“So you’ll be in New York?” Olivia was so excited she almost kicked her pedicurist in the face. “Oh my god, duibuqi!” Sorry!
The pedicurist waved it off. “Mei shir.” It’s ok/don’t worry.
“You, me, and Sammy in New York together.” Olivia sighed. “It’ll be the best summer e
ver.”
“I haven’t won yet.” Farrah vacillated between excitement and nerves. She didn’t want to jinx it, but she could picture it already: shopping in Soho, picnics in Central Park, cocktails in the Meatpacking District. Blake will visit and they’ll go on romantic double dates in the city and take fun hikes upstate on the weekend. “Even if I do, I’m not guaranteed my first-choice location.”
“Pssh.” Olivia waved off her concern. “Of course you’ll win.”
“We’ll see.” Anticipation bubbled in Farrah’s stomach. Olivia was right. If everything worked out, it’d be an amazing summer.
“Ugh, major FOMO.” Courtney pouted. “You guys will be living it up with your awesome internships, and I’ll be stuck babysitting middle schoolers at camp.”
“You love being a camp counselor,” Kris said. “You can do arts and crafts and boss people around all day.”
“Hmm. That is true.”
Everyone laughed.
Farrah sank deeper into her chair. Her chest glowed with warmth. It had been too long since the girls hung out, just the four of them. It reminded her of the early days of FEA.
“What are your summer plans?” she asked Kris.
“My father says I have to get a job.” Kris said “job” like it was a Prada bag from last season. “Which is totally unfair and my evil stepmonster’s doing. I’ve never had a job and I don’t intend to start now. Jobs are for plebeians. No offense.”
“Eh.”
“None taken.”
“Whatever.”
“Anyway, he’ll cave like he did with my credit card.” Kris brandished her Amex Platinum in the air. “I have a $2,000 monthly limit, but I just have to give him the cold shoulder for a while longer. I am his only daughter. I’m irreplaceable.”
Sometimes, Farrah marveled at the world Kris lived in. It must be nice.
“Never change.” Olivia patted Kris on the arm.
“I love you guys. I wish we could stay in Shanghai forever,” Courtney sighed.
If only. Farrah dreaded the day they had to leave. She’d have to say goodbye to Blake, her friends, her favorite cafe and jianbing spot and bubble tea place…
Don’t think about it. You have two months left. Enjoy it.
“Wait.” Courtney shot up in her chair, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Let’s make a pact.”
“I’m not making another blood pact. Don’t ask,” Kris said when Farrah’s and Olivia’s jaws dropped.
“I’m not.” Olivia grimaced. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
“It’s not a blood pact. It’s a wedding pact!”
Farrah wasn’t sure she heard right. “Excuse me?”
“We all have to invite each other to our weddings. Because that means we have to stay in touch. For years and years.”
“What if I don’t want a wedding? What if I elope?” Olivia asked.