Chapter 17| I Love A Girl With Standards

•Mom, is it okay for me to go over to Lizzie's for Thanksgiving?•

Sienna Hart.

I lifted my blanket from my body a minute too late and crossed my bedroom to bathroom where I pounded on the door.

"Liz-zie!" I dragged out. "Stop this. I don't read you and Brandon's texts."

"Because I don't hold out on you," Lizzie replied. "And is there a 'you and Jason' now?"

"Of course not," I groaned in annoyance before I heaved out a sigh. "Can I have my phone back now?"

In reply, Lizzie left my polite question unanswered and let out in a teasing tone, "so Jason's nickname for you is Aesthetic? I can't decide if that's cute, weird or adorable. It's all three!"

I felt my cheeks get warmer for some reason. "Cute and adorable are practically the same thing."

Again, I was ignored. "You're making me feel like a dog," Lizzie read, "if I got one what would you name it? You're obviously good at naming things. You named me 'Golden Boy' afteral. Omg! That's definitely adorable."

"You should really work on your definition of adorable."

"You know I'm right."

"Whatever you're trying to do isn't working."

"Oh, I'm not doing anything," Lizzie said, her tone teasing. "Do you really think I'd ask Jason to flirt with you."

I wanted to stab Lizzie.

"He's not flirting! We're just talking! I don't like him that way. You know that. God, Lizzie!"

"No wonder you couldn't even look at him that day at lunch," Liz giggled. "You're shy. Why didn't I see it sooner?"

I let out a tired sigh before I retreated and walked to my closet to find clothes I could change into, letting my bestfriend read all she wanted to.

As I threw a grey wool turtle neck onto my neatly made bed, Lizzie open the door of my bathroom and she stepped out.

She held my phone to her ear and my lips curved into a frown.

What was she up to now?

"Yeah, of course," she said to whoever was on the call. "I'll give her the phone right now."

She hurried over to me with a smile splayed on her lips as she pushed my phone into my hand and with an upset look thrown at my bestfriend, I held the device against my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Sienna," Jason's voice sounded through the phone and I threw the pair of jeans I held at Lizzie.

'Did you call him?' I mouthed to the traitor as she settled on my bed to listen to our conversation. She shook her head in reply and I mouthed, 'I hate you.'

"Hi," I said.

"My mom has this tradition that I've never had to participate in until now," Jason began and I let him go on. "Whenever we meet someone new, my mom likes to meet the person too. So what do you say about having a Thanksgiving lunch with my parents and I?"

"Lunch?"

"Yeah, I guessed you'd be having dinner with your family."

"Yeah, I am but umm, I'll ask my mom and see what she says. I've couple errands to run today."

"Alrght. I'll be waiting for your call then."

"Sounds good."

"Oh and Sienna?"

"Um, Yeah?"

"I had fun last night."

A smile crept up to my lips. "Me too."

"Cool. We'll talk later then."

"Yeah, sure, bye," I said before I hung up and crossed my arms across my chest and faced Lizzie squarely.

"I'm surprised you were able to sit absolutely still for the past three minutes," I pointed out.

"I know right?" Lizzie agreed with a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm surprised at-"

Lizzie's sentence was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing.

Lizzie reached for her purse on my bedstand. Her eyes lit up as she saw the caller and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Hi, mom!" she answered brightly.

"This isn't over," I muttered to Lizzie before I headed off into my bathroom for a shower.

JASON MACAULAY POV

Janette never kept her promises. It was on her to-do list right after Do face care, act commericals and be a socialite.

Being her brother, you'd think I would have absorbed that into my thick skull by now but here I am wearing a deep frown as I listened to my sister tell me the lame excuse she had managed to come up with.

"I'm really sorry," she said in that tone she always used when she succeeded in disappointing someone.

Sadly, today, I was that person.

"This is a one time opportunity, Ace. I get to be on the cover of Vogue! Aren't you even a tinsy bit happy for me?"

Ace. My older sister's nickname for me. How, when or why it stuck so much that it's all she ever calls me, I have no idea but I like it. Honestly.

I massaged my forehead and ran my thumb over the scar there. "I am. I'm just too hurt to show it."

"Come on, Ace. You know I wouldn't bail on you last minute."

"I thought so too but turns out I'm one of those people you let down too.."

"Ouch. Are you trying to guilt trip me? If you are, it's working big time."

"I'm not," I sighed. "Look, Jan, I just think you should have told me this before I followed mom's stupid tradition and went ahead to invite Sienna. She loves you and I wanted her to meet you."

"And I want to meet her too," Jan admitted. "You haven't had a new friend in years and I'd like to meet this particular female friend but this is my career. There are many of other opportunities for me to meet your highschool crush."

"I don't have a crush on her-" I paused. "Umm, well not anymore."

"Explain."

"When we met, I felt this instant attraction to her but now, I like her for sure and I think she's smart, fun and very attractive but the emotion isn't on the crush level anymore."

"Is there another reason then why you're trying to impress her then?"

