The Art of the One-Up

Indira had never been inside Madison's house before.

She knew Madison was rich—everyone did—but knowing and seeing were two very different things.

The place was huge. Pristine and perfect, it didn't feel real, as if it was something out of a TV show. When she stepped inside, she had to stop herself from gaping at the massive chandelier in the foyer, the polished hardwood floors, the winding staircase that led up to the second floor. It felt like she'd walked into a showroom.

And then there was Madison's room.

It wasn’t just a bedroom. It was practically a whole apartment. A huge bed with an ornate headboard, a walk-in closet bigger than Indira's own bedroom, a vanity covered in high-end makeup, and a sitting area with a plush couch and a mounted TV. Even the walls were a soft blush pink, like they’d been chosen by an interior designer.

Indira had never seen anything like it.

"You can sit, you know," Madison said, amused, as she and Aynsley flopped onto the couch.

Indira blinked and quickly sat at the edge of the armchair, feeling out of place but safe. That was the thing—she should have been intimidated, sitting here with Madison and Aynsley, two of the most popular girls in school, but she wasn't. Thanks to Joey explaining things them, they were on the same side now. They supported each other.

And right now, that meant planning the most important party of the year.

"Okay, so," Madison started, obviously comfortable taking the lead, “Saturday night. Joey's house.”

"Are you sure Donna can get rid of her husband?" Aynsley asked, pulling out her phone.

"If she says she can do it," Madison said, pulling her phone out as well, "I believe her."

"Okay," Aynsley agreed, "I'll do the playlist. Mads, can you do food and drink?"

"On it," Madison said, "And we can all show up early to set up and decorate. I still have stuff leftover from the party we threw last month."

"We need to get the word out," Aynsley said, furiously typing with her thumbs.

"I can help with that," Indira piped in with a hopeful grin.

The two popular girls paused and looked at her, something akin to doubt in their eyes.

"I’m in the yearbook club. We run the school's social media. I can drop hints, make it sound exclusive."

Madison grinned. Indira's heart felt warm.

"That's perfect, Indira!" the valedictorian said sincerely, "We'll hit our group chats, you hit the socials, and it's set! Now. Let's get down to business. The real business."

"Yes," Aynsley said, "Joey. And Derek."

"How do we get Derek to even show up? It's not like he's the kind of guy who'll show up at a high schooler's party," Indira asked, "He's a grownup."

"What if Miss Matthews texted him," Aynsley said after a moment of thought, "like, by accident. As if she was texting a girlfriend, inviting her to the party."

"Oh, I like it!" Madison said, "She could give, like, juicy details about how Joey's going to be there and how she wants her to meet him."

"But what happens when he shows up?" Indira's voice cut in. She supported the girls in their plan, but was nervous about setting Joey up for failure.

"That'll be fine," Aynsley said, "Once Derek shows up, it'll be up to us to show him how manly Joey is."

"Yeah! You should see the outfit I'm going to wear. Remember that pink minidress I got that my dad went ballistic about? And my new heels?" Madison's grin grew even bigger, "When Derek sees me dressed like that, hanging on Joey's arm, he'll think twice about trying to step up to him."

"That'll be hot," Aynsley said, a mischievous tone creeping into her voice, "But I picked up a new skirt, barely street legal. I'll wear that crop top with the open back. All eyes will be on me on Joey's other arm. The way I'll stare at him, as if he's the hottest thing on the planet, that'll make Derek question his own masculinity."

"Staring at him? That's your plan?" Madison laughed, "Wait 'til you hear me talk to him. 'Joey, I've been craving you all day. You’ve got me so hot and bothered, I can’t even think straight!'"

"Hot and bothered? What is this, a rom-com? Let me show you how it's done, girl. 'Joey, baby, you’re driving me wild. These other boys don’t even hold a candle to you...'"

Indira laughed along with the girls, caught up in the one-upmanship.

"I can't wait until we can go upstairs and find an empty room!" Madison said.

"Empty room?" Aynsley countered, "Take me right here!"

"Bend me over the couch!"

"On the kitchen counter!"

"I'm a dirty girl and I can't wait to rip your pants off!" Indira blurted.

The other two paused, stared at the newcomer, then all three collapsed in belly-aching laughter. Indira had never thought of Joey as a source of romantic attention. She wasn't into guys like him. But when she was with Madison and Aynsley, listening to them talk about him, feeling the energy of the room, she couldn't help but want to join in. She felt supported with them in a way she'd never felt before. And they were, after all, on the same side. And if that side was throwing themselves at Joey Granger, then she'd just have to join in.

"Oh my god, dirty girl!" Madison wiped tears from her eyes, grinning, "Indira, you just became my hero!"

"I mean, three is better than two," Aynsley said, wheezing from laughter, "But we'll have to work on your 'look'—don’t worry, we'll make sure you’re ready to sell it!"

Indira laughed right along. Of course she'd be Joey's dirty girl. It was the best way to support her new friends. Her new community. They wouldn't fight over him, they'd fight for him. And if that meant that Indira Patel had to slut herself up a bit for a party on Saturday, then so be it.

Besides, it might be fun.