Hollywood Hills Read Online Free Page B

Johnson dress was sticking to her sweaty back and her beige sandals were squeezing her toes. Her mind had churned with questions. How would she know what to do? Were they rushing? Had they waited too long? Was prom night too cliché?
    But once in their room—giggling over the actual DO NOT DISTURB sign they hung on the doorknob—-every concern had fallen away as effortlessly as their clothes. Onto the queen-sized bed they’d dropped, kissing as if they’d never tasted each other’s mouths before. Holly’s heart had been racing, but for once her thoughts hadn’t kept her from acting. And act she did, her trembling fingers helping Tyler open the newly purchased box of condoms. After that initial fumbling, everything had gone smoothly. Though it had been at once terrifying and blissful and painful and sublime, Holly welcomed every sensation. And Tyler was right there with her the whole way, his eyes locked on hers, their fingers entwined, professions of love whispered in the dark. Falling asleep in his arms later, Holly felt as if she’d grown several inches overthe space of an hour—as if her limbs were literally stretching, and her mind expanding—to encompass this strange and thrilling new world she’d come upon.
    For the rest of May she’d walked the school hallways, run the length of the track, and done her homework with the words I am not a virgin anymore resounding in her head, both tormenting and exciting her. It wasn’t until she and Tyler had done it a few more times, and she’d had a good, long talk with Alexa (who was so experienced that she found Holly’s obsessing hilarious) that Holly began to adjust to the idea.
    And tonight, lying on this white, frilly, virginal bed, Holly felt surprisingly chill about the whole sex thing. She didn’t intend to go too far with Tyler right then and there, but being close like this felt so good. As Tyler lowered his head to nibble on her ear, Holly began rubbing the back of his neck. We should lock the door , she thought dazedly, but then Tyler was kissing her again, and their breaths were coming quicker, and Holly was undoing the top buttons on his shirt…
    And then the door to the bedroom opened.
    “Oh, my God!”
    Holly and Tyler started, separated, and turned to see who had exclaimed so loudly.
    It was Alexa.
    “Alexa—um, wow—I know this looks bad—”Holly stammered, straightening the straps of her green Hollister cami while Tyler, his ears scarlet, sat up ramrod straight and began redoing the buttons on his shirt. Holly had a sudden flashback to an early morning in South Beach, when Alexa had walked in on Holly and Tyler cuddling in bed—and been none too pleased.
    “You’re here !” Alexa cried, closing the door behind her, then whirling back around to face them.
    Holly felt a wave of shame color her face as she ducked her head and swung her legs off the bed. She and her boyfriend had been about to get it on in what was for all intents and purposes Alexa’s bedroom. That, my friends, is what we call “classy.” Preparing her apology, Holly glanced up at Alexa.
    Who looked absolutely thrilled.
    Her cheeks were as pink as if she’d gone for a run around the block, which Holly knew was highly unlikely. Her blue eyes were twinkling, her delicate-featured face was glowing, and she was clapping her hands together, her stacked wooden bangles sliding up and down her arm.
    “Holly Rebecca Jacobson,” Alexa began breathlessly, clearly not giving a damn about the makeout moment she’d interrupted. “Would you do me the honor of being my date at Margaux Eklundstrom’s wedding at her Hollywood Hills home this Friday?”
    “What?” Holly whispered. Her stomach jumped in disbelief. “Alexa, stop kidding. How—”
    Alexa stepped closer to the bed and, her tone triumphant, recounted the magical meeting in the garden, Margaux’s out-of-nowhere invite, and Alexa’s ecstatic acceptance. And that, Alexa explained, gesturing to the white iBook on the