The Ecochard family hadn’t gone to their house in the Hamptons for the summer this year. Edward had taken on a hands-on approach with a new set of businesses, so Alice spent most of the summer at her favourite spa in Monte Carlo.  Aside from one short trip to Ritz, Elizabeth, Jefferey and Giselle stayed home. Lisa was busy interning in her mother’s boutique,  Kaylynn went to Bridgeport to teach gymnastics classes and VJ left the dorm to visit his family in Cambridge. Besides her brother and sister, the only available friend Liz had in Sunset was Parker. Which, honestly, wasn’t so bad. They always had fun together. Even if it was mostly in groups. And it was a plus that he basically looked like a human ken doll. But that summer it was just the two of them. They went to college parties at the abandoned mine, they’d drive off in his car in the night and hang out in the woods close to Grumpy’s–the trashy karaoke bar–or get out of Sunset and rent motel rooms for the weekend and play video games. Or smoke pot. Or experiment...With MDMA… Or each other. They had fun. Maybe a little bit too much. For Liz it was just a temporary release–a way to get the wild child out of her system before school started again, so she could easily slip back into her ‘type A’ routine without feeling like she missed out or something. She thought Parker knew that…But maybe she was wrong. Possibly even considering what she thought Parker might want wasn't in the cards for her if she wanted to maintain the reputation she worked so hard to achieve. 

Elizabeth slouched in her vanity chair, lightly curling Bijoux’s fur with her fingers and staring at her phone. She needed to make a call.

Lisa had just finished putting the last of her sticky note reminders on the cork board in her room. She had lined the edges with pink lace and pearls, giving a girly touch to all her plans for the semester. 

“How’s school? Are you and Liz still running that place?” Her oldest brother, Ryan, asked her. She had him on speaker phone as she sat down at her desk,

She laughed, “I mean, it just started today. But it was good. Just 36 weeks to go before I can finally start pursuing my BCOM.”

“Did you dump Jefferey yet?” He asked, almost under his breath,

“Of course not.” She sighed softly, looking at the picture she had of herself and Jefferey beside her pink iMac,

“I just don’t trust the guy.”

Lisa could feel his wariness through the phone, “I’m going to be just fine.” She replied,

“With Ethan at Lumiere now too, neither of us can protect you when he hurts you.” He sounded apprehensive,

“You mean ‘if he hurts me.’ And he won’t. And even if by some demonic force, he does, I have Lynn and Liz. I promise, I’ll be okay.” Her phone flashed Liz’ contact, “I gotta go Ry.”

“Alright. Tell the Arlo and Dar I said they’re assholes,”

Lisa laughed, hanging up the call and answering Elizabeth’s, “What’s up?” 

“Okay, Lisa. Hear me out. What if, and this is just a hypothetical, what if Parker likes me?”

Lisa was a little caught off guard. If she was going to be completely honest with Liz, she'd tell her it was kind of obvious he already did like her. He constantly watched her, even kissed her in their freshman year, his first sophomore year, and spent the whole summer with her. She actually thought Liz might have liked him a little too...But she wasn't willing to be that honest. 

"Is Parker even capable of liking someone? I thought he just kind of... hopped in bed and moved onto the next girl who came along." She laughed,

Elizabeth sighed, “I'm serious!”

“Okay, okay, well he’s totally cute. But he’s not boyfriend material, obviously. And you have VJ. So I say, if, hypothetically of course, Parker likes you, we should find someone like you for him to like so he can get over it.” 

“Lisa, wanna date Parker?”

“But I already have my sweet Jefferey.” She said, reaching for his photo, running her fingers along the frame,

“Gross.” Liz teased, hanging up. 

In the morning, Lisa flat ironed her hair in her vanity mirror. She applied her makeup in pale pink tones, complete with sparkly white highlights and long lashes. She looked pretty. She felt pretty. Perfect. She loved to be perfect.

