The bells chimed through the halls as students spilled out of the classrooms. Jeff and Lisa strolled ahead down the hall, their fingers intertwined. Elizabeth nudged Parker's arm, grinning. Her curls bounced along with her as she fell into step beside him, 

“So, Holly is really cute, isn't she?” She teased,

Parker laughed awkwardly, putting his hands in his pockets, “Yeah.”

Lisa glanced back at them, her ponytail swished behind her, “You should hang out with her. She’s super sweet and she looked so pretty yesterday.”

Jeff raised a brow, swinging Lisa’s hand in his, “Okay. What’s going on here?”

Liz shook her head, “Nothing! I just think she might have a crush on you. And she really does have such a dolly type of look. Which I’m sure appeals to you.” She looked up at him,

“Yeah, I’m sure you’d know.” He nudged her back,

“Parker doesn’t need your help getting a ‘date.’” Jeff said using air quotes, “My man’s got half the senior girls in his DMs.”

He and Parker shared a quick glance and a laugh,

“Right and she’s not desperate like those girls. And she’s cuter.” Liz crossed her arms,

“Okay, okay, don’t worry about me. She’s a nice girl.” He raised his hands, feigning surrender, “She doesn't need you to up-sell her so hard.”

As they rounded the corner, VJ leaned casually against his locker. As he saw them, he stood dashingly, holding a small box of pink roses, Liz's face lit up as she noticed him. 

“Hey.” He said, handing her the box.

“Oh VJ, you’re too much.” Liz said, taking them, and kissing him on the cheek, “About last night…”

“Ouu last night?” Lisa sang,

Liz turned to Lisa, pressing a finger against her lips, “Hush.” She placed her hand on VJ’s shoulder as Lisa laughed, “I should explain.”

VJ shook his head, brushing it off, “No, you don’t have to–”

“No I want to. It’s just… I’ve never… You know. I just want it to be the right guy and the right moment.” She twirled her hair, looking at the floor.

Parker covered his mouth, trying to hide his laugh, Yeah. Sure. Whatever helped her sleep at night.

VJ nodded, “I guessed it was that. Really, it’s fine. I’m actually quite happy to hear it. I’d love to take things slowly.”

Parker scoffed, completely involuntary, but loud enough for the rest of them to hear it. Liz rolled her eyes, biting her cheek.

Lisa shot him a glare. "Not every guy insists on jumping in bed right away." She linked her fingers with Jeff's, "I think it's sweet."

“Yup.” Jeff echoed, his voice was breezy..

Parker watched Liz lean on VJ’s arm and he squeezed her hand. He sighed, hiking his bag higher on his shoulder. What was she supposed to do with the roses anyway? Just walk around all day, bringing them to every class? What a joke. 

- ♡ -

Kaylynn didn’t have any classes with the other girls, but her homeroom saw her crossing paths with Holly before second period. They spotted each other across the lockers, waving shyly as they stepped closer.

"You look so pretty." Lynn said, She turning to walk alongside her. “The new haircut is really working for you.”

Holly smiled, but it was weak, "Thanks. I took Liz' advice and tried to blow it out this morning..." She let out a little laugh but it faded quickly. Her lack of energy was visible.

Lynn clocked it immediately, "Were you up late?" Her tone was so gentle,

Holly looked at her. She was still processing last night's emotional roller coaster. How exactly did one bring up that one of her oldest friends was a total creep? "I had a ton of homework." She didn't want to jeopardize their new friendships either. They'd known him forever. They'd only known her for three days.

Lynn nudged her, "Well you could've been done earlier if you stuck around last night instead of taking off with my brother." She teased, "At least you actually have classes with the others." 

Lynn watched Holly's, sheepish demeanor. Normally she seemed closed off, but today she just seemed smaller as she held her arm protectively over her chest.

"Let's be honest, Parker and Jeff aren't ideal study partners." Holly tried to make light,

Lynn smiled, "Well Jeff could be if he cared enough. But I'm pretty sure Parker’s plan was to copy off Liz and Lisa for the semester for an easy A."

