“I can’t believe you actually made it.” Lizzie smiled and bounced on the tip of her toes. She had her hands clasped behind her back like she had to physically restrain them from tearing open the box and showing her mother what was inside. “Wait until you see my dress!”

Caroline grinned, bringing her hands up to cover her mouth as she caught her daughter’s excitement. “Show me!”

Lizzie reached for the lid in slow motion, savoring the reveal. “Josie got herself a new dress,” she explained carefully. “But I wanted to throw it back a little.” She pulled the lid off, revealing the dress. “I altered one of your old dresses. What do you think?” She stared at her mom hopefully.

Caroline sighed. All the excitement from her face was gone. ‘’I think this is pathetic.” Lizzie’s face fell, but Caroline continued, “You’re literally talking to a hologram of your mom because you’re afraid she’s going to flake on you again.”

“No.” Lizzie shook her head adamantly. “I just want to rehearse what I’m going to say -”

“You can’t lie to me.” SimuCaroline crossed her arms. “I’m your own subconscious.”

“Fine. Crystal, turn it off.”

The hologram of her mother disappeared, and Lizzie collapsed backwards onto her bed. It was getting harder and harder to stay positive and think her mother was actually going to show up for once. 

Maybe MG was right. Maybe she needed to keep her expectations low. Maybe Caroline was just going to let her down again.