"I cannot believe you coerced next into becoming the dance team captain. I'm so never forgiving you for this."

I smile while Vienna glowers at me. "Just think how amazing this will look on your college applications. You'll thank me later."

I turn to go when she grabs my arm. "Wait! Where do you think you're going?"

"Umm, to tennis practice?"

Vienna folds her arms. "No way. You have to stay with me, at least for today."

"Uh, I don't think you know how this works. I'm not the captain. You are."

"Yeah, and you practically guilted me into the role! You're staying for the first practice to make sure I don't utterly fail."

"But-"

"No buts! Have Tiffany be captain for the day or something."

When I glare at her she shrugs. "You might as well stay. You're already dressed."

"Yeah for tennis, not dance!"

"Just take off the skirt. You're wearing spandex underneath anyway."

With a huff I retrieve my phone to text Tiffany. She'll definitely be happy to learn she'll be in charge for the day. The girls a tyrant in the making.

I take off my skirt and shove it into my bag just as the girls start trickling in. I can tell Vienna is nervous and I lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Omg!" a girl exclaims upon seeing me. "Kennedy! Are you captain?"

Before I can answer Vienna steps in front of me. "No. I am."

"Oh," the the girl doesn't even bother to hide her disappointment. "I didn't know you could dance Vienna."

Vienna rolls her eyes. "Just put your stuff down. And line up. All of you!" She shouts.

The girls do as they're told while I stand off to the side and watch. Vienna walks down the line of girls like a drill sergeant, her hands clasped behind her back. She stops in front of a rather meek looking girl with strawberry blonde hair and big brown eyes.

"You. What's your name?"

"H-Hannah," the girl stutters. She's clearly nervous.

"Hannah..." Vienna muses. "You shall be the guinea pig."

The girls all whisper amongst themselves as Vienna walks over to her phone which is connected to the speakers and taps the screen. Take it to the Maximum by Prima J starts playing. As soon as the beat drops Vienna starts dancing. She pops her chest twice before twisting her hips and moving her arms up in the opposite direction, then spinning before performing a backbend. Her body moves fluidly as she twists and spins, combining a mixture of jazz and hip-hop into a perfectly blended concoction. Everyone's jaw drops and I smile to myself. I knew she still had it. Vienna doesn't know I know, but I've caught her dancing in her room whenever I come over.

Vienna hits pause and stares at everyone with her hands on her hips, chest heaving up and down from the workout. "So. You think you can copy that Hannah?"

No one makes a peep and all the girls turn to look at Hannah. She blushes crimson and shakes her head.

"I thought so. Well who can at least show me what they've got? Come on, don't be scared."

Janet steps forward and Vienna smiles. "I like your bravery. Pick a song." She hands Janet her phone and a moment later Body Control by Leighton Meester come on.

I'm impressed as I watch Janet, her moves perfectly in sync with the song. Vienna watches too, before quickly catching on and joining Janet. Slowly the girls start to loosen up and cheer as Janet and Vienna dance. Before long girls are coming up and picking different songs, each showing off their moves. Vienna looks the happiest I've seen her and I'm glad I got her to do this, even if it was sorta forced.

"Come on Kennedy!" She calls out. "Come show us is what you've got!"

I shake my head and laugh. "Nah. I'm good right here!"

"Boo!" Vienna jabs her thumbs down. The girls start cheering and trying to encourage me to join them but I shake my head.

"Dance contest!" Someone yells. Each girl faces off against each other, trying to outdo the other. It's fun to watch and I cheer along with everyone else.

Vienna claps. "Good practice girls! But this was just a warmup. Next time we're gonna start choreographing a new routine to a song of my choosing. Be prepared!"

As the girls start gathering their belongs and trickling out the door I head over to my own stuff and grab my water bottle, taking a swig.

"Well hello ladies."

I whirl around to see Danny enter the room. I'm surprised to see him.

"Danny? What are you doing here?"

"Well Vi texted me she had dance practice after school, but I thought it was the same thing like with the tennis. You know, like she wasn't actually on the team and just staying behind with you," he waggles his eyebrows at her. "I had no idea she was the captain."

