Chapter 7

It’s Friday and I am still dumbfounded by how me and Cassandra passed our history assignment. It took two nights with no sleep, an unhealthy amount of coffee, and perseverance that I didn’t know I even had.

My phone buzzes, Cassie: Please wear the cat top it’s the only birthday present I need. Don’t worry you look adorable in it. 😊

My heart flutters, why I don’t know. I turn my thoughts back to the top; a little tempted to just wind her up but after all it is her birthday and she has been badgering me all week to wear it.

Me: Fine, if that’s what the birthday girl’s heart desires.

Instantly three little dots move across the screen.

Cassie: Yay! See you at 6!

I look at the clock; it’s 4:38 P.M. My train is at five; I really am playing with fate.

I pick up Cassie’s present, wrapped in a cartoon bat paper, and safely stuff it into my tote bag along with my kindle just in case there is time to read.

In a rush I shove about a million other things in there, only the essentials.

Before heading downstairs I glance into the mirror, hanging on my wall, I check that the light curls I put in earlier are still in place as well as my mascara. Luckily, they are. Knock on wood that they stay that way for the rest of the night. I definitely don’t need to look like a hot mess in front of a bunch of new people; I have to fit in. I cannot have them wonder why Cassandra is friends with me.

“Phone? Keys? Her present?” Mum interrogates me as I slip on my shoes and grab my puffy black coat.

“Yes, yes, yes. Do you really have such little faith in me?”

She gives me a look. Okay, I may on occasion forget things.

“I got to go. Love you.”

“Love you too. Be back before midnight.” Mum calls as I shut the door.

***

Lucky Pins is filled with people. I scan the crowds. There are little kids begging their parents for money to spend on crappy 2p machines, a group of guys playing darts at the bar, teens taking selfies for their Snapchat but no Cassie.

I start to panic. Where is she? Is she okay? Has something happened? Have I done something wrong? Surely not we messaged only a couple of hours ago but then why isn’t she here.

I am about to go into a spiral when all of a sudden someone comes up behind me and puts their hands over my eyes.

“Guess who?” A voice I know all too well asks. My whole-body sighs with relief.

“Oh, I wonder who it could be?” I jokingly ponder.

She giggles right into my ear; her head is on my shoulder. Chills run down my spine, and I tell myself off she is my friend, nothing more. Plus, I already have a girlfriend, a beautiful girlfriend. Technically is she, my girlfriend? We may have kissed but we haven’t made it official.

“Is it Anderson?” I ask, pushing those naughty voices away. They can be dealt with later.

“Maybe.” She teases.

“Ugh, I came here to bowl not to listen to my sister’s terrible flirting .” I hear a male voice from further behind me complain.

“Shut it, Theodore!” Cassie groans.

It clicks. Theodore, normally Theo, is Cassie’s Irish twin, he’s the younger one. I’ve only seen him a couple times around school. Apparently, he’s a ‘little shit,’ Cassie’s words, that’s always trying to cause trouble. She always wonders to me how his boyfriend, Leo, puts up with him. Intrigued I turn round to watch the show that’s about to unfold.

The worst possible choice I could’ve made. I may have only seen her a barely four hours ago yet she has drastically changed from a messy schoolgirl to an adult. Objectively … as a friend… she looks really good.

She is wearing a faded vintage band tee, black jeans, dark green converse that match her top, an assortment of rings cover her fingers, and obviously the jacket.

Of course it was here. I was becoming convinced that she slept in it. Somehow it looked even better on her tonight. It wasn’t fair.

Why do I have to keep reminding myself we’re only friends? Friends think all the time that the other is attractive, right? Although any time I have seen a friend as attractive I’ve usually had a crush on them.

I drag myself out of the tornado of second guessing I’m about get sucked into and see what must be the girls arriving. Brooke, Paige, Hazel, Lizzie.

Cassie’s attention leaves her brother and launches into introducing me to each one.

“I’m Hazel.” She grins, wrapping her arms around Cassie.

“You know she doesn’t like hugs.” A girl leaning against claw machine looking like she just walked out of rock concert says. Maybe Brooke?

“Exactly!” Also ignore anything she tells you about me.” She has chocolatey skin, caramel eyes, and curly hair twisted into two space buns that bounce every time she moves.

Once Hazel releases Cassie, she confirms my guess. “That’s Brooke.” She gives me a little wave.

After the others are introduced, we make our way to the alley.

“So, you’re the famous Serena.” Paige states.

“What?”

“Cassie hasn’t stopped talking about you all week.” She answers before proceeding to skip ahead.

I look at Cassie, who’s right beside me.

“Uh yeah so… that’s Paige. Also sorry about being late. Theo was taking forever to get ready, but mum said I couldn’t leave without him.”

I laugh.

“Oh my gosh!” she squeals.

“What?” I look around trying to see what has caused her sudden reaction. I come up with nothing.

“You’re wearing a tote bag.” She says it as if that explains everything, it does not.

“And?”

“And Cassie believes it’s the universal gay bag.” Brooke answers.

“What? It’s just a bag.”

My face must look ridiculous as everyone bursts out laughing. This is good, I hope.

Lizzie recovers first. “She thinks, surprising I know, that every person that owns one is some level of queer.”

Cassie elbows Lizzie in the ribs as punishment for her jibe as they go up the stairs to the platform where all the lanes are.

“But that’s ridiculous, it’s a…bag.” I say, bewildered.

“None of us know why, Serena. We just know she’ll point out every time and every time she’s right.” Hazel says.

I try and argue only for Cassie to give me a look. Dang it, she’s right everyone I can think of is queer.

We start playing and somehow on my first go I score a strike. Everyone cheers. As we all take our turns, I start to relax. There really was no need to stress everyone is super sweet; they may have only just met me, but they’ve already made me feel as if I have been their friend for years.

“So how did you guys meet?” Lizzie asks, taking a seat next me. She reminded me of a mix between barbie and Rapunzel. She had perfect skin and bright blonde hair that cascaded down her back although there was more to her than looks, she had an artsy vibe to her. Which was confirmed when I saw flicks of paint on her jeans.

“She was paired with me on my first day to show me around.”

“You’re telling me that my sister was deemed responsible enough. I’m genuinely astonished that she hasn’t scared you out of Saltmere.” Theo says with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Cassie looks as if she’s about to punch him.

Leo tries to calm the waters and tells Theo off, saying it is her birthday after all. He looks horrified that his boyfriend has taken Cassie’s side.

He turns to me “So what’s your thoughts on my sis?”

“She’s really nice. I rated her a 10/10 stars on Buyourfriends.com.” I try to answer in a way that’s nonchalant but also funny. Hopefully, nobody can see how hard I am trying.

“I think he meant romantically.” Hazel says in a cutesy voice after taking her turn.

I start to choke on the air. Romantically?

“She’s already got a girlfriend.” Cassie explains plainly. However, her face says a completely different story for only moment is that disappointment? As quickly as it appeared, she fixes her face into a goofy grin already cracking another joke in attempt to break the awkward silence building. Yet when she glances at me a few minutes later, thinking I can’t tell I see that it’s all fake.