“You are?” I ask, just to make sure I heard her correctly.
“Very,” she says, her eyes glistening like her dress under the lights.
Kayla dances back to the table and leans over when she sees everyone staring at each other.
“Thisis my girlfriend,” Deanna says, grabbing my hand.
Kayla gasps dramatically. “Some big secret that was,” she says playfully, sitting down next to Alice.
“This is super cute!!” Mel shrieks. The girls at the table next to us look over and she covers her mouth.
Deanna squeezes my hand. “It really is,” I say, squeezing hers back.
“Now you guys can stop leaving us all the time.” Kenny laughs.
“We don’t do that!” Deanna insists.
The other girls disagree with her and start rattling off examples. Deanna and I giggle, knowing they’re right. As Deanna defends us, I glance around the room at everyone laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. I look back at my friends and feel tears prick the corners of my eyes. I can’t believe it. Somehow, I wound up here, at this table, with these girls. This is really my life.
“Anyone want a drink?” I ask, realizing I need to step away before the tears come pouring out.
“I’ll take one,” Deanna says.
“Me, too,” Kayla adds.
I make my way over to where Mr. Guy, my science teacher, is pouring sparkling apple cider into champagne flutes. An empty one falls to the floor, and I brace myself for the shattering.
“Indestructible,” he says, proudly holding up the unharmed flute. “Anyway, how many for you, Ms. Cooper?”
I tell him three and he hands me two. “Just come back for the other one, we’re nowhere near running out,” he says.
“I’ll carry it for you as long as you don’t ask any weird questions,” says a voice behind me.
I turn and am surprised to see the girl who was memorizing the dictionary in the library. She’s wearing a face full of makeup and a floral satin dress, which is a far cry from her big glasses and uniform. She looks so pretty. I imagine we all do.
“I know, I know. Stop gawking.” She laughs and grabs two flutes. “I’m Charlene.”
“I’m Jasmine. Thanks,” I say. “But seriously, where’s your dictionary?”
“My friends are keeping an eye on him. He’s the best date.”
We both laugh and I lead us back to the table where the girls are trying to get a group selfie on someone’s phone. Charlene asks if they want her to help, and Kenny loudly confirms. I hand Kayla and Deanna their drinks and take the extra one from Charlene.
“What should we say?” Mel asks excitedly.
I try to find a spot off to the side but Deanna hooks her arm through mine.
“Ready?” Charlene asks, turning the phone to find the right angle.
Kayla stands on the other side of me and puts her arm on my shoulder.
“Ready!” Mel cries. “Besties on three!”
“One, two, three… Besties!!” we yell.
Kenny and Mel rush Charlene to make sure she got a good shot. Soon they’re giving her a hug and the rest of us are waving as she goes back to join her friends.
Deanna nudges me for a cheers. “Here’s to everything,” she says.