"I'm not trying to impress her, I'm just trying to do something nice for a friend. It should have been a surprise but you just had to go and ruin it."

"I'll make it up to you, I promise but right now I've gotta go. Tracy just got here."

"Who?"

"My personal stylist. I need to look good when I walk in to Vogue."

I sighed. "Have fun at your photoshoot."

"Thanks, Ace. I'm sorry! Love you though! Kisses!" Jan said before she hung up and i fell back on my bed.

So much for the surprise.

Note to self: Never plan a surprise with Janette when she's miles away

I considered calling Sienna to cancel but then again, it's not that bad for her to just have lunch with Mom, Dad and I.

Leaving my phone on my bed, I let out a defeated sigh as I stood from my bed and stretched out my limbs.

I walked into wardrobe to find a suitable shirt for lunch.

Dressy casual-if that was a thing-was what I was going for.

SIENNA HART POV

"Sure," my mom nodded after I asked for permission to go to Jason's for lunch. "But you have to be home before dinner so you can help out."

"Thank you!"

The only reason I was doing this was because I was taking Courtney's advice. I wanted to do this. I wanted to try new things.

I've never had dinner or lunch with anyone other than my Uncle Greg and his family, my grandparents, the O'Conners and the Davidsons.

"You're welcome," mom said as she poured Lizzie some coffee in a bright pink mug and I scrunched up my nose. "But you still have to do grocery shopping."

As Liz reached for her mug and poured in a ton of milk and sugar, mom handed me the grocery list which was stuck to the fridge.

My eyes skimmed through the list of 28 items. Easy. I could get this done within an hour.

I settled myself beside Lizzie on the counter seats as my mom made me a cup of hot chocolate.

I could tell it was for me because she was using my favorite mug- the bright blue which had 'morning!' in white cursive around it.

"Do you wanna go shopping with me?" I asked Lizzie who nodded distractedly in reply as she was still savoring the taste of her coffee. I turned to mom who has started dishing out breakfast. "What about the others?"

"Your Dad went to walk Sky a few minutes after Lizzie showed up. He said he was going to stop by the Davidsons' so I guess that's why he's taking so long. Mg is still asleep. He probably had a long night with Courtney. She's coming over for lunch by the way. Jay came down a few minutes ago to take food upstairs for her and Olivia."

Mom handed me the cup and I spooned in some sugar and a whole lot of powdered milk.

As my mom put all the utensils back into place, we heard the front door open.

"Mal," my dad called out to my mom. "Guess who just showed up at our doorstep."

Mom wiped off her hands before she left the kitchen and a second later, Liz and I heard a squeal.

"Greg, Demi," my mom greeted with a smile in her tone and her voice echoed through the room.

Leaving my mug on the counter while Lizzie held hers in her hands as we went to go greet my Uncle and Aunt- Jay's parents.

Uncle Gregory and my dad were brothers. He was a very wealthy business man. His face was on almost every popular commercial poster out there.

Liz and I stepped into the living room as Mom and Aunt Demi ended their embrace.

"Hi, uncle Greg, Hi aunt Demi," I greeted and my aunt crossed the room and wrapped me up in one of her cozy hugs.

"Sienna, Darling," she smiled as she pulled me away from her to examine me. "You're going to be even more beautiful than Mallory. I really wish you wouldn't hide your eyes behind these huge frames!"

"I need them to see," I replied though my aunt already knew that.

"Rubbish," Aunt Demi waved it off. "There are always contacts." Her eyes examined the room and she noticed Liz.

"Who do we have here? Oh, if it isn't Sisi's bestfriend! Elise, was it?"

"Liz," Lizzie corrected. "As in, Elizabeth."

"My bad," my aunt chuckled as we all heard the thuds of footsteps on the stairs.

"Jacob!" my aunt exclaimed and I turned around to see my cousin and his girlfriend standing there. "Why didn't you tell us you were in the state?"

Before Jacob could give his reply, Aunt Demi turned to Olivia. "Olivia, I presume?"

I used the opportunity to slip out of the house and off to the grocery store with Lizzie.

The reason why Thanksgiving was my second holiday was because I was always surrounded by family and turkey. A combination that couldn't go wrong.

✿

Lizzie busied herself in my closet as I streamed the Thanksgiving parade in my phone.

Every minute or so, she'd make me look up so she could ask my opinion on a dress or something and I'd look down again at my phone without saying a word. That action alone spoke volumes.

I called Jason at the grocery store and we agreed he would pick me up at exactly noon.

It was some minutes to Eleven and I still wasn't ready yet.

As if on cue, Lizzie held up a pair of shorts for me and this time I shook my head at her.

"Well, I don't see you looking for an outfit," Lizzie said in an annoyed tone as a pair of shorts hit me in the face.

I adjusted my askew glasses and I noticed a red and black plaid fabric somewhat hidden within a pile of clothes. "Hey, what's that?"

Lizzie turned and pulled it out, displaying a short dress with an attached matching belt.

