She nods slowly before smiling and jumping to her feet.
“All right. Tell me who to call.”
My mom is a miracle worker. She’s been a flurry of activity over the last three weeks, making phone calls and booking plane tickets. She even persuaded my dad to help cover the extra expenses we weren’t able to, despite the fact that they’ve been divorced since I was two and I haven’t seen him in years. I might not have won the friend lottery, but I’m definitely the Mega Millions winner of moms.
And thank god for that because the rest of August has been pure torture. I haven’t spoken to a soul from school. Crystal hasn’t texted since the morning after the party, and without her it’s clear just how alone I am here. It didn’t seem that way before because everyone likes Crystal and so I was always surrounded by people. But without her, no one has any interest in hanging out with me.
I might be willing to get over the whole thing if Crystal would apologize, but she clearly has no intention of doing that. It isn’t just that she’s dating Andy; it’s that she forgot about me as soon as he looked at her.... She didn’t eventryto stand up to the others. She just let me run away while they laughed.
We worked exactly two shifts together in deathly silence before our manager got the message and scheduled us for different days. But I still had to see Andy both times when he picked her up after those shifts. The first time he didn’t look at me. The second time he nodded and said, “What up?”
Like he barely knew me. Like he’d never flirted with me in this very store. Asshole.
But none of that matters now. All that’s left is to spend my last night in America with Mom, drinking Earl Grey tea, eating too much of herGreat British Bake Offgalette, and watchingEmma(the 2009 miniseries, which was still the adaptation of her heart).
“Maybe we should have done a hamburger night?” I say as I sip my second cup of tea. “Or something a bit more American?”
“You’ve got the rest of your life to eat burgers and barbecue—now is the time to celebrate all things British. Which reminds me, youaregoing to visit Buckingham Palace, aren’t you? You never know when the queen might poke her head out.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. “Yes, I added it to my list. But first priority in London is Big Ben.”
“Obviously.”
“And what I really want is to see the countryside and manor houses. I hope it feels like I’m being transported into one of these movies.” I nod at the screen, which makes Mom look as well.
“Oh, this part always makes me cry!” she exclaims as Mr. Knightley confesses his feelings to Emma. “There’s nothing better than the look on someone’s face when they realize you love them as much as they love you.” She puts her hand on her heart and sighs. “Are you sure I can’t go to high school in England for a few months? I think I’ve aged pretty well. And I’ve been doing lots of yoga.”
“Mom.” I stand and walk into the kitchen.
“Can’t an old lady be jealous? Oh, these men and theiraccents. I’d do a lot of stuff if a man asked me with that voice.”
“Mom!” I cover my face with my hands. “Is there vodka in your teacup or something?”
She giggles and I focus on adding another few sugar cubes tomy tea. She’s not completely wrong. It would be hard to resist a British accent. I take a sip and imagine the British boys I might meet on my trip. The thoughtisintriguing. I’ve been too caught up with Crystal, Andy, and anyone from Waterford posting memes about me to think about boys... but what if I could find a British boyfriend while I’m studying abroad? Someonewaybetter than Andy. The possibilities spin out in front of me. Dates to romantic castles. Walking through the streets of London hand in hand. Kissing someone who calls melove. It could be the thing that redeems me after that horrific party. It could be what makes this semester truly epic.
Forget Andy. I want a hot British boyfriend.
Chapter
3
After a seven-hour flight next to averyloud snorer and ahorrendous immigration line in Heathrow, I’ve finally made it to my new home away from home. Or, at least, to the driveway.
Far in the distance stands Emberton Manor, looking like something plucked out of a Regency novel and dropped into the real world. I can make out spindles and arches and flying buttresses and way more chimneys than any castle needs. An uncontrollable smile spreads across my face. Mom and I studied photos of this place online, but it’s more glorious than any picture we could find. And, somehow, I get to live here for the next four months.
I can’t sit still. My legs twitch, my toes tap, and I squeeze my hands into balls. I’m actuallyhere. Living in a different country. This. Is. Happening.
“We’re almost there, miss,” the driver the school sent says in his exquisite British accent.
I leap out of the car as soon as we park in the circular driveway. I follow him through the massive wooden doors and spin in a slow circle, trying to get my bearings. The ceiling high above is paintedblue with tiny cherubs lounging on clouds. I’m surrounded by dark wood walls and tapestries of elegantly dressed women sitting next to small white unicorns. Unicorns! It’s like a sign from heaven that I’m about to live my best life here. None of it feels real. Maybe I stepped onto a movie set... or back into a different time? But when I pull my attention from the surroundings, the driver is still there, waiting patiently.
“It’s unfortunate you weren’t able to arrive with the rest of your school group earlier today. The staff arranged a welcome breakfast and helped everyone get settled. It was rather grand.”
A knot of nerves lodges under my ribs at the reminder that the other students have already arrived. I wish I could have flown over with them, but I was lucky to get a ticket at all. By now they’re probably bonding over their class schedules and finding all the secret passageways in the manor. I’m twitchy to get upstairs and meet my roommate in particular. I squeeze my eyes shut.Pleasedon’t let her be another Crystal. I need someone I can trust. Someone as ready for a new start as I am so we can dive into this adventure together.
The driver walks around the massive foyer as if looking for someone. “Usually Henry is on duty to see to students, but he must be on break. Not sure how long he’ll be gone, but if you need help with your bags, we can wait....” He scratches the back of his neck.
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” He’s clearly restless to leave and I don’t want to wait around either. “I should be able to handle it. If you can just tell me where to go?”
