by Lucy Gage
She relaxed her posture automatically, now that she knew he wasn’t hitting on her. “Deductive reasoning. Your voice, the fact that you’ve been harassed by someone in the closet, and because you’re the best dressed guy I’ve seen at this school. Since it’s full of Hollywood families, that’s saying a lot.”
“Well, fashion is my passion. And yes, you’re right. I like men. Not boys. Boys are pathetic. I’m saving myself for a real man.”
“Amen to that!” she agreed.
“So, if you’re not vying for head cheerleader or in a rush to snag David Solomon, like all the rest of the girls at this school, what are your plans?”
“First of all, even if I was looking to score a hot, rich guy, I’d ignore David Solomon. He put superglue in my hair when I was seven and I had to have my hair chopped to remove it. I don’t forget stuff like that, even if he wasn’t a douchebag now. Second of all, I’m planning to use my brain. I can’t stand the idea of sitting on charitable committees for the rest of my life. And I might look like I should be a cheerleader, but trust me, I’m too snarky for that, even if I was capable of doing a back handspring without falling on my head.”
He laughed heartily. “You’re hilarious. What’s your name?”
“Jenna Ackerman. What’s yours?”
“Chris Pilling,” he said, offering his hand. When she took it, instead of shaking, he kissed it. “Charmed, I’m sure. Well, Miss Jenna, what do you say to commiserating in this little corner together?”
“Hard up for friends?” she teased. She liked him. He seemed like a cool guy.
He chuckled again. “To the point. I like you. I’m pretty new here, too. I could use an ally. Theresa isn’t likely to bother you if you’ve got a friend, right? And if I’m hanging out with a sexy girl, then maybe these fools will think I’m straight and leave me alone. Or at least they’ll think I’m trying to pretend to be straight. If they stop bothering me, I don’t care which it is.”
Jenna blushed when he said she was sexy. “Uh, sure.”
“Well, don’t fall all over yourself.”
She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m not used to being called sexy.”
“You’re joking, right? Honey, I think you’re hot and I’m gay. You’ve got a perfect body, great boobs, silky hair, pretty eyes. I bet if I looked, you’d have a fabulous ass. Stand up and show me.”
Jenna’s eyes grew wide. “What? No!”
“Oh, just do it. As if I’m ogling you.”
She had no idea why, but she acquiesced, stood and turned so he could see her butt.
“Uh huh. Just as I thought. Your body is fantastic. If guys aren’t falling all over themselves for you, there has to be an unseen reason. Spill it, rich girl.”
Jenna glanced at her Coach bag. Yeah, that could have given away her financial status.
“I’m maybe a little…nerdy. And standoffish. Girls don’t tend to like me much because they think I’m stuck up. They’re even less happy for me to be friends with their boyfriends.”
He snorted. “You? More nerdy than the rest of the geeks at this school? I can’t believe it. What do you do for fun that makes you nerdy? Watch sci-fi?”
Jenna lowered her eyes. “Um, well, I build computers. And write programs. And maybe hack on occasion.” She looked at him again and his brows were furrowed.
“Hack? Like Tron?”
“More like Matthew Broderick in Wargames.”
“Holy shit. Are you serious?” She nodded. “Aren’t you like, worried you’ll get arrested?”
A half-smile quirked at her mouth. “That’s half the fun of it.”
“Wouldn’t it be less dangerous to, say, shoplift on Rodeo?”
Jenna laughed. “I don’t need to shoplift on Rodeo. I’ve got an American Express Gold card of my own. I don’t do it because I want to get caught. Shoplifters are either stealing because they need something or because they want attention. I’m an only child, my parents don’t ignore me and I’ve got plenty of money. I hack because it’s fun to see how vulnerable sites are. Including the ones who think they aren’t in danger from attackers. Especially them.”
“Hey, whatever floats your boat. Do you want a cool best friend? One who can show you how to have fun in other ways?”
“Like what?”
“Like going to clubs and parties. I don’t do drugs or drink. Don’t worry. I won’t prevent you from getting into the Ivy League.”