A bit of Holly's warmth returned in a soft smile, "He seems so sweet…but I was wondering how he planned to pass AP calc."

Lynn rolled her eyes, "He's not that sweet."

The girls stopped in front of Holly's classroom.

 Lynn looked over Holly, noticing how tightly she clutched her bag, "Do you wanna come to Liz' tonight? After gym and community council we were all gonna hang out."

Holly bit her cheek, "I don't know...Who's coming?"

"I think it'll just be the girls."

Holly nodded, "Yeah. That sounds cool."

Morning stretches at 4:30 am, piano practice at 5, school till 2, student council till 3 and community council meeting till 4. Thursday was the busiest day on Liz' schedule. Plus she hardly got any sleep the night after her date with VJ. She’d been up late into the night texting Lisa, going over more ways to get Parker and Holly alone together after she heard he drove her home. Big mistake.

"Agnes's lipstick is on her chin again." Lisa whispered to Liz,

Liz looked up at Lisa and giggled under her breath as they watched the head of the Sunset's community service organizers speak to the table.

Liz looked around the table. The ladies looked like they were dressed up for a tea party. They probably all sat at home all day, just like her mom, and showed up here to look like they cared about anything besides themselves. This was basically ladies who lunch. The community service really wasn't all that bad though. She liked giving back to the community. She just wasn't sure if the ladies here actually cared to give back or if it just looked good to say they did.

She yawned as Agnes and the others ran through a list of areas in Sunset that had been somewhat neglected over the summer. Statues needed to be cleaned, flowers needed to be planted and a garbage clean up was all in order,

"A minuscule equal donation of $150 from every member should have all the...garbage...left in the area from the summer all cleaned up by Sunset's outdoor cleaning service." Agnes suggested, regarding the abandoned mine as she jotted down some notes,

Liz and Parker had spent a lot of the summer there up by the mine. The college kids loved to throw parties there. It also provided an easy place to get away with doing things you weren't supposed to do. The parents all hated it;  The PTA made a suggestion a few years ago to bar off the cave and build a park in the area instead, but the city opted to keep it open in favour of potentially reopening for business. Liz felt a connection to the spot. For the last month and a half, it was her safe haven. Somehow throwing money at it felt like erasing it and making it like everything else in Sunset. Overly polished and superficial.

"We should do it ourselves." Liz joined the conversation, "I mean, we are supposed to serve the community."

One of the ladies shook her head, clearly disapproving of Liz' idea,

"Hands on service proves much more of a commitment to the city and it wouldn't shock me if some of our members were contributing to-"

"I highly doubt any of our members spend any time at that abandoned mine." Agnes politely laughed, but it still came across condescendingly,

Liz sat back in her seat.

Lisa looked at her, then turned back to Agnes, "Actually we'll do it." She nodded to Liz who sat up, "The highschoolers I mean. Of course we'll need gloves, bags and those big sticks they use to pick up trash. Maybe some cleaning supplies? But I think it'll actually look great for colleges. That is, as long as we get your signature."

Agnes slowly nodded, "That's a fair idea, young ladies. Get back to me next week with the draw ups."

The girls grinned ear to ear.

Guys were here at the gym just to watch the girls gymnastics team again. Since Lynn was about 12 years old, people had started looking at her in ways they hadn't before. They lingered longer in places that made her skin crawl, especially when she was wearing something as small as a leotard.  Everyone swore up and down that she was beautiful. Which was obviously flattering but some days she wondered if she was just a body, flipping and spinning for other people's applause. 

Guys never shied away from letting her know what they thought of her body. Watching Liz and Lisa, she saw how differently they were treated–respected, not just seen. She knew some of it was her chest and her hips...She was sure most of it was because she was black–one of the only black girls at St. Vincent. Constantly sexualized even if she wasn’t trying to be.

She dismounted the beam and slowly walked to the bleachers to grab her bag, apprehensive of the comments she knew she'd hear on her way to the showers.

Don't acknowledge them. She thought. She'd been down that road before.

