"That's the best colour on you." Lisa wrapped a lock of Holly’s hair around a curling wand while the girls crowded in front of Liz’ vanity mirror. 

Holly pursed her lips, spreading on a corally, soft pink gloss and folding them together. She tilted her head as she examined herself. Liz watched Holly’s delight in the corner of her eye, absentmindedly twirling her fingers through her hair.  

“Like how you look?” Lynn smiled at her through the glass,

Holly nodded, "Yeah.” She raised her shoulder, “I guess I do.”

 Liz texted something on her phone, “It sounds shallow but whoever said ‘when you look good, you feel good’ was onto something.” She put her phone down, fixing her own gloss,

Holly's phone chimed, she glanced down, unlocking it, “Parker’s thinking of me.” She held her phone to her chest, 

"Awe” Lisa leaned in, pausing on Holly’s hair to look at the text, “That’s cute.”

"Ouuu." Elizabeth sang, almost forcing her cheery tone, "He likes you." Her eyes wandered a bit, She hated how much it bothered her.

Holly blushed, "You think so?" 

"Mhmm,” She turned, sitting behind the girls on her bed,  “And you know he's not just thinking."

Holly watched her through the mirror, "He's not?"

Lynn scoffed, "Let's just say Parker's not the thinking type. At least not with the head above his shoulders." 

The others laughed, but Holly’s smile faded. She hadn't even thought about any of that. She was still worrying about not being comfortable just talking to Parker, 

"I've never even kissed a boy before." Her eyes flickered down. The memory of Jeff’s forced kiss made her feel a little sick.

The mood shifted, Lisa and Elizabeth shared a look. They hadn't really thought about the experience dynamic when they decided to set them up. 

Liz breathed out, almost in surrender, standing up and putting a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, If you're not comfortable with anything, just tell him. He's not like, evil…He’s just a guy." Her voice softened, remembering how Parker had always treated her–gently. He never did anything without asking her first and he was fine just talking if that’s what she wanted. He was actually unexpectedly…pretty gentlemanly. Totally different from all his other hook ups. It was small, but it made her feel…special.

Holly nodded, eyes down on her lap, “He was pretty sweet at the party last night.”

“Oh.” Liz eyes snapped up, maybe a little sharper than she meant “What did you guys do?” The words came out a little too fast,

 Holly dabbed her cheeks with a soft peachy pink, eyes still down, “We just talked. In the backyard by the pool.”

“Only talked?” 

Holly looked up, “He never tried anything.”

Lynn raised an eyebrow, almost approving, “That's a new one for Parker.” 

“For real. He's kind of like, a known slut.” Lisa laughed,

Holly didn't know what to say. She chewed her lower lip, sinking into the vanity chair,

Liz looked at the carpet. “Yeah. He's hooked up with like, half of our class and last year's seniors. Even some college girls.” She almost sighed. Her words drifted out flat and conflicted.

Lisa shot Liz a look, then turned her attention to Holly as she finished her last layer of curls, “But don't let that deter you. Maybe he's actually into you. Maybe he can tell you're shy and he doesn't wanna scare you off.”

"Okay. Should we go now?" Liz interrupted, looking at the time on her phone.

As they gathered their things and left the room, Liz stared at her phone, glancing at the little nonsense conversation she’d been having with Parker. She bit her cheek, shifting her gaze back to that unfinished bottle of champagne from their ‘never have I ever’ game. An ache twisted in her chest as she poured what was left into her pink tumbler and shoved the empty bottle under her bed. 

She met up with the others at the staircase, tumbler in hand, “Sorry. Forgot something.” 

The tension faded as they linked arms, headed out together for matching french tips. Laughter already bubbled between them as they stepped out  to the car. Liz sipped quietly, trying to swallow the jealousy before anyone noticed.

At the salon, the girls settled into the row of powder-pink chairs. Holly sunk her feet into the warm water, watching it fizz around her toes. Lynn and Lisa laughed about something on Lynn’s phone while Liz continued to sip. Her eyes flickered up every time Holly’s phone chimed,

Midway through their pedicures, a shrill voice cut through the quiet pop music playing through the salon speakers.

Lynn looked up, “Is that…Bebe?” 

Lisa sighed, rolling her eyes and nodding, In the next room, Bebe berated a nail tech, Candy’s whiny complaints echoed after,

“Classy.” Liz lowered her voice, “Leave it to Candy and Bebe to stalk us and be bitches while they do it.” 

