Hate Me

“Aiden’s. He just asked me to go to Winter Formal at the top of it.”

“How did you get to the top of it?”

“He took me up to a dorm room, showed me the sunset, and then had me look down.”

“Top of the Eiffel Tower, Sunset?”

“Yeah, when I first tutored him, we joked about going to France together.”

“I heard they’ve been working on the project for over a month but I didn’t know what it was. You do realize that a month ago you were still seeing Dawson.”

“I know.”

“Aiden’s pretty freaking special.”

“Yeah, he is.”

Once we’re in my room, I make her try on the dresses.

She puts the first one on, and I can tell by her body language she doesn’t like it. “Is this what you were going to wear for Ace?”

“No, I wore it last year for something. But I’ve changed a lot since then.” She smiles. “And it’s all your and Maggie’s fault.”

“Our fault?”

“Yeah. I never really cared that much about clothes until I started hanging out with you guys. And you have such a great sense of style. Some of the outfits you put together, if someone else tried to wear them, they would look ridiculous, but on you they just work.”

“Thanks, I think. Speaking of Maggie, where are she and Katie?”

“Getting dressed in Maggie’s room, then pre-partying with Bryce.”

“Cool. Okay, so, what kind of style do you want to have?”

“I want to look classic. You dress in classic pieces, classic shapes, but they all have a little flair to them. Then you go crazy on your accessories.”

“Actually, the reason my clothes are mostly basics is because I usually choose my shoes first! So, classic. What else?”

“Romantic. A little bit girly. But not frilly.”

“Got it. Try on the other one.”

The black dress has a little more style, but black really doesn’t do much for A

“Oh, I know!” I say, ru

The dress slides over her hips like butter. “This is beautiful,” she says. “Wow, I look good in it, and I don’t even have any makeup on.”

“That’s one way to tell if a color is good on you. I wore this dress once when I went to di

She nods. “The ones I wore to Homecoming.”

“Those were cute. They’ll be perfect. Okay, take that off and I’ll show you how to do your makeup.”

After getting A

I do my hair in big curls, then brush it out into soft waves. The dress has a bit of a twenties vibe, so my hair will match perfectly.

I’m just putting on a pair of black suede Charlotte Olympia cut-out sandals when Aiden knocks on my door.

When I open the door, he hands me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the palest of pastels. Light fuchsia roses. Pale pink and blue hydrangeas. White lilies of the valley. Dusty pink peonies.

“They’re beautiful, Aiden. Are they for me?”

“Who else do you think I’d buy flowers for?”

“They’re just so pretty. I thought maybe they’re, like, a centerpiece or something.”

“They’re for you, silly.” He sets the flowers on my desk then holds out his arms. “So, obviously, you look crazy beautiful. But how about me? Do I look good enough to play your arm candy?”

I let my eyes slide down his buff body, which is looking totally delectable in a black suit. His hair is perfectly mussed. His angular face is freshly shaven. And his shoes . . .

“You might have more shoes than I do.” I laugh. “You look more than good enough to be my arm candy. In fact, I don’t think anyone will even be looking at me.”

I hold my pink Alexander McQueen appliquéd clutch and look at myself in the mirror again.

Something’s missing.

I spy the flowers behind me. “That’s what I need!”

I grab one of the pink roses, pin it to the plain black satin ribbon that came with the dress, and tie it around my neck.

“You look beautiful,” Aiden says, holding my hands and leaning in for a sweet kiss. He looks at his watch. “We better get to the café.”

I glance at his watch too.

“I'm playing the starlet. I’m pretty sure that means I should be a little late and make a big entrance.”

“Well, if you’re sure,” he says, and leans in for another kiss.

Twenty minutes later, Aiden is escorting me onto the French riverboat set.

Everyone is seated and opening their picnic baskets.

We make a purposefully noisy entrance and, right on cue, I'm stopped by two different di

I stop along the way and give air kisses to a few of the other characters, and it's obvious that the students are wondering what the heck is going on.

Once we’re seated, Logan walks out, dressed in a suit and a chef’s hat. “I am the great Wolfgang Pluck. It was my honor to prepare your gourmet meals for this evening.” He takes a prop glass of champagne off our table and raises it in the air. “I’d like to make a toast to a few very important guests.” One by one, he introduces the characters in the cast. “Relax and enjoy the beautiful views out the boat’s windows, Bon appétit.”

Aiden starts unpacking the picnic basket that is sitting on the floor next to us.

“What’d you get?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says. “But, since you’ll be performing while everyone is having dessert, I thought we’d start with that.”

He sets a container of chocolate mousse between us and pulls out two spoons.

“Oh, good call,” I say. “It’s my favorite.”

I let the chocolate melt in my mouth.

He uncorks a bottle of fake wine and pours me a glass.

He clinks my glass and I take a sip.

“Aiden, this is not the fake wine. It’s a Merlot, I think.”

“Very good. And, shhh, don’t tell.” He kisses my cheek.

I use my palm to turn his face toward mine.

“I love chocolate, but kissing you is even better,” I whisper. “What else is in the basket?”

“Brie, apple slices, some warm sourdough bread, chipotle almonds, and some ham.”

“You pla

He shrugs his broad shoulders. “Maybe I’m a little sweet on you.” Then he leans in close to me, clinks my glass again, and whispers, “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m still trying to woo you.”

Happy Birthday.

Midnight

At midnight, I stop kissing Aiden and yell, “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks,” he says shyly.

“We have to go somewhere. Grab your coat.”

“Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

“For my birthday?”

“Not exactly. But we will be celebrating.”

It's really cold tonight, and we don't run into anyone as we make our way to the chapel. Riley and Dallas are waiting for us downstairs, in the hall outside Stockton’s door.

“You're late,” they tell us.

“I had to wait until midnight, so I could wish Aiden a happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday, Aiden,” Riley says with a fist bump.

“What are we doing down here?” Aiden asks.

“Traveling to paradise,” Dallas says very seriously.

Riley puts his key in the lock, opens the door, closes it behind us, and then hits the lights.

I'm expecting Aiden to be wowed, but when the lights come on I'm saying Oh my gosh right along with him.

“Holy shit!” Riley says, bouncing on his toes like a little kid.

The room has been transformed. It no longer looks empty and unused. The walls behind the bar are stocked with top shelf alcohol and twinkle lights have been strung across the ceiling.