Page 25 of A Class of Her Own

“We’re warriors of justice,” Hailey laughed. “Though I don’t quite understand how breaking HOA law by decorating your yard for the holidays is going to get the HOA president booted so that you can have his job, I’m here to support however I can.”

All of us blinked at her for a second, and my heart sank at the complete, quiet logic behind her words.

“I . . .” I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say, when Aryn and Ruby joined our circle.

“There’s no way we’re going unnoticed right now. Seven adults setting up giant Christmas decorations isn’t exactly sneaky,” Aryn stated. “Hazel is probably peeking out her window this very second.”

Ruby looked around. “Which house is Hazel’s?” she asked.

I pointed next door. And my diabolical friend group, as though guided by puppet strings, turned as a unit and all smiled and waved at Hazel’s house. Her curtains twitched, they laughed, and I groaned and slapped my mittened hands over my face. Hailey was right—this made no sense. What was I doing?

“So,” Jackson clapped his hands together. “What’s my assignment? I’m kind of excited about this.”

I took a deep breath, licked my lips, and nodded. Everyone was here, we were committed, this was going to be funny and rebellious, and there was some sort of message in it. So, yeah, it was happening.

I pointed to Rudolph, who was still in his box. “Someone needs to figure him out.” Jackson grabbed Lizzie’s hand, and they headed that way while Ford and Hailey looked at me expectantly, their two blond heads bent toward one another. “How about you two take on the swirly trees?”

“Great,” Hailey chirped. “Do you have a map of your yard so we know where you want them set up?”

“No,” I scoffed. Hailey raised an eyebrow. “It’s on the trunk of my car.” I glanced at Ford, and he offered me a nod.

“I like a person who thinks through the details,” he complimented. “It shows dedication to your cause.”

I smiled, appreciating his appreciation.

“And Mer,” Hailey’s voice grew quiet. “Sorry I sort of burst your bubble. I’m not trying to . . .”

I pasted on a smile and chuckled. “You couldn’t stop this train if you wanted to.”

She smiled back, although the look in her eyes said she knew I’d lost some steam and let doubts creep in.

Her and Ford headed into my open garage, Ford’s hand against the small of Hailey’s back, to consult the map and then picked up the boxes with the twirling trees and headed to their designated section of the yard. I paused for a moment, watching as my friends dragged extension cords and inflated things, all the while chatting and laughing. It was a strange little version of the North Pole, with everyone wearing coats and hats, their cheeks rosy from the cold. Warm affection melted through my chest. They were all here forme, taking time out of their busy lives and away from kids and family to help me with a silly revenge project. I’d felt these sensations before, the sense of awe that I had this kind of support and the aching gratitude that came with it, always followed by a sliver of feeling unworthy. I wasn’t as cheerful and easy as the rest of them, and I knew it. Thankfully those unworthy thoughts faded more each year as I settled into and trusted the bond we shared.

“We should be listening to holiday music while we do this,” Ruby said, huffing slightly as she dragged Frosty to where Hailey had told her to put him. “Oh, even better, we could carol while we work.”

“Carol?” I asked.

“You know, singing songs about Christmastime?” Aryn teased as she handed me another knot of cords to unravel.

“I understand what caroling is,” I stated. “Just not why people want to do it.”

“Something about Christmas spirit,” Aryn replied.

“I thought we were trying to be sneaky about this?” Lizzie asked as she walked passed me, holding a red bulb that was going to be Rudolph’s nose.

“A few people missed the sneaky memo. Did you polish that?” I asked with a grin. The thing was shiny enough to see my reflection.

Lizzie gave a quick nod that made a curl fall over her eyes. “We are not here to do things halfway, Atwood.”

“You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen . . .” Ruby suddenly started singing, loud and clear, and before I had any control over it, the entire group had joined in.

It was currently ten o’clock at night, and no one in this party was under thirty years old. I had purposely turned off all outside lights at my house and told everyone to dress in dark colors. And they were singing at the top of their lungs. To say this particular problem had never crossed my mind was an understatement.

“This is madness,” I said under my breath, although I did have to swallow down a laugh.

As they sang I took the strand of lights I’d untangled and walked to the end of my driveway to get a good overall look and decide where to hang them. With my hands holding the strands and my ears totally focused on the off-key singing of my friends, I didn’t hear Hazel approaching until she was standing right next to me.

“Oh, dear, Meredith. I’m afraid this isn’t going to turn out well for you,” she said.

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