holly, you also look so hot in your bikini. I almost want to kiss you...” 

Kaylynn and Lisa covered their mouths, stifling their giggles,

“Actually, I really want to kiss you, Holly. Come here.” She said, putting up a finger, signaling for the girls to wait as she reached for the doorknob,

As soon as she pulled the door open, Lisa’s youngest brother, Arlo barreled through the door like, well, a barrel. Nearly knocking over a lamp and tripping over his own feet as he tried to stand up.

“Uh! Sorry! I was just, um, looking for my–”

“Dignity?” Lisa teased,

Arlo threw his hands up, turning to each girl. His face went tomato red “No! I just wanted to help with your campaigns. ‘Vote Holly!’ You know?” He flashed the girls a thumbs-up and  bolted down the hall, tripping on a rug.

The girls laughed as he scurried away.

“So I hear you're in the ICSMS program. You’re so far from home.” Edward said, swirling his wine glass,

VJ nodded, “Yes sir. I thought it would be a good challenge. There’s something about starting over in a new place that forces you to grow up fast.” 

“That's quite impressive. You must have a clear vision for your life after school then?”

VJ offered a small, polite smile “ I try to keep my options open. School keeps be busy, but I’m always working on something on the side.”

Liz had managed to find a night that week when the whole family would be home so she could  formally introduce her parents to VJ as her boyfriend. They were all seated around the dinner table, Lisa included, eating a meal served to them from their chefs.

Earlier that afternoon Liz and Lisa picked out matching blugirl mini dresses. Lisa’s fully ruffled and lacy and Liz’ with a ruched sweetheart neckline and bow. She was channeling a bit of Lisa’s parental approval, literally holding her hand under the table, sitting between her and VJ.

“Don’t be so modest, VJ.” Liz placed her other hand on top of his, “VJ is top of our class and he’s maintained a 4.9 GPA,” 

“On top of being on the football team and the basketball team.” Lisa chimed in,

“Outstanding.” Alice nodded approvingly, “And VJ, if you don’t mind me asking, what does it stand for?”

He grinned, “Vincent James. Vincent James Alvi. My parents couldn't decide so they just gave me both.” 

The table laughed. All except Jefferey, who poked at his food. He couldn't stand the fake banter.

“So Vincent, What are your plans for post secondary? Do you intend to go pro, or are you thinking something a little more entrepreneurial?" Edward asked,

VJ shook his head, “Sports are a fun outlet but I don’t see myself depending on them long term. I’m interested in a few fields. Most likely business oriented. I like the idea of building something from scratch, even if I’m not quite sure what that is yet.”

Edward let out an intrigued laugh, “I like the sound of that. Come, walk with me in the garden. I’d love to hear more about your ideas.”

VJ nodded, glancing around the table, “If you’ll excuse me,” He stood and followed Edward out the back doors.

Liz felt a quick relief leave her body as her dad stepped outside with VJ. She didn’t realize how tightly she’d been holding herself, how she’d been fiddling with her Tiffany’s necklace, hoping the night would go smoothly. She’d never brought a boy home like this before. The worst part was over– her father liked VJ enough to invite him out to the garden and laugh at his jokes. What a relief.

“The ‘How well do you know VJ Alvi?’ game is so fun for the rest of us.” Jeff muttered,

Lisa nudged his arm sharply. He looked back at her, rolling his eyes, “If you’ll excuse me…” He said, imitating VJ and leaving the table,

Alice dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin, “VJ seems like a lovely young man.”She was much warmer than usual, “I’m glad you're dating someone with such a promising future, Elizabeth.”

For a second Liz felt this floating sensation, like she was watching herself finally get it right,

“I was so worried all summer that you were interested in the Langerak boy–” Alice continued,

“Mom…” Liz sighed, but there was no real bite to her mother’s words. It actually sounded almost like she was laughing at herself for having the thought,

Alice smiled, with a rare softness in her eyes, “I’m proud of you.” 

Those words landed in Liz’s heart tranquilly. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d said that to her without commenting on her weight, or her grades, or some other way she thought she was messing up. She’d let herself bask in her mother’s approval.

Lisa squeezed her hand under the table. Liz squeezed back, trying to play it cool but she almost felt a tear building up. At the moment it didn’t matter that VJ didn’t quite make her heart race the way…someone else did. For once, she’d managed to make her mother happy.

Jefferey and Parker met up after Jefferey left the dinner table. That atmosphere pissed him off. VJ was so fake. The way Lisa and Liz were swooning over him made him want to barf. 

The guys sat in Jeff’s car at the abandoned mine. Parker lit a cigarette beside him, putting it into his mouth.

“Share me a light?” Jefferey reached his hand out,

Parker raised a brow, “Since when do you smoke cigarettes?”

Jeff smirked, “Since five minutes ago.”

“What’s got you so fucked up,” Parker asked, passing him his lighter and pushing back his seat, staring through the sun roof,

Jeff's thumb clicked the lighter over and over, “My parents are obsessed with VJ. The girls too. They’re over there talking about all his achievements like being an ICSMS is such a big deal.”

Parker laughed but it faded quickly, “Well–only the highest achieving students can even be considered to qualify–”

“Lisa’s back there going on about how he’s so great since he plays football and basketball and gets nerd grades. What does ICSMS even stand for? Seems like a lot of letters just to say ‘try-hard.’” He finally managed to light his cigarette, sucking it in,

Parker laughed again. It was honestly nice to see him a little possessive over Lisa, “You’re still her ‘golden boy…’ You two have fun reorganizing that supply closet?”

Jeff’s eyes flashed to him, he looked at him like he’d won some secret competition, “Hey, you gotta keep it interesting. Closets, fire escape, the cave, you name it, she’s all in.” He said, nudging Parker, but it landed flat,

Parker’s laughing started to sound kind of forced, “Come on, J… That’s Lisa. Don’t talk about her like she’s just another game.”

“She’s fucking wild, man. It’s not like you never–”

“Yeah–well, maybe if you’re fucking around with Lisa now, you should stop fucking around with Candy and Darlene.”

Jefferey looked annoyed, “Since when did you grow all sentimental?”

Parker sat in silence, staring out the window as he took another smoke. He shifted, “How much did you have to push Lisa to get her to do that?” 

Jeff stared back at him. He didn’t flinch.

Parker stared back, “It’s not cool. She deserves better than that. And Darlene… She’s just a freshman...”

Jeff looked out the window, also taking a smoke, then flicking some ash out the window, "Funny, you telling me how to treat my girlfriend. You should try following that advice with your own girlfriend."

Parker’s voice dropped, "It just seems messed up, Jeff...What have you got to prove?" 

Jefferey met his eyes again, "I thought You didn't see anything, though." His gaze didn't waver,

Parker furrowed his brow, "Didn't see a thing..."

 Jefferey turned from him, looking out the window again as his cigarette burned in his hand, "Yeah. Let's both keep it that way."