All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 16. HIDE AND SEEK

Chapter 16. Hide and Seek

The week flies by with Marco. We sight-see and go dancing, doing whatever we can to not be in the mansion. Marco convinces Becca to drive us to the DMV so I can take the test for my driver's permit. I pass it easily. Marco takes a selfie of us to mark the occasion, and Becca reluctantly lets me drive home.

"When you get your license, you're driving to see me," Marco demands, but Becca responds with, "If she gets that license," as I accidentally run another stop sign. The look on her face when we get back to the Winters' mansion tells me that I'll never get to drive her car again, but we can't stop laughing.

My mom and William send both Parker and Byron to stay with Laney's family for the week before they leave for the Hamptons. The minute the front doors close, Becca begins planning her New Year's Eve party. She begins calling different vendors, reading off the numbers on one of William's flashy bank cards with each phone call.

"He knows," she says with a beaming smile before she leaves me in the foyer. My mom mustn't know or else she wouldn't have left, but whatever she doesn't know won't kill her.

New Year's Eve comes quickly as we prepare for Becca's party. All the Juniors and Seniors at our school are invited, and I get confirmation from Seth and Jasmine that they're coming. Farrah responds with, "Ew, no," and no convincing from me can change her mind.

Becca gets ready as I help Millie delegate the hired DJs, fire dancers, and contortionists. Professional decorators finish designing inside the mansion with round tables covered by black cloths, white and gold confetti, large vases with white, gold, and black feathers, and gold balloon arches, with balloons hanging from the high, vaulted ceilings. The backyard is decorated with tons of sparkling lights, overly large floral designs, and a dance floor. Servers serve fancy finger foods on gold platters. Some of Becca's college friends act as bartenders, and Millie is here to chaperone. The party has already started, but I haven't seen Becca. I go into the mansion as Becca leaves a group of friends to intercept me.

"Come with me."

"Why?"

"You live here, so you have to look good," she says in her short silver-sparkled dress and silver pumps. She drags me into her bathroom and sits me down with my back facing her giant mirrors. She plays with my hair and makeup but does not allow me to peek. She then drags me, eyes closed, into her walk-in closet (which is also the size of a bedroom). She searches through her clothes with a fit of mumbles until she finds what she's looking for. She gives me a shorter gold lace dress as she reaches for shoes. I refuse to wear heels, so we compromise with a black wedge sandal. I change in her closet.

"What if the police show up?"

"Oh, please,"" Becca says with a laugh as she goes into her bedroom. "Kenzie's dad is the Chief of Police, and they know what goes on. We're in Malibu, Avery. We're rich. As long as we're smart about it and don't cause too much trouble, we can get away with anything." I gag at her pompousness. "Are you done yet?"

I leave her bathroom in her dress and her mouth drops open.

"Do I look that bad?"

"No," her eyes light up. "You look hot."

I laugh at her, then glance at myself in her floor-length mirror. I barely recognize the girl staring back at me: smokey eyes, perfectly curled long blonde hair, nude-glossed lips, tanned in winter. I look like them, like a true Malibu Barbie. I suddenly feel insecure.

Becca links arms with me as we walk downstairs. Everyone from our high school and neighboring schools are drinking fancy drinks, looking as if they're heading to an Oscar's after-party as they mingle. They greet Becca adoringly, then stare at me. The attention makes my skin crawl.