Diamonds in the Rough
Page 34
“Because you were having a drink with our hot new English teacher, and one of my friends had been talking about him since school started, so I shared the picture with her,” she said, backing into her seat. That had all happened before she’d found out the Diamonds were her sisters. She never would have taken the picture if she’d known. But she couldn’t tell Peyton and Courtney that, since this wasn’t the time or place for that conversation, and she’d promised her parents she would wait until Adrian was ready. “I didn’t mean for it to go public, and I didn’t write that post.”
“Sure you didn’t.” Peyton rolled her eyes.
“You don’t have to believe me, but it’s the truth.”
Peyton glared at her, but Courtney placed her hand on her arm, which stopped whatever retort she was about to say next. “We have to head back,” Courtney said. “Sorry to ask you about all of that, but we had to know. Bye, Madison.”
They headed to the penthouse elevators, and Madison watched them until they turned the corner. She returned to reading her book, but she didn’t get far before her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Oliver.
are u coming to myst?
No. I’m trying to keep my distance from the Diamond girls, and I know everyone’s fawning over Savannah and her little friend tonight.
yeah they are. it’s lame. u in your condo?
Nope. Lobby Bar. Near the statue of Daphne turning into the tree.
on my way
Then he followed it up with another text.
when did u name the statue?
I didn’t name her—the statue is from a Greek myth. That’s her name. See you soon!
She placed the phone down and fidgeted in her seat. She hadn’t seen Oliver outside of school since they’d kissed over Thanksgiving break—mostly because she had no idea what was going on between them, and she was scared to find out. Would things be weird? Because she had no idea if her feelings for him were real, if his feelings for her were real or if the spark between them was because she was stressed with everything going on and he’d been there for her. Plus, she’d never considered dating Oliver in the past because he was a player. Why would he change for her?
Whatever had happened between them had most likely been an in-the-moment thing.
It didn’t take long for him to join her in the Lobby Bar. He was wearing his usual clubbing attire—dark jeans and a black button-down top—and his eyes were unfocused and glassy, like he’d had too much to drink.
“Was Myst not fun tonight?” she asked. It wasn’t even one in the morning, and Oliver usually stayed out until at least two on the weekends.
“Everyone was sucking up to Savannah because of her Sweet Sixteen,” he said. “Other than that, it was the same as always. But I was hoping to see you there.”
He sounded so genuine that Madison’s stomach flipped, and she had to look away, hoping he wouldn’t notice the flush in her cheeks. She sipped her water, buying time to collect herself. “I wasn’t in the mood for the club scene tonight,” she said, trying to act unfazed. “Plus, Savannah’s friend Evie seemed annoying when she was shadowing Savannah around school today. The last thing I wanted to do was pretend like I cared about getting to know her.”
“Speaking of Evie,” Oliver said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Want to hear a funny story?”
“Sure.” Hopefully he wasn’t ogling Evie like every other guy at school. Madison didn’t get it. Yes, Evie was curvy in those places guys liked, but her face was caked with foundation and she wore glitter eyeliner to school. Seriously, who did that?
“At Myst, I was hanging out with our friends at Savannah’s table, and Evie couldn’t keep her hands off me,” he started. “She’s not my type, but I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone, so I went along with it.”
Madison tensed at the image of Evie’s hands all over Oliver, and she curled her lips in distaste. “If she’s not your type, why didn’t you tell her to back off?”
“Come on, Mads,” Oliver said. “I didn’t think she meant anything by it. Then Savannah cornered me and told me that Evie’s a virgin, and she wants to sleep with someone while she’s in Vegas. And apparently Evie had picked me for this task. She didn’t plan on telling me she was a virgin, but Savannah wanted me to know before anything happened, and she didn’t want me to tell Evie that she’d told me. Stupid girl drama.”
“So what’d you do?” Madison’s chest tightened at the idea of Oliver taking Evie’s virginity. Or was she just upset about the thought of Oliver sleeping with anyone after their kiss over Thanksgiving?
“I told Savannah to send Evie someone else’s way.”
“Really?” Madison’s eyes widened. “Why?” It couldn’t have been because of her. Could it?
“Because she’s a virgin.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to get involved with that.”
“What about that bet you had about sleeping with all three Diamond sisters?” Madison asked. “Two of the three of them are virgins—at least, I’m assuming Courtney is—and you didn’t have a problem with it then.”
“Let’s just say it’s a new policy of mine.”
“So you would never sleep with a virgin?” she asked. “Even if that person meant a lot to you?”
“Never say never.” He smirked. “I did wish Evie the best of luck, but taking someone’s virginity isn’t something I would do lightly anymore.”
“Good,” Madison said, feeling like she could breathe again. “Maybe you’re finally growing up a little.”
“Crazier things have happened,” he said. “But the hottest girls usually aren’t virgins, so it makes the selection process easier.”
“Jerk.” Madison kept her tone light, but inside she was on fire. Did Oliver not think she was hot?
“Of course there are always exceptions.” His eyes focused on hers, making her forget to breathe again.
