Page 9 of Doll Face

I pull out my phone and see a message from Kenzie on Instagram.

Kenzie: What are you doing tomorrow? Hint: Giving me a chance to show you all you’ve been missing … ??

Barbie: ??????

Kenzie: Keep those eyes on me, baby.

Kenzie: *Barbie

I laugh out loud. I forgot how much of a flirt Kenzie could be.

Kenzie: Here’s my number. I’m above sliding in your DMs.

I save her number in my phone with a sassy-faced emoji and text her a simple pink heart; she’ll know who it’s from. Almost immediately, she calls me.

“Hello?” I ask, confused.

“Thank God. We’re too old to be flirting in each other’s DMs,” she says with a laugh.

“Excuse me? I wasn’t flirting,” I say sharply.

“Not yet, but you were just about to.” I roll my eyes but I realize she can’t see that.

“I can hear those eyes rolling to the back of your head and hitting your beautiful brain, Doll Face,” she says, and the old nickname hits me where it hurts.

“I hate how well you know me,” I mumble.

“I love how much you haven’t changed.”

“I have.”

“You’re still just as stubborn.” She laughs.

“Did you call just call me stubborn?” I cross my hands over my chest. Not that I want the phone call to end, but I am curious why she’s calling in general.

“Is it cheesy if I say I’ve missed your voice?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ve missed your voice,” she says.

“Gross.” I’m glad she can’t see the grin I’m sporting.

“I can almost hear a smile forming, Doll Face. Don’t be such a grump. When am I seeing you again?”

“Four days from never.” I put the phone in the crook of my shoulder and ear so I can look at my calendar. I’m curious if I’m busy the next few days, just in case.

“Barbie …” She sighs.

“Kenzie?”

“Don’t make plans this week. I’ll surprise you. But right now I have to get back to work. Have a great day, Doll Face.”

“Bye, Kenzie.” She ends the call before I can, and I think about her voice. Her laugh. How nice it was to hear from her again. I thought she was joking about using this week to prove things to me but maybe she was serious.

* * *

The next night, I’m getting ready for the ball by myself, and I can’t help but feel a little lonely. Usually Kelly and I get ready for things like this together, but she’s on a plane to Hawaii, and I don’t even have a date.

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