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“This party blows.”
Steph’s laughter cuts through the music, drink sloshing around her cup as her shoulders shake. “It’s a high school dance, not a rave. What were you expecting?”
“Better “punch”, for starters.” Chloe’s nose wrinkles as she sips. “The fuck they spike this with, Heinikan?”
“At least the wildlife is entertaining. Drew and Nathan almost went at it again while you were in the bathroom.”
“Figures I’d miss only the fun shit.”
Steph’s smile wilts. “Not enjoying yourself?”
“When you said you’d sneak me into Blackhell, I was hoping for more B&E. Tag some lockers, steal that stupid bronze eagle from Wells’ desk…”
“If you wanna add to your felonies, more power to you.” Steph leans forward in her seat, resting her chin on her hand. “…I know it’s not your scene. I just thought you’d enjoy going out.”
The remark makes Chloe’s brow crease, an amused smirk lifting the corner of her mouth. “Are you calling me a shut-in?”
“Can you blame me? I’ve barely seen you all month, dude. Not since-”
A melodic laugh lures Chloe’s gaze across the gymnasium out to the dance floor. Fuck. There she is. Rachel is like the sun, her clique orbiting around her no matter where she goes. Her smile is so broad and radiant—carefree as she juggles conversations effortlessly.
Without her.
Chloe deflates like a cheap dollar store balloon. With a knife in it. She’s an actress. She wouldn’t let it show if she’s still fucked up over it… Would it kill her to be a LITTLE less convincing?
A jolt streaks up Chloe’s spine as Steph jostles her by the shoulder. “You okay?”
“Need a smoke.” Chloe stands and starts shrugging through the throng of students, leaving Steph in her dust. Agitation needles at her body like skinny dipping in a pool of nails. Dumbass. Shouldn’t have come. Nobody pays her any mind until she bumps into the second person she least wanted to see tonight.
“Ugh, excuse moi.” Victoria whips around, sneer primed and ready. “Who let you in?”
Oh, fuck me. Chloe takes a swig of her punch. “I go where I want. What are they gonna do, expel me twice?”
Arms folded, Victoria flashes a devilish grin. “I’m sure Mister Madsen would be fascinated to hear that you’re trespassing again.”
“She’s not.” Steph squeezes through the crowd, stumbling over to Chloe as she adjusts her beanie. “I invited her.”
“Aww, Stephanie. The dance is for students only. Drop outs aren’t allowed.” Victoria’s catlike green eyes flit between the two. “Was Rachel’s sloppy seconds really the best date you could manage?”
Chloe plants a hand on Victoria’s chest and shoves her back. “Don’t you have Bigfoot dick to suck?”
“Back off, you psycho bitch!”
“Chloe.” Steph slides between them, putting her hands on Chloe’s thin biceps. “Leave it.”
Her touch is grounding. Strong, but delicate—just what she’d expect from a girl who plays the drums and paints Warhammer miniatures in her spare time. And god damn does it feel good to have somebody’s skin against hers again. She didn’t realize how much she missed being touched until just now.
“C’mon.” She pulls her towards the exit.
“Fine… One more thing.” Chloe wriggles out of Steph’s grasp and flings her drink at Victoria.
“THE FUCK?!” Heads turn as Victoria sputters and whines, fruitlessly patting herself dry. “I HATE YOU, KARI PRICE!!”
Steph hides her face behind her hands, but nothing can cover that ear-to-ear grin. Chloe nudges her with her elbow. “Now I’m ready.”
Chloe’s throat burns as she invites a breath of smoke into her lungs. She holds it, flicking ash free from the tip of her cigarette before letting it billow out of her. She wears it down to the filter, dropping it on the ground and crushing it beneath her heel when she’s done.
“Better?” Steph asks gently.
“Better… Sorry.”
“Don’t be. She had it coming.”
A chuckle rumbles in Chloe’s throat. “Nobody talks shit to my DM.”
“Does that mean you’re coming back to D&D sessions?”
Chloe rubs the back of her neck. “I wouldn’t be good company.”
