Who else would be there? Had Willow relented and invited members of the Grease cast? Would I know anyone? Would there be music and food? Would I get to sleep in a big bedroom with my own private view of the ocean, like the kind of bedrooms I’d seen in those reality shows?
I closed the shutter separating driver from passenger and changed out of my jeans and T-shirt and into my white blouse, skirt, and heels. Given no dress requirements, I’d erred on the side of looking my best. When I was done, I opened the shutter. The driver glimpsed me through the rearview mirror and smiled.
“You look great,” he said.
“You think? It’s not too much?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea what too much is, but you do look nice.”
“Thank you.”
He pulled up in the roundabout in front of the massive home. I leaned over and peered up at it in awe. It even had a turret, like on one of those medieval castles. I was reaching to open the door, half expecting to see a drawbridge or a moat, when it jerked open. I looked up and saw the driver standing with his hand out, like in the movies. I grabbed it and stepped onto the pavement with his help. He took my bag out and handed it to me. The massive front door opened as I walked toward it. Standing at the threshold and laughing hysterically was Willow. Was she laughing at me? I turned around and saw nothing behind me. Rap music thumped from inside the house.
I smiled nervously. “What’s so funny?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Little Miss Perfect, all dressed to kill.”
I looked down sheepishly at my nice skirt, blouse, and heels. “Too much?”
“What do you think you are attending? A ten-year-old’s birthday party?” She was dressed in a bleached white T-shirt; acid-washed, pre-ripped jeans; and neon green Converse sneakers. She looked stunning. “Get inside, you. I’ve got some clothes you can change into upstairs. They might be a little big, but whatever.”
“I brought some extra clothes, just in case.”
“Did you help yourself to a drink on the way over, like Steve suggested?”
“Steve?” I blushed.
“Steve’s our driver. He doesn’t care if you drink. I often help myself to a gin and tonic after rehearsal.”
“You’re joking, right?” I laughed.
“Have you known me to be a big joker, Katie Eaves?”
“No,” I said. “Do your parents even know you drink?”
“Sure, and they’re okay with it as long as I do it responsibly. My dad used to pour me a glass of wine at dinner when I was ten. They believe we should all be more like the French. Did you know that kids over there are allowed to drink?”
“No, seeing as I’ve never been to Europe.”
“Then you should really go sometime,” she said, her body swaying to the rap music. “Might as well change in the first-floor bathroom. Then you can join us in the living room when you’re done.”
The inside of the house appeared to me like something out of a dream. Before I could fully take it in, she pushed me inside a spare bathroom off the entryway. I marveled at the size of it. It was bigger than my bedroom. Once I emerged, I noticed that the volume of the rap music had been turned up. I walked into the most magnificent room I’d ever seen. A few kids I didn’t know lounged on couches, relaxing and talking. They looked tanned and fit, like beautiful rich kids, and nothing like the kids from my end of town. But where was Willow? I stood there, admiring the ocean view and wondering how I would fit in with this crowd. Would these kids accept or even acknowledge someone like me? Finally, Willow emerged from wherever she’d been, with two long-stemmed glasses in hand.
“Have some champagne and join the party,” she told me, offering me a glass.
“I’ve never had champagne before.”
“It’s expensive stuff. I promise you’ll adore it.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t you just love Post Malone?” She danced suggestively.
“Oh yeah, he’s one of my favorites.”
She laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Post Malone?”
“I haven’t,” I admitted, embarrassed.
“Come on, nerd. I’ll introduce you to the gang.”
As I walked around the living room, it felt like the start of something new and exciting—and vaguely dangerous.
ISLA
SHE PULLED UP TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THE THREE OF THEM got out of the minivan. She typically dropped Raisin off early in order to meet with the nurse and get his blood tested. She