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Grandma Ida's building. Diego would be seventeen now, probably even hotter, and most likely an even better kisser. The answer was staring Holly right in the face. She grinned at her reflection. She was going to Miami.
    "Holly Rebecca!" Her mother's voice thundered from the kitchen. "Are you still on the phone?"
    "Are you upstairs?" her dad chimed in. Holly took a deep breath. Right. She still had to
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    clear the hurdle of her parents. They'd probably be okay with the Grandma Ida plan, but the Alexa element was a wild card. Holly's mom had never been a fan of Alexa's; she had been ecstatic when the girls' friendship faded. Alexa was a good student at Oakridge High, and never got into any trouble, but, as assistant principal, Holly's mom had personally busted a few of Alexa's friends for smoking on school grounds. As far as Holly's mom was concerned, Alexa was still nothing but trouble. So Holly was somehow going to have to make her old friend seem otherwise.
    Before Holly turned to go downstairs, she closed her eyes and rehearsed a brief speech in her mind: Mom and Dad, I miss Grandma Ida so much! She must be lonely down in Florida. I thought, since I'll be on break next week, I could go see her. And I wouldn't be traveling alone. Alexa St. Laurent asked if she could come along, too. Just her, none of her friends. She's much more down-to-earth than she seems at school, and I think Grandma Ida would really like her....
    Will that work? Holly wondered. Holly knew this sudden urge to see her grandmother might seem suspicious. But her parents would likely be so impressed with Holly showing, as her mother called it, "family commitment," that they wouldn't think twice.
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    Holly tightened her ponytail, straightened her shoulders, and strode out of the bedroom. She'd march into the kitchen, and sit her mom and dad down. She'd make this thing happen. She had to. Holly was fed up with watching her friends do exciting things while she sat at home, life passing her by. It was time to take her destiny into her own hands.
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    CHAPTER THREE
    Like Paradise
    "Welcome aboard American Airlines Flight 320, with nonstop service from Newark to Miami."
    At the flight attendant's announcement, Holly fastened her seat belt and glanced at Alexa, who occupied the window seat next to her. It was Saturday morning, and the girls were on a plane bound for Florida. Holly couldn't believe this trip was happening. Everything had fallen into place so quickly, it still felt surreal.
    Holly's parents had reacted exactly as she'd predicted pleased about Grandma Ida, iffy about Alexa. But a phone call to Grandma Ida who said she'd be delighted to host the girls sealed the deal. In happy disbelief, Holly called Alexa (whose own dad, of course, had readily given his blessing) and they booked the tickets. There was no looking back.
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    Alexa plumped the airplane pillow behind her blonde head and gazed down at her shiny mauve nails. That morning, she'd made a last-minute run to Suzy's Salon for an emergency mani-pedi. One could not show up on the beach with pale, ungroomed winter feet. She'd invited Holly along, too, but -- shocker -- Holly had refused, claiming she didn't see the point. Alexa snuck a glance at Holly now, sizing up her outfit: pearl-gray zip-up hoodie, Gap jeans, Adidas sneakers. Yawn, Alexa thought. She hoped Holly wouldn't be too much of an embarrassment to her for the next seven days.
    Alexa was wearing a fuzzy, champagne-colored cowl-neck, a corduroy miniskirt, and her chocolate brown, wedge-heeled Coach boots. It was one of her favorite winter outfits, but she was so ready to slip into something skimpier. She'd packed a pink halter bikini in her carry-on bag, so she would be able to change as soon as they got to Miami. Alexa imagined herself ambling along a boardwalk, clad only in her bikini, returning the smiles of passing boys. Of course, Holly was conveniently not in that picture.
    "Flight attendants, please prepare for takeoff." The