Chapter Text
Jackie spread the lipstick across her smooth, pink lips as Shauna sat next to her applying mascara. They were in Shauna’s bedroom getting ready for the homecoming dance. Jackie’s mousy brown hair was up in pink rollers, the perfect curls brewing. Shauna didn’t care as much about her looks. She just wanted to have a good time, which didn’t always come naturally to her at events like this.
“I still don’t know what shoes to wear,” Jackie said. She had brought an old shopping bag filled to the brim with different heels and boots and flats.
“Just wear your Converse. That’s what I’m doing,” Shauna explained.
“Yeah, but they don’t go with my dress. Plus, that’s so not formal. You need to learn to read the room,” Jackie teased. She knew she had good intentions, but sometimes Shauna felt like her constructive criticism was just pulling her down. Another thing that made her less than Jackie.
“Well I don’t want my feet to hurt.” She didn’t mean to have such a snappish tone all of a sudden.
“Then wear flats or something,” Jackie offered, seemingly unfazed. “I probably have an extra pair.”
“Maybe,” she replied, remorseful.
The music of the radio played in the background. They continued doing their makeup side by side, without talking. That’s what Shauna liked about Jackie. They could talk, or not talk, and she would still have somewhat of a good time. As long as she was with Jackie. It was really the only time she felt kinda normal. When she was alone with Jackie.
“I’m gonna change,” Shauna mumbled.
Shauna stepped into her tight closet, for some privacy. She stripped down into just her bra and underwear, peeling off her t-shirt and jeans she was wearing before. She tugged the dark blue dress over her hips and reached behind her to zip the back. She stared at herself in the mirror. Something about her was so awkward and off. Yeah, she was pretty. But she wasn’t Jackie. She wasn’t captivating and charming and charismatic. She almost wished they weren’t constantly together, constantly compared. It made her seem like Jackie’s pet. The way she always stayed quiet and awkward, and she only ever put on a lot of makeup for special events, and she only ever dressed up on occasion.
Jackie’s pet. That’s exactly what she was. Like a fucking dog.
She stepped out of the closet to show off her look to Jackie.
“Wow, Shipman. Looking nice,” Jackie teased. “Maybe you’ll pick up a date tonight.”
“I doubt it,” Shauna said.
“Never say never,” she countered. “Jeff told me Randy’s looking to make a move tonight.”
“Stop,” Shauna laughed. “You know I would never do anything with him.”
“Suit yourself,” Jackie shrugged. “My turn.”
Jackie gathered her dress from its place draped on the back of the chair and took it into the closet. Shauna sat at her desk, her head propped up with her hand. She thought about Jeff. She didn’t know why. He seemed to be the only thing that came between Shauna and Jackie anymore. Jackie used to never blow her off in grammar school, but since she and Jeff started dating freshman year, they hadn’t been as close as they were back then. Shauna hated that there was someone closer to Jackie than her. She just missed her best friend, before love got caught between them.
Shauna took a deep breath, sighed.
She heard the creak of her closet door opening behind her and turned her head to see Jackie all dressed up.
“How do I look?” Jackie asked, stepping out of the closet with a smile on her face. She was wearing a silk pink dress with rhinestone details. The way the dim bedroom light hit her made her skin sparkle like Shauna didn’t know was possible for a human to do. Of course, she was wearing a lot of makeup and there was probably glitter somewhere on her. It didn’t take away from how unreal she looked.
“You might want to take the rollers out before we leave,” Shauna joked. Humor was an easy way to play off her attraction towards Jackie.
“Obviously, Shipman.” Jackie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You look great, Jackie. You always do.”
Jackie smiled, pleased with Shauna’s answer, and returned to her chair in front of the mirror. One by one, she took out the rollers. Her smooth, shiny hair fell in ringlets around her shoulders. Shauna couldn’t help but stare.
She was snapped out of her daze when she heard a car horn outside. She got up and looked out the window. Sitting out front was Jeff’s car, waiting for the girls to come out.
“Jeff’s here.”
“Shit, I’m almost ready.”
Jackie quickened her pace with the rollers.
“Here, put on those shoes. They go well with your dress,” Jackie gestured to a pair of blue ballet flats spilling out off the bag, which was toppled over on the floor.
Shauna pulled on white lace socks that went up just above her ankles and slid the shoes overtop. Jackie fumbled for a pair of baby pink pumps and quickly put them on her feet. She took one last look in the mirror, adjusted her hair, grabbed her purse, and went out the door. Shauna took a look around at Jackie’s stuff piled around her room and closed the door.
Their footsteps thudded down the stairs as Shauna’s mom yelled goodbye to them from the living room. They hurried out the door and into Jeff’s car. They must be running at least 20 minutes late.
Jackie strapped herself into the passenger seat, fumbling for the buckle. Once she was settled, she pulled down the sun visor to reveal the vanity mirror and watched herself reapply her lipgloss. Shauna sat and played with her fingers in the back seat the whole ride. She noticed the shortness of her nails from biting them down. She wished she had naturally long nails like Jackie did.