“Even if that was true, we don’t care. We miss you.” Steph tucks her chocolate locks behind her ear. “…I miss you.”
The tenderness in Steph’s voice catches Chloe by surprise. She gives the nerd a lopsided smile. “…Same.”
It’s only crickets and muffled music between them until the song inside changes. Steph flicks her head upwards like a startled squirrel. “Is that fucking Forever Young?”
“Think so. Must be the slow dance.”
“Have you ever? Slow danced, I mean.”
Chloe snorts. “Nope. You?”
Steph shakes her head, hands clasped behind her back as she rolls on the balls of her feet. “We could, if you want—for the hell of it.”
“Uh… sure. Okay.” A puff of surprised laughter escapes Chloe’s chest as she extends a clammy hand to Steph. She takes it, awkwardly scooting forward into Chloe’s bubble—close enough to feel her warmth. That’s a buzz that beats the rush of nicotine any day. Her firm hands find places to rest on Chloe’s narrow hips, and it makes her stomach do somersaults. She lifts an eyebrow at her.
“You’re leading?”
“I’m a drummer—rythem is my thing.”
“I have rhythm." Chloe rests her hands on Steph’s shoulders. Slowly, they make their first moves—careful steps as they get accustomed to one another.
“You… march to your own beat. I like that about you, but I don’t want my toes crushed.”
“Fair enough."
Even with Steph’s lead to follow, Chloe struggles. She’s got height, not coordination—her legs wobble underneath her, nearly causing her to roll her ankle with a step too far to the right.
Steph catches her, bodies brushing together as she pulls her closer. “I’ve got you.”
Chloe can’t bring herself to look Steph in her deep brown eyes as her face flushes. “I’m calling bullshit, by the way. You’ve hella done this before.”
Steph rolls her eyes, biting her lower lip. “I’ve had some practice. Mikey has his eyes on a girl, and he was going to ask her to dance tonight. I might’ve helped him.”
“Adorable.”
“Shut up.” Steph pinches Chloe on the side, forcing a yelp out of the rebel.
“I mean it! Fuck!” Chloe shakes her head, messy blonde locks flailing. “Asshole.”
“Said the asshole.” Steph giggles.
“But… no, I mean it. I…” Chloe presses her lips into a thin line. “It’s cool. I know him and Drew have a shit situation, so… It’s cool that you help him with stuff.”
“He’s my friend. I do anything for my friends.”
JUST friends, Price. Don’t even think about reading into things. “Well… thanks, friendo. Blackwell still bites ass, but… tonight with you is fun. I needed it.”
Steph’s smile flickers downward for a flash. “Anytime.”
Fuck, did I say something wrong? What am I saying—of COURSE I did.
“Sorry.”
Steph blinks at Chloe. “For what?”
“Just… you looked like I’d-…” Chloe bites her tongue. “Did I fuck up?”
“Huh?”
“Because you can tell me if I fucked up.” Chloe’s hands retreat to her head, fingers coming through her hair. “Seriously.”
“What's wrong?”
“I don’t know! I- You made a face.”
Steph squints. “I did?”
“You did this thing with your lips, and I thought it was because I said something stupid, like I always do.”
“Woah, hey. You’re fine. Look at me.” Steph takes Chloe’s hands, pulling them down between them. “You’re good.”
Chloe’s breath catches in her throat. Steph’s hands are… REALLY fucking soft. She can’t stop staring down at her—at her supple lips, her dreamy eyes.
Don’t fuck this up. Do NOT fuck this up. She’s just your friend. She’s just your friend. She’s just-
Steph’s lips are on hers.
Wait.
What?
Heart leaping into her throat, Chloe staggers backwards. “W-woah.”
“Sorry.” Steph whispers as she covers her mouth. “That was-”
“Surprising.”
The drummer winces. “Bad surprising?”
“I didn’t say that, just…”
Back to crickets. Chloe meanders until her brain reboots. “So… this party hella sucks.”
“Kinda.”
“Wanna… get out of here?”
The dimpled smile that stretches across Steph’s face is brighter than the full moon. She glances away bashfully before nodding.
“I’d like that.”