Saturday morning, Sarah found herself alone in the house. Her parents had left early to attend a fundraiser downtown in New York City.
She was used to being alone most of the time. Her parents were home on occasion for dinner or random weeknights, but more often than not, Mr. and Mrs. Smith were out with clients. And that was fine with Sarah. She liked her independence.
As she made her way into the kitchen, her cellphone beeped.
BONFIRE! TONIGHT! IF YOU AREN’T THERE, I WILL NOT CARE. ACTUALLY I WILL!!!! – Erin
She smiled and put her phone down on the counter. A minute later, her phone beeped again. This time it was from Pam.
Did you hear the news? Erin likes Trevor!!! Holy whoa, right? I had NOOO idea. She only told me yesterday. She said she told you earlier in the week. I mean, he’s cute in a Trevor way. I guess. LOL
Sarah could see Pam was still typing. She waited another minute. Sometimes Pam liked to text one-handed because she was holding something else in her other hand.
Pam’s text came through.
Wait. Hold on. I’m getting a call. BRB.
Sarah set down her phone to wait.
Pam was a big multi-tasker. And she was always busy doing something or other. If she wasn’t volunteering at a local charity drive, she was spending time on a random side hustle. She even worked at the grill as a waitress. She didn’t need the money, but her parents insisted that since she was a junior, she should get real job experience.
Sarah could never understand how Pam could find the time to do all the activities her parents encouraged her to do. Pam had to study for the SATs, play field hockey, and figure out where to go to college. Sarah recalled Pam mentioning that she dreamed of going to New York University. It was one of the reasons Pam kept a crazy busy schedule.
Sarah sighed. She had no idea what her plan was for college. She had good grades, luckily. But she just couldn’t seem to make up her mind. College admissions everywhere were tough! But if Bent was thinking of going to Yale…well maybe she could consider going to a school near his in case she didn’t get in.
Her phone beeped again. When she saw Pam’s message, her heart skipped a beat.
Okay, Sarah. You are never going to believe the news I just received. You won’t believe it even WHEN I tell you. Okay never mind.
Sarah waited impatiently for Pam to type. Couldn’t Pam put down whatever she was carrying in her other hand and type with BOTH thumbs?
Finally, Pam finished typing her message.
I just got a call from Bent’s family’s assistant. Yeah, apparently the Princes have someone to help them manage their life. Anyway, the assistant said she saw my flyer. She asked if I could walk the family’s dogs!!!!!!! Eeeek!!! Can you believe it???
Sarah sucked in her breath. She began to text feverishly back.
Omg. That is waaaaay cool. Do you have his address? We should go check out his house! When do you start? Omg did you tell Erin?
Pam wrote a series of LOLOLOLOLs.
The assistant said she will meet me at the local dog park tomorrow. She will give me all the details then. Oh, and apparently there are FOUR dogs!!!! I can’t wait!!
Sensing Sarah’s excitement, Trash barked loudly, almost making Sarah drop her phone.
Sarah’s hands shook as she texted Pam back.
That is so so so cool! You need to tell me and Erin everything that happens!!!
Pam sent about ten tear-filled laugh emojis, followed by a string of OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGs.
Sarah laughed and typed: Tell Erin! And you’re coming to the bonfire tonight, too, right?
Pam took forever to write back. When she did, it read:
Can’t go to the bonfire. Work at the grill tonight. Cute boy just started there. He goes to The Martin School. I guess I can’t complain with all these guys in my life.
Sarah texted an emoji smiley face. She set down her phone. She thought about Pam walking Bent’s dogs. She couldn’t deny that a part of her was jealous. But because Pam was one of her best friends, she was also happy for her, too.
Sarah again pictured Bent standing at her front door. Pam and Erin were thunderstruck when Sarah told them he had shown up at her house. Both girls informed Sarah that if he knew where she lived, she would have to dress her best no matter the time of day. Just in case he showed up again. Though Erin had encouraged Sarah to sit outside on her front lawn in nothing but a thong. To which Sarah blushed fiercely and demanded her friends change the subject.
She sighed and looked around the kitchen. Now what could she do now to distract herself from thinking and dreaming about the boy with the beautiful name?
Her eyes landed on one of her mother’s VOGUE magazines on the counter. One of the pages was open. It displayed an ad of a model wearing an adorable flower apron over what was clearly an extremely expensive silk gown. The model was in the process of taking a bite from a delicious red velvet cupcake.
That’s it! Cupcakes! Sarah took a deep breath. Now she would have something to take with her to tonight’s bonfire. And Bent would be there.