The Night Is Young

2 - flash forward

2 years later

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you!"

"Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!"

I was sitting at the lunch table at school with my two best friends, Casey and Janet. They smiled widely at me and set a big pink cupcake in front of me.

I laughed in delight. It had a big smiley face on it. I blew out the big "17" candle.

Janet, Casey, and a few others around us clapped.

"Thank you guys. Has anyone ever told the both of you that you're both amazing?" I smiled like an idiot, facing both of them.

"Tell us something we don't know." Casey and Janet both said at the exact same time. Casey smirked and patted my hand. I giggled.

Before you go thinking these two were robots in sync, they were actually fraternal twins. And the best pair of friends in the world. They both knew each other like the back of their hands.

Both of them had lush brown hair that fell down to their mid back and soulful gray eyes. Whenever you look into those eyes, it might make them seem like they're the wisest people you know. And that was true... usually.

"Oh my GOD!" Janet gasped dramatically. She slammed her hand on the table.

"What?? What is it?" She looked around. Casey's eyes widened. "It's not a... clown is it?"

We had similar fears among our group.

"No, dimwit!" Janet glared. "I just realized! Liz is SEVENTEEN!"

"Gasp! Shocker!" Casey shot back.

I chuckled. "Okay guys, break it up. What are you getting at, Jan?"

"Elizabeth Ramone. You are now seventeen. And you've never had a boyfriend." She replied flatly.

Oh.

"Oh." Casey stared.

We just sat there for a moment, looking at each other. Then Casey flipped.

"LIZ WE NEED TO GET YOU A FREAKING BOYFRIEND!" She screamed overdramatically. Several people from other turned to stare at her.

"Shut your mouth dumbass!" I hissed at her. "Don't put me on the market like that!"
"Why shouldn't I?" Casey looked confused. Janet groaned and buried her face in her hands.

I was about to say something when I was cut off by Casey standing on her chair. Crap.

"ATTENTION EVERYONE!" She clinked her spoon and fork together. "I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY."

"Jesus, Casey! This isn't a goddamn wedding!" Janet seethed, frantically trying to stop her twin.

"SEE THIS GORGEOUS GIRL SITTING ACROSS FROM ME? SHE'S LONELY. SHE WOULD LIKE SOME COMPANY." Casey stated loudly. She was met by blank stares from everyone in the cafeteria.

"MEN, IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN GONNA GIVE HER A CHANCE, YOU'RE ALL BIMBOS! ANYONE WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE THIS QUEEN." She continued on. I blushed wildly. As much as I was flattered, it was still embarrassing as hell. Janet looked about ready to die.

"AND FOR THE RECORD MOST OF YOU HERE USUALLY CONFUSE YOUR BRAINS WITH YOUR DIC-" Janet swiftly clamped clamped a hand over Casey's loud ass mouth. Thank the Heavens.

"You're insane, Casey! Do you want to get suspended?!" Janet exclaimed at her twin. I was just startled at how abruptly  our dire humiliation ended.

"Nmm-mmh." Casey conceded, staring at her shoes.

I was pretty sure Janet would continue to give Casey even more crap but a pretty black girl approached our table. She smiled sweetly. "Hey guys. I'm Tara."

"Hi..." I smiled back, puzzled. Casey narrowed her eyes while Janet rolled hers.

"Uh, Casey's speech was pretty... interesting." Tara chuckled. "But it was definitely convincing. So I decided, I wanna help you." She grinned.

We all stared at Tara, shocked. A total stranger wants to help me get a boyfriend?

"How?" Janet asked, suspicious.

"The best way to meet guys is obviously where there's a lot of them." Tara smirked. "So I wanna invite you guys to my party tonight!"

Casey's and Jane's eyes lit up. I was dismayed.

"Sorry..." I brushed my hair out of my face. "Partying isn't my thing..."

Not anymore.

"Nonsense!" Tara laughed. She threw an arm around my shoulders. "I'll be the one to set it all up for you." She looked at all of us at the table. "So, you guys in?"

I looked at Casey and Janet. Their eyes were basically diamonds right now.

"We're in."