She sighed…Her perfection was never as good as Elizabeth’s. The two of them had been friends forever. Their mothers dressed them in matching Chanel back in day care. It felt like they were sisters, attached at the hip, to the point where nearly 17 years later, they still wore matching outfits. Not every day, but a lot of days. They took all the same extracurriculars, and quit the same ones too. They started ballet and cotillion together to learn poise and elegance. They quit tae kwon do because girls as pretty as them shouldn’t have to defend themselves, and cheerleading because cheering for boys was so, not a cute look. They agreed on everything. Somewhere down the line, Elizabeth just became that girl. She was class president, was dating the running back/point guard legend and had the quarterback crushing on her. Lisa was just the vice president. Though she loved him, she’d been with the same boy since kindergarten. Her family had money but not nearly as much as Elizabeth's with her Sunset Valley royalty status. They didn't throw the biggest parties or have their name on a plaque outside the school and city hall. People wanted to be Elizabeth. No one really wanted to be Lisa.

She walked into her closet and opened the glass doors that stood in front of the outfit the girls had picked out to match today. Lisa pulled out her phone,

r we still feeling pullovers?

of course ♡ see u soon doll

Elizabeth looked at her finished look in the mirror. She fixed her curls a bit and turned to the side to check her figure. Her arms still looked so chunky… She'd have to start doing something about that. At least the pull over kind of disguised it. There was a knock at her bedroom door,

Alice stepped inside. She was already dressed and made up to the nines. Perfectly poised and polished even in the comfort of her own home, 

"Good morning, mom." Elizabeth said as she fixed her peter pan collar,

"I didn't get a chance to talk to you yesterday morning," 

Liz nodded,

“Firstly, how was the first day? Any news?” She clearly was fishing for dirt on other people’s kids, She didn’t have much else to do, with Edward leaving early and coming home late every night,

“Not much. River’s back.”

Alice scoffed, “The McIrishes are such trash. They’re such a stain on our community. First a messy divorce then a teen pregnancy.”

Liz let out a small laugh, “Yeah, I was so–”

"But speaking of stains," Alice crossed her arms, "I hope you’ll keep in mind that appearances matter. We wouldn’t want you getting the wrong kind of attention, right Elizabeth?”

Liz nodded, “Right...”

“Choose your company wisely." She stood up, approaching Liz and gently resting her hands on her shoulders, “Do try not to be seen around with that Langerak boy anymore. Remember who you represent.” 

Liz looked at the floor,

"All of your peers are back in Sunset for the season. You’re a debutante this year. It’s high time you start behaving like one…" She tilted her head, smiling coldly at her daughter.  She quietly walked back to the door, "Oh and those… arms of yours…Let’s work on refining that, shall we?” 

Liz held her arms uncomfortably as she felt a tearful lump in her throat.

Holly entered her homeroom quietly, trying to remain unnoticed. Before leaving school yesterday, she decided to pick up a black St. VDP monogrammed hoodie from the school shop. She still didn't look as cute as the other girls but at least she didn't look quite so bizarre beside them. 

She sat at her desk in the back of the classroom, doodling in her notebook with her pen. Just lines and swirls at first, then a doodle of a little bunny with a bow. The classroom slowly filled around her. Elizabeth and Lisa walked in together, laughing as they separated from Parker, taking their seats in the front.

"Top of the morning to you, Red!" Parker sang, plopping down beside her. He set his backpack on the floor.

Holly laughed quietly. He really was so cute. Even if they were just going to be friends she could still enjoy just looking at him, right? 

He peered over at her drawing. Holly noticed, snapping her notebook shut, feeling her cheeks warming.

Parker raided his brows, "I thought it looked nice. You're talented." His smile was big and bright He reached a hand over to her desk, "Draw me something."

She shook her head, pulling her note book closer to her,

"Not in there, on my hand." He said, flipping his hand over gently, fingers wiggling,

She looked in his eyes as he waited patiently. His smile was a little softer.  She took his hand, blushing as she drew a tiny smiley face on his ring finger. She made sure to give it dimples and a puff of curly hair,

She let go of his hand, "It's you."

He took his hand back, admiring her little doodle, "You're cute." The way he said it made her stomach flutter.