The car ride was unusually quiet. Jackie usually tries to make conversation when there is none, but not tonight. The three of them sat in somewhat comfortable silence all the way to the school.
The dance was in the gymnasium, which was decorated nicely for the occasion. The usual smell of rubber and sweat was gone. Instead, Jackie’s strong floral perfume filled her nose as they walked side by side through the doors.
There were tables of refreshments, streamers and balloons on the walls. At the front of the gym was a DJ, yelling out to the audience to get them excited as he played some song Shauna had never heard, but probably should’ve by now. She never knew any of the party songs.
Jackie led her over to the bleachers, where everyone put their bags while they danced. Jeff had gone off with his friends, leaving the two alone. He always seemed to be the life of the party.
“Come one, Shipman,” Jackie tugged her arm. “Let’s dance.”
Shauna let out an exaggerated groan and smiled as Jackie pulled her arm. She was dragged into the middle of the dance floor, where she tried to make herself seem less awkward. She always had fun at some point, but it took her a while to get used to the setting.
People danced all around them, having a great time. People screamed the words to their favorite songs with their friends, jumping up and down at parts. Shauna danced and sung with all her friends, complimented their dresses. She did have a good time, but after a while she grew tired of all the noise.
“I’m gonna go get a drink,” she said to Jackie, who seemed to be having a blast with Mari, about an hour and a half into the evening.
She turned to face her.
“What?” she yelled over the music.
“I’m gonna get a drink,” Shauna said, louder this time, gesturing towards the refreshment table.
“Okay,” Jackie nodded her head and continued dancing with Mari.
Shauna made her way to the refreshment table. The options were extremely limited. There seemed to only be punch and water, which she assumed was typical for a high school dance. Part of her had hoped Lottie’s rich parents would give a bunch of soda to the homecoming council, but she knew that wasn’t likely.
She took her cup of punch and stood off to the side, observing the dance. Everyone seemed to be having a blast. She watched Jackie go off with Jeff for a few minutes. There was some slow, romantic song playing. They danced in the middle of the dance floor like no one was watching, even though everyone probably was. Shauna saw Randy making his way towards her, and glared at him until he held up his hands and turned around. She wasn’t ready to go back yet, so she just lingered on the outskirts.
Shauna was observing the poorly hung decorations when she sensed someone approaching her. She turned around to find Jackie coming towards her with a cup of her own in her hand.
“Wanna come out in the hallway? I need a break. Smells like sweat and perfume in there,” Jackie asked.
“Sure,” Shauna shrugged and followed her towards the door.
They headed off into some side hallway, the beat of the music still audible, but faint.
“You having fun?” Jackie asked, sliding down to sit on the floor, her pick heels gathered in her hands.
“It’s alright,” Shauna replied, sitting down next to her. “What about you?”
“Yeah, it’s fun. But last year was better. Remember when that freshman punched her date? That was crazy,” Jackie exclaimed.
“Oh my gosh, yeah, that was insane.”
“Nothing like that this year,” Jackie sighed. “At least me and Jeff aren’t fighting this time.
“Oh yeah, that was rough.”
They sat in silence for a moment. Shauna looked at her fingers, her navy nail polish chipping at the edges.
“If I didn’t have a boyfriend, there would so be rumors about us right now,” Jackie said suddenly.
Rumors that they were making out? Seemed to be what Jackie implied. What else could she mean?
Shauna didn’t know how to react to that, so she just smiled. What could she say? Nothing.
Another moment of silence passed. Silence with Jackie was the most comfortable silence Shauna knew, but her mind couldn’t keep from racing.
“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had,” Jackie said, turning towards her. “You know that, right?”
“Yeah,” Shauna said, looking into Jackie’s big, beautiful eyes. She could only imagine the beaming look on her face right now. Nothing compared to Jackie’s affirmations towards her.
“Good. I feel like you’ve been quiet lately.”
Jackie put her arms around Shauna. Shauna leaned her head into Jackie’s chest. The two sat curled together for a few more minutes, before Jackie decided it was about time they head back.
“Come on, Shipman,” Jackie pulled her up. “Before the rumors start.”
-
The car ride home was fun. Jeff blasted his stupid music and sang all the words a little too passionately. It took everything in Jackie not to cringe, while Shauna sat laughing in the back seat.
Jeff pulled in front of Jackie’s house. Jackie gathered her purse and put her heels back on, which she had discarded about halfway through the dance when her feet began to blister. She leaned over and kissed Jeff on the cheek.
“I’ll come get my stuff from your house tomorrow, alright, Shipman?” she said, climbing out of the car.
“Yeah, that works,” Shauna replied.
Jackie made her way towards her front door, before giving Shauna one last smile goodbye. God, she was impossible. Shauna smiled back. A genuine, happy smile. How she loved her best friend.
Her gaze shifted to Jeff in the drivers seat. He began driving away, further from Jackie. Shauna didn’t want to go home.