Liza and Shay were in the back of one of the security team’s Tahoes on their way to Brooklyn to hang out with the other time-travelers. Liza still had a hard time getting her head around the idea.
But, she had no problem with the idea of being friends with Shay. As contrived as it had seemed the evening before, by the time breakfast was over, Liza thought they had really hit it off. Unlikely friends from utterly different societal worlds—extreme wealth vs. barely getting by—they had a lot in common.
And most of what they shared was hinged by social insecurities and uncertainties. Liza had listened to all of Shay’s stories about growing up and always feeling like she was on the outside looking in. She had told Liza she knew she was awkward but didn’t know how not to be.
Liza had understood and had said she, herself, had missed out on being normal. Her dad lost his job and they bounced from aunt to uncle to aunt, ever changing schools. COVID and masks. Homeschooling. Liza considered herself dorky and awkward.
But Shay had people to guide her and she knew a few things about society and who to ask about… things. So, the morning of Black Friday, as the finale of their sleepover (and in accordance to ChatGPT’s suggestion) Shay took Liza to Éclat Beauté for a makeover—more specifically a makeup consultation.
Liza was very pleased. She asked for natural and subtle. As he was taking them to Brooklyn Eric Marsten, the bodyguard and driver of the day (by choice, wanting to hang out with Kent and everyone) told Liza she had nailed it.
“Ma’am, you look very natural, but finished, if that makes sense.”
Liza thought she understood.
Just then, her phone buzzed; Snapchat from Caleb Hastings.
Liza looked at Shay. “What do I do?”
“What does it say?
“Hi Liza.”
Shay shrugged. “Say ‘Hey. What’s going on?’”
Liza typed that then read his reply. “‘My sister said I should Snap you’”
Liza showed Shay and added, “Chloe made him Snap me.”
Shay smiled. “That’s okay, right?”
“I don’t need pity Snaps…”
Eric looked in the mirror and said. “Liza, I don’t think it’s pity. Maybe he was shy and she just encouraged him… Just say, ‘Cool. Glad you did.’ and see what happens.
Liza typed that and sent it.
Caleb sent a selfie of him smiling and pointing at Chloe who was holding up a Christmas wreath. The caption said “Too soon?”
Liza smiled and texted back. “Just in time!”
Then, she looked at Shay. “I’m so bad at all this! I don’t know what to say.”
Shay answered. “Remember what ChatGPT told us about Snaps? Just be yourself and be casual. Be… what did it say… genuine and honest.”
“Sounds like good advice, to me,” Eric added.
Shay then said, “Send a selfie.”
“I look so different. I don’t know…”
Shay said, “Tell him ‘Look, I got a makeover. Shay took me to Éclat Beauté. It’s really new to me.”
Eric spoke up again. “Maybe just say, ‘Shay took me for a makeover. It’s really different for me.’ That’s kinda cute.
Shay nodded. “Yeah… type Eric’s. I’m really not the best to give advice on this kind of thing.”
And thus began a long string of snaps and texts. Eric gave advice a few times, but after a little while, Liza relaxed. The snaps that started in the Tahoe carried on throughout the rest of the day.
Caleb, in time, confessed that he thought he was a pretty hardcore nerd, adding, “but wouldn’t you expect that from most guys starting a masters in CompSci?”
Liza replied, “No more nerdy than a girl getting an engineering degree!”
When they got to the apartment, Liza noticed (barely) that something was going on with Hannah and Kent, but no one seemed worried. So, when she had a chance she enlisted Addison to coach her more with the Snaps to Caleb.
Addison smiled. “I got you, girl! No worries! I’m a weird theater kid, but I know how to act like I’m not! Plus, we can get Devon in on this. He’s one of the cool kids!”
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