Don't Even Think About It (18 page)

The big day was finally here.

Sweet day.

We spent the day getting ready.

Some of us got manicures. In Manhattan, there’s a nail place on every corner, but most of us went to Beauty Charm on Chambers. It had the best massage chairs. Courtney and Jordana went to Drybar. Courtney got the straight-up blowout while Jordana got the just-got-out-of-bed look. Mackenzie, Mackenzie’s mom, and Mackenzie’s sister, Cailin, spent the day at Bliss Soho getting everything done: hair, nails, pedicure, and makeup.

Mackenzie had been excited to spend the day with her sister.

But the excitement ended about five minutes into the appointment.

“So, how’s school?” Mackenzie asked.

“Fine,” Cailin said.
I can’t believe Mom made me come in for this stupid party when I should be in the library.

The appointment didn’t improve.

“You have the most incredible eyes,” the makeup artist told her. “I’m going to use a teal green to really bring out the violet. They’re so unusual.”

Come tonight and you won’t think they’re so unusual,
Mackenzie almost said.

“Did you get colored contacts?” her mom asked, peering at her face.

“No, they’re just changing color. Puberty, I guess.”

Under the circumstances, we thought that was a decent excuse. Tess’s hair had been straight until her fourteenth birthday, when it had gone wavy, right? These things happened.

Cailin sighed.
I got zits and Mackenzie got exotic eyes. How is that fair? Ugh.

Mackenzie wanted to tell her to shut the hell up but she closed her eyes instead.

*  *  *

“Do we really have to go to this Sweet Sixteen party?” Lazar asked as they walked up West Broadway. “I could get us tickets to
The Eiffel Tower
at the Atlantic Theater.”

If Olivia were being honest, she’d admit that she didn’t really feel like going to the Sweet either. She was depressed. Her epic fail in public speaking class had been a punch to her stomach. “I promised Mackenzie I’d be there,” Olivia said. She’d bought a gift. A set of cute mini metallic nail polishes. She’d “overheard” Mackenzie admiring Jordana’s nail color one day in homeroom and had asked Jordana where it was from. Olivia had also borrowed a green dress of her mom’s and a pair of sparkly flats. She even did her makeup just the way Lazar said he liked it on the day he’d finally asked her out. Well, not said. Thought. “It should be fun,” she added. More fun than
The Eiffel Tower,
anyway.

“I don’t dance,” Lazar said.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Olivia said. “I’m not a great dancer either.”

Such a waste of time. Why does Olivia care about Mackenzie? She’s kind of a bitch. Olivia cares too much about what stupid people think.

Olivia stopped in her tracks. Maybe she should turn around and go home. She didn’t want to drag him against his will. “Do you want to just go home?”

He turned to her, surprised. “I thought you wanted to go.”

“I do want to go. But not if you’re going to complain the whole time.”

He blinked. “We can go,” he said finally. “I’m just not really a party type of person.”
I never know what to do with myself. I never know what to do with my feet. I should have taken dance lessons when I was younger or something.

Aw,
Olivia thought. Her heart melted.
He’s shy. Just like me.

Olivia laced her fingers through his. “We don’t have to stay long.”

They walked the last few blocks, hand in hand.

*  *  *

Mackenzie was in the bathroom at Soho Tower reapplying her lipstick. It was seven-fifty-eight, which meant the party was starting in two minutes.

She wasn’t sure how it was biologically possible, but her heart was pounding inside her head, her neck, her fingers. She was nervous. Very nervous. Not about one thing specifically. She was nervous about it all. Would someone think something they shouldn’t? Would Cooper change his mind and decide he hated her after all?

Everything was set up. Her parents and siblings were there, the DJ was organizing his stuff, the bartenders were ready—no alcohol for anyone under twenty-one. She was sure some of the non-Espies would smuggle in booze, but she knew none of us would drink. Too risky. The waitresses had their hors d’oeuvres ready to go: mini pizzas, mini lobster rolls, spring rolls. The room looked fun, flirty, and modern but not cheesy, just the way the event planner had promised—white leather couches and chairs, glass bar tables, white candles in square silver candleholders, white roses in silver vases. No balloons. No streamers. A silver square dance floor in the middle of the room.

