Unspoken Goals

New Year's Eve

December 31st

Rain tapped steadily against the windows, a soft rhythm that filled the living room like background music. The couch was a pile of tangled limbs and blankets, Juliette stretched out on her back while Abigail lay comfortably on top of her, cheek pressed to Juliette's chest. The TV flickered in front of them, the last couple minutes of a movie playing.

Juliette's hand rubbed slow, lazy circles into Abigail's back, her fingers trailing beneath the hem of her sweatshirt without thinking. The warmth between them was the kind of soft, sleepy comfort that made the rest of the world feel far away. It had only been three days since their talk in Juliette's backyard, but things felt... good again. They went back to acting normal around others, minus acting like a couple.

Granted, they hadn't seen anyone outside of their families but for now, it felt safe.

As the movie credits came onto the screen Charlie, Drews childhood best friend, sat up from the other end of the couch disrupting the peace.

"Alright," he announced with a grin, "what party are we going to tonight?"

Abigail groaned against Juliette's chest and lifted her head just enough to glare at him. "We," she said, motioning between the four of them, "are not going to any party together."

Then she turned to Juliette with a smirk and added, "We, however," motioning between just the two of them, "are going to a party."

Drew and Charlie let out matching groans of protest.

"Come on, Abby," Drew said, throwing his head back. "You're supposed to be the cool older sister who sneaks her little brother and his friend into the good parties."

Abigail rolled her eyes. "I'm not bringing underage high schoolers to a party full of college students."

"Julie is underage," Charlie argued, grinning.

Juliette, still beneath Abigail, let out a giggle. "He's got a point."

Abigail turned her head to look down at her, unimpressed. "Don't encourage them."

"Abby, please," Drew begged, clasping his hands together in exaggerated prayer. "We're eighteen. Practically adults. You two were hitting these parties when you were our age."

Abigail sat up straighter, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, well, back then most of those parties were just high schoolers. This one? It's gonna be packed with people I don't even know. That's different."

"That's the point," Drew said, eyes lighting up. "I can't go to some sad high school party on New Year's Eve. I'm about to be a college athlete. I gotta start networking with the college girls, you know?"

Juliette propped herself up on her elbows. "Don't you literally have a girlfriend?"

Drew looked offended. "Had. Past tense. We broke up before Christmas break. Keep up, Julie."

"My bad," Juliette said dryly.

Charlie leaned back, resting his hands behind his head. "Anyway. Back to the real question: can we please go?"

Abigail looked over at Juliette, silently begging for support. Juliette just shrugged and gave her a look that said what's the harm?

Abigail sighed. "Fine. But you two are our DDs. No drinking. No flirting with our friends. Got it?"

Drew raised his hand.

Abigail narrowed her eyes. "What Drew?"

He pointed directly at Juliette. "Does Julie count?"