Jefferey never arrived to class that morning and Mrs. Andrews had already closed the classroom door. Elizabeth looked at the back of the room where Parker sat. He looked like he was in a better mood than last night. He wasn't staring at her daydreaming today, which was good. Actually he was goofing around with a mousy red head. She had a really cute face, but she was kind of dressed like a school shooter.

Liz nudged Lisa, nodding subtly in their direction, "What about her?"

Lisa squinted, "She doesn't really look like our kind of person."

Liz nodded, "Yeah, I can't really see him liking her as she is but we could turn her into project. And it looks like she might like him."

At the back, Parker poked Holly's cheek, making her blush even deeper.

Lisa smiled, "Makeovers do sound fun. She can have her own little Y/N moment."

The St. Vincent lunch hall was much like a buffet. One with multiple halls, a chocolate fountain and drink service. It sported a view of the biggest fountain in Sunset Valley, the two story library and the lacrosse court.

Liz and Lisa watched as VJ, Parker and Jefferey talked to Candace Ashedale. Jeff kind of accidentally/on purpose brushed his hand on her chest while pointing out the broach she had pinned into the collar of her pink blazer.

“Did you see that?” Liz asked, 

Lisa tried to shrug nonchalantly, “It was probably an honest mistake.”

Liz crossed her arms, “It's not like everyone doesn't know little miss Candy isn’t as sweet as she tries to come across. I wouldn’t be surprised if she's crushing on him.”

Lisa laughed, “Okay, that isn't fair, Liz. They're just talking.”

Liz rolled her eyes, “She let him touch her boob. In the middle of the caf.” She rested her head on her hand as Kaylynn laughed too,

Meanwhile, Holly paced the lunch hall. Trying to figure out where to sit was hell. Parker and Jefferey clearly had their own group of friends yesterday, so Holly ended up eating lunch in the gardens by herself yesterday. Today she could see them talking to another red head who Holly only wished she could have been mixed up with. As she began to head outside to eat lunch again, she was interrupted,

“Hi, pretty.” Holly heard from beside her.

She froze mid-step and turned. Elizabeth and Lisa, from homeroom, were seated together at a table with another girl. That near angelic girl with the pretty dark skin that she saw in the garden yesterday. All three girls wore peter pan collared white shirts, with pink plaid school pullovers, ruffled socks and chunky Mary Janes. 

“Come sit with us!” Liz said, warmly.

Holly hesitated, glancing at the doors to the garden. She breathed through her teeth as she sat down at the table beside Kaylynn. She smiled at her, soft and genuine.

Lisa eyed Holly’s hair, tilting her head, “Is that your like, natural hair colour?”

Holly nodded.

“How pretty! That’s so cute.” Liz placed her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her nails.

They seemed so nice. “Thank you.”

“Oh, she speaks.”  Kaylynn teased gently, pushing her hair behind her ear.

Holly laughed awkwardly. She watched as Lisa straightened a little blue handkerchief with LB. monogrammed in the corner, Liz rested her long curls over her shoulder and Kaylynn folded her hands neatly in her lap. Everything about these girls was so deliberate and put together.

“So what do you do?” Liz continued, “I only see you in home room.”

Holly was surprised she had noticed her at all. She looked down, “I draw… I guess.” 

Liz’ face lit up, “Oh so you’re an artist! That’s cool.” She turned, gesturing between the girls,“Well I’m Elizabeth–everyone calls me Liz. This is Lisa and this is Kaylynn.” She ran through their introductions like she was used to it.“I’m student council president and Lisa is my VP. Lynn helps us out too when she's not too busy winning gold medals and modeling. We're pretty much like, the school welcoming committee."

Holly nodded, still stunned she was even sitting at their table, “I’m Holly.” She paused, "I just… am a student, I guess."

Parker, VJ and Jefferey joined the girls at their table, carrying their trays and laughing about something. Parker sat right beside her.

“You guys met Red!” He grinned, nudging her shoulder,

Liz nodded, “She’s super sweet.” She rested her hand on Holly’s across the table. Her nails gleamed with tiny pink rhinestones,

Holly’s heart fluttered at the gesture. They were so much kinder than Holly had imagined… But she couldn’t help but wonder why girls who looked like literal princesses would want to talk to her. Before they would separate for their fifth period classes, Elizabeth made sure to ask Holly to meet them at the gates after school, exchanging numbers. Holly wasn’t sure where they were going but she kind of couldn’t wait for her “Get in, loser, we’re going shopping.” moment. 