"Lynn-Lynn!" Liz and Lisa's cheerful voices sang above the continued murmuring as they followed Kaylynn into the change rooms, Holly in tow.

Holly watched Kaylynn, walk alongside the girls. She heard some of the comments guys were making about her while they waited for her practice to finish. She could see how uncomfortable Lynn was. Was this just a part of this world? She wasn't sure if being "pretty” was all she thought it was cracked up to be.

Holly lightly touched Lynn's hand, "Kaylynn, I'm sorry."

Lynn shrugged, smiling softly, "It's whatever."

“Never have I ever drank plain lemon juice.” Lisa grinned, raising her glass,

Kaylynn tilted her head playfully, “What are we, 10?” She leaned back on her hands, “Never have I ever crushed on Parker.”

“Well I'd hope so.” Lisa took a sip from her glass then looked at Holly, “Come on, Holly!’ She patted her shoulder, “It’s just us.”

Holly laughed, slightly rolling her eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she took a small sip from her glass. The bubbles tickled her nose.

"The only one who really can't is Lynn. You know, unless she's a freak." Elizabeth said, taking a–surprisingly honest–sip as well.

The girls had snuck a bottle of champagne from Edward’s alcohol cabinet and now they sat cross legged on Liz’s bedroom floor, surrounded by her pink pillows and hello kitty plushies. Holly had never drank before their giggles and warm acceptance made her feel safe. Also it was just champagne, right? It was basically just a fancy soda. And maybe it would help her relax a bit before seeing Parker.

“Holly’s turn!” Lisa leaned in for a quick hug. Her excitement was literally contagious, “Make it juicy!”

Holly blushed, running her fingers through her hair, “Okay… Never have I ever… had sex.”

The room went silent as the girls all looked around the circle. Kaylynn shrugged and took a sip.

Liz nearly spat out her drink, “Girl! Spill!” 

Kaylynn rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help but laugh, “When Ethan and I dated last year.”

“Ethan?” Holly leaned into the circle,

“One of Lisa’s older brothers. He's a first year at Lumiere Erudit.” Liz chimed in,

Wow. Holly thought. They sure did keep the dating familial in this group.                      

Lynn shrugged, putting down her glass, "We did, a few times…it was nothing special to be honest." 

Holly hugged her knees to her chest, "I've barely ever even spoken to guys until now." 

Lisa leaned forward, resting her head in her palm, "Speaking of guys, what happened last night?” She flashed Holly a big smile, “You left with Parker before we got back."

Holly hesitated, tracing a circle around the rim of her glass. There was no way she was about to burst Lisa’s bubble and let her know what Jefferey did, "I was tired so Parker drove me home.” A small smile appeared on her lips as she coyly looked up again at the girls, “He asked me to see a movie with him tonight actually…"

Elizabeth's jaw dropped, her drink almost splashing out of her glass, "Then what are we doing here?"

Holly tilted her head,

"We have to take you shopping!" Elizabeth stood up, almost squealing as she grabbed Lisa’s arm,

   "Wait, shouldn't we not be driving after drinking?" Holly asked, glancing between the girls,

   Liz laughed, waving her hand dismissively  "Please, I'm barely buzzed."

The girls, of course, took Holly to their favourite store in the city. They might visit the mall every now and then but they swore by little roadside boutiques and brand names. They walked down Chemin de Rose, Sunset Valley's Avenue Montaigne, with their arms linked.

"Are we sure it's worth getting a whole new outfit?" Holly held her arm and Liz and Lisa practically pushed her down the street,

"Well, you are going on a date." Liz broke out of the arm link, gently playing with Holly's hair,

Holly shook her head stiffly, "Wait really?"

"Of course." Kaylynn nudged her gently, 

Holly's feet shuffled, "I don't know... He asked me pretty casually."

"They don't all make a big deal out of it." Liz shook her head, "Asking to hang out one-on-one is almost always a date."

Holly folded her lips. She thought he might have just been being nice since she was crying. She could feel her heart beat through her chest. A date was a lot more pressure than she was ready for.

"It is kinda ‘pick me’ to get new clothes for a boy,” Liz tone became a bit more real, pausing for a second, “but you said it yourself, you don't like dressing plainly." 