Everything was going to be fine, Mackenzie told herself.

Completely fine.

The Espies will behave themselves. I have Cooper. He’s all I need.

Mackenzie pushed open the bathroom door and headed down the hallway to the hotel ballroom. People had already arrived. Olivia. Lazar. Jordana. Isaac. No sign of Tess, but most of the rest of us were there. Even Brinn, in a slightly ill-fitting black dress. Even Pi. She was wearing a navy blue dress, a navy blue jacket, and matching navy pumps. She looked like she was interviewing for a job on Wall Street.

Jordana clucked her tongue.
Way to make fun of your own guests.

Oops.
Maybe Mackenzie would tell the DJ to make the music loud. Really loud.
So loud the Espies won’t be able to hear themselves think, never mind each other.
Would that work?

Mackenzie spotted her parents chatting with Cooper’s parents. Both dads were wearing black suits. The moms were wearing cocktail dresses. But where was Cooper?

He was alone at the bar, wearing non-wrinkled black pants, a black jacket, and a gray shirt. He looked swanky. He looked beautiful.

Mackenzie approached him from behind and put her arms around his waist. “Hey.”

He turned and kissed her on the forehead. “Hi. Happy birthday.”

She loved the fact that it was her actual birthday. How often did that happen? That a party celebrating your birthday really fell on the right day? For the first time in weeks she felt lucky. It was meant to be. Everything had been messed up until that day, but now everything would be fine. Magical.

“Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier,” Cooper said. “Ashley was throwing a fit.”

“You should have brought her.”

“She wanted to come. She put on a party dress and her party shoes.”

“Aw, that’s so sad. I wish she were here.”

“I think my mom wanted a night out.”

They both looked at his parents.

Cooper’s father had his arm around his wife’s waist. Was it possible Cooper had been wrong? Maybe he’d misunderstood?

Cooper shrugged.
Let’s not talk about it tonight.

You sure?

“Yeah. But …”
They seem happy, right?

Absolutely.
Mackenzie hugged him. Everything was going to be fine. Everything was going to be great. “Wanna dance?”

He took a sip of his Coke. “Boo-ya. Let’s doooo this,” he said, and Mackenzie could have sworn his words sounded like a song.

*  *  *

Tess and Teddy arrived together, her arm linked through his.

If we were surprised by the turn of events, Tess was even more surprised.

He’d called her earlier that afternoon and asked if they were still going together.

“Sure,” Tess said. “Whatever.” So he was going to walk with her? Big whoop. It wasn’t a real date.

But then he offered to pick her up at her apartment. And he didn’t ring from downstairs. He came up to get her.

“Let me get some pictures,” her mom said when she saw them both in their fineries. It felt like a prom.

Did she lose a few pounds?
her mom thought.
It’s still not enough. She needs to lose at least another seven.

That thought had almost ruined Tess’s night, but she kept on her game face. Still, she sucked in her stomach.

Anyway, Teddy’s reaction made up for her mom’s.
She looks hot. And those eyes … Did she always have such gorgeous eyes? She has great boobs.

Is he staring at her boobs?
her mom wondered.
He definitely is. I wish I had boobs
.

Hah! If she lost another seven pounds, she’d have no boobs.
Take that, Mom!

They’d walked arm in arm to Soho Tower. By the time they arrived, the room was packed.

“Let’s go say hi to Mackenzie,” Tess said. Their arms were still linked. Did it mean what she thought it meant? Was getting Teddy to notice her really that easy? Step one, show that other guys were interested? Step two, get dressed up and show cleavage? Was that all it took?

She found Mackenzie on the dance floor with Cooper. Cooper was a great dancer. He’d always been a great dancer. Maybe the two of them would be okay. She squeezed Teddy’s arm. Maybe they’d all be okay.

She hugged Mackenzie tightly. “You look amazing,” she said. “Happy birthday.”

