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Jackie’s jaw clenched as she stared across the gym at Shauna, who was very pointedly not looking in her direction. It had been like this for days now, ever since their fight over - what was it even about this time? Mari’s birthday party? Shauna blowing off their mall plans again? The specifics hardly mattered anymore, blurring together into a never ending cycle of sniping and sulking.
Normally, Jackie would’ve been the first to extend an olive branch, to corner Shauna by her locker with a rueful smile and a peace offering of Twizzlers from the vending machine. Shauna could never stay mad in the face of artificially flavored wax and Red Dye 40, a fact Jackie had exploited for years. But not this time. If Shauna wanted to keep up this whole freeze-out act, fine. Two could play at that game. Even if the prolonged silent treatment left Jackie feeling off-kilter, like a satellite knocked out of orbit.
Her brooding was interrupted by a sharp blast from Coach Martinez’s whistle. The shrill sound reverberated off the scuffed wood floors and damp concrete walls, making Jackie wince.
“Listen up! As you all know, the Spring Fling is fast approaching,” Coach boomed. “And that means it’s time for the traditional dance competition!”
A chorus of groans rose up from the assembled students, quickly quelled by another ear-splitting whistle. Coach Martinez glowered at them, arms crossed over his chest. “I’ll be assigning you each a partner. Your job is to choreograph and perform a 3-minute dance routine.”
Jackie’s gaze flicked to Shauna on reflex, a subconscious habit formed from years of sharing every trial and triumph, no matter how small. But Shauna was studying her scuffed sneakers with undue fascination, messy fringe obscuring her expression.
“Taylor!” Coach’s voice jolted Jackie from her thoughts. “You’ll be partnering with Shipman.”
Jackie blinked, sure she must have misheard. “I’m sorry, what?”
But Coach had already moved on, bellowing out the next pair of names on his list. Jackie gaped at him, then at Shauna, who looked equally dumbstruck.
Seriously? Of all the people to get saddled with, it had to be her stubborn, rhythmically challenged best friend? The same one currently giving her the cold shoulder?
Coach had to be fucking with her. He knew damn well about Shauna’s two left feet - hell, the whole school knew after the Homecoming fiasco of ‘94. Shauna, bless her uncoordinated heart, had nearly concussed herself trying to do the Tootsee Roll. There had been dizziness. Nausea. A brief, terrifying moment where her eyes wouldn’t track in the same direction.
Jackie groaned internally, mentally kissing her chances of a drama-free Friday goodbye.
As the rest of the class paired off, Jackie steeled herself and made her way across the gym to where Shauna stood, arms crossed and shoulders hunched. Defensive body language 101.
“Guess we’re partners,” Jackie said, aiming for breezy and landing somewhere closer to strained.
Shauna glanced up, gaze skittering away just as quickly. “Guess so.”
Silence stretched between them. Jackie shifted her weight from foot to foot, the squeak of her sneakers against the polished floor impossibly loud.
She cleared her throat. “So, uh. Any ideas for the routine?”
Shauna shrugged, picking at a loose thread on her PE shorts. “I don’t know. You’re the dancer here.”
It was said without the usual fond exasperation, the teasing lilt that normally colored Shauna’s voice when referencing Jackie’s love of all things choreographed. Instead, it came out flat. Disinterested.
Jackie bristled, frustration flaring hot and bright in her chest. “Yeah, well, it’s a partner thing. We’re supposed to collaborate or whatever.”
“Fine.” Shauna huffed out a breath, harsh enough to ruffle her overgrown bangs. “What did you have in mind, Paula Abdul?”
The sarcasm was biting, but Jackie felt a flicker of relief at the faintest hint of playfulness underneath. Maybe this was salvageable after all.
She tilted her head, considering. “Well, we could always resurrect the old talent show routine. Sixth grade, ‘Rhythm Nation’?”
Shauna barked out a startled laugh, hastily smothering the sound behind her palm. It was a little creaky from disuse, but genuine. “Oh god. I thought we agreed never to speak of that again.”
“What? Come on, we killed it!” Jackie grinned, buoyed by the sparkle of humor in Shauna’s eyes. “I mean, until someone had a little trouble with the high kick and nearly took out Misty Quigley . . . ”
“Accidentally!” Shauna yelped, fighting back a grin. “I still maintain she walked into my foot.”
Jackie snorted, shaking her head. “Sure, Shipman. You keep telling yourself that.”
Just like that, the tension between them eased, settling into their usual back-and-forth. The knot in Jackie’s chest loosened a fraction.
She reached out, bumping her shoulder against Shauna’s. “Seriously though, I was thinking we could do a throwback. Like, ‘Love Shack’ or something.”
Shauna’s nose wrinkled. “The B-52’s? Really?”
“It’s fun! Upbeat, easy to dance to.” Jackie started bouncing on the balls of her feet, shimmying a little. “Tin roof, rusted!”
Shauna laughed, ducking her head. “You’re incorrigible.”
“You love it.” The words slipped out thoughtlessly, Jackie’s cheeks flushing as soon as she realized what she’d said.
Shauna blinked at her, something unreadable flickering across her face. For a suspended moment, Jackie was sure she’d overstepped, shattered the fragile peace they’d just managed to cobble together.
But then Shauna’s expression softened, mouth curving into a small, secret smile. The one she reserved just for Jackie. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
And just like that, Jackie knew they’d be okay. They always were, in the end. No matter how much they bickered and sniped, the invisible tether between them never frayed.
Even if it took a dumb mandatory dance competition to remind them both of that fact.
“Alright then, B-52’s it is,” Shauna declared with an air of great magnanimity, even as her eyes danced with suppressed laughter. “But I swear to god, Jackie, if you try to make me do the worm again . . . ”
Jackie threw her head back and laughed, bright and unburdened. “Hey, fifteenth time’s the charm!”
As they fell into step beside each other, Jackie bumped Shauna’s hip with her own, grinning at her hiccuping giggle. A lifeline. A reminder.
We’re still us, that bump said. No matter what.
And for now, that was enough.