Free Girl vs. Boy Band by Harmony Jones Page A

old-fashioned! Must be a Tennessee thing. Now, c’mon, throw a hoodie and some sweatpants and maybe a blanket or two over that 1950s swimsuit of yours and introduce me to the band!”
    With that, Mimi shed her cover-up, revealing a tasteful bikini with a gold clasp and ruffled trim.
    â€œTake that, Tennessee.” She giggled.
    Grabbing her own cotton pool wrap, Lark followed her friend out of the room.

    For the next hour, Mimi had the spotlight and handled it like a pro. Lark couldn’t help but envy her friend’s easy assurance and friendly, confident manner. It was as if Mimi had known Max, Aidan, and Ollie all her life.
    Lark, on the other hand, got tongue-tied every time the conversation turned in her direction. She was back to feeling like a visitor in her own home.
    After telling the boys all about her aspirations to be a movie director, Mimi asked them to describe their musical style.
    â€œPop with an alternative edge,” Ollie explained.
    â€œRock with a nod to pop traditions,” said Max.
    Aidan said, “Loud. Our music’s
loud
.”
    Mimi breezily segued into their lives in London. She wanted to know all about the city, especially the fashion and the arts scene.
    â€œCutting-edge,” said Ollie.
    â€œAlways changing,” Max noted.
    â€œLoud,” said Aidan again.
    â€œI’d love to go to London someday,” Mimi said, throwing Lark a grin. “So many amazing movies were filmed there. I want to visit James Bond’s MI6 building, Sherlock Holmes’s Baker Street, Harry Potter’s Platform Nine and Three-Quarters . . .”
    â€œI’d be happy to show you the sights,” Ollie said. “London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben . . .”
    â€œWho’s Big Ben?” Mimi asked. “A British rapper?”
    Max cracked up. Ollie tried to hide a chuckle. Aidan just rolled his eyes.
    â€œWhat?” asked Mimi.
    Before Lark could explain, Jasper arrived and it occurred to her that she had never seen a more perfect specimen of humanity.
    The A-list choreographer to the stars was young, about early twenties, and tall.
    No, make that super tall. Six four, or maybe even six five. Muscular, with broad shoulders, long legs, and eyes the color of chocolate. He moved with such masculine grace and swagger that even his walk could be considered an advanced-level dance move.
    â€œWow,” whispered Mimi as Jasper strode across the pool area to greet them.
    â€œHey, guys. I take it you’re Abbey Road.” Jasper gave the girls a friendly wave. “These your backup dancers?”
    â€œYes!” cried Mimi.
    â€œNo!” Lark blurted.
    The boys introduced themselves and explained that Donna thought it would be best to hold the dance class outside. Jasper, or Jas, as he preferred to be called, was completely cool with that. He gave them a quick rundown of his career, which included working with some of the biggest names in music.
    â€œImpressive,” said Mimi. “And did I mention . . . 
wow
!”
    â€œSo, let’s see what you guys got,” said Jas, looking around for a sound system and finding nothing. “Uh . . . gonna need some music.”
    â€œRight! I’ll just go get my speakers,” said Lark, happy to escape for even a moment. For the last sixty minutes, she’d been feeling self-conscious about everything from rubbing sunscreen on her legs to diving off the diving board. Right now she just needed five minutes to herself.
    Ten would be better.
    Invisibility would be best of all.
    Wrapping her cover-up around herself, she hurried across the patio and slipped through the sliding glass door into the house. Her mother was at the kitchen table, finishing up a phone call.
    â€œJas is here,” Lark reported. “I’m getting my speakers so they can get started.”
    â€œExcellent,” said her mom. “But I’ve been thinking,