Childish| Criminal Minds

8

After the disaster that was Cat's party, at least with Spencer's experience, the last thing he needed was another one.

This party would be a lot less chaotic, though. Little to no alcohol, thankfully. It would be just a few friends hanging out at JJ's house. Aaron, Emily, Penelope, Derek, and Spencer would all be coming.

With less than an hour until people would be arriving, JJ and Spencer are setting up table cloths and snacks. They already have a few pizzas on the way, courtesy of Roslyn Jareau's hard-earned salary from the nearby pet store, and a few tubs of ice-cream in the freezer. Spencer's favorite has always been plain vanilla, which JJ never fails to mock him for.

"For a movie, should we watch The Conjuring or Child's Play?" JJ asks. Spencer just shrugs.

"The Conjuring is less cheesy," he replies. "but it's up to you."

"You're right. Thanks, Spence," JJ says. She grabs The Conjuring DVD off of her shelf. JJ's room is painted a light shade of pink; it wasn't her choice, but rather her parents' when she was too little to argue. Her bed takes up most of the space. A dresser across from it has a small TV, and a few shelves for storage are inside of it where she keeps her CDs and DVDs.

"Oh! We need sleeping bags!" JJ says.

"We already have those in the downstairs closet. Stop freaking out, it's going to be fun," Spencer says with a smile.

"I guess I'm just nervous about having new people over. It was weird enough with Emily.. this is like, four people that I've only known for a few weeks."

The doorbell rings and JJ looks like she's about to pull her hair out. "Why the hell are people here? I said one o'clock!"

"I'll get it," Spencer volunteers. He walks downstairs and opens the door to see a familiar brunette. "It's only Emily!" he shouts.

"Only Emily? What's that supposed to mean," Emily laughs.

Spencer grabs a handful of candy from a bowl on the counter and walks back up the carpeted steps to the second floor. JJ is, of course, double checking to make sure her playlist is good enough for her friends. JJ has always been like this; she always doubts herself.

"JJ," Emily starts. "We have ten minutes. Is everything ready?"

"Ahh- I think so!" she squeaks. JJ's mom pokes her head through the doorway.

"Do you kids need anything?" she asks.

"No, thanks, but please don't bother us," JJ tries to say as nicely as she can. JJ's mom rolls her eyes and leaves.

JJ holds up the movie and Emily nods in agreement. The three of them go back down to the living room where they eat candy and talk about everything until the first true guest arrives.

"Penelope!" JJ yells when a happy Penelope Garcia enters the house. Her blue highlights are now purple, and she has a different pair of glasses on than she did yesterday. Penelope squeezes Spencer and the girls into a group hug, to which Spencer manages to dislodge himself from.

"Oh, Spencer, when are you going to learn that my hugs aren't optional?" Penelope says. She hugs him again and Spencer can only wait for it to be over.

"Derek is on his way," she says, letting go of Spencer. Everything about Penelope is always so cheerful. Spencer can't think of a single time he's ever seen her genuinely upset.

Aaron waves goodbye to his older brother before making his way to the front door. "Did I miss anything?" he asks as he takes off his sweatshirt.

"Just a hug!" Penelope says. She hugs Aaron while he sighs.