SAVANNAH
"Hey, Savvy!" Brenda's voice echoed through the phone speaker, and I instinctively rolled my eyes.
There it was again. Savvy. Blake’s doing. I swear that boy had a way of leaving fingerprints on your life in the most annoying yet impossible-to-ignore ways. And now, here was his sister throwing that nickname around like we were lifelong besties.
"I'm outside," I said into the phone. "I'm not sure if it's the right house and--"
Before I could finish, the front door burst open and Brenda came bounding out with all the excitement of a puppy who’d just spotted their favorite person. Her long blonde curls bounced as she waved at me, practically glowing.
"Savannah! You made it! I'm so glad!"
I managed a smile and stepped forward. She wrapped me in a brief but tight hug that smelled of vanilla perfume and anticipation.
"Come on in! We still have so much to do before the party starts. Thank God you're early."
"Yeah, about that," I muttered as I followed her in, "My mom basically shoved me out the door. She said I needed to start saying 'yes' to people more. Apparently, I'm not social enough."
"Moms," Brenda said with a giggle.
The house was gorgeous, airy, and dripping with money. A few decorators buzzed around the living room, hanging gold streamers and adjusting balloons that spelled out her name in silver foil.
"Wow," I said, eyeing the chaos. "You’ve got quite the setup here."
"Only the best for my seventeenth," she said proudly, leading me up the stairs. I expected to find other girls in her room, maybe some cousins or childhood friends, but when we stepped inside, it was just us. Huh. Weird.
Brenda clapped her hands excitedly. "Okay, help me pick. I can't choose."
She motioned dramatically to the three gowns laid out on her bed: a wine-red sequin dress, a light pink strapless number, and a blue rosy gown with intricate floral detailing.
"Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes. "No other friends helping you out with this?"
She blinked. "No. Why?"
"I mean, it's your birthday party. I'd have thought you’d have a whole squad."
She shrugged, suddenly a little awkward. "I guess I don't really vibe with a lot of people. Plus, most of them just want to hang around me because of my parents."
"Fair enough," I said.
"So? Which dress?"
I walked over and touched the fabric of each. "This one," I said, pointing to the blue gown. "It’s classy, but fun. And with the right makeup? Total showstopper."
She beamed. "That’s what I was leaning toward too. Black heels or silver?"
"Black. But go with diamond earrings to balance it."
"Savvy, you’re a genius."
I looked up sharply. "It’s Savannah."
"Oh. Sorry," she said quickly. "It’s just... Blake always calls you Savvy, and I assumed--"
"Well, I'm Savannah."
She nodded, sheepish, and started pairing accessories with the dress.
Moments later, she mumbled something and walked out of the room, saying she needed to check on the decorators downstairs. I took the moment to let my eyes roam around the room. It was big, pink-themed, and exactly what I imagined a rich girl’s bedroom would look like. But there was something oddly... lonely about it.
Brenda came back after a while, her face flushed and her expression frantic.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She shut the door and leaned against it like someone might chase her in. "My makeup artist just texted. She can’t make it. Emergency, apparently. And my mom's not answering her phone. I’m seriously about to lose it."
I sat up straighter. "Relax. It’s just makeup. I can help."
She blinked. "You can do makeup?"
I nodded. "Used to take a course after school back at my old town. It was this little academy next to our school. I got tired of waiting for my mom to pick me up late, so I registered myself. Didn’t finish the course before we had to move again, but I know enough."
"Are you serious?"
"Completely. Sit. I’ve got this."
She plopped onto her vanity stool like it was her throne and I got to work. Foundation, contour, blush, highlight. Her face transformed beneath my fingers like magic. All the while, she kept talking.
"There's this guy," she began dreamily. "He’s been my crush since like, forever. He’s coming tonight. I need to look perfect."
"Who is he?"
"Aaron Hayes. He’s a year older, graduated last year. Captain of the swim team. Blue eyes. Dimples. You know, the kind of guy who doesn’t know girls like me exist."
I smiled to myself. "Maybe tonight he will."
"That's the goal."
"Your mom not coming?"
She sighed. "Mom and Dad are in the capital for a fundraiser. They're politicians. Always off to something important. I’ve gotten used to it."
I hesitated. "And... Blake?"
Her eyes lit up. "He’s getting my cake. Said he’d be back any minute now. He hates parties, but he promised he’d be here for mine."
I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure what to feel about Blake lately. Ever since that stupid note incident, I’d been swimming in confusion. One minute I hated him. The next, I was remembering the way his voice softened when he called me Savvy.
"Done," I said, leaning back and passing her a mirror.
She gasped. "Savannah! You--this--I look gorgeous!"
A tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it quickly. Before I could say anything, she threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
"Thank you. You saved my birthday."
"It’s nothing," I muttered, a little overwhelmed by her gratitude.
"No, it’s everything. No one’s ever done something like this for me."
Just then, a deep voice rang out from behind us.
"Savannah, what are you doing here?"
I turned, startled, and there he was. Blake. Standing at the doorway, holding a three-tiered cake decorated with golden roses and tiny pearls. His eyes were fixed on me, his brows furrowed in confusion and maybe something else I couldn't quite read.