A Falice Story

2. The Old Crew

I lay next to FP, my hair a mess, our bodies tangled together under the sheets. He plays with my hair while I nuzzle my face into his neck. I roll over so I'm on top of him, "I love it when the kids are trapped at school with no way of interrupting us..." He laughs wrapping his hands around my waist, "I just love it when we both have the day off." I softly press my lips against his. "I'd love to stay like this for the next few hours--but I'm starving."

FP smirks, "I suppose we can take a break for lunch." I roll my eyes and go to the closet to grab something to wear. FP sits up, confused. "Whoa, whoa, whoa...why are we getting dressed?" I turn around to face him, pulling on my jeans. "Well, I have a particular craving for Pop's, and unless we want to pull the same stunt we did in high school, I suggest we get dressed." 

He burst out laughing, and falls back into the pillows. "Oh my God, I forgot we pulled that shit...why we thought it was smart, I'll never know." I shake my head, "It was a dare, remember? Fred thought we'd never have the guts to do it, and you know I never turn down a dare." FP gets up and starts getting dressed, "We almost made it inside too, if it weren't for Officer Keller in the parking lot," he laughs, "Fastest I've ever ran." I go to my vanity and run a brush through my hair, "I still can't believe we didn't get in trouble for that--why we're we such troublemakers?" He comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, "We were wearing disguises after all--" I raise my eyebrow, "Sunglasses and socks do not count as disguises." He shrugs, "Old man Keller couldn't see worth shit--and besides, we had fun being troublemakers."

*

I finish retouching my makeup and we head downstairs to leave. FP picks up my tan jacket and holds it up for me to slip my arms through. While I'm locking the front door, a voice next door yells, "How are the lovebirds today?" FP grins and gives Fred the finger, striding across the lawn to where he was changing oil on his truck. "I can't complain," he says smiling, leaning against Fred's truck. "What about you, my friend? Make any progress with a certain brunette beauty?" Fred groans, setting an oily rag down, "It's only been three months since Hiram's been behind bars." FP shrugs, "It's the tough stuff that brings people together," he nods in my direction as I make my way across the lawn towards them.

"Hey, Fred--do you remember that time during junior year when you dared FP and I to streak through Pop's?" He puts his head in his hands, "Ughhh, that's right--I finally forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me." FP puts his arm around me, "God, I miss those days. We used to have so much fun--the four of us." Fred nods, "Yeah, we did."

"We should get the old crew back together again--go out for dinner, reminisce the good ol' days," FP says heading for the truck. Fred crosses his arms, knowing exactly what FP is trying to do, "That'd be great, guys." I smile, "See you later, Fred." As I close the door, I turn immediately to FP. "You are unbelievable." He grins, "Whaaat?" I rest my hand on his knee, "You are trying to set them up, aren't you?" FP's face starts to grow red, "I--I really do just want Fred to be happy. He's been a brother to me for a long time--and even though she screwed all of us over, I know Fred still really cares about her." I kiss his cheek and grin, "You're cute, you know that? I want him to be happy too. Even though Hermione has been a pain in everyone's ass, underneath that pretentious exterior, the caring, tender-hearted, nerdy girl she was in high school is still in there. Besides, we all made mistakes we aren't proud of."

*

We pull into the parking lot of Pop's and walk inside. It was relatively quiet--probably because school has yet to get out. Pop greets us, "Alice--tea or coffee today?" I shake my head, "Actually Pop, I'll take some chili fries--make sure they're slathered in cheese, um, a burger--like Jughead orders, with everything on it, and a large vanilla milkshake." Pop and FP are staring at me like they've seen a ghost. "What?" I say with a toss of my hair, "I can splurge every now and then," I sit down in the booth. "Cheeseburger and fries, Pop," FP says patting his shoulder. "I'll get that in right away," Pop says as he heads back to the kitchen.