Chapter Text
Jenna Bridgend tapped her black-booted left foot on the ground again, her fingers drumming impatiently against the strap of her bag. The purple Volkswagen was nowhere in sight. She squinted at the watch on her wrist, the cold metal pressing against her skin as she checked the time for what felt like the hundredth time. It was ten minutes to eight, and still no sign of Lanie and Mia.
She sighed deeply, the sound barely audible over the low hum of city traffic. Her eyes flitted over the street once more, the anticipation only growing in her chest. The night was still young, but it felt as though she'd been standing here for hours. Twenty minutes past the time they were supposed to arrive, and still, no sign of them. A flush of annoyance crept up her neck, making her shoulders stiffen.
"Goddammit," she muttered under her breath, her gaze snapping toward the sky as if she could yell at the heavens. "I told her. I told her to be on time!"
Jenna had a lot of pet peeves, but being late? That was high on the list. Being punctual was one of the unspoken rules in her world, especially when it came to parties. #GirlsRule14, her clique's code, emphasized the importance of making a grand entrance. Fashionably late, always. It was a part of the ritual. But Lanie? Lanie couldn't care less. Jenna rolled her eyes, her frustration building with every passing second.
The faint hum of an engine finally broke through her thoughts, and she turned her attention to the sound. Her shoulders relaxed as the purple Volkswagen came into view, its familiar curves cutting through the evening air. Jenna's heart gave a tiny leap of relief, even though she wasn't quite ready to forgive her best friend for the delay.
"About damn time," she muttered, watching the car pull to a stop across the street. The door swung open, and there they were: Lanie, with her usual easy grace, and Mia, her elegant gown fluttering slightly in the cool breeze.
Jenna let out a small groan of frustration. She was too excited to stand there and chit-chat with Mia's parents, no matter how much she adored them. Uncle and Aunt Sanders were sweet, warm, and the kind of people you could easily picture adopting Jenna on the spot, or better yet, making her their daughter-in-law. But tonight was about the party. It was her night to shine. To mingle. To be noticed.
Still, Mia's mother offered a warm, faraway smile in Jenna's direction, a silent acknowledgment of her presence. And just like that, the purple Volkswagen rolled down the street again, disappearing into the distance.
Jenna stood rooted in place as Lanie and Mia crossed the road, their gowns shimmering in the evening light, each step seeming to add to the growing irritation in her chest. Dozens of kids passed by, laughing and chatting, dressed in their finest outfits. Jenna watched them, trying not to scowl. She hated this. The pitying looks. The subtle glances that always seemed to say, Oh, look at her, standing alone like a loser.
By the time Lanie and Mia were nearly at her side, Jenna couldn't hold back any longer. She threw her hands up in exasperation, her voice rising, "Gosh, this is why I told you to come on time! I waited for so long! Alone. You have no idea how many kids passed by and probably thought I was getting stood up. Do you know how that feels? I swear, they looked at me like I was some sort of social outcast, and I hate that!"
Her arms flailed in dramatic gestures, her eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and annoyance. She fell in step beside Mia, who was already trying to suppress a giggle. Lanie stayed on Mia's other side, looking unbothered as ever.
Mia chuckled softly, a smile tugging at her lips despite Jenna's clear irritation. She was always the calm one, the one who could brush off any rants with a lighthearted response. Jenna narrowed her eyes. She wasn't quite sure if Mia took her seriously, but it didn't matter.
"Jinny," Mia finally said, a soft laugh still in her voice, "We were just a teeny-tiny bit late because we misjudged the distance. But, hey, thanks for waiting."
Jenna's mind went blank for a moment at the unexpected compliment, her lips parting as she fumbled for words. She wasn't surprised, though. That was Mia, in a nutshell—throw stones, and she'd throw back love. It was maddening in a way Jenna had never quite understood.
She stood there, blinking, her mind racing to find something to say, but it didn't come. Instead, the words that tumbled out of her mouth were nothing more than a reflex, a weak attempt at brushing off the moment. "Oh—well—well, try waiting for so long under so many watchful eyes," she muttered, her voice trailing off at the end.
They reached the elevator, and Jenna, lost in her thoughts, fumbled with the button to call it. Her fingers hesitated over the glowing numbers as the weight of the night seemed to settle around her. She could feel the warmth of the building, the faint hum of excitement in the air. Everything felt heavier all of a sudden, and for a brief moment, the room seemed to close in around her.