The girls had invited Holly to Elizabeth’s house after school. This time, including Elizabeth and Lisa’s younger sisters, Giselle and Darlene. Two freshmen who looked like mini-me’s of their senior sisters. Same glossy hair, accessories and same air of glamour and poise. When they arrived, Holly realized it was the same house she had dropped Parker and Jefferey off at on Labour day. 

“Bijoux baby!” Liz sang, picking up her mini poodle as it greeted her at the door. Its little tail wagged like humming bird wings, “This is my baby doll.” 

“She’s so cute.” Holly said, petting her on the head,

“Be gentle, she just got styled.” Liz said, fussing over Bijoux fur before putting her down. 

The girl’s, Bijoux included, all followed Elizabeth up the sweeping staircase and into her bedroom. It was super cute. Mostly pink and white with lots of rose and pearl accents. There were tons of Hello Kitty plushies and other characters that looked a lot like Hello Kitty pretty much everywhere in the room.

The girls basically melded into the room, dropping down onto Elizabeth’s bed and pillow covered window nook. This was clearly routine for them. Holly was kind of jealous. She'd never had any girlfriends before. She'd never even really had friends at all. She awkwardly sat herself down at Elizabeth’s vanity.

Elizabeth sent a text and put her phone down on her bed, “So, Holly, do you like the way you dress?” She got up, approaching Holly.

The other girls kind of glanced over for a second but went back to their phones and mindless chatter.

Holly shook her head, “Nothing really looks good on me.”

Elizabeth hummed, playing with Holly’s hair, “That can't be true.”

Holly shrugged nervously, “I’m flat.”

“So? Me too.” Elizabeth began braiding Holly’s hair into a set of pigtails. “And Lisa. And those two. But they’re like, infants.” Elizabeth tilted her head towards Darlene and Giselle. “Lynn's really the only one who was blessed with boobs.”

Holly giggled, looking at herself in the hello kitty mirror. She looked so weird with her hair braided.

“Can I maybe…give you a makeover?” Elizabeth asked, smiling at Holly through the mirror.

Holly grimaced, “Do people do that in real life?”

  "You should let us! You're actually really pretty." Lisa bounced off the bed, "Honestly none of us would be that cute if we didn't put in the extra effort. It's all smoke, mirrors, and a shit ton of blush."

Kaylynn nodded from the window seat, her feat tucked beneath her in a criss-cross.

Holly looked at the other girls resting on the pink tufted cushions. They really did look like dolls. With their makeup, their hair accessories, pretty dangling earrings and perfectly styled uniforms. Yeah… She guessed underneath all the effort they really were girls just like her. She nodded, smiling nervously.

“Okay, gotta go.” Darlene reached for her bag, standing and waving to Giselle. “Jeff promised to teach me lacrosse for tryouts.”

Elizabeth slowly turned, raising an eyebrow at her,

“You wanna play lacrosse?” Kaylynn asked, trying to hide a smile.

Darlene just grinned, skipping out the door.

“Ookaaay. Let’s get started.” Elizabeth said, playing with Holly’s pigtails. "We have to start with a clean base. You can use my face wash in my bathroom." Liz pointed to her bathroom door.

Holly stood and made her way into the bathroom. Elizabeth’s had enough bottles in there to fill skin care section of an Ulta store. To be completely honest, she didn't even know what to look for.

"It's the big, pink squeeze bottle in the top drawer. Literally labeled face wash." Liz called in,

Holly grabbed it and began washing her face. 

"So where are you from?" Kaylynn asked from the bedroom,

"Uhm. Bridgeport." The scent of strawberry poundcake clung to her skin after she dried her face.

"Ouu big city girl." Lisa said as Holly walked back into the bedroom, "The shopping must have been amazing." 

She sat back down in the vanity chair, "I guess." Holly honestly didn't shop much.