Holly looked around the corner. She recognized them from the fourth period. Lisa tapped her shoulder, 

“Don't be so obvious about it.” She whispered,

Holly sat back, “Do we like them?” Her eyes darted to Liz for her cue,

Liz smiled, shaking her head, as she played with the Hello Kitty charm on her bag, “If it weren't bad enough that they bitch at me for just being better than them at everything, Candy wants Jeff. Despite him literally being with Lisa forever.”

Lisa rolled her eyes, tossing her hair over her shoulder, “You don't know that.”

Liz scoffed, “Regardless. They’re just like, not girl's girls. I wouldn't be caught dead with anyone even possibly thinking I was after someone else's boyfriend.” She paused, watching her reflection in the mirror across the room. “Bebe also spread a rumor last year that Kaylynn stuffs her bra. Just cuz everyone thinks she’s hotter than her. And this year they've been shitting on me for getting the Clara role over them.”

Holly tucked her hands into her lap, “So it's not a ‘we were friends once upon a time and now they hate me’ situation.” 

Lynn let out a short laugh,

Liz laughed too, “Oh God no. They've just always been so ‘pick me.’”

Liz and Lisa shared a look as Candy and Bebe walked around the corner and sat across the room. Liz didn’t look away. Instead she lifted her chin, propping her head in her hands with a syrupy sweet smile,

“Hi.” Bebe said with obvious disdain. “Holly Alto is it?”

Holly froze, surprised they knew her name, “Yeah. Hi.” She tucked her hair behind her ear,

Bebe whispered something to Candy before turning back to Holly, “I saw Parker flirting with you last night at the party. Are you hoping he’ll be your boyfriend or something?”

“Uhm…” Holly shifted in her seat,

“You know, He’s really never been the dating type. Especially not for girls who look like they're going to a bat mitzvah.” Bebe shared a quiet laugh with Candy,

Liz rolled her eyes, “And you’d know about who Parker likes to date because…?”

Bebe leaned back in her seat, eyes squinted,

“You girls giving makeovers to new girls wasn’t on this year's bingo card.” Candy said, tilting her head, mocking sweetness to Holly,

“Are you two looking for one?” Lisa asked, she didn’t miss a beat.

“Definitely not from you.” Bebe sniffed, already pulling out her phone. “Enjoy your nail date.”

“Likewise.” Liz replied, still sounding sweet as sugar.

The girls sat in silence. The only sound being the tiny clinks of polish bottles and beeping UV lamps.

“Wow, that was exciting.” Lynn deadpanned.

It was a little intense but Holly actually smiled. She felt like she was in a 2000’s teen movie. like ‘Aquamarine’ or something, and she was JoJo or Emma Roberts, and Liz was Sarah Paxton. She’d only been living in Sunset Valley for a week and  already she felt she’d lived more than she had most of her life.

Elizabeth pulled apart the pieces of her pink lunch box set. She had carrot sticks, broccoli and a tiny cup of  vinaigrette dip. With the winter showcases only three  months away she really wanted to watch what she ate. Every bite felt like a calculation. Sugar Plum Pas De Deux had so many partnered lifts. It would embarrassing if her partner stumbled while holding her. She’d be manifesting ‘light as a feather’ for the rest of the semester.

Across from her, Parker sat close by Holly. His arm rested on the back of her seat as she flipped through the pages of her sketch book. They looked cozy. Holly smiled shyly, tucking a loose strand behind her ear as he complimented her artwork. 

Liz’ fork hovered as she watched, surprised he was interested in that.

Lisa nudged her side, "I hope you don't faint."

"Huh?" Elizabeth shook her head slightly,

Lisa pointed at Liz’ lunch, "That's all you're eating until you get home? We still have like, half the day left and ballet this afternoon."

Elizabeth shrugged, stabbing a carrot with her fork, "I get lazy when I eat a lot."

Lisa rolled her eyes, "Sure you do."

“You sure it’s enough, princess?” VJ asked, picking up a fry, holding it in front of Liz, “Have a bite.”

She smiled, he really was so sweet. 

She leaned forward, lips closing around the fry as VJ bit the other end, kissing her when they reached the middle. Their little ‘Lady and the Tramp’ moment earned a chorus of fake gags from everyone else at the table.