"It's new," she shrugs. "Blame Kennedy."

I roll my eyes. "You can stop now. We both know you love it."

Vienna flips me off.

...

I have no idea how I got roped into shopping with Cecilia, here I am after school hurrying to keep up with her. Shopping with Cecilia is not a fun or relaxing activity at all. It's more closely related to an Olympic event.

"Come on!" She waves her arms frantically. "We have to get to the next store!"

"What's the rush?" I struggle to carry what feels like a million shopping bags. This is excessive, even by my standards. "Is there a sale or something?"

"Sale?" Cecilia wrinkles her nose. "Um, no darling. We just have to beat the other customers before they buy all the clothes worth wearing."

Lord. I almost collapse from the weight on my arms as I jog after her.

Two hours later we finally stop for lunch and I couldn't be more relieved. My arms are sore and my feet are killing me. I didn't even buy a single thing for myself. It's all for Cecilia.

"I only ever wear an outfit once," she explains to me over a cup of Froyo. "That's why I need so many clothes."

I furrow my brows. "Then what do you do with the clothes after you're done wearing them?"

She laughs as if I'm a child who just asked if pigs could fly. "Oh sweetie. I donate them of course. Imagine the joy on their faces receiving my clothes," she licks her spoon. "It's how I give back to the community."

I stare at her in disbelief. Wow. Just wow.

"Soooo," she gives me a slow smile. "How are things with you and my brother?"

I like Cecilia, I really do, but I'm not sure I feel comfortable discussing my relationship with her brother to her. Wherever that is.

"It's going okay," I say simply in response.

She leans across the table. "Oh come on. Give me more than that. Have you two had sex yet?"

I nearly spit out my drink. What?! 

"Well?" She raises her eyebrows expectantly.

I dab at my mouth with a napkin. "No offense Cecilia, but even if we did have sex, which we haven't, I wouldn't tell you. Because that's weird. You see how that's weird right?"

She purses her lips. "I guess you're right. The girls he used to hook up with in the past always bragged about having sex with him. It was disgusting, but I guess I got so used to hearing how my brother was a 'sex god' in the bedroom I just automatically asked you."

My stomach revolts at the idea of girls coming up to me and describing either of my brothers skills in the bedroom. We're close, but not that close. I also become a tad annoyed when Cecilia mentions Winston's past hookups.

"Was Winston like...a player?" I ask casually.

Cecilia laughs. "God no. That term is only used in trashy teen novels," she shrugs. "He just had a healthy sexually appetite. But it's not like he slept with anything that had a vagina if that's what you're asking. I mean, we have standards you know?"

I feel some of the tension leave my shoulders and laugh. "Yeah, you're right."

Suddenly Cecilia takes my hand. "Winston really likes you. I've never seen him like this with a girl before."

My heart starts flipping excitedly in my chest, and I will the stupid organ to calm down. "Really?" I aim for nonchalance.

"Yes. And I like you too. So if he does anything stupid to hurt you, let me know and I'll take care of him."

I giggle. "What are you gonna do?"

She winks. "Don't worry. I have my methods of torture from when we were kids. Being the little sister has its perks."

"I bet it does," I laugh, then remember something. "Oh by the way, I meant to ask. Vienna really wants to go to the opening of the Red Room and she figured your societal status would have scored you some sort of access. She also wanted to ask if would could have in on said access."

Cecilia flips her hair. "Oh darling. You know I do. I only roll in VIP, nothing less. And of course you guys can join. I'll let the owner know so he can add your names to the list."

Thank God. I guess this is my way of repaying Vienna for the whole dance team debacle.

Cecilia tosses her froyo cup. "Great. Now that we've eaten, shall we resume our shopping?"

More shopping? She might as well buy out the entirety of Fifth Avenue. Nevertheless I paste a smile on my face. "Sure. Let's do it."

...

The next evening I'm working on my Yale application when there's a knock on my door. I look up from my desk. "Come in."

The door glides open and my mother steps inside my room holding three pieces of colored cloth. "Darling, what do you think of these colors? Coral, rose, or taffy?"

"Rose for sure."

"I thought so," she says with satisfaction. "I needed a second opinion. I'm trying to come up with a color scheme for your brothers wedding."

