Everything We Always Were

Twenty Five: Friendsgiving

"So, I'm 18 now, and so are most of the rest of you, and my mom said that I can skip out on traveling to the midwest for Thanksgiving this year, like I was supposed to, and spend it at the beach house with you guys!" Roni's big announcement wasn't so big. She had texted the group chat, with everyone, which hadn't been active for nearly a year this morning saying that we had to meet at the barn after school because she had a big announcement.

She then proceeded to refuse to tell us the announcement because James wasn't here and she didn't want to repeat it.

So we waited for 4 hours and me, I wasn't too surprised. Roni's mom trusted her and yes, Roni did throw parties at the beach house but she was responsible and never let them get too big and always enforced rules and we always cleaned up after ourselves. So, her mother's trust was justified.

Initially, I assume that this means there will be a party again. The fact that all of us were so bored, we had been talking about Thanksgiving like it was Christmas the second that Halloween was over. Fran managed to get out of family dinner this year and was planning on spending it with RJ. Turns out RJ had no plans with his family this year, since he turned 18, they kind of treat him like an adult already.

Cole said he could get out of whatever family thing was being planned to do something with Roni or the rest of us, but we hadn't gotten around to planning anything yet. At first, James thought he might have to work Thanksgiving weekend, but his boss was able to move some projects around so that the shop could be closed for the holiday and the following weekend.

It was great news since we all knew I probably didn't have any plans, so that meant we could have a Friendsgiving.

Now, with Roni's announcement, we can have a plan.

"I'm thinking that we go up early Thanksgiving day and attempt to cook a dinner. That means one or two of us will need to go grocery shopping after school on Wednesday, who wants to do that?" Roni asks after the initial 'excitement' wears down and we are back to a comfortable silence.

"Delia and I can," James raises his hand halfheartedly, slouched down on the couch, obviously tired from work. He was still wearing his dirty, greasy uniform, and his hands were caked with grease as well.

It was hot, but of course, I expel that thought the second it hit my brain, though.

"Works for me," Roni raises her eyebrows at me so I nod to acknowledge that it works for me too. "Great, and I guess we can assume couples will drive together? Leaving James and Delia like last time?"

James and I nod at the same time, and I force my smile back.

Roni continued on, planning what time we should all leave, who was bringing what, and then on to the plans for the rest of the weekend. She had looked up the weather for that weekend, and it was supposed to be 65 and sunny on Friday. Could change at any point, but she chooses to be optimistic, saying we could spend it on the beach.

She also says that weather forgiving, some locals were planning a cookout/bonfire party on some kind of community app that her mother is a part of, for Friday evening. Which, to her, is super exciting and means possibly free alcohol.

"I hope that it's the teens of the community, not the adults, that are planning this," Fran points out what we are all thinking and we all laugh together, knowing this.

"I think it is, but don't quote me," Roni throws her hands up.

After going through all of the plans for next week, James stands and heads home to shower and sleep before school tomorrow. Only three days of school this week, and I was a little nervous. CJ still hasn't said anything or started anything. He has to do something soon, the anxiety is eating away at me ever so slowly.