Does this mean you forgive me? Please forgive me? I’m sorry. I miss you. And you look amazing too. And happy. You came with Teddy! Is that on?

Tess blushed.
We’ll see. All signs point to positive.

I’m so happy for you. I want to hear everything. I know I haven’t always been a great friend but I do—

Tess squeezed Mackenzie’s shoulders.
We’ll get through it.

Good.

“What up, Coops?” Teddy said, and they gave each other one of those boy handshakes involving loud palm smacks.

“Come dance with us,” Mackenzie insisted.

For a few minutes that’s what they did. The four of them dancing, just the way Tess had always imagined. The music was pumping; she was moving, her hair flying all over the place.

For the next song, the music went old school and Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” came on. Teddy and Tess moved closer together. His arms were around her waist and hers were around his neck and they were dancing and kind of rocking back and forth.

Me and Tess?
Teddy thought.

She could feel his hands on the small of her back. Was this really happening? Was this finally happening? Her heart was thumping so loud she could barely hear anything except the music. His eyes were closed, so she couldn’t hear his thoughts, but she didn’t need to. She could feel him pressed against her. She knew something had changed. Shifted. Even though they hadn’t
done
anything, or said anything, they had crossed over from “just friends” to something more. This was going to happen. This was finally going to happen.

*  *  *

“It’s so loud in here,” Lazar whined.

It
was
loud. But still, Olivia was having fun. She hadn’t expected to have fun, but she was. All her friends were there. Look at that! She had friends! And after reading everyone’s mind, she knew two things: one, she was looking cute, and two, she didn’t have food in her teeth.

Olivia felt brave. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

He shook his head stubbornly. “I told you I don’t dance.”

“One song,” she begged.

He sighed. “Fine.”

They squeezed their way onto the dance floor.

It’s so hot in here,
he thought.

She couldn’t help wondering if he ever stopped complaining. “Why don’t you take off your jacket if you’re hot?”

He scowled.
How did she know I was hot? Am I sweating? I must be sweating.
“Where would I put it?”

Close call.
“On a chair?”

“What if someone takes it?”

Was he serious? Did he really think someone here was going to steal his jacket? He was the smallest guy here—it wasn’t like his jacket would fit anyone.

She tried to ignore him and focus on the music. The last time she’d danced in public was … well, she couldn’t remember. The truth was she liked to dance. A lot. She knew she wasn’t the best dancer or anything but it was fun. She danced in her room with the blinds closed, and while she was cooking dinner. In public she’d always worried people were staring at her—but now she
knew
no one was watching her. No one cared. Everyone was feeling the music and no one was looking. No one was judging her. She could do whatever she wanted to do. She lifted her arms above her head. Wahoo!

She’s getting a little crazy,
Lazar thought.

Olivia froze. Yeah, no one was judging her. No one except Lazar.

*  *  *

Pi was watching.

She sat on a bar stool in the corner and monitored the room. She’d come to make sure no one did anything foolish.

She’d stopped at least three of us from trying to sneak alcohol. She didn’t understand why we would take risks at a time like this.

She watched Olivia dance with that jerk boyfriend of hers. Tess was dancing with that guy she was obsessed with. Mackenzie was dancing with Cooper.

Everything was under control. Just the way Pi liked it.

She took a sip of her water and a bite of miso cod. At least the food was good. Nobu had catered.

Pi had surprised herself by going to Bloomingdale’s and buying a new outfit for the party. She knew her suit was conservative, but she felt sophisticated and smart.

She’d bought some makeup for the event too. But when she opened the packages, she realized she had no idea how to use eye shadow or eyeliner. She wished she had someone to teach her.

Instead she watched an eye-makeup tutorial on YouTube and tried to follow along. When she was done, she studied herself in the mirror. She looked like a raccoon. She scrubbed the color off and hid the makeup in the back of a drawer.

Aw. Poor Pi.

Pi was about to take another bite of cod when she saw her.

The redhead. The fake nurse. Suzanna. What was she doing here?