“I’d get in anyway if I wanted that. My dad went to Harvard undergrad and Stanford Law and my mom’s family is from old money. I could buy my way into that world if necessary.”
“Old money? Like, how old?”
“Like DAR old.”
“Funny, Ackerman doesn’t sound very Colonial to me.”
Jenna smiled. “It’s not. Mom’s family was never impressed that she married a nice Jewish boy from New Hampshire.”
Chris made a noise that said he understood. “How’d you end up here? You should be living on the East Coast or something.”
“My dad is an entertainment lawyer. My mom followed him here when he came for law school and they never left. She’d love for me to go to Harvard and get swallowed into the inevitable social obligations, but I plan to be a computer programmer.”
“Well, nerd girl, I can at least round out your high school experience. If you’re interested.”
“Okay. What do you get out of it? You’re obviously not stupid and in need of a tutor, or else you wouldn’t be at a math and science magnet school.”
“No tutoring required. My dad is an engineer. He’d love for me to go to Cal Tech or MIT. I’d like to go to Parsons or FIT. I want to be a Hollywood stylist.”
“Will your parents support that?”
“Daddy won’t like it, but Mommy will make him pay one way or another. They went through a nasty divorce last year. My mom is a party planner. She gets me into some amazing clubs with her connections, even though I’m underage.”
“Well, then, Chris Pilling, I think you just found yourself a new friend. Maybe we can make your dreams come true. My daddy has some very big-name clients at his firm. You’ll make the parties at my parents’ house so much more fun.”
“Then let’s make our debut over at The Peach Pit and we can plot our first adventure.”
“Sounds like a great plan to me,” Jenna said with a chuckle at his Beverly Hills, 90210 reference. At least now she had one more friend than she had at her old school. Maybe this transfer in the middle of sophomore year would be a good thing after all.
**********
Boston, Massachusetts, fifteen years ago…
Jenna plopped into a two-person table, ready to be bored senseless. This psychology class was part of her freshman-year core curriculum and she was dreading every second, not because she couldn’t handle the material, but because sitting in this lecture three times each week seemed pointless. She sighed and took out her laptop. Might as well get started.
A brown-haired girl, who looked like she belonged in Hollywood and not on the Boston University campus, slid into the seat next to Jenna.
“Do you mind if I sit with you?” she asked. The Boston accent indicated that she was a local and not a transplant like Jenna.
Jenna shook her head. “Nope.”
“I’m Catie,” she said.
“Jenna.” They smiled at each other and Jenna went back to setting up the notes for this class.
“You’re taking notes on your computer?” Catie asked as if it was illogical.
“I type much faster than I write. Better set of notes that way.”
“Wow. I guess I know who to ask if I need notes, then!” She laughed.
Jenna smiled, but inwardly, she thought, Don’t count on it. I hate when people use me like that.
“Hey, don’t worry. I’m not the type to skip class. I’d have to be at death’s door to miss one. I’m on the swim team, and if my grades slip, I lose my scholarship. I can’t afford that.”
Jenna bit her lip. She f
elt like an ass. “Sorry. Was my annoyance that obvious?”
“A little. Don’t sweat it.” The professor started speaking then and they were off to the races.
At the end of the lecture, Catie said, “You have class now?”
“Nope. I was going to get some lunch.” Catie looked at her expectantly. Oh. Right. “Want to join me?”
“Sounds great.” She smiled and they left the classroom.
Jenna wasn’t one to amble, and she was glad that Catie walked at a decent clip, too.
“What’s your major?” Catie asked.
“Computer science.” For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Oh, she should return the question. “What about you?”
Catie laughed again. “You’re not so good at this making new friends thing, are you?”
Jenna blushed. “Not really, no.”
“Lucky for you, I’m great at it.”
“You’re pretty confident.”
“Yep. So, where are you from?”
“California. L.A.”
“Why are you here, then? Couldn’t you just go to Cal Tech or something?” They made their way through the food court line and Jenna was glad to see that Catie grabbed a slice of pizza. That meant she didn’t need to feel self-conscious when she wanted a burger.