Was he talking about her? Did she want him to be talking about her?
Yes, she realized. She did.
“So, tomorrow night,” he said. “Who are you going with to Savannah’s party?”
“I was planning on meeting up with the girls when they get here and going into the party together,” she said, since the only reason Kaitlin, Tiffany and Larissa were invited was because her mom had insisted Rebecca include them. Madison had told her it wasn’t necessary, but her mom had been worried about her being around the Diamond sisters without her friends by her side. So she’d pulled strings and made it happen. “Why?”
“Because I was thinking we could meet here for drinks first, and then go to the party together.”
She froze, and time felt like it stopped moving. Was Oliver asking her on a date? Or maybe he was just asking because he knew the only reason they were invited was because their families were on Adrian and Rebecca’s guest list, and not because Savannah wanted them there.
He watched her closely, and she could have sworn she detected panic in his usually confident gaze. “We could invite your friends, too, if you’d like,” he added. “The adults will probably be watching what we’re drinking at the party, so it makes sense to pre-game.”
“We don’t have to invite them,” Madison said quickly. “I would rather it be us two. It’s Savannah’s party, and being around the Diamonds will be stressful for me, and I might want to vent or whatever. You’re the only other person who knows the truth, so it’s best that it’s just us. I’ll see the girls in the actual party. But before the party, I would rather be with you.”
It was a good reason to not invite anyone else along on what might be a date—right?
“So we’ll meet here at six tomorrow?” he asked.
“Sounds perfect.”
She didn’t know if it was officially a date, but she wanted it to be. Could she and Oliver take their friendship to the ne
xt level? And if they did, would she mean something to him, or would she be another girl he grew sick of and tossed to the side?
She would never know if she didn’t take the risk.
www.campusbuzz.com
High Schools > Nevada > Las Vegas > The Goodman School
Happy Sweet Sixteen, Savannah!
Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 10:47 AM
The big day is finally here—Savannah Diamond’s Fabulous Sweet Sixteen! Everyone there (including me, of course) will be one of the first to see the new Abandon Nightclub, since it hasn’t officially opened yet. It’s going to be the best Sweet Sixteen party of the YEAR.
1: Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 10:59 AM
Did Savannah invite everyone from school? From the way everyone’s been talking about the party, it sure seems like it!
2: Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 11:10 AM
She didn’t invite everyone :(
3. Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 11:27 AM
I’m on the volleyball team with Savannah, and she told us how she invited people. She couldn’t invite everyone from school because Adrian and Rebecca are inviting family and friends as well, and there are limits on how many people can be in the club, especially with all the activities they’re setting up to entertain us all night.
So it’s basically like this: she invited everyone on the volleyball team, all of the sophomores and friends of hers from the other grades. Then Peyton was allowed to invite a few seniors, Courtney invited a few juniors, and Adrian and Rebecca invited the kids of their friends. (Like Madison and Oliver. Which is so stupid because everyone knows Savannah doesn’t like them, but whatever. That’s what happens when your family is connected.)
4. Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 11:46 AM
so freshmen had no chance of an invite?
5. Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 11:54 AM
Not unless you’re on the volleyball team or your parents are family friends with Adrian and Rebecca! Don’t feel too bad about it — only a handful of freshmen were invited.
6. Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 12:21 PM
i heard a surprise guest will be there tonight! anyone know who it is??
7. Posted on Saturday 12/13 at 12:41 PM
The theme of the party is MUSIC, so probably a big music star! The Diamonds definitely have the connections to make it happen. One thing is for sure…tonight is going to be EPIC.
See you there!
Chapter 33: Savannah
“And now let’s give a big welcome to the reason we’re all here, the birthday princess herself, the one and only Savannah Diamond!”
The double doors flew open, and Savannah made her grand entrance, carried in an extravagant litter like the ancient queens of Egypt, with colorful silk pillows surrounding her. The litter required eight men to hold her up—but the hired dancers were so strong that they made it look effortless. Everyone cheered as she passed, and she waved back, as if greeting her royal subjects. She spotted Nick and waved to him, so that he’d know how glad she was that he’d made it out. Damien was also in the front, and he smiled so radiantly at Savannah that her heart felt like it was about to burst. Their eyes connected, and for those few seconds, it was like everyone else in the club disappeared.
“Savannah’s wearing Dolce & Gabbana, and if you want to copy her look, be prepared to shell out a hefty $6,800,” the host of My Fabulous Sweet Sixteen, Jillianne Powells, said to the camera. Savannah forced her gaze away from Damien’s and fluffed her white-and-black lace dress, smiling for the camera as instructed.
She reached the stage, where her family (who had been previously introduced) was standing. The men placed the litter down and Savannah stepped out to join them. Her sisters looked amazing—Courtney in a short red Valentino dress that flounced when she twirled, and Peyton in a tight leather number by Alexander McQueen. Adrian, Rebecca and Brett were there, as well. The only people missing were Mom and Grandma. Savannah’s chest tightened at the thought of them, and how, in respect for Courtney’s decision to take space, they still hadn’t talked after the fight over Thanksgiving.
