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“I have to go. Satan and I are going shopping.”
Holden chuckles. “Okay, have fun.”
I promise him that I’ll text him and hang up, making my way downstairs. Ignoring my mother’s glare, I get into the car and distract myself with my phone.
“Who do you keep talking to?” She questions, glancing over at what I’m doing.
“No one.”
She gives me a pointed look. “Well, it’s definitely not no one. You’ve been constantly on your phone since you got here.” I shrug. “Is it that boy?”
“What boy?”
“The one you stole from Brianna.”
I scoff. “I didn’t steal anyone. They were broken up. Besides, Bree and I are fine now.”
“Well, that’s good. I’d hate to see you throw away a friendship for some boy.”
I look up from my phone, feeling frustrated. “Look, I don’t tell you how to live your life so don’t pretend you know how I should live mine.”
She exhales, shaking her head but refraining from saying anything else. I’m grateful for the silence. My mother has always been an obnoxious mix of intrusive and absent – calling to tell me what friends I shouldn’t be around while going on vacations to Barbados and leaving me with the nanny. For that reason, she’s probably the last person I would take advice from.
THE BLACK SPARKLY DRESS clings to the shape of my body, making me feel insanely self-conscious. However, being home has made it easier to restrict calories – so I’ve lost a few pounds.
I stand in the living room, listening to the pianist play and smiling politely when some of my mother’s friends say hello. My anxiety is sky high tonight and I’m just in an overall bad mood. It could be due to my required attendance at this stupid party, but I’m sure not being able to talk to Holden all day hasn’t helped.
“There’s someone at the door for you.” John, my step-father, says lowly into my ear.
I look at him confused, but go over to the front door anyway. As I turn the corner, my heart stops and my breath hitches. Holden.
“What are you doing here?!” I question, walking quickly toward him.
He wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Well, they say how you spe
nd New Year’s is how you’re going to spend the rest of the year, so I figured I’d come to you.” He looks down at my dress. “And I’m so glad I did.”
I shake my head, still not believing he’s really here. “How did you get here?! What about your flight?!”
“A really expensive Uber, curtesy of my mom, and I changed it. We fly back together.”
“You’re crazy.” I say through a giggle as I stretch on my tippy toes to kiss him.
Someone from behind me clears their throat, interrupting our kiss. I take my time in pulling away, knowing exactly who it is. Sure enough, my mother is giving me a judgmental look.
“Mom, this is Holden. Holden, my mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Jacobs.” He says, reaching out to shake her hand.
She exchanges the handshake hesitantly. “It’s Hartman.”
“Hartman.” He corrects. “Sorry. Kayleigh hasn’t told me much about her home life.”
“I’m not surprised.” She murmurs, raising her eyebrows at me. “It’s very nice of you to stop by young man, but this is a private party. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
“Mom!” I whisper-shout. Is she serious?!
“O-oh.” Holden replies, taken back. “I’m so sorry.”
