Chapter 16
Maple
There’s a rap on my door and I twitch at the sound, but otherwise don’t move.
‘Come on! Wake up!’ Mom hollers. ‘We need to be there by eight and I want you looking your all-American best!’
I groan into my pillow, then prise my eyes open. I check the time on my phone, groan again, and fall back against the mattress. It’s Sunday. I will be spending the whole day stressing about Dylan arriving tomorrow, and now, thanks to Mom, I get to do that from six a.m. Awesome.
But what else would I expect from the woman who invites a famous TikToker to stay without asking me, and then tells all her Instagram buddies my deepest darkest secrets?
‘I’m not going!’ I shout back, even though I don’t actually know where she wants me to be by eight. But then my door flies open, and Mom is standing there. She claps her hands, and I flinch, the sound like firecrackers in my ears. She marches up to me, her face glowing with self-righteousness.
‘Come on, get up,’ she instructs, flicking her hand over my bedsheets. ‘I do not have time for teenage dramas today.’
‘I don’t even know where you want me to go,’ I mutter, but I can already feel myself wobbling. And it’s like she can smell weakness, because her vibe changes too. Suddenly she looks like the cat who’s drunk all the milk.
‘I’m sorry, that’s my bad,’ she says, her voice almost purring now. ‘I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you didn’t seem in the mood to talk.’
Of course I didn’t after her Instagram reel. And I still don’t. But I’m not sure I’ve got the energy to keep fighting her. Especially when I feel like I don’t have anyone else.
Yesterday I decided that I needed my friends back, so I forgave them for the video nightmare, and we met for sodas in the afternoon.
But all they talked about was the amazing summers they’ve got planned.
Taylor’s going to a swim camp in Canada, then to Vancouver Island with her family for a vacation.
Martha and Scarlett are going on summer camp together in Arizona, and Milly’s going to visit her cousins in Montana.
While we’re staying in Utah because, according to Mom, there’s no window in the schedule for a vacation.
Coco understands a bit more, but she lives six states east, so it’s not like I can hang out with her. Anything that might have been starting with Theo is over now because of that video, and while I love the twins, they’re only eight. Dad never has time for me, so it looks like Mom is all I’ve got.
‘It’s the Freedom Festival’s baby contest today,’ Mom explains. ‘It’s the first Independence Day celebration in the calendar, and they’ve asked me to judge the twins’ category. I feel very honored, of course, even though it means missing church, which you know I hate to do. But I need your help.’
I screw my nose up. ‘Babies? How is that going to help my profile?’
‘Oh, Maple honey. I actually love how self-absorbed you can be; it’s an important trait in our world. But this time, it isn’t about you.’
I bunch my fists. ‘Mom, what are you talking about?’
‘I thought it would be obvious,’ she says with a sigh of disappointment.
‘I’m taking Ash and Aspen with me because I want to create a film of them playing with each of the sets of contestants.
Honestly, it will be so cute. But I’ll be too busy judging to film the content, which is why I need you there. ’
I shake my head. ‘Sorry, I can’t. I need to get ready for Dylan arriving tomorrow, and I’ve got my own content to create. That’s what you keep saying, isn’t it? That if I want to make it as an influencer, I have to post, post, post.’
‘Which is why I got you up early enough to film a “get ready with me” video before we leave,’ Mom says, without missing a beat.
‘They are so popular right now – I’ve noticed Bella Tells is doing three a week – and you haven’t done one since Tuesday.
Oh, and I have a new lip gloss for you to promote, shea butter and caramel.
Honestly, it’s so good. And it’s discounted at Walgreens this month, so it’s time-sensitive too. Come on.’
She hands me a pink tube, and for some crazy reason, I take it from her. I even feel an urge to put it on my lips. And this fucked-up impulse seems to have some major g-force, because it also powers me out of bed, out of my room, and into the shower.