But they would work things out soon. For now, she wanted to enjoy her party.
“Let’s give another round of applause for Savannah Diamond and the Diamond family!” the DJ said. Then an upbeat song came on, and the dancers pulled the guests to the center of the action to get the party started.
The dancing continued until dinner was served, although Savannah could barely eat her filet since she’d had so many appetizers earlier. (The lobster macaroni and cheese in martini glasses was positively to die for.) So many people wanted to get five minutes in with her—and the cameras—that she didn’t have time to eat dinner, anyway. When one of Rebecca’s high school best friends finally stopped talking to Savannah, Jillianne rushed to her side.
“There’s a big surprise for you at the end of dinner—in about five minutes—and we have to make sure you’re in a good spot for the camera to capture your reaction,” she said. “We need the family in the frame,” she said louder, and Adrian, Rebecca, Peyton, Courtney and Brett moved their chairs closer to each other. Evie and her mom were the only others at the table, and they had to move aside so they weren’t in the scene.
“Did you two know about a surprise?” Savannah asked Courtney and Peyton.
“Rebecca couldn’t have made it happen without our input,” Courtney said, smiling.
“Once the surprise is announced, you’ll be the first person who runs to the stage,” Jillianne told Savannah. “Your sisters and friends will follow.”
“Okay,” Savannah said, barely able to stand still. What was this big surprise, and why was the stage involved? They weren’t going to have her sing, were they? Because she would have needed to prepare. She couldn’t have another disaster like what had happened at Jackie’s party.
Then every light in the club dimmed except for the one shining on the DJ. Savannah held her breath, and took her sisters’ hands in hers. The DJ said a few things about how great the party was so far, and how everyone must be having such a good time, but Savannah couldn’t focus on what he was saying because she wanted to see the surprise already.
Finally, he said, “If you think this party couldn’t get any better, than you’re in for a treat, because here to perform a few of their hits are your five favorite boys straight from the UK—the one, the only, One Connection!”
The opening riff of their recent single rang through the club, and the five of them ran onto the stage, breaking out into song. Savannah squeezed her sisters’ hands, screaming along with every other teen there. One Connection?! Performing at her Sweet Sixteen?! This was beyond anything she could have imagined. She was so excited she thought she might hyperventilate, and her sisters pulled her out of her seat and rushed the stage with her, not letting go of her hands through the entire song. Which was a good thing, because she might have fallen over otherwise. Alyssa, Jackie, Brooke and the rest of the volleyball girls were all around them, too, singing along to every word. As was Damien—he was being more chill about it, of course—but he’d gotten to know the songs pretty well when he was working with Savannah on recording the covers.
“The next song is one that Savannah Diamond covered herself on her YouTube channel,” Perry Myles said, and Savannah clapped and screamed at how her name just came out of Perry Myles’s mouth. “And we loved her version so much that we’re going to take a few seconds to Tweet about it so all our followers can check it out! Right, boys?” They all agreed and took out their cell phones, supposedly Tweeting about Savannah’s YouTube cover. “This one’s for you, Savannah!”
She jumped up and down, clapping and singing along with everyone around her. Did that really just happen? Her channel was going to blow up after this. If she’d had her phone on her she would have checked her Twitter, but it was probably a good thing she didn�
�t, because she was able to dance and sing along for the rest of the songs without any distractions.
“And now, we’d like Savannah Diamond to join us on stage so we can sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her!” Noel said, holding out a hand to help her up. He and Kayn pulled her onstage—omigod they touched her arms—and the DJ rolled the four-tiered topsy-turvy cake with pink, black and white icing onto the stage. The boys of One Connection surrounded her to sing “Happy Birthday,” and the crowd joined in, too.
Savannah pulled her hair in front of her shoulders and smiled, hoping everyone didn’t realize how awkward she felt when people sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Once the song was over, Perry presented her with a cupcake with a lit 16 candle, and Savannah blew it out. Then he kissed her cheek and smiled, his brown eyes warm as they met hers. She returned his smile, her heart feeling like it was about to pound out of her chest, her skin tingling where his lips had been on her skin. She felt like she’d walked into a dream.
“We’ll be hanging around the pool throughout dessert, and look forward to meeting you to sign autographs and take pictures,” Perry announced. “Thank you for having us here tonight, and again, we’d like to wish a very happy birthday to the beautiful and talented Savannah Diamond!”
The crowd cheered, and the next few minutes of her friends rushing up onstage to tell her how her party was the best ever were a blur. When she finally made it back to her table, she found Rebecca and Adrian sitting there trying all of the desserts available at the dessert bar.
“How did you guys manage to get One Connection to be here?” she asked, breathless.
Rebecca smiled. “I’m guessing your sisters were right that they’re one of your favorite bands?”
“Yes!” Savannah said. “Thank you both so so so much. This party has been unbelievable. I knew from the planning that it was going to be awesome, but this is beyond what I imagined.” She gave Rebecca a huge hug, and then moved on to Adrian, who surprised her by picking her up and swinging her around in a small circle.