Just Like the Movies

Chapter 1

"I just want to be yours. Secrets I have held in my heart are harder to hide than I thought."

— "I Wanna Be Yours"

Sarah-

I'd driven three hours from Stanford to UCLA with only two pumpkin spice lattes, a questionable playlist I wouldn't admit to anyone, and an entire bag of gummy worms to keep me company. Not that I minded. Because it was Halloween, and finally, Liz and Wes were throwing the party of the year.

I parked, feeling more than a little smug about the perfect vampire makeup I'd managed in a moving vehicle. Sure, I looked like a sleep-deprived Countess, but that was honestly not far off from real life. Plus, my black lace cape was giving major Morticia Addams-meets-Vampire Queen vibes, which had to count for something.

As I walked toward the house, I could hear the music from half a block away. Trust Wes to turn his place into an all-out haunted mansion, complete with lights flickering in the windows and Halloween decorations exploding out of every corner. Liz had probably organized every last detail.

I took a breath before stepping inside, and sure enough, there they were—Wes and Liz, both grinning at me from across the entryway. And of course, they were dressed in an adorable, coordinated costume: Liz  Was Sally From Cars, with a baby blue cap that had  giant cartoon eyes, rocking a blue racing suit, and Wes, decked out in all red wearing a matching cap with the number 95 and an lightning bolt on it, stood beside her, arm casually draped around her shoulders. They looked like something from a movie—actually, something better than the movies, if I was honest.

"Sarah!" Liz squealed, her face lighting up like she hadn't seen me in a year. She threw her arms out like I was some long-lost friend back from war. I'd missed her too, but it was classic Liz to act like this.

"Hey there, superstar!" Wes added, giving me that easy grin of his. "What do you think? Do we pull it off?"

I blinked, trying to keep a straight face but feeling a grin of my own forming. "Wow. Um... I'd say you're one tire short of driving into Radiator Springs."

Liz laughed and nudged Wes with her elbow. "See? I told you the cap was essential!" She gave me a look that screamed I know I look cute, and honestly, she did. She looked effortlessly adorable and confident, like she could take on the world in that costume.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare criticize the cap," I replied, raising my hands. "Clearly, that's where all the magic's coming from."

Wes laughed, shaking his head. "It's the lightning bolt, actually. Makes me at least 10% faster," he said, tapping his cap.

I rolled my eyes. These two. They could make a trip to the DMV sound romantic.

"So," he went on, "you coming to my game on Friday?"

"Oh, yeah, wouldn't miss it," I said automatically. Wait. Shit. My mind raced. That's the day Coach wants me to stay late for extra practice.

Okay, plan A: I'll race over right after practice and hope I don't look like I've been through a tornado. Or, plan B... there is no plan B.

I nodded, trying to keep my cool. Right. This is fine. I'll make it work 

Wes shot me a grin, his playful confidence shining through. "Oh, and we've got your favorite—lemonade."

"Yum!" I exclaimed, practically salivating at the thought. "See you suckers!" I called over my shoulder, a playful bounce in my step as I made a beeline for the drink table.

Priorities, right? Lemonade first, socialize later. I could practically taste the sweet, tangy flavor already. This is what life's about—refreshing drinks and zero responsibilities.