“My mom is here. She grew up in Boston. My parents got divorced almost as soon as I graduated high school, and she moved back east, so I followed her. She’s annoyed that I didn’t go to Harvard.”
“Could you have gotten into Harvard? Or afforded it? I sure as hell couldn’t. I mean, I’m no idiot, but I didn’t have the grades to get into Ivy League. Spent a few too many weekends partying with my brother and my friends.”
“You have a brother?” It must have been nice to have siblings.
“A twin. Plus four older sisters. My brother doesn’t go to school here. He’s at Minnesota State. Plays hockey.”
“What’s that like, being a twin?”
“Weird and awesome. We have this freaky sixth sense about each other.”
“Is he as hot as you are?”
Catie guffawed. As she pulled out her wallet, she said, “You’re pretty blunt. I like that. And thanks for saying I’m hot. It’s always a good ego boost. But no, though Liam is a good-looking guy, he doesn’t stand out in a crowd.” She flipped to a photo of a brown-haired guy who, as she said, was attractive, but looked nothing like his sister except for his eyes. They were stunning, a beautiful chocolate brown, with lashes the color of his hair that most women would kill to have.
Jenna smiled automatically. “He’s cute. Sorry. I wasn’t hitting on you. I don’t like girls. I mean, not like that. Not that there’s anything wrong with being gay. My best friend from high school is gay.”
“Oh yeah? She hot, too?” Catie asked with a smirk.
“He. His name is Chris. And, yes, he’s drop-dead gorgeous. He’s at Parsons and we’ve planned to visit each other. You’ll have to meet him. He’s one of the coolest people I know.”
“Does that mean we’re going to be friends?” Catie teased.
“Uh…”
“I’m giving you a hard time. Relax. Too many fake bitches in this world. I like me a real girl. I need a good wingman who won’t shovel the shit, you know?”
“I hear you. I miss Chris.”
“Yeah, I miss Liam. He was my very best friend my whole life.” Her eyes got a little misty. She smiled and took a deep breath. “So, we gonna party this weekend?”
**********
Boston, Massachusetts, twelve and a half years ago…
Catie bounced on her toes.
“Stop that. You’re driving me nuts. It’s not like you’re hoping to hook up with him. You have a boyfriend and he’s gay.”
“Sorry. Nervous habit. I love meeting new people, but I get antsy when they’re important, you know?”
“You think Chris is important?”
“Jen, he’s your best friend. Of course I think he’s important!”
Jenna smiled. She and Catie had grown close the past two years. Unfortunately, between Jenna’s social obligations and Catie’s swim practices and meets, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together. It was even less these days. Catie was dating Tony Donati, whose mother went to law school with Jenna’s dad. Jenna thought Catie could do better than Tony, but she seemed smitten.
Just then her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey there, beautiful!”
“Chris! Are you here?”
“Waiting downstairs. Oh, wait, someone is coming through the door. I’ll be up in two shakes.”
He hung up the phone and Jenna grinned at Catie.
“Someone let him into the building.” Catie looked even more nervous. “Will you just relax? You’ll love him and he’ll love you.”
A firm knock echoed through the room. Jenna opened the door and there was Chris. He scooped her into his huge arms and swung her around.
“Oh, you are a vision,” he said. Then he put her down and leaned back. “Okay, maybe a vision who needs some work. When was the last time you had a trim? Allison must be beside herself when she drags you to those charity functions. And what the hell are you wearing? A school logo sweatshirt? As if you’re seriously into sports, Jen. Please. Just because you go to a sports-obsessed school, it doesn’t mean you have to jump on the bandwagon.”
Then, he noticed Catie. “Oh, well, who’s this lovely creature?”
Chris held out his hand to Catie and she took it. Like he’d done the first time he’d met Jenna, he kissed her hand.
She rolled her eyes. “I told you about Catie. We met in psych.”
“By psych, I assume you mean a class and not the psych ward? Unless you’ve failed to mention a stint in the looney bin. God knows this room could drive a person to drink, if not insanity. How do you live here?” He grimaced at the bland institutional walls.
