Unspoken Goals

One Big Jealousy Fest

November 23rd

It was another Saturday night, which meant one thing for Abigail, Juliette, and their friends – another outing to the bars downtown. The night began the same way it always did, with the group pregaming at the girls' apartment.

Juliette was already in her element, her laugh loud and contagious as she playfully challenged Sully to yet another dare. Across the room, Abigail sat nursing her drink, her eyes quietly tracking Juliette. Even amidst the noise, Juliette's presence was magnetic, her energy spilling into every corner of the room.

By the time they set out for the bar, the night had fully claimed them. The streets were alive with the hum of life, the glow of streetlights reflecting off wet pavement as their group moved as one, loud and untamed. Juliette and Sully, however, broke ahead, feeding off each other's wild energy.

"Bet you won't climb that tree!" Sully provoked, his grin wide.

"Bet I will," Juliette shot back without hesitation, her confidence emboldened by the alcohol coursing through her.

"You're both insane," Soph muttered, torn between laughter and annoyance.

"I'll buy you a round," Sully added with mock seriousness, but before Juliette could make her move, Abigail's voice cut through.

"Jules, don't."

The simple command stopped Juliette in her tracks. Abigail stood there, arms crossed, her expression half amused, half annoyed. Her presence alone had a gravity that pulled Juliette back to earth.

"Yes ma'am," Juliette teased, but there was warmth in her tone. She sauntered back to Abigail and, on a whim, slung her arm around her shoulder. "You're no fun, you know that?"

Abigail tensed at the touch, a reaction so fleeting it might have gone unnoticed by anyone else. But Juliette noticed. She always noticed. She ignored the sting of it, plastering on a grin instead. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't die of boredom tonight."

Abigail rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched upward despite herself. "Just don't get us kicked out before we even make it inside."

Juliette's laugh was softer this time, almost shy, and it lingered in the space between them as the group continued on.

The bar was alive with noise, a chaotic hum of music and chatter that wrapped around Abigail and Sully as they stood by the counter. Abigail leaned casually against the wood, her drink in hand, scanning the crowd without really seeing anyone. Beside her, Sully sipped his drink, his grin as mischievous as ever.

"What's with the laser focus, Abby? Scoping out your next victim?" Sully teased, nudging her playfully.

Abigail let out a dry laugh, rolling her eyes. "Absolutely, figured the bar was a good place to start."

"Well, in that case," Sully said, tossing back the rest of his drink. "You should recruit Juliette. She'd make a killer wingman. Don't know how she does it, but that girl could charm the paint off the walls."

Abigail forced a tight smile, a pang of something sharp cutting through her. She took another sip to steady herself, the bitterness of the drink matching her mood. "Yeah, she's got a... knack for that."

Sully caught the subtle shift in her expression, his teasing dropping into something softer. "Or," he offered, nudging her again, "I could be your wingman. No one does 'slightly chaotic but endearing' like I do."

Abigail raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smirk. "That's possibly the worst idea you've ever had, Sully."

"Hey!" He clutched his chest dramatically. "I'll have you know I have a stellar success rate."