“This is the only one I heard about,” Kenny says.
“Same, so let’s enjoy it,” Deanna says, grabbing Mel’s hand to dance. “This is my song!”
Someone is coming around with refills of a punch concoction that has had my mouth tingling since my first sip an hour ago. I’m not actually sure if the punch is the reason my mouth feels weird, or if it’s whatever mix Alice had us drinking from her flask on the way over here.
“I’m good,” I say, covering my cup. I’m done for the night.
The others get their refills, and we all tap our cups together.
“Cheers to us!” Kayla says. “And a successful homecoming!”
“Cheers, girlies,” Mel sings.
The girls go back to dancing. I lean on the wall, chuckling at Alice and her attempts to catch the beat on every song. Kayla and Mel try to help her but give up every time.
I look at my phone and see a notification for another story like. People seem happy to see me doing well. Darius even had the nerve to send heart eyes. Desiree liked my stories too, even though we don’t follow each other anymore. For months, all I wanted was to speak to her or be acknowledged by her. Now that I’ve stopped thinking about her, of course that’s when she pops up. I’m glad she can see I’m doing great and that I’ve found my people. I’ve realized maybe we just really have nothing left to say, and that’s actually okay. We can wish each other well from a distance, and that’s all I need or want from her now.
Deanna appears next to me. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good, I just needed a little break,” I say, not wanting her to worry.
“You’d tell me if you weren’t, right?”
“Of course,” I say. “Now please go back, I’m coming.”
Kenny and Mel are waving at us. Deanna dances her way over and tells them something. Kenny gives me a thumbs-up and Mel blows me a kiss before they both get lost in their cups and the music.
A song I really like comes on and I head toward the girls when my phone vibrates. I press the side button to silence it, but it vibrates again, and then again. My curfew isn’t for another hour so I know it can’t be my mom. I pull my phone out, ready to see notifications from the family group chat—but they are from Amari.
My stomach drops and I freeze where I am.
“Ummmmm,” Deanna says, her eyes flicking from her phone to me. She hands it to Kenny and Mel. The two of them stop dancing to read whatever is on the screen.
My heart hammers in my chest. I don’t know what’s happening but it isn’t good.
“Wait, Amari? The girl from Plainfield who went to jail? How does she know her?” Mel asks.
Oh my god.I turn in a full circle, unsure what to do or where to go.
Alice and Kayla notice something’s up and join the others.
“What’s wrong?” Kayla asks. Mel passes her Deanna’s phone. “Oh shit.”
My phone vibrates again. This time, I open the notification.
I had to DM Deanna before you hurt anyone else with your lies. I told her who you really are. She deserves to know. You don’t get to make me feel like shit, tell me you don’t love me anymore, and just walk away from me. Maybe you’ll think twice about playing with people’s hearts after this. Bye, Jasmine.
The music disappears, and all I can hear is my heart pounding in my ears. Amari DMed Deanna. She told her about our relationship. She told her everything.
“What is this?! You’re a liar!” Deanna shoves her phone in my face.
Kenny pulls Deanna’s arm down and tries to move her away. Some of the kids around us snicker.
“Let’s go outside, guys,” Mel says, grabbing Deanna’s other arm and moving toward the basement door.
I’m frozen, staring at my phone, trying to understand exactly what it is I’m seeing.
How is this happening?
