In 1988 when Dylan Montgomery moves to Beverly Hills after her mother remarries, she must navigate the challenges of fitting into a glamorous but daunting upper-class life. Living across from the charmingly cocky Nicholas and his introspective broth...
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UPPER CLASS | cherriasian
december '88
The cafeteria was alive with chatter and laughter, the air thick with the smell of pizza and fries. As Dylan sat at her usual table, she couldn't help but feel the infectious excitement that coursed through the entire student body. With only three days left until the holiday break, everyone seemed to be buzzing with anticipation, their thoughts drifting to vacation plans and time spent with family and friends. Each and every one of them counting down the days as it passed by them slower than ever.
"I can't believe Christmas is almost here!" Katie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "We leave for Hawaii on Christmas Eve. My mom and her boyfriend rented a villa on the beach, and I can't wait to go already. We're going to have a huge luau on Christmas Day. My mom always goes all out with decorations but at least it keeps her busy."
Marissa leaned in, her voice full of excitement. "Stop! I'm so jealous Katie," she gushed, "We're hosting Christmas at our house this year, and my dad is already planning the menu. He's making his famous honey-glazed ham and a shit ton of side dishes. Of course another family reunion like every year."
Dylan smile softly, remembering how big of a family Marissa had. She was the eldest girl of seven in a chaotic home that Dylan's thankfully only visited once for a quick stop. She's never heard a house so loud in her life.
Tiffany smiled widely turning to fill Dylan in on her plans. "My family always goes to Aspen for the holidays. We'll be skiing all week and then come back in time for a big New Year's party at my parents' house. It's a blast—we usually have friends over, and there's a live band. I practically begged my parents to let me go home early for Carter's party."
Katie turned towards Dylan, "What about you Dyl? Any plans?"
Dylan shook her head, "No my mom made sure our first Christmas here was a real first Christmas here," she replied, "Besides I forgot to tell you guys my friends from back home are coming after Christmas! They'll be here for a few days to celebrate New Year's."
"Wait what?" Katie was confused, "Which friends?"
Dylan sucked in a sharp breath, "Uh... Sarah, Hannah, Cara, Emma... I think just them?"
Katie, Marissa, and Tiffany exchanged brief, wary glances, but Katie forced a smile. "That's... really nice! You've told us so much about them."
Dylan nodded, but there was a momentary hesitation, memories of her old friends' behavior creeping in. There were times when they'd say things that left her feeling uncomfortable. They always brushed off making fun of everyone as "just being real," but Dylan remembered how she'd wonder if they talked that way about her too. Of course when Dylan and the girls became closer over the past few months she had to tell them about her friends back home... maybe she told a little too much early on.
