Little White Lies (17 page)

“I know,” I said. “You've gone above and beyond to throw me what I
know
is going to be an awesome party. I really, really appreciate it, Paige.”

She smiled at me. “You're my best friend. Of course I'd do this for you—you know that. And Callie helped a lot too.”

“I know,” I said. “Now close your eyes.”

When Paige's eyes were shut, I took another breath and willed myself to stop shaking. Everything was going to be fine. I worked hard to keep my hand steady as I brushed eye shadow along Paige's eyelids.

“Okay,” I said a few minutes later. “Check it out.”

Paige got up and looked in the mirror. “Uh, I think I should pay
you
. Maybe we should just go into business together.”

We giggled and did last-minute hair checks. I applied a final coat of gloss—Lip Glam in Berry Glisten. “Use this,” I said, passing it to Paige. “It'll look even better on you with your skin color.”

Paige brushed the wand over her lips and rubbed them together. “This does look good. Thanks.” She handed it back to me.

“Ready?” I asked. I just wanted to get the party started and end it as early as possible.

“Ready.”

Paige and I walked down the hallway to the Winchester common room. Paige hurried to get in front of me and placed her hand on the doorknob.

“Happy birthday, Sasha. I really hope you like everything,” she said.

“Paige.” I hugged her. “I'm going to love it. Open the door already!”

With a final grin at me, Paige pulled open the door and waved me inside. I stepped into a room that looked
nothing
like the Winchester common room. Paige had transformed it from cozy chic to modern and cool with a black-and-white theme. Bottles of sparkling cider were chilling in an ice bucket on the counter and a dozen champagne flutes were ready to be filled.

“Paaaige,” I said. “This is amazing!” There were black and white candles everywhere. Paige had brought in clear vases and had filled them with origami black and white flowers. Only when I stopped gaping at the decorations did I notice the people inside.

“Happy birthday,” Troy said, walking over to hug me.

“Thanks!” I said. “Glad you came.”

I looked over and saw Jasmine in the corner talking to Alison. Neither girl looked as if she was about to kill the other. I wondered if everyone would be able to play it cool tonight. Julia was surveying the snack table with Nicole, Annabella, and Suichin.

Andy, Ben, and Ryan walked in together and each guy put a present on the gift table Paige had set up. There was already a massive pile of presents—boxes, bags, and
cards—almost spilling off the table. It was a colorful explosion of ribbons and wrapping paper.

“Sasha!” Callie and Jacob walked in holding hands and Callie released his hand to hug me. “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks!” I hugged her back, avoiding Jacob's gaze. “Paige told me you helped a lot, so really, thank you.”

“Please,” Callie said. “I got party-planning lessons from a pro. It was awesome.”

“Happy birthday,” Jacob said.

“Thanks.” I half smiled at him, then we both looked away from each other.

Callie looked gorgeous and perfect for a summer party. She wore a creamy colored skirt that hit just above her knees and a black tank top with lacy straps.

“Paige did an amazing job with the decorations,” Callie said. “The black-and-white theme is so cool. She told me what to do and I just followed her directions.” She turned to Jacob. “Do you like it?”

Jacob nodded. “Yeah, you guys did a great job.” He looked away and tipped his head at Troy and the other guys who were on the couch stuffing their faces. “I'm gonna go talk to them for a sec,” he said to Callie.

“Okay,” she said.

Jacob walked away and Callie turned to me. “Omigod,
this is going to the best party ever. You've got a zillion presents and everyone's here just for you.”

“Except Eric,” I said. “But he should be here any second. Let's get some sparkling cider while we wait for him.”

We grabbed two champagne flutes and I lifted the cider out of the silver ice bucket.

“Allow me.”

I turned to find Eric standing behind Callie and me.

“Hey!” I said, wrapping my arms around him.

“Happy birthday, Sasha,” he said in my ear.

He took the cider from me and poured glasses for Callie and me before filling a glass for himself.

“Let's toast,” Callie said. “To my best friend on her thirteenth birthday. I hope you have the wonderful night that you deserve!”