"Hey, I bought you this for your birthday!" Lizzie noted as she examine the dress. "Wanna wear it?"

It was simple, cute, knee length and modest.

"Yeah," I nodded and Lizzie smiled before she let her eyes look over the dress again.

"I'm seeing you a sleek bun but with some stray strands in front, silver hoops, the butterfly necklace to match, a little black jacket and black uggs!" She stared at me as her lips curved into a cocky smirk. "Don't you just love me, Sienna?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged, "You have your moments."

✿

I sank down into my seat and Jason politely pushed it in for me before he settled down beside me.

Chivalry? Check.

The dinning table was long and Jason's dad sat at the head of it with his wife at his left and his son and I on the seats at his right.

To say I was nervous was an understatement.

I sat still as the helpers set the food before us.

After a few minutes of small talk, Jason's mom spoke up. "Introduce yourself, Sienna."

I set my fork down, slid my glasses up my nose bridge and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm in my sophomore year at highschool, I live with both my parents, my mom's a doctor and my dad works in sales, I have an older brother and-"

"She asked about you," Mr Macaulay said in a clipped tone, "not your family."

Stupid Sienna.

Stupid.

"Tell me about your favorite subjects," Mrs Macaulay suggested. "Jason said you're an honor student What's your favorite color. Your ambition. Hobbies. Tell us about you."

"Mom, this is not an interview," Jason groaned.

"No, it's me trying to know the person my son spends time with. Sienna?"

"Well, I don't have a favorite subject but my least favorite is maths."

"But you manage to ace very test?"

A nod from me.

"Impressive."

"My favorite color is blue," I continued, "I like novels, ice skating and waking my dog, Sky-"

"Ice skating?" Mr Macaulay repeated with his eyes piercing into mine. "Are you any good?"

"I think so," I answered and the older man nodded.

The resemblance between him and his son was striking along with matching green eyes but his mom's hair color.

"And your ambition?" Mrs Macaulay asked.

"Mom," Jace said before I could speak, "this isn't a question and answer section."

"Would you prefer another round of small talk then?" Mrs Macaulay asked and Jason let out a sigh and didn't give an answer. Instead, he took a sip from his water glass. I wondered if they always ate this way- table mats, silver wear and napkins.

"Aren't you thirsty, Sienna?" Mrs Macaulay asked and I stared up at her in confusion.

"What?"

"You haven't touched your glass," she said.

As though I was just noticing the glass, I stared at it for a second. "Is there alcohol in it?"

"Yes," she nodded,"but I'm not sure how much."

"I can't drink alcohol," I said and Jason nodded beside me with a small smile splayed on his lips.

He added,b"Liquor doesn't bode well with Sienna."

Mrs Macaulay asked Stanley, their steward, to bring me something else and turned to me with approval in her eyes.

"I love a girl with standards," she smiled. "Jason and I don't drink either."

✿

"Your mom is very nice," I told Jason as he walked me out to drop me back home.

"Thanks," Jason said with a slight shrug. "Did you enjoy lunch?"

"I did," I said as I slid my glasses up. "I'm worried I won't have any space in my stomach left for Mg's turkey."

"Who's that?"

"My older brother Maxwell," I said as Jason chivalrously pulled the passenger seat of his car open for me. I waited till he got in before I continued.

He got in and shut his car door then he surprisedly fixed my seatbelt for me then reached across me then he did something with the door on my side and then he looked up at me.

I froze.

I could see every single detail on his face. His green eyes bore into mine and it sent shivers through my skin. I noticed the scar on his forehead close to his hairline. The redness of his lips. His strong jaw and his pointed nose.

"You good?" Jason asked as he settled back in his seat and I could only nod. "You were saying?"

"What?"

"Something about your brother."

I forced myself out of the trance. "Yeah, umm, you met him at the store the other day."

"Oh, I remember," Jace nodded. "He cooks?"

"Yeah," I answered. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, it's a good thing," Jason said, "I cook too sometimes. I'm not a expert or anything but I can make a few things."

"Wow."

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just awful in the kitchen."

"No way your brother got all the talent."

"I tired to make noddles this one time and they caught on fire."

"You're kidding," Jason said with a chukle. "That bad?"

"Yup. The sprinklers didn't go off though so I lived it down."

"Maybe I can show you a few things sometime?"

"Sure, maybe."

A moment passed.

"So how's the English homework coming along?"

"Awful." I shook my head remembering the balls of paper that filled my trashbin last weel. Note to self: Use a laptop next time. "What about yours?"

"I finished it last night," he said before he explained why he had done his homework so early. "I wanted to get it done so I wouldn't forget about it over the ski trip and not do it."

The school's annual ski trip took place during the second week of December. It was only for seniors though so Lizzie and I would have ours next year though I was pretty sure Lizzie would find a way to attend this one with Brandon.

"Do you want help with it?" Jason asked. "We could work on it together in the library on Monday."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief. No way that the Jason Macaulay would actually want to help me with homework.

"Yeah, of course," he nodded as he drove into my street. "So what do you say?"