Liz pulled Holly's pigtails into a low bun as she sat down, "Since I know you're pretty new to makeup, I’ll just start off with a natural look, ok? I'm just gonna open up your eyes and gloss your lips a bit."

Holly nodded, she was kind of excited. Nervous, but excited.

"Do you trust me?" Liz bent down, looking at Holly in the mirror at eye level.

Her voice was lower than before. Her smile was a little softer now, less princess, more genuine. 

No one had ever asked her that, not like that at least–in the way that it actually meant something. Liz’ hands still played gently in her hair. It would be nice to see herself through someone else’s eyes…

"I think so." Holly whispered,

Liz started on her face and Holly closed her eyes. Holly never took much pride in her appearance. She never thought it was worth the trouble. But with the light feather strokes on her cheeks, the quiet supportive laughter and music playing softly in the background, she felt like she was in a girly teen movie and she kind of was living for it.

“So. Who do you like?” Liz asked suddenly,

Holly opened her eyes, “Like?” 

“You know. Like, who do you think is cute”

She shrugged, “It’s not like I really know anyone yet,”

Lisa came over leaning on the back of Holly’s chair, “Come on, we saw you talking to Parker this morning.”

“Really?”

“He’s super cute, but so not our type. But perfect for a quiet girl like you.” Liz brushed gloss on Holly’s lips

“Really?” Lynn laughed, looking up from her phone,

Liz nodded, “Absolutely. He can get her out of her shell.”

“I mean, yeah, I guess but he–” Lynn began,

“You guys would be so cute together.” Lisa interrupted in a sing-song tone, lightly nudging Liz,

Holly smiled at the two girls in the mirror. She doubted she could really grab Parker’s attention, But for the first time, the thought didn’t seem so impossible.

The girls left Liz' house to meet VJ and Parker at football. Elizabeth and VJ had a date tonight, but it was also a convenient excuse to introduce Parker to the newly made over Holly. The girls had flat ironed and cut her red hair into blunt bangs, then styled it in a neatly done ponytail with wispies to frame her face. Holly didn't feel comfortable showing a lot of skin, so she picked Elizabeth's white, Kate Spade mini, bow dress. She couldn't walk in heels so Liz lent her the pink Sandy Liangs she bought on Orchard Street. They finished up the look with the Candy Furla Liz got for her 12th birthday and a pink coat she bought from a kawaii fashion site. Her makeup was tasteful, less done up than the other girls' but definitely there, with lots of blush and lip gloss. They also shaped her eyebrows. They needed it bad. They kept her looking innocent but still girly enough to catch Parker's attention. 

Elizabeth waved to the guys from across the field, “How was practice?”

“I kicked ass!” Parker shouted back, taking off his helmet. As they got closer, his bravado faded as his gaze landed on Holly.

He blinked as his eyes traveled from her new hair and glossed lips, For a moment it was like he couldn’t place her. Then he smiled that dangerous smile, “That who I think it is?”

Holly’s heart beat a million times a minute. Was he really looking at her like that?

“Mhmm. Isn’t she gorgeous?” Elizabeth pushed Holly gently toward Parker.

“I almost couldn’t tell it was you. You were cute before but… damn.” His eyes quickly flickered up and down,

Holly's face was beet red.

Liz and Lisa exchanged excited looks, but Kaylynn crossed her arms over her chest, watching him closely, reading him in the way only a little sister could.

“Careful Parker…” Kaylynn said, her tone was light but the warning was clear, “Don’t go breaking hearts just because a girl looks a little different for a day.”

Parker shot her a half smirk but he didn’t say anything.

Liz reached her arms out to them, either oblivious or just pretending to be, likely the latter. "You two should vibe together. Parker's our quarterback and Holly's an artist. Have fun!" She linked their arms together.

Holly felt like her heart was beating through her ears,

"VJ and I have places to be. See you tomorrow?" Elizabeth squeezed Lisa's hand. Lisa squeezed back, squealing slightly.

Kaylynn smiled half heartedly. She wanted Holly to have her moment, really. But she couldn’t shake that feeling. Parker never got serious and Holly seemed too pure for this world. She hoped he'd recognize it, that he’d just flirt and be friendly, but Parker was still Parker.