“I think I liked you better when you were in the closet and not so vocally judgmental,” Jenna joked.
“Oh, please. You love me and you know it.” He grinned at her. Then he turned his attention to Catie again. “You, my dear, are gorgeous. Anyone ever tell you that?” Before she could answer he waved his hand. “Of course they have. Look at those cheekbones. And the boobs are amazing. B-cup?”
Catie’s eyes grew wide. “Uh, yes. Thanks. I guess.”
“Don’t mind him, Catie. Chris, don’t you dare feel her up.”
“Oh, fine. I can tell they’re real, anyway. You need a bra with better support, honey. Is that a sports bra you’re wearing?”
“Um, yes. I, uh, I’m on the swim team.”
“Honey, we’re in a dorm room, not at the gym or the pool. Sports bras are for athletics. And in your case, since you swim, I’m guessing you don’t even need them when you’re working out unless you’re cross-training. When you’re not exercising, sports bras are just ugly. We need to get you some decent lingerie. You won’t catch a sexy man with a sports bra.”
“Oh, well, I’ve got a boyfriend…” Catie began.
“And that gives you an excuse to wear cotton and Lycra?” He rolled his eyes at her and shook his head.
“Actually, Tony buys me lingerie all the time. He doesn’t want to see me unless I’m wearing something sexy under my clothes.”
“He’s a barbarian like that,” Jenna said, annoyed. Tony was such an ass. He didn’t deserve Catie.
“Wait, is this the creep who came to your mom’s party on the Vineyard two years ago?” Chris asked. Jenna had told him that her friend was dating the guy they’d called The Perv at her mother’s Labor Day party during their freshman year in college.
“Yes. Same guy.”
“Oh, honey, you’re way too fabulous for that scum. Seriously, Jen, didn’t you tell her what a freak he is? Or that he hit on every single woman at that party?”
“Well, I tried to tell her that he’s a bit of a douche. I just didn’t get that detailed into why. We hadn’t been friends for very long when they first
started dating.”
Catie frowned at Jenna. “You don’t like Tony?”
Jenna sighed. “Well, no. Not really.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Like I said, we hadn’t been friends long at the time when you met him.” She looked at Chris. “We ran into him and his Harvard cronies at a bar on Boylston Street. They were slumming.” She turned back to Catie. “Not that I think you’re low-class, Catie. Just that the Harvard guys show up on this side of town when they’re looking for a piece of ass. You should hear them talk about it at the stupid charity functions my mom makes me attend.”
Catie blushed. “What does that make me, then? Since I’m his girlfriend?”
Chris looked at Jenna, put on his best smile. He took Catie’s hand. “It makes you the perfect creature you are and it makes him the luckiest bastard on the planet because you gave him the time of day.”
“Thanks,” Catie said, forcing a smile.
Chris changed the subject. “Well, I think we need to prepare for a night on the town. I’m only here for one night and I want it to be memorable. Show me your clothing choices, ladies, and let’s get dressed to the nines. We’ll have dinner and drinks, then you two can show me how to live it up in this city.”
Both girls smiled and they went to work.
A few hours later, they were sitting at the bar on Boylston Street where Catie had met Tony. Jenna and Chris sat at a table, talking, watching Catie as a group of guys from her swim team flirted with her by the dart board.
“She’s too good for that sleazeball,” Chris said, sipping his Scotch on the rocks.
“Tell me about it. But she has blinders where he’s concerned.”
“She’ll learn. One of these days.”
“She has a thing for this guy on her team. They hang out all the time and she’s always talking about how sexy he is.”
Chris looked at her, confused. “Why is she with The Perv?”
Jenna shrugged. “Hell if I know. She doesn’t talk much about her childhood, but I get the impression that Tony’s money holds a lot of appeal.”
“Are you saying she’s a gold digger?” Chris seemed appalled. Whether it was the implied accusation or the possibility of Catie actually being a gold digger, Jenna wasn’t sure.
