I look at the speedometer in the dashboard.Dang it, she’s right.Eden’s only driving forty miles per hour, which is the speed limit. Maybe I am unnecessarily reactionary and overcautious. Thinking about all the ways I might demonstrate that behavior makes me a bit distracted as Eden tells me that she and Dandi were never friends before Treasure introduced them. Her words are gushing, as if she’s confessing her sins.
“Treasure wrote an announcement on Plug-in. The group was called Badass Bitches Only. Not just anyone can get an invitation, but I have a friend who has a friend who’s part of the group.”
Eden’s eyes are glued to the road as I stare at her profile. I’m mildly distracted by the name of the group. Would a scaredy-cat like me be extended an invitation to Badass Bitches Only? Do I even want an invite? I don’t know.
“My friend Theresa, who’s friends with Kara, a TV producer in LA, told Kara that I was attending AIT. And the message Treasure posted said I would have to be hot, a lot of fun, and able to peel a wallflower off the wallpaper.”
“A wallflower off the wallpaper?” I ask, insulted.
“Admit it, Paisley. You are a bit of a wallflower. But that’s okay. I like that about you. I mean, you’re into your studies and your computer. But up until recently, you’ve been into a loser like Boyles Bellingham.”
“A loser? How long have you thought that about him?”
She steels a glance at me. “I’ll get to that. But Treasure Grove, you know, she’s a legend, so I hopped on the opportunity to be your fun guide. And she chose me and Dandi, who I never met before the party on Treasure’s private island.”
I stifle an instinctual response to roll my eyes. I forgot about Treasure’s Island. Treasure had been talking about her own kingdom of pure fun for years. Her parents would never buy her a private island, but when she landed her reality show, she bought it for herself. Looking at Treasure from the outside, one would think that she's narcissistic and shallow. I used to think the problem was that she never thought she was as smart as the rest of us. But I'm no longer sure about that. I've watched Treasure become famous in her own right, and you can't be stupid and garner so many fans.
However, our relationship has always been weird. In her eyes, I’ve never lived up to some sort of potential that she thought was more important than my academic and professional accomplishments. “How can you be Heartly Rose's daughter and not have guys falling at your feet?” she once said.
I didn’t respond. The answer was evident.Look at me, I thought.I’m not my mom on the outside, even though I am on the inside.
“But you guys kissed on the lips,” I say to Eden. “I’ve only seen Treasure do that with her good friends.”
Eden grimaces as if what I just said irritates her to her core. “She does that with everybody, Paisley.”
Now that I think about it, she does do that with everyone except me. I think it’s my cousin’s way of convincing others that she’s so cool, so free and hip.
“I didn’t mind, though. Treasure’s hot,” Eden said.
I picture my cousin in skimpy bikinis and tight jeans with a fresh new boob job and fake hair spiraling down her back. “Right,” I whisper, staring at my lap. I never had the drive to do all she does to herself to be considered hot. It seems like a lot of unnecessary work.
“But I never would’ve gotten that luxury suite of dorm rooms if it weren’t for Treasure. And I like living with you. It’s like living with a responsible adult who can be kind of cool.”
The car stops in front of a bar and grill. Past the windows, I can see lots of high tables and young professionals dressed in business attire who are seated at them. This is definitely not a college hangout, and I’m thankful for that. The place looks packed too. I'm starving and wonder how long we’ll have to wait.
I turn to Eden with my first smile since all hell broke loose. “I’m only kind of cool?”
She measures a small amount of air between two fingers. “Well, a lot more than that.” We share a chuckle. “Come on, let’s go stuff our faces.”
A valet opens Eden’s door, a short, pudgy guy with a welcoming face. She greats him by name. Maybe she frequents the restaurant. After all, she gets around a lot more than I do. Confidently, Eden leads me inside and through a small waiting area that’s wall-to-wall packed. I didn’t expect to not have to wait, but we go from walking past people in the crowded alcove to weaving between tables in the dining room. The atmosphere is lively with people. I catch the eyes that are staring curiously into mine. Some of the guys smile slightly, while others look away shyly. The room seems to be a meat market. I never fare well in that kind of environment. Eden slides into a booth, and I climb in, too, happy to no longer be the center of attention.
“Did you make reservations?” I ask, unzipping my jacket. It’s super warm in here.
“I don’t have to. I work here. This table’s always open for employees.”
My eyebrows flit upward. “You have a job?”
She chuckles. “You don’t know anything about me, do you?”
I press my lips together. No, I don’t know anything about her, and I’m embarrassed about it. I guess I pay more attention to schoolwork and my computer than to the actual people who are in my life. Maybe that’s why Boyles felt the need to screw my roommate. Maybe he was trying to get my attention.
“And you don’t know anything about Dandi, either,” she adds.
I furrow my eyebrows, wanting her to enlighten me. “I guess not.”
“Remember the night you met Boyles? At that party?”
I’ll never forget it. The rush of dancing with a stranger—that night was ethereal. He was rubbing his hard-on against me. I’d never felt a man’s erection before then. It was… thrilling. But I don’t show Eden any hint of the emotion I felt that night. I keep my expression sober as I nod.