"It's not just about him. It's about feeling good about yourself." Lynn agreed, holding Holly’s hand.

Holly felt a nervous jump in her chest. She didn’t know if she felt the same way anymore... She couldn’t feel good about herself–Not if it meant boys thought they had an open invitation to do whatever they wanted to her. Still, she daydreamed a little. It was pretty fun taking care of herself and doing her hair that morning.

Liz noticed a familiar face from afar. Chris. He was with a couple of other guys Liz recognized from some of the parties she and Parker went to at the mine. She waved coyly and he lifted a chin to her, smiling and running his hands through his 2004 Jesse McCartney hair.

"He's cute. Whose he?" Lisa whispered,

Liz shook her head, "Just a guy from summer."

"Just a guy?" Lisa looked back at him, smiling as he caught her gaze, "Well he seems to like you."

Liz breathed out a small laugh as they walked through the familiar heart shaped glass doors.

They brought Holly to their favourite store in Sunset, Pink Valentine. A little girly boutique that carried a wide range of designer items, both new and vintage. The girls immediately began sifting through the racks. Holly just sort of stepped aside. They pulled cardigans, dresses, pleated bows and bow trimmed blouses. When they were picking from Liz' closet for the makeover, Holly seemed to lean towards a soft, preppy sort of look, so they tried to match the vibe.

They sent her into the fitting rooms with at least a quarter of the store’s items and sat on their phones and fixed their makeup as they waited for her to emerge in her favourites from the bunch. When she finally stepped out she was wearing a black, collared Miu Miu mini dress. She glossed over the pink lace and bow details in the mirror. They fell silent as they watched her smile bloom brightly in the mirror.

Holly turned, looking at the back of the dress, "This is so pretty."

"Because you're pretty." Elizabeth said softly, her eyes were warm, "You look like a doll."

She looked like a different person. The type of girl she used to wish she could look like. Polished, put together, maybe even envied by the other girls. She looked the kind of girl the world paused for–like one of them.

When she first saw them, she felt like the world paused for them. Their presence was delicate but commanding. They owned their femininity in a way she hadn’t seen before. They rolled their eyes at stupid, half-baked advances and they continued doing what they loved to do, despite more serious and invasive comments. They didn’t let any guy’s thoughts or feelings stop them from having the agency to feel feminine and pretty. They wore their beauty like it was their armour.. It was actually iconic; the idea that you could be unapologetically feminine and still fiercely in control.

“Think of how you like to draw, Holly. You're the canvas and you're drawing on yourself when you put on a dress or do your makeup. Fashion is an art form. It's okay to want to paint on your canvas." Liz reached for her hand, squeezing tightly,

Holly felt a lump in her throat. Her chest hurt a bit, but almost in a good way. It was the first time she felt like she had truly breathed since last night.

"Don't cry." Lynn said lightly, stepping behind her to gently sweep Holly’s hair over her shoulders, "You'll ruin your makeup... You have the look. Always have. You just need to see it too." 

"Awee!" Lisa threw her arms around Holly, "Come, come, she needs a hug."

Holly laughed through her tears as all three girls wrapped her in a tight embrace.

The girls headed back to Liz' house, fluttering with excitement as they quickly finished Holly's hair and makeup for her date. With a little curl on the ends of her hair and a soft touch of gloss, it kind of felt like a little celebration; a reclaiming of the loss she felt earlier.

When Parker pulled up to pick up Holly, the girls gathered by Liz’ front gate to wish her luck. 

"Damn, I didn't expect the whole neighbourhood to be watching," He chuckled as he stepped out.

The girls lightly laughed as he slid open the passenger door for Holly. He had shed his usual hoodie for a black leather jacket. The two of them already looked like a couple-all colour coordinated. 

Liz' stomach twisted. She felt a little lump in her throat as they watched them drive away. What was that? Was that jealousy? She crossed her arms, turning away as the girls walked back inside. It couldn't be. She was happy for Holly. She really was...But somehow that feeling lingered.