My Second kiss

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

"When's your birthday, Gem?"

I had just dropped my biology book on top of Drew's English literature book when she asked. I still wasn't used to hearing the name she had taken to calling me ever since the lake incident. "September seventh," I answered.

"Hmmm. That's no good." Drew was leaning her back against the wall next to her locker while I rummaged through my bag, trying to find my geography packet. Carmen still shared the locker with us, but Stella and Stephanie hardly came around anymore. They had decided to go on strike from being Drew's friend until she appreciated them more. Drew seemed to hardly notice their absence.

Carmen showed up at the locker a few seconds later. She had eased up around me since the other two girls weren't around anymore. I guessed she figured it was easier to share Drew with one other girl rather than two.

"Carmen, when's your birthday?"

Carmen stood up straight and looked Drew in the eye. It was apparent that she was hurt. "November third," she spoke quietly but defiantly. I had a feeling that Drew hadn't done anything for her birthday. Drew didn't seem fazed by it.

"That won't work either."

I found the packet and stepped away from the locker so that Carmen could do what she needed to.

"We need to have a party." Drew was still leaning against the wall. Her arms were folded, and she was looking at the blank brick wall across from us. I tucked my book in my backpack and zipped it up.

"Gemma, your parents are going to be out of town all weekend. We would be stupid if we didn't take this chance to have a party."

My stomach turned over inside of me. I should never have mentioned that my parents were going to Florida for a convention for my dad's work.

Drew clapped her hands together. "You know what is even better than a birthday party?" She had bounced away from the wall now and was staring excitedly at Carmen and me. Carmen raised an eyebrow at me as we both waited for the answer. "A fake birthday party!"

"Fake birthday?" I more mouthed it than said it.

"Yes! It will be an experiment. Each of us will tell one person that its Gemma's birthday and that we're having a party at her house tonight. We'll see how many people show up!"

Drew's idea ran through my head. My parents had never left Bridget and me home alone overnight before, and I knew they were going to be strict about rules. I figured I could probably talk them into letting me have a couple friends over, but not a whole party. But, then again, nobody else knew who I was anyway.

Who would actually go to a birthday party of someone they didn't know?

"I don't think anyone will come, but I guess you can invite one person." I looked at her sharply in the eye and held one finger in front of her face. "Just one person."

Drew beamed. "We each will invite one person, and I think your one person should be Jess."

This aggravated me, but I pretended not to care. "No, Jess isn't into parties. Especially fake ones."

Drew raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Jess Tyler? Not into parties? I don't buy it."

"It's true." I flung my backpack over my shoulder and pulled a piece of gum out of my pocket.

Drew narrowed her eyes. "You know who he hangs out with, right?"

"Yeah, me." I unwrapped the gum and folded it into my mouth. I had to chew with my mouth open to fit it all in.