"The mall is empty so far," Allie remarked as she sat down across from Britt.
"Yeah, I was hoping it would be so that we could talk," Britt replied with a sigh. A frown flashed across her face as she took a sip of her latte, pretty blue eyes downcast.
Allie took a sip, alarms starting to go off in her head. The usually carefree face of her blonde cheerleader friend was clearly troubled.
"Is everything okay, Britt?"
Britt glanced up and sighed again. Allie reached out to hold her hand. Britt flinched a smile at her.
"You can tell me, you're my best friend," Allie said with a smile. "It'll be okay."
"It's just that...you're my best friend."
"Yeah."
"And, well...," Britt's face pinched for a moment before sighing.
"Come on, what is it?" Allie asked impatiently, shaking her friend's hand.
"I really like you, Allie, but..." Britt sighed again and grabbed her latte for another sip.
"Jeez, you act like you're trying to break up with me," Allie giggled. Britt's guilty eyes flashed to hers. "But...we're not dating...I have a boyfriend." Allie looked at her quizzically.
"I know, it's just that..."
"Britt, what is it? Just tell me."
"You are not invited," she blurted out before dropping her eyes and taking another sip.
"Not invited to what? A party or something?"
"I'm sorry."
"Britt, what is going on? If you don't want me to come, that's okay."
"I just don't want you to be hurt."
"No, no it's fine, that's totally fine. I'm fine," Allie lied, her heart slowly breaking. She forced a smile on her face and took a sip. "So tell me about the party so I'll know what I'm missing."
"Well, so, you remember Gina's 18th?"
"Yeah, that was like two weeks ago. How could I forget?"
"So, um, some of the girls didn't...well they...it's just..."
"Just what? Did she think I was hitting on Adam?"
"No, they thought you were being a wet blanket," Britt said, frowning.
"But I thought it was a fun party."
Britt took a deep breath and looked around. "Look, I know you're still a virgin. That's totally fine with me, and honestly with all the other girls too. They like you, we all do. You're smart and beautiful and funny and a really good friend. But we are young and have boyfriends and want to have...you know, fun with them."
"So you're saying I'm a prude."
An awkward silence sat between the two friends, but Britt's weak smile gave her the answer. Britt reached across the table