Page 5 of Lilies in Autumn

“You have to try her food, it’s insane. She makes these rolled chicken things in a lemon butter sauce that tastes like actual heaven.” CeCe has always been the best hype woman, especially when it comes to my dreams and food.

“C, they’re called spiedini, for the millionth time. I’ll make them for you when we visit home on fall break if you can remember their name this time.”

“Can you spell it for me? I’m writing this down for posterity.”

Rolling my eyes, I take her phone and type the name into her notes section labeled “Food Requests for Ava.” For the last three years, CeCe has sent me food and recipe requests at least once a week. Probably because her mother doesn’t know how to cook.

Serena clears her throat. “I have an apartment off campus if you’d like to come by and hang out or cook sometime. I’m decent in the kitchen and would love to have someone teach me a few things if you’re free?” There’s so much uncertainty in her invitation that my heart breaks for this young, smart girl, intellectually mature but so lonely that it’s palpable.

“We would love to, Serena.” I glance at CeCe, who’s nodding her head in agreement. “We just got invited to a sorority mixer tonight. Alpha Nu or something like that, I think. Why don’t you come with us? We can get ready together before we head over to the pregame.”

“Are you sure? I’d love that. Thank you so much!” The words leave Serena’s mouth in a rush, almost like she’s worried I’ll rescind the offer if she doesn’t accept quickly enough.

After exchanging numbers and setting a time for Serena to come to our dorm, CeCe and I make our way to the rest of the tables at the interest fair. Other than the STD table, we stop at the girls’ field hockey club table and two other sorority tables, Gamma Phi and Sigma Kappa Epsilon. Linking my arm through CeCe’s on our way back to our dorm, I laugh. “C, look at us, making friends and shit.”

“I know, Serena seems so sweet. I’m so happy you invited her out with us tonight. Do you think I need to give Felicity or Jordan a heads-up that we’re bringing her?”

“There’s going to be so many people there. I don’t think it’ll make a difference.”

CeCe hums in agreement. “I can’t believe those guys. They all but admitted to cheating in their English class.” A visible shudder works its way down CeCe’s body. By the time we left their table, both John and Liam had snuck off. It was a testament to their stupidity that even the threat of failure couldn’t keep them at their assigned post.

“I know, but forget about them. Let’s go figure out what we’re wearing tonight. We should probably figure out something for Serena, too. I have a feeling she won’t know what to wear.”

Ava

Serena had no idea what to wear, evident from the three duffel bags and two garment bags she brought with her to our dorm room.

What eighteen-year-old owned a garment bag?

“I have no idea what to wear, so I brought options.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I can see that.”

Serena begins unpacking the clothes haphazardly thrown into her bags, and I notice the tags are still on most of them. Picking a sleeveless turtleneck up from the pile, I can’t help but question, “Serena, did you just buy all of these clothes?”

Her blush is all the confirmation I need. “I’ve never been to a party before, well, unless you count the Chuck E. Cheese birthday parties when I was ten.” A grimace mars her pretty face. “That rat always terrified me. Why do you think they would choose a rat as their mascot? It seems unsanitary.”

“Serena, focus. You brought enough shit for the entire floor. We need to narrow down your options here. Wait until CeCe comes back from her shower. She’s going to freak out over all of this.” Serena bit her lip, worry creasing her brow.

“I’m so sorry, Ava. I didn’t mean to bring this much with me. I can just go. I’m so sorry.” Serena begins to stuff the clothes back into her bags just as CeCe opens the door to our room, coming back from her shower in the communal bathroom. Taking a look at the piles of clothes and bags around the room, her eyebrows shoot up in confusion. “What is all this stuff?”

Before Serena can answer and apologize again, I hold up the largest garment bag and place it on my bed. “Serena brought options. We’re going to sort it into piles to figure out what she’ll wear tonight.” I turn to Serena. “And you, stop apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry if I offended you when I asked why you brought so much, but you have no reason to be sorry.” I offer her a smile and take the bag she was packing to my bed, too. “We’re so excited that you’re coming out with us tonight, and we’re going to have an amazing time. Now, show us the goods, and let’s get ready.”

CeCe grabs two other bags and places them on the remaining space on my bed. Looking over her shoulder at Serena, CeCe teases, “Girl, if there’s anything good in here, I might just call dibs.” Laughing, Serena works her way over, dropping her shoulders with a sigh. “I’m sorry.” She glances at me with a shy smile. “I’m just so nervous for tonight and couldn’t help buying out Lucy and Jane’s inventory.” Lucy and Jane, one of the specialty boutiques in town, sells high-end clothing and caters to the wealthier students at Marymount. Truthfully, I love the store and probably have a lot of her recent purchases hanging in my closet.

“Hmm.” I admire an emerald green corseted satin dress. The off-the-shoulder neckline and dropped sleeves would look stunning on Serena’s petite, tanned frame, while the corset would highlight her tiny waist. Holding it up, I thrust it into Serena’s hands. “This, you beautiful little brainiac, is your dress for tonight.”

She sputters. “Uhm, are you sure? I bought this on a whim. I’ve never really worn something like this before.”

“Well, I would hope not since you were, what, fifteen when you started college?” I shudder. “That would have been weird and marginally pedophilic for a lot of guys.” I push her to our floor mirror, spinning her around so that she’s standing in front of me, looking at her reflection. “Serena, you are beautiful and will break hearts in this dress. If you’re not comfortable in it, then fuck the ‘dress to impress’ theme and we’ll wear jeans and make our own rules.” I squeeze her shoulders. “But if you want to step out of your comfort zone and experience college, wear the dress and know that everyone will be looking at you, envious that they don’t have your brain or your beauty.”

A moment passes while Serena stares at the dress in her hands. Lifting her eyes to me, she nods. “You’re right, I want to experience college. I’m going to go put this on.”

CeCe lets out a loud whoop. “That’s right, you hot bitch, and I say bitch in the most loving, empowering sense. The bathroom is three doors down, on the right. Go change and when you come back, Ava and I will help with your hair and makeup, if you want.”

Serena smiles at both of us before going to change. CeCe looks at me, pointing. “You, Ava Maria, are the ultimate hype woman. Now, if you could just tell yourself those same words, we’d be in a good place.”

I release a sigh. I’m sick of talking about my issues with food, my body, and myself. “Celeste Lauren Downing, if I hear one more word about how I hate myself, I will start hating you. Now shut up and get ready, your wild mane of hair isn’t going to dry itself, and we have places to be.”

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