“Cheers!” Eric said. We raised our glasses and clinked them together. I looked at them and finally felt completely secure—this was going to be the best party ever.

Jacob headed toward us and my heart started beating faster.

“Um, let's go try Paige's food,” I said to Callie. I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the snack table, almost causing her to spill her drink.

Callie and I walked over to the table with a black tablecloth that sparkled with silver glitter. Paige had made a variety of sandwiches cut into tiny triangles, a cheese plate, and fruit salad.

While Callie and I put food on our plates, I kept one eye on everyone else. Jas had moved to get a glass of cider, Eric and Jacob were at opposite ends of the room, Paige was floating from group to group playing hostess, and Callie was with me. Phew!

Callie and I sat on the couch and indulged in Paige's food.

“She could drop out of school today and go full time on The Food Network for Kids,” Callie said.

“I know,” I said. “She could. These cucumber sandwiches are amazing.”

Callie finished her food and started to stand. I shoved the rest of my fruit salad in my mouth, starting to jump up after her.

“Saaasha!” Nicole, my friend from the stable, said as she stepped up to me. “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks,” I said. I started to weave around her to follow Callie in case she went to talk to Eric, but Nicole reached out to hug me.

“I'm so glad school started early this year so we could
do this,” she said. She pushed a blond curl from her face. “Isn't it great to be back?”

But I barely heard her. I watched Callie go over to Andy and Ben, laughing at something they said. “It's great,” I echoed. “So good to be back.”

“I haven't seen you once at the stable,” Nicole said, playing with the star pendant that dangled around her neck. “Wish probably misses Charm. We should trail ride together soon.”

“Mmm hmm.”

Jasmine left the cider table and headed for Eric. Jas had
nothing
on me, but I didn't want her alone with Eric.

“Gotta go!” I said, darting around Nicole. “Talk to you later.”

I hurried across the floor, appearing at Eric's side just as Jasmine stopped in front of him. And, omigod, was I sweating?

“Where did you
come
from?” Jasmine asked, staring at me. “Did you seriously just run over here to get between me and your boyfriend?”

Jas looked stunning in a black minidress with silver kitten heels. Her dark wavy hair was loose and her makeup job rivaled Paige's.

I slid my arm around Eric's waist. “Yeah, that's
exactly
what I did. But can we not? It's my party and if you're not here to have fun, then you should feel free to leave.”

Jas rolled her eyes. “Like I'm really going to stay? Puhlease. I just came to see if anyone would actually show up. After cake, I'm out of here.”

Jas took a step back and turned around just as Heather walked into the room. She carried a purple gift bag in one hand and a black purse in the other.

“So, Heather really can make people nervous without doing or saying anything,” Eric whispered in my ear. “Amazing.”

“I know.” We laughed and I let go of him. “I've got to go say hi. But come find me in five minutes if I don't come back, 'kay?”

Eric nodded. “Make it two.”

Smiling to myself, I started over toward Heather. I was edgy after running around to watch everyone, but I was having fun and it seemed like everyone else was too. Someone turned up the music on the iPod speakers and Julia and Ben started dancing in the open space behind the couch.

“Thanks for coming,” I said to Heather. Her blond hair was straightened and pulled back in a half updo. She looked superglam in a strapless tube dress that almost matched my eye shadow.

She handed me the gift bag. “Happy birthday.” Her blue eyes studied my face. “Oh, Silver.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “What's going on? Did our BFF Jas do something that gives me an excuse to pour a drink on her and kick her out?”

I stared at her and my fake everything's-great-and-awesome attitude fell for a second. How was it that after hanging out with so many people tonight, Heather was the first one to see something was wrong?

“I wish,” I said. “I'd love to give you a reason to toss Jas. But nothing's wrong. Everything's fine.”

“Fine?” Heather stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Everything ‘fine' at your thirteenth birthday party?”

