at my long legs in these heels. “I’ll be taller than all the girls and some of the dudes.”
“So? Hockey guys are huge. It’s perfect.”
The deep V of the neckline falls far enough to reveal my considerable cleavage, and I tug at it until she pops my hands. “Just leave it. You look like a siren.”
I twirl around. “If I bend over, my ass is going to show.”
“Don’t bend over.”
“Or do bend over,” Taylor says slyly from his spot on my bed. “Get you a little something when no one is looking.”
I shake my head at them both.
Taylor applies a thin coat of mascara to his lashes, snaps the mirror closed, and gives me a long look. “Honestly, I know you hate dresses, but you look good enough to eat.”
“It’s because I’m so dang tall. Nothing looks right on me, so I just stick with leggings or skinny jeans.”
“Leggings should be outlawed. Just wait until you get that law degree and get a nice job—then you can get your dresses tailored.”
Poppy plops down in the beanbag chair underneath my window, crossing her legs in the air and swishing her feet back and forth. She sends a disdainful look around my dorm room. “I feel horrible you have to live here. I would have loved to be your roomie, but we all assumed you and Bennett…” She shrugs. “Sorry.”
“Where is Julia anyway?” Taylor asks.
“I rarely see her so I assume she’s staying over with someone.”
I touch my hair, which I curled into soft beach waves that brush against my shoulders. My eyes are accentuated with shimmering grey shadow, and the lids are lined in black eyeliner. I inhale a deep breath.
“I’m nervous,” I say, putting on more Bad Girl wine-colored lipstick.
“What’s one party? Just picture yourself in law school next fall, learning all that lawyery stuff,” Taylor says.
“Those classes will be hard, I assure you.”
He waves me off. “Why, you’ll be just like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. All you need is a cute little puppy and a friend who’s a manicurist to teach you how to bend and snap.” He stands and demonstrates. “Bend and snap! See? Easy peasy.”
I’m outright giggling. “Dude, I can’t even bend over.”
After picking up some donuts, I drive to Z’s, and I have a hard time finding a parking place. I end up on the side of the road one block over, and I curse myself for not agreeing to let Z come pick me up. While it was kind of him to offer when he texted me today, I like knowing I can leave when I want to.
The house is lit up as I turn the corner, shivering from the gust of cold wind as I cross my arms over my North Face.
Finally at his house, I walk up the sidewalk and open the door. It’s loud inside with music blaring over a sound system that I can’t see. Happy Birthday Eric! is written on a gold banner strung up on the wall near the staircase, and black and gold balloons float around the room.
There’s a coat rack overflowing with jackets, so I fold mine up and tuck it neatly inside the hall closet. “Stay safe, Coat.”
I feel exposed in my dress, as if I’m on display. Several girls are huddled in a pile on the couch in the den, and I search their faces for anyone familiar I might know, but it’s pointless. I don’t know these people. One of the girls turns around to get a look at me, and my eyes narrow. Veronica. She sniffs, turns her nose up, and whispers to one of the other girls.
I’m almost to the kitchen when she gets up and cuts me off, giving me an overly bright smile.
I blink. “Hi?”
Dressed in a slinky black pantsuit with a silver sash around the middle, she looks sophisticated and snooty. She’s wearing her I smell something bad expression.
She arches a brow and looks down at the donuts.
“They’re for Eric.”
“I see. How thoughtful. I’ll take them and put them on the food table,” she says, pulling them from my grasp.
“Okay.” Whatever. I let them go. I’m sure at some point, Eric will see them, and I feel awkward carrying them around in the crowded house anyway.
I go to step around her but she moves in front of me.
“Yes?”
She gives me a condescending smile, her eyes running from the top of my hair down to my shoes. “Just wanted to tell you to enjoy yourself tonight. After all, who