Ah yes, Tristans upcoming nuptials. They were set to marry during the springtime just like his fiancée Holly wanted, and my mother had appointed herself chief wedding planner. Even though the ceremony was months away, I knew she had a secret notebook with all her plans. Holly wanted a small intimate gathering with close friends and family, but I knew with my mother in charge she'd most likely aim for a headliner.

"I think rose and cornflower blue with hints of gold would be nice colors."

"Hmmm," my mother thinks for a moment. "I'll make note of that. I also have some shades of purple I'm considering as well."

"Well whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be lovely."

"You're right," she blows me a kiss before leaving my room. I return to my work and not a second later my phone goes off. Now what?

Winston: come downstairs

Me: what? Right now? I'm kinda busy...

Winston: I have a surprise. it'll be worth it, trust me

I sigh. I guess I need a break anyway. I'm starting to develop a headache from trying to answer the application questions. So far I've only been able to respond to two. After putting on slippers I trudge downstairs.

Winston looks like he just got off work, his hair tousled probably from running his fingers though it too much. His tie is loosened and he looks tired, but still he smiles when he sees me and I smile back.

"Hey. What's the surp-"

I trail off as my eyes cut over to the duffel bag next to him. It's...moving? And there's some sort of yapping noise coming from inside. I stare at the bag, then turn a suspicious gaze to Winston.

"What's in the bag?

He grins. "Glad you asked." Bending over he unzips it and pulls out an adorable little dog. Immediately my heart melts. It yaps and barks excitedly.

"Oh my goodness," I take the puppy into my hands. "You're such a cutie!" The dog has long ears and a furry coat, but not overly so. "What kind of dog is this?"

"He's a Beagle," Winston replies. "Still a pup."

"He's adorable," I coo and nudge my nose against his. He licks my face and I laugh.

"He's yours if you want him."

My eyes widen to saucers. "Are you serious? You got me a dog?"

"I checked to make sure it wasn't against your building code," he explains, then shrugs. "And yeah, I guess I did. I remember Vienna mentioning how you always wanted a dog when you were younger but your parents said you weren't old enough to take care of one. After awhile you stopped asking."

I'm floored and at a loss for words. This is the best and most thoughtful gift I've ever received. I stare at Winston, my mouth agape.

"So I'm kinda gonna need a response here," Winston smirks, but I detect a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Do you like it or-"

Before he can finish I kiss him, squishing the dog between us. He starts barking like crazy and pawing at my chest which is the only reason I pull back.

"Are you kidding me?! I love it!" I kiss him again and again. "No one has ever given me something so thoughtful. Thank you." I kiss him one last time, intertwining my tongue with his.

"I'm really glad you like it," Winston says when we finally separate for air. "Any ideas for names yet?"

"Hmmmm," I hold the puppy up. He stares at me with his adorable puppy eyes, panting happily. "I think I'll name him...Bagel."

Winston furrows his brows. "Bagel? Like the breakfast food?"

"Yes. Bagel," I nod conclusively. "You like that name boy?"

Bagel barks and I assume that means yes.

"See? He likes it," I shoot a triumphant grin at Winston and he shakes his head while chuckling.

"That poor dog, stuck with such an unfortunate name."

"Shut up!" I laugh and lightly punch him. "Bagel is going to be my new best friend."

"Ouch. Vienna won't like that."

"She'll get over it."

Winston sighs. "As much as I wish I could stay here with you, I gotta get back to the office."

I frown. "But it's getting late."

"Yeah and I still have tons more work to do. This was me taking a spontaneous break before I lost my shit."

"Well...just make sure you get some rest. And eat something."

"Awww. Is Kennedy Davis worried about me?" Winston teases. I roll my eyes.

"Not anymore. Now get off my property before I'm forced to call security."

He laughs. "I'll see you later yeah?"

I smile. "Yeah. And thanks for the gift. Say bye bye Bagel!" I hold up his little paw and wave it.

He waves and gets back into his car before merging back into traffic. I hug Bagel to my chest and watch as his car disappears.

Well fuck. Now I really might be falling for him.

...