Moonrise | Paul Lahote

9

"So you and Lauren are good again?"

It was Monday lunchtime, two days after their beach trip. Jenna had walked into class only to see Jessica at Lauren's side, smiling and giggling, with no sign of the animosity between them a few days ago.

"Huh? Me and Lauren?" Jessica whispered, glancing over at the blonde girl sitting across the table.

"I thought you guys had a fight?"

"Oh, um. Yeah, we're good now, " Jessica stuttered, her cheeks ringing pink. Jenna stared a little, confused by the reaction. But the girl quickly changed the subject, raising her voice to address the whole table. "So, who is everyone going to the dance with?"

"Me and Tyler are going together," Lauren spoke first.

"That's cool," Jessica smiled, but it was weirdly strained. "Anyone else?"

"I'm not going," Bella piped up before Mike could ask. "I've got things to do up in Seattle."

"I haven't asked anyone yet," Jenna admitted.

"Me neither," said Jessica. "Angela?"

The quiet girl shook her head. "Nope."

"I kind of want to just stay at home," Jessica sighed. "We've been to tons of dances already and there's still prom."

"But dressing up," Jenna reminded her. "And dancing. And all the decorations."

Jessica shrugged, tugging at her blond locks. "I'd rather just have another sleepover, or maybe go to a party."

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Mike snapped his fingers. "Why don't we throw one? Okay, here me out: we go to the dance as a group. Once we get bored, we all go back to mine after and get drunk."

"Get drunk?" Angela said dubiously.

"Yeah!" Mike sat up, looking increasingly excited as the idea ran through the group. "My parents are out that weekend. We can get totally smashed!"

"We haven't done anything fun in a while," Tyler commented, nodding approvingly.

"Why keep it to just us, though? We can invite the whole grade!" Mike's eyes gleamed. "A grade party. I'm gonna go talk to the dudes, be right back!"

He dashed off, leaving Jessica, Angela, Jenna, Lauren, Bella, and Tyler to stare after him.

"That's a plan, I guess," Jenna turned back to the table. "So, dresses?"

"Let's go down to Port Angeles tonight," Jessica suggested. "We can get dinner there too."

They all agreed, even Bella, after some convincing. That afternoon after classes the girls met in the parking lot by Jessica's car.

"We're all ready?" Jenna asked as she and Bella approached. "Where's Lauren?"

"Lauren's not going," Jessica grumbled, sounding strangely annoyed. "Tyler's taking her out on a date."

Jenna felt like pumping her fists in the air in celebration but she reigned it in. "So are we rescheduling?"

"Nah, let's just go."

Jenna and Jessica followed Bella to her house, where Bella and Jenna left their vehicles before climbing in with Jessica to fetch Angela.

"Yessss!" Jenna hissed to Bella while Jessica was distracted.

"What're you so happy about?"

"Lauren's not coming!"

Bella's lips twitched up. "You really don't like her, huh?"