Page 86 of Broken Secrets
Derek reaches across the table and takes my hand, his smile genuine and warm. “That’s incredible news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I study his face, noting something in his expression that suggests he has news of his own. “Derek, did you hear anything yet?”
His smile gets wider. “Actually, yeah. I got home about thirty minutes before I came here, and my letter was waiting.”
My heart stops. “And?”
“I got into UC San Diego.”
This time it’s my turn to shriek, though I manage to keep it at a lower volume than Maya’s reaction. Derek and I both got into our first choice schools, which means we’ll be stayingin California, staying relatively close to each other, and both pursuing the futures we’ve been dreaming about.
“This is the best night ever,” Maya announces, raising her water glass in a toast. “To college acceptance letters arriving on the same day.”
“To dreams coming true,” Mom adds, her voice thick with emotion.
“To the next chapter,” Robert says.
We clink glasses as the sun sets over the Pacific, and I think about how much has changed since the beginning of the school year. Six months ago, I was a girl with more questions than answers, struggling with heart palpitations and family secrets. Now I’m someone with a plan for the future, a sister who’s moving across the country to be near me, a boyfriend I’m crazy about, and an acceptance letter to my dream school.
The waiter comes by to take our order, and as we celebrate over dinner, I realize that all the uncertainty and anxiety of the past few months has led to this moment of perfect clarity. Everything feels like it’s falling into place exactly as it should.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The bathroom mirrorreflects back what might be the most sophisticated version of myself I’ve ever seen. My dark green dress fits perfectly, flowing to just below my knees with delicate beading around the neckline that catches the light when I move. Maya spent an hour on my hair, creating an updo that’s elegant but not too formal, with a few loose curls framing my face. Her hair is pulled into a high ponytail, with glitter hair spray that glistens in the light,
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” my mom says from the doorway, her eyes suspiciously bright. She’s holding her phone, which means she’s been taking photos without my permission again.
“Mom, please tell me you haven’t been documenting my entire getting-ready process.”
“Only the important parts. You’ll thank me when you’re thirty and want to remember what you looked like at your first formal.”
My laptop sits open on my desk, Emma’s face filling the screen as she watches the final preparations from her bedroom in Michigan. She’s been virtually present for the last hour,offering advice on lipstick colors and helping Maya perfect my hairstyle through detailed video instructions.
“I can’t believe I’m missing this,” Emma says, leaning closer to her camera. “You look absolutely stunning, Liv. Derek’s going to forget how to speak when he sees you.”
“I highly doubt that. He’s seen me covered in mud after soccer practice. This is just a dress.”
“It’s not just a dress,” Maya protests, appearing behind me in the mirror as she makes final adjustments to my hair. “This is your first formal with Derek. This is a milestone moment that deserves proper appreciation.”
“Maya’s right,” Emma agrees. “Take pictures of everything. I want to see every detail when you call me tomorrow.”
Robert’s voice carries up the stairs: “Derek’s here!”
My stomach flutters with a mix of excitement and nerves. We’ve been planning this night for weeks, but now that it’s actually happening, it feels surreal.
“Go answer the door,” Mom says, practically pushing me toward the stairs. “I’ll be down with my camera in thirty seconds.”
“Mom, please don’t embarrass us.”
“Embarrassing you is my parental duty. Embrace it.”
I walk downstairs carefully, grateful for Maya’s insistence that we practice walking in heels during our dress shopping expedition. Derek stands in our entryway wearing a black tuxedo with a forest green bow tie that matches my dress perfectly. His hair is styled more formally than usual, and he’s holding a corsage box with the kind of nervous energy that suggests he’s been preparing for this moment all day.
“Wow,” he says when he sees me, his eyes widening. “You look…”
“Amazing? Gorgeous? Breathtaking?” Maya supplies helpfully from behind me.
“All of those,” Derek agrees, his voice slightly hoarse. “You look incredible.”
