Chapter
Ten
Priorites
and Private conversations
“I’ve decided to help with the Bachelor
Auction and the pre-prom party – if you guys still need someone,” Paige told her sister.
“Of course, I’ll tell Wednesday.”
I texted the other girls straight away.
Shiloh was very excited as they took the school
bus home that day.
“Not a good look,” Mackenzie stated, shaking
her head. “I have no idea why you all voted those two in,” she added. Of course
we’d offered to drive the Bennet sisters home but there were so many of them. The
older Bennets were considered attractive and hardworking but they weren’t rich
and didn’t live in a glitzy suburb like Honey (Bel Air) or even the nicest part
of Sunrise. They lived, like I said before, on the wrong side of the tracks.
“Do you want a lift, Sweetie?” Mackenzie asked
me.
“No, my mom’s picking me up after swim
practice.”
“Oh, cool,” Mackenzie said, as if it
wasn’t. Being a Princess wasn’t as much fun as she thought it was going to be.
I laughed at the thought of her when I
adjusted my goggles. I couldn’t deny our swim coach (we call him Mr Suave), isn’t
our main reason for participating in the club. He’s really old (almost thirty)
but relatively cute and his girlfriend hangs out in the bleechers like his
personal fan club every afternoon except Fridays. Some women need to get a life. Whatever.
As I
wrote that into my story it suddenly occurred to me that maybe Mackenzie’s
meanness was rubbing off on me. That wouldn’t be great, would it? My mom
wouldn’t be proud, so I scribbled it out but I totally think women need to have
their own interests outside of their boyfs. (that’s short for boyfriends) and
husbands, don’t you? I’m going to put that under my advice column: Wednesday’s Advice. I think Honey’s got
that covered though. I’m just her PA stand in. Honey is by far the most popular
freshman. She’s pretty in the right way and definitely nice as well. I’m so
glad we’re friends. I always beat her in swimming races though.
Darcy
pulled up into his driveway around the same exact moment as Honey and I were
being dropped home.
Mackenzie, having arrived earlier, realized
just a glimpse of Darcy’s hotness from her upstairs window brightened her day.
He glanced up at her through the car window and waved dismissively. He too had
trailed the school bus. He was thinking how much he’d hate having to take
public transport in LA as he clicked open the gates without giving Mackenzie
even a backward glance.
That night, in their crowded but clean and comfortable
home, the eldest Bennet sisters (who shared a large, fairy light decorated attic
bedroom) were talking in their beds.
“Okay, do you want to hear it? I’m ready.”
“Of course,” Shiloh replied encouragingly. Shiloh
was always encouraging. Her real ambitions, however unfashionable to her
sister, lay in her heart and her home.
Paige read her speech standing on her bed with
Shiloh listening in rapt adoration. When Paige spoke, standing on her bed, it
was almost like she was on fire – but in a good way. Paige got quite
impassioned about topics whereas Shiloh was always happier sitting quietly and
listening.
At the end of Paige’s speech, Shiloh
clapped.
“Oh, Paige, I think your argument is
amazing!”
“Do you Shiloh, really? I mean, I’m not
sure about my competition, except that he’s an Aussie misogynist, obviously.
“What does that mean?”
“It means he doesn’t think girls are as
good as boys… just because… we’re girls!”
“Oh.”
“I didn’t think he’d be that popular, but
then half the class voted for him. I think it’s because I’m too outspoken… not
popular…”
“Mmm… but don’t you think Ryan’s good
looking?”
“I
suppose so,” Paige said hesitantly, lest Shiloh should think she liked him.
Ryan was cute, but Paige was way too argumentative for such an easy going boy.
He was obviously perfect for Shiloh, though.
“I think he’s one of the cutest guys I’ve
ever met,” Shiloh added.
“Oh Shiloh, you like him!”
“Uh Huh. I think I do.”
“Well, be careful. He and his friend are
just so…”
“So what?”
At that question Paige began to smile. She
hugged her polka dot pyjama-clad legs and laughed.
“So rich...”
“I overheard Elle saying they are the
richest people in the Southern Hemisphere. But I never thought Australians were
class conscious. Maybe we’re just misinterpreting him. Darcy seems snobbish but
maybe he’s just shy, like me.”
“Maybe… but I doubt it.”
“Oh well, I’m sleepy,” Shiloh yawned. Paige
went to flick the dimmer.
“Remember,” Shiloh said, “Tomorrow… don’t
hide your light.”
Paige
smiled in the dark.