“Yes,” I squeaked. I couldn't look her in the eyes. I was afraid that if I did, I'd spill all of my worries about tonight onto her. They would pour out and wouldn't stop. The urge to confess to Heather was disturbing. She was the leader of the Trio! “I didn't mean to say ‘fine.' I meant that the party is fantastic. Go get a drink or something.”

Heather looked at me for another second. She obviously didn't believe me.

“Okay,” she said. She leaned in toward my ear. “But
only
because it's your birthday—if you need … help with something, find me.”

She walked away, leaving me clutching the gift bag and shaking my head. I put the present on the table with the rest of the gifts and walked past Paige. She'd migrated to the kitchen area of the common room and was talking to Ryan. She grinned at me as I walked by and I winked at her. She was getting more comfortable with him every time they got together.

“I think you were gone longer than two minutes,” Eric said, grabbing me from behind and wrapping his arms around me. I laughed and turned around, looking into his face. He quickly kissed me and took my hand. “C'mere.”

I followed him through the room and he pushed open the door, leading me out into the quiet hallway.

“Eric!” I said. “I can't leave my own party. Everyone's in there.”

Everyone was here for me and all I could do was try not to have a meltdown because of my lies. What if Jacob just decided to confess everything and tell them the truth? But I knew that was dumb the second I thought it—they were all exactly where they'd been when I'd left the room two seconds ago.

“You're not leaving,” Eric said. “You're ducking. For two minutes.” He reached into his back pocket and
produced a tiny white box tied with a simple black ribbon. “I wanted to be the first one to give you a present on your birthday.”

“Eric.” I took the box from him and slid off the silky ribbon. I opened the lid of the box and inside was a silver charm for my bracelet. A
heart
. I touched the charm and looked up at him. “It's
perfect
. This is the best gift anyone's ever given me.”

I held out my wrist to Eric and let him fasten the charm next to the horseshoe one he'd given me on our first date.

“Good,” he said. “Because you're special to me.”

I leaned over to put the box on the hallway table, checking behind me for Livvie. But the hall was empty.

I stepped up to Eric until our faces were inches apart. I rested my arms on the tops of his shoulders.

“You having a good birthday so far?” Eric asked.

“The best,” I said.

He leaned closer and my eyes fluttered shut. Our lips had barely touched when I heard a door open behind us.

Jacob stood in the hallway, his hands shoved into his pockets. I took a step away from Eric and my face went pink.

“Sorry,” Jacob said after what felt like hours. He stared
at the hallway floor. “Paige was looking for you—she wants to cut the cake.”

“Go ahead,” I said to Eric. “I'll be right there. I need to run to the bathroom for a quick hair check before we have cake. Paige will be putting all of our pics on FaceSpace.”

“Okay,” Eric said, squeezing my hand. “See you inside.”

Eric didn't even look at Jacob as he brushed past him. The door closed, leaving me with Jacob.

Jacob and I stared at each other. He opened his mouth to say something, then his eyes landed on my wrist. Still peering at my bracelet, he stepped forward and took my hand.

“Jacob—” I started, but the look on his face stopped me.

Jacob raised my hand so the bracelet dangled in the air and his eyes locked on the heart charm. I wasn't sure if it was pain, sadness, surprise, or all of those things that flashed on his face and made my heart twist.

“Did he just give that to you?” Jacob's voice was barely audible.

“Yes.” My own voice was a whisper.

Jacob didn't let go of my hand. “Did you want it?”

I started to say that of course I did. Eric was my
boyfriend and I liked him so much. But nothing came out. I yanked my hand away from Jacob and hurried around him to go inside. I let the door slam behind me.

“There's the birthday girl,” Paige said, rushing up to me. She took the hand that Jacob had just held and guided me toward the counter.

Nicole, Annabella, and Suichin stepped aside, waving their arms with flourish. On the counter was a three-tiered square cake. Each layer was shaped like a present with white wrapping paper and pink ribbons and bows.

“Paige,” I said, gasping. “Did you
make
that?”

“Yeah,” Paige said. “I wasn't going to trust anyone else with my best friend's birthday cake. Everything's edible—bows and ribbons—all of it.”