Free One Year (New & Lengthened Edition) by Charlotte Byrd

money’s worth.”
    “And how’s that exactly?”
    Julie leans closer to me. “Alice, darling, I’d pay three times that much if that would mean that I would no longer have a roommate who mopes around our room thinking about her ex all day long.”
    “I don’t do that!” I say, but I know that’s not true. I had just hoped that I’d been dealing with this Tristan thing in such a way that no one has noticed. But I guess not.
    “You do too. But hopefully not after this weekend,” she says. And then her voice gets really serious. “Alice, I just want to show you what you’ve been missing out on.”
    “And what’s that exactly?”
    “Life as a hot and single 18-year-old in the coolest city in the world. This can be the best year of your life if you play your cards right.”
    I think about that for a moment. Juliet’s right. Of course she’s right. I’ve been letting this whole situation with Tristan prevent me from really going out there and live my best life. And I deserve that. At least, according to Oprah Magazine . I know that on an intellectual level. But it’s about time that I actually knew that on an instinctual level. I do deserve to be happy. I deserve to have a good time. I deserve to have fun.
    “That sounds good,” I say. I sit back on my bed and watch Juliet change into her dress. This weekend is going to be my do-over. My new beginning.

17
    D ylan’s party is already in full swing when Juliet and I arrive. I’ve never been to such a beautiful apartment before. It’s an astonishing corner property with an enormous wrap terrace. Dylan gives us a tour around the living room, dining room, two master suites, and the three bathrooms. Every room is a corner with two exposures and access to the terrace and there are more than 1000 square feet of outdoor space. Almost every window in the place has a view of the park.
    “This is as good as it gets as far as white glove, full-service, pre-war condos with views of the park are concerned,” Dylan explains. “It was practically a steal at $6 million.”
    My mouth drops open. I turn to Juliet, but she doesn’t seem fazed. I haven’t been living in New York for long, but I’ve noticed that few real New Yorkers will go out of their way to act impressed with something. Unlike in LA, where people act excited over the smallest things, like having coffee in the same café as Seth Rogen. I’m not sure Los Angelenos are any more impressed than New Yorkers. I’m just certain that they act as if they are.
    While Dylan pours us our drinks, I look around at the other guests at the party. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. I was thinking that it would either be an elegant affair or a typical college party. But this is a mashup. A bunch of college kids in expensive suits and five-inch Christian Louboutin heels and plastic red cups and beer pong.
    And then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot them. Tristan and Tea. Dancing to Taylor Swift. Shit.
    “Hey. Hey, Alice!” Juliet tugs at my arm. I look up at her.
    “You’ve been staring at them for close to a minute.”
    I roll my eyes. “So?”
    “So? I want to remind you about a little promise that you made to me. To kiss someone tonight? Do you remember that?”
    “Yes, I remember. But the night’s young,” I say.
    “It may very well be. But it won’t stay that way if you waste your time staring at your ex and his new girlfriend.”
    “Oh, shut up.” I turn on my heels and walk away. I make a big show of leaving, but I’m only partly kidding. I’m glad that she’d pulled me out of my trance. Now I just need a moment to regroup.
    The door to one of the rooms is partly ajar. Perfect! I need some privacy. I push the door open and enter a large, spacious office. I look around at the gorgeous built-in shelving that lines three walls of the room.
    “There’s so much mahogany in this space, it makes me wonder if there’s any left in Central America,” Dylan says.
    “Oh my God, you scared