Liz giggled, reaching for his hand,

Parker cleared his throat, a little too loudly. "You guys wanna play football?" He tossed an apple from hand to hand, with his gaze bouncing from Liz to VJ. All attention on Holly’s sketches, gone.

Kaylynn squinted, "Um. It's lunch though." 

He shrugged, "We still have over an hour. Why not?" 

Jefferey jumped in, "Teams?"

Parker’s eyes lingered a little too long on Liz before turning to Jeff, "You go with VJ. You know, since you're not on the team." Parker replied, playfully.

Jefferey laughed, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I can take on both of you." Parker said, goofily flexing his bicep at the girls. They all rolled their eyes.

  The girls followed the guys outside to the football field. Perfectly cut green grass and a huge megatron stationed over the center of it. The girls took their seats in the white bleachers with their lunches. No way in hell were they getting involved with that. Parker, Jefferey and VJ stood in the middle of the field, still in their class uniforms.

The game started fast, but Parker’s focus was lazered onto VJ. When Jeff got the ball and began running to the other side of the field. Parker didn’t even glance at him. Instead he barreled straight into VJ, slamming him hard to the ground.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Jefferey shouted, scoring a goal or touch down or whatever you call it in football.

Parker laughed standing over VJ. “My bad.” He reached out a hand but as VJ grabbed it, Parker yanked it away and stretched casually, avoiding his gaze,

VJ let out a bitter laugh, “Very mature.”

“Just warming up,” Parker said, his sarcasm was obvious.

The ball was snapped again. Parker charged VJ immediately, tackling him down before the play even started.

VJ shoved Parker in the chest, his eyes read his anger, “What’s your problem?”

"Nuffin, ya big buggah." Parker said, terribly imitating VJ's accent and turning to the bleachers.

The girls were exchanging uneasy looks among one another. For a second Parker felt guilty. VJ shoved him again, more forceful this time, taking him out of it,

Parker’s smile completely faded "You’re barking up the wrong fucking tree, VJ."

Jefferey jogged over, "Alright break it up." He wedged himself calmly between them, holding them back with his forearms.

Parker shook his head, "Fuck this shit." He muttered under his breath, walking off the field.

The girls sat in the bleachers, silent, Elizabeth  watched Parker leave, shoulders slumped. Her heart thudded. She’d seen that look before.

 Holly hesitated, then slid off the bleachers, following him across the field. 

Lisa, Kaylynn and Liz hurried down to the field, checking on VJ to make sure he was alright. Parker was a big guy. Not that VJ was small, but that definitely had to hurt, given they weren't wearing any gear.

Parker finally stopped against at the fire escape balcony at the back of the school. He stared straight across the field. Holly paused a few feet away, unsure if she should say something. The silence felt heavy.

He turned to her, looking in her eyes, then darting downward again, “Do you think I’m a loser?”

Holly blinked quickly, "No, I could never. You're the coolest guy I've ever talked to." She replied, walking closer.

He smiled, "No offense, but that's a pretty low bar." Parker looked out to the football fields again, he could see Elizabeth hugging VJ. He rolled his eyes, "I failed sophomore year. Had to go back and repeat it. I'm almost 19 and I'm still stuck."

"Oh."

Parker’s laugh was hallow "Yeah, my friend made fun of me for it. I almost killed him. Beat the shit out of him."

Holly got nervous, laughing a bit. She wasn't sure if he was serious,

"He's blind in one eye." He added quietly, staring at her and silently waiting for a reaction. 

She slowly nodded, 

 "I spent two summers in a correctional boot camp. I finally finished my 'sentence’ so I'm free for my senior year. Too bad I'm embarrassed to be here still." 

“Y-You got that angry…?” Holly stuttered, shrinking a bit,

Parker stared at the ground, there was something else he wasn't saying. He kicked a pebble before staring back at the field. “I just suck.”

Holly stayed silent. She stepped closer, gently resting her hand on his. “At home... My dad can’t stand me. He wants me to be more like him. Ambitious, social, driven…I’d rather just… draw all day or play a video game.”

Parker looked at her. It was definitely different, and maybe on a smaller scale, but his shoulders eased,

“He’s all money and power. I’m just kind of… art and anime. I guess I kind of suck too.”

He let out a genuine laugh, then gently pulling her into a hug. She blushed as he leaned down, pressing a little kiss on her forehead “We’ll just have to suck together.” He whispered, no bravado, just quiet.