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“But I want it to be perfect.”

“Well, what does she like?” Olive asks.

“She loves to dress up,” Annie says. “Take her to a nice restaurant.”

“You don’t think that’s too simple?” I ask. I thought about taking her to a restaurant but that’s what everyone does. I figured a date with Margo needed to be extra special to impress her.

“She’s never been on a date like that before. Every girl deserves to go to a nice restaurant at least once,” Annie says.

“Do I have to dress up too?” I ask.

“Yes,” they say in unison.

Sweat starts to build on my brow. “I don’t have clothes like that.”

Olive hits the table. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. We’ll go shopping after school.”

“And I’ll help Margo get ready,” Annie says.

“You guys would do that?” I ask. I don’t know why they’d be so willing to help me. It’s not like I’ve done anything for them.

“Of course,” Olive says. She jumps up. “I gotta go talk toMrs. Benson about the homework I may or may not have done last night.”

“Who was that?” Annie asks after Olive leaves.

“That’s my cousin, Olive,” I say.

“She reminds me of Margo a little bit.”

They’re both bubbly and talkative. “I can see that,” I say. But Olive doesn’t have the confidence that Margo does. She doesn’t open up to people until she’s comfortable with them.

“She’s nice,” Annie says, standing up.

I wonder if Annie and Olive would get along.

Annie waves. “I’ll drop Margo off on my way to work. Just text me the restaurant you decide on and the time.”

“I will,” I say.

The day drags on because all I can think about is taking Margo out again. When school finally finishes, I rush home to ask Laura to take Olive and me to the mall.

She was supposed to drop us off, but I could tell she wanted to come. I don’t know why, but I asked her to come in with us. I didn’t want to make her feel left out. Besides, she’s offered to pay for the clothes.

Olive runs ahead to open the doors. “After you.”

“Thanks,” I say, walking in.

The store is massive. There’s racks and racks of clothes. Mannequins stand in front of each section, modeling different outfits. Most of the clothes are sweaters and puffer jackets. Even though it isn’t that cold yet, the stores are already getting ready for winter.

“Don’t just stand there,” Olive says. “Start looking.”

I bite my lip, turning but not knowing where to go.

Olive loops her arm around mine. “You’re like a little kid sometimes,” she says, leading the way. She takes me to themen’s section. She walks straight to suits. There are black, blue, and a few colorful options.

They’re nice. Really nice, but they’re so fancy. I’ve never worn something that nice before.

Olive pulls one off the rack and holds it up, eyeing me. “This looks like the right size. Try it on.”