Mia glanced at her again, her smile soft and knowing, as if she understood exactly how Jenna felt, despite her best friend's best efforts to hide it. "Next time, I will be sure to try that," Mia said lightly, her voice airy as she turned to the lift-man. "The top floor, please."
Jenna didn't answer. She was too busy watching Mia, her pearl white gown gleaming under the fluorescent lights, her smile so serene it almost seemed otherworldly. Mia Sanders was undoubtedly an angel on Earth, at least in Jenna's eyes. Not because of her flawless appearance, her outward beauty, but because there was no one else quite like her. Mia had a heart that could take on the world, an endless supply of kindness that Jenna couldn't fathom.
It was surprising, really, how someone like Mia—so small, so cute—could possess such a huge, selfless spirit. More surprising still was that Mia had somehow chosen to stick by Jenna, despite the endless waves of frustration and bitterness Jenna often radiated. Mia's carefree energy always seemed at odds with Jenna's sour mood, but somehow, it worked. Somehow, Mia made it work.
The elevator ascended with a soft hum, the music from the party below already starting to seep into their bones, vibrating through the floor and into their feet. Even though they hadn't yet reached the seventh floor, where the terrace party was set up, the rhythm of the beat was undeniable, growing louder with each passing second.
When the doors finally opened, the three girls stepped out onto the landing. Lanie and Jenna were the first to exit, with Mia giving a small nod of thanks to the lift-man as she followed them. Jenna found herself momentarily distracted by the gratitude Mia seemed to exude so naturally, her calm demeanor making the moment feel like an offering, a small piece of peace in the chaos of the night. How could Mia be so endlessly cheerful? Jenna couldn't help but wonder. How did she manage to make everyone's day just a little bit better?
The lift-man, still smiling back at them, looked years younger under the light of Mia's thankfulness. Jenna almost smirked to herself, silently wondering if he'd given up some of his own joy in exchange for her friend's radiant positivity. It was just another example of how effortlessly Mia spread her light wherever she went.
Lanie moved closer to Jenna, her voice low but unmistakable as the music from the party intensified around them. "If you had so much trouble waiting, Jinny," she began, "you could've just come inside without us. It wouldn't have been a big deal."
Jenna's eyes flickered with irritation, her temper beginning to bubble up. It was clear in that moment that Lanie had a knack for getting under her skin—so effortlessly, so casually, like a thorn poking at a wound. Jenna's response was a thought, something quick and sharp, and it sat like acid in her stomach. Yeah, sure, and I'd like it very much if you shut the hell up and let me enjoy a peaceful start to the night.
Instead of speaking her mind, Jenna offered Lanie a tight-lipped smile, a silent acknowledgment of her words. She repeated Mia's previous statement, her voice laced with barely-contained frustration, "Next time, I will be sure to try that."
Both girls shared a brief, almost teasing smile before turning back toward the bustling crowd ahead of them. But as soon as Mia moved into the center of their little trio, both Jenna and Lanie's expressions shifted. Their smiles faltered, then dropped entirely, replaced by a pair of scowls. The change was subtle, but unmistakable—a clear indication that Jenna's foul temper was beginning to rear its head again, slow and steady, like a storm brewing on the horizon.
Because at the end of the day, there were rules. Unspoken rules. #GirlsRuleBook67, one of the few codes Jenna actually followed, insisted that girls never leave out their girlfriends. And if you did, you might as well be asking for the silent treatment to last for a lifetime.
As the three girls walked further into the party, the noise, the laughter, and the sound of clinking glasses filled the air. They were swept away by the crowd, one tiny ripple in the sea of high school juniors who had gathered to celebrate the evening. And as Jenna moved through the crowd, her thoughts were lost in the pulsing beat of the music.
. . .
Thirty-six minutes into the party, Jenna was beginning to feel more at ease. Her outfit, a sharp pink suit paired with black boots, had proven itself the perfect choice for navigating through the crowd. She could move without the restrictions of a gown, and her attire gave her the freedom to slip in and out of conversations with ease.
Jenna had always been the one to gather the largest circle of friends at any party. She didn't need to be the center of attention, not with so many people surrounding her. There was always someone to talk to, someone to laugh with, and that was more than enough for her.
As soon as she entered, Mia and Lanie had drifted off, and Camilla's group had quickly drawn her in to assist with a wardrobe malfunction.
"Your outfit suits you perfectly, Jinny. Thanks again!" Camilla had said, before retreating to rejoin her friends.
Jenna smirked. "You mean my suit suits me," she muttered, but the music was so loud, she wasn't sure if Camilla had heard her.
She adjusted her blazer, smoothing the fabric, and ran her fingers through the strands of her hair. It was too short to be called "girly," but long enough to be more than a boy's cut. She didn't mind; it was comfortable, and that's all that mattered.
"Hey, Liona!" Jenna called out as she spotted Liona's group across the room. She weaved her way through the partygoers, her boots clicking against the floor, the pink suit a sharp contrast to the waves of flowing gowns all around her. It wasn't that she disliked gowns—they looked marvelous, no doubt—but there was something about the ease of her suit that made her feel better. Maybe it was the laziness, or maybe it was just that she wasn't interested in the fuss.
It was a Friday night—the Junior Year Welcome Party at Etheral High School. Jenna could hardly contain her excitement. After a slow summer break, she was ready to dive back into the rhythm of school life, and the party was the perfect prelude. Every year, the school held a get-together before classes started, where the Director treated everyone to free food. And Jenna, above all else, was a sucker for free food.
The rooftop was a perfect venue—tables dotted the space, each surrounded by chairs. At the centre, a small raised stage stood with a lone microphone. Jenna spotted the seat Mia and Lanie had saved for her, and headed toward it. But as she got closer, she grimaced. The seat was beside Lanie, who seemed oblivious to the quiet tension that had built between them.
Mia looked up with a bright smile. "Jinny, what took you so long?"
Jenna sat down with a faint hmmp, crossing her arms. "Gosh, I had so many people to meet. I still do, actually, but I could use a break. What's going on here?"
Lanie glanced at her phone screen. "They said Mr. Jefferson will be giving his speech in five minutes at most."
Jenna snorted, knowing exactly what to expect. "More like declaring war on the food," she teased, a grin tugging at her lips.
Mia giggled. "More like that, yes."
A few moments later, Mr. Jefferson, the Director of Etheral High, strode onto the stage. The music faded to a low beat, and Jenna could practically feel the collective sigh of relief from everyone in the crowd. He grabbed the mic, his booming voice filling the space. "Good evening, Etherals. Are we all having a good time so far?"
A chorus of enthusiastic shouts rang out in response.
Mr. Jefferson paused, a grin creeping across his face. "Ah, that's good to hear. And it's great to see you all again after such a long break—some of you coming back with a tan and a bit of extra weight." The crowd chuckled.
"Alright, I know some of you were probably eyeing me earlier, wondering when I'd get my fat ass up here to start talking. Don't deny it. Everyone knows how good I am with words, and you'd be lost without me." He paused, letting the students laugh before continuing. "Now, enough of me—let's enjoy the night, shall we? Let the feast begin!"
Shouts of "Woooo!" erupted around them, and the crowd quickly began to move toward the food tables, eager to fill their plates.
Mia leaned over toward Jenna. "We should roam around for a bit, right?"
Lanie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let the crowd clear up a bit."
Jenna gave them a small smile. "Okay, but give me a minute. I want to see what Mr. Jefferson is up to." She pointed toward the center of the stage, where he was chatting with a small group of students. "I'll be back soon."
Mia called after her, "Come back quickly!"
Jenna waved them off, heading toward the circle that had gathered around the infamous man. She had always admired the stout, jolly man. His warmth and kindness were legendary among the students, and to Jenna, he was more than just a school administrator—he was an inspiration. He treated everyone like family, always making sure his students felt seen and heard.
As she approached the circle, Jenna could hear Mr. Jefferson's hearty voice. "Come on, Terrier, everyone knows you're the one who knows everything that's going on around here. Don't try to deny it."
Laughter echoed from the group as a tall boy—Terrier—pulled a mock-indignant expression. "Mr. Jefferson, you know better than to listen to these guys. Just meet me after, Zeus, and I'll prove it."
The boy beside him, Zeus, smirked. "It's the truth, Terrier. Everyone knows it."
Jenna watched with mild interest as the boys joked around. It wasn't much of a conversation, but it was entertaining nonetheless. The boy who had spoken earlier caught her eye. He wore his blue suit well, the gel in his hair perfectly styled. She couldn't help but eye him a little more—he had the typical handsome features that always caught her attention.
But as her gaze lingered, her inner voice interrupted her thoughts. And he doesn't look that good. She turned away, dismissing the fleeting attraction. There would be more eye candy to find, and better, she was sure of it.
Shaking her head, Jenna moved away, leaving the circle of students to their banter. It wasn't worth her time. There were plenty more faces to explore at this party.
. . .