Miyu's Wish (20 page)

I thanked him graciously as I walked inside, but I actually felt befuddled as I took my seat.
Could I ever date a boy like Clarence?
All I knew was that my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

Back at home, I told Mother my plans for the party.

“So, you picked a date?” she asked cheerfully as she stirred some chicken in a skillet.

I stood at her right, chopping peppers for the stir-fry she was preparing. “Yeah, I’m thinking Saturday, two weeks before the Christmas Ball.”

“Sounds reasonable,” she replied thoughtfully. “But what kind of party is this now? A sleepover? Or maybe a trip out to Selena, the big city just north of here?”

I shook my head. “I was thinking we could do something like a big makeover. You know, maybe convert the downstairs to resemble a health spa, where we could give each other facials and manicures. There would be nice food and music, and after we prettied ourselves over, we could go to the mall and show off.”

I knew my idea was somewhat elaborate, and I watched her nervously as she tossed my peppers into the pan. She then regarded me skeptically. “Miyu, I don’t think…”

“Oh please!” I exploded, clutching her arm and tugging it desperately. “I know it’ll be a lot of work, but…” I felt a sudden
flurry of unexpected tears rage forth, and I struggled to push them back. “I just want to do something they’ll always remember me for!”

“Honey…oh darling, I’m sorry,” Mom cooed tenderly as she walked me to the kitchen table. She began blotting my eyes, but I could see moisture in her own. “I was only going to say we should hold your party at a
real
spa. I hear there’s a wonderful one just south of here that offers almost every service imaginable. You could spend the whole day there.”

My tears seemed to instantly evaporate as I comprehended her words. “You would really take us there? All ten of us?”

“Of course, pumpkin,” she said, as if it were self-evident.

“Won’t it be expensive?”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

I suddenly cheered and embraced her. “Mom, you’re amazing!”

She laughed and hugged me back, but her eyes continued to glisten. “So, are we OK now?”

I nodded, smiling happily. But deep down, I sensed her true thoughts.
Time was dripping away.

Chapter Twenty-Six

I
 
had my invitations made and passed out within a few days, but it was merely a formality. Everyone would surely come.

Or so I thought. Marlene and Tamara didn’t want to go if Kimberly was coming, and Kimberly didn’t want to be where she felt unwanted. And then there were Mary Beth and Lizzie, who were outright opposed to the idea.

“They’ll laugh and mock us the entire time,” Mary Beth said darkly.

“And we don’t like them anyway,” Liz said curtly.

I was affronted. “If you don’t like them, you must not like me, because they’re some of my best friends.”

They both peered helplessly at each other as I waited indignantly.

“Fine, we’ll go. But only as a favor to you,” Mary finally muttered.

I beamed and hugged them both tightly, and felt their arms reluctantly squeeze me back.

“It’ll be worth it. I promise,” I whispered into their ears.

My other friends required even more persuasive charm.

I dealt with Kimberly first, giving her my most forlorn, betrayed expression. “You promised me you’d try to make peace with Marlene. And
I
need you there. I could never enjoy myself without you by my side.” I sighed miserably, and within an instant, she was cradling me in her arms.

“Oh Miyu, you’re right. I’m sorry,” she gushed. “It’ll be weird, but of course I’ll be there. Marlene and I will make it work, somehow.”

“I knew I could count on you,” I said happily, and I squeezed her.

I then trapped Marlene in the parking lot right after school and gave her a similar speech. “You’ve been my best friend since the first moment I met you. You’ve always supported me when I needed you most. And I
need
you now. The party won’t mean a thing without you there.”

She gave me a Tamara-like scowl, but her eyes twinkled as if I had just given her a dozen roses. “I suppose a true friend would go, no matter what,” she said offhandedly, her eyes darting slightly away from me.

“Naturally,” I agreed, my palms placed crossly on my hips. But I was smiling. And so was she. We grabbed each other’s hands and laughed.

I approached Tamara at her locker before school the next day. “You’re one of the most important people I have in my life. And we do almost everything together. Won’t you please come?”

She pursed her lips and looked away. “All that femmy stuff. It’s just too much.”

“But everyone else is going. You’ll have a good time!”

She seemed conflicted. “It’s just best I don’t go.”

I growled. “I went to
your
haunted house, where you left me,
abandoned
.”

“That’s not the same thing!” she scowled back, looking like a trapped politician. “I don’t even know how that happened!”

I crossed my arms and peered at her unhappily.

She took a deep breath, and her whole body seemed to sag in defeat. “OK, I’ll go,” she grumbled.

Smiling with relief, I immediately sprang to embrace her. “Thank you, Tamara. I would have been so miserable without you.”

She gazed at me uneasily, her whole face turning as red as Clarence’s did a week before. I stepped back, both amused and a little bewildered. There was still so much about her I didn’t understand.

“Are you alright?” I asked, smiling softly.

“Of course,” she huffed, sounding like she had just run a marathon. “C’mon. Let’s get to class.”

“It’s called the Tropico Spa and Boutique,” I explained merrily as we embarked on the hour-long drive. “According to my mom, it’s an almost palatial facility that specializes in bringing out the hidden beauty in its guests.”

“Hidden beauty? What’s that supposed to mean?” Tamara asked peevishly.

Thanks to Kimberly’s wonderful parents, we were all seated in the passenger compartment of a beautiful stretch limo, but Tamara had gotten stuck sitting with the Twins, who were as giggly and antsy as I’ve ever seen them.

“Does it matter?” Ruby sang giddily. “This is amazing. I’ve never been in a limo before!”

“Me neither,” June agreed excitedly, bouncing in her seat.

I smiled. “Thanks, but you should be thanking Kimberly. She got the limousine for us.”

Kimberly, who was seated next to Janet on my right, shrugged awkwardly. “It was the least I could do.” She glanced at me.

I heard what I thought was a slight snort, and turned to my left where Marlene sat with Candace. Marlene looked at me innocently, but I frowned at her.

Leaning back in my seat, I glanced at Mary Beth and Lizzie, who sat huddled around me like petrified baby birds. They were completely out of their element.

“Anyone want some sparkling cider?” I offered, hoping to break the tension. I lifted a bottle from the icebox and tried to undo the cork. But it just wouldn’t budge.

“Here,” Tamara said, snatching the bottle from me. With a grunt and a twist of her hand, the cork flew off. We found ourselves sprayed with a geyser of the golden liquid. We all shrieked with laughter.

“Tamara!” Candace squealed, reaching for a second bottle. “Here, do another!”

Tamara complied, popping the cork and spraying us with the second round. We were all giggling and hollering now—even Mary and Lizzie looked amused—and I saw Mom peek at us from the front seat. She winked at me, and I smiled. I then reached for the glasses and began serving everyone, with Kimberly helping with the second bottle. Seeing an opportunity, I allowed her to reach Marlene first.

“Here,” Kimberly said softly, filling half of Marlene’s glass.

Marlene looked away, giving me a troubled glance. “Thanks,” she murmured, not bothering to look up. Kimberly then returned to her seat, looking dejected.

I sighed to myself.
Well, it was a start.

The limousine stopped. A moment later, the driver opened the doors with a smile and let us out. We shielded our eyes under the glare of the sun, staring in wonder at the little nature preserve nestled around us; ferns, palms, and other exotic plants grew everywhere, converging down a slightly sloped path toward the entrance of the spa. Most of the girls galloped eagerly ahead, leaving me behind to prod Mary and Lizzie along.

“We should never have come,” Mary moaned.

“Don’t be silly,” I said encouragingly, patting their backs and nudging them softly forward. “You’re girls. You’ll like this. It’s in your nature. Even Tamara likes this sort of thing.”

Tamara glanced back at me—apparently hearing her name—and I looked down at my feet. “Kind of.”

“She’s right,” Mom said as she walked up behind us. “Women swear by the exquisite care this place provides. You’ll feel like new people by the time the day is over.”

Neither Liz nor Mary seemed particularly convinced, but I could tell by their expressions as we stepped through the entrance that they were at least impressed with the decor. The lobby was like an open aviary, with birds of every feather perched atop plants and posts, watching us curiously. The floor was likewise exotic, with the fossils of creatures from a bygone age imprinted within the glossy, brownish tile. An enormous, saltwater aquarium comprised the entire back wall behind the front desk, and the ambient sounds of running water and rustling leaves helped us believe we were in a faraway land.

“This isn’t what I was expecting, but it’s awesome,” Janet said as we approached the front counter.

“Then we’re doing our job,” came a voice from somewhere behind the aquarium. An instant later, a short man with an enormous grin skipped out around the glass. He nodded, folded his hands, and did a little bow from behind the desk. “The primary intent of Tropico Spa is to unleash your beauty and reenergize your souls. But we’ll get to that soon enough. You are the Moon party, I presume?”

Mom stepped forward and smiled graciously. “Indeed. This is for my daughter, Miyu Moon, and her friends.” She gestured to me, and then the rest of us, and I waved happily.

“And the occasion?”

She looked at me, her eyes twinkling. “It’s an early Christmas gift, let’s just say.”

“Excellent then. I’m Manfred, and I will be your coordinator for the day. Please follow me.”

We all gathered behind him as he led us past the desk and down a narrow walkway that extended over a floor of transparent glass. Down below was an enormous body of water resembling a genuine hot spring. I could see several women sprinkled about, soaking pleasurably amid floating flowers and bubbling fountains.

“You will first take an extended dip in our mineral springs,” he said as he stopped before a gated door. “Inside, please strip and slip into the bathing attire that is provided. If by chance you prefer to wear your own apparel, you may do that, too. Miss
Reed and Miss Stone will be your personal attendants.” He then looked directly at me. “I do sincerely hope you enjoy your stay, Miss Moon.”

I nodded amiably. “I’m sure we all will.”

“Miyu, this place is splendid,” Marlene remarked as Manfred excused himself and trotted off. “I’ve been to ritzy spas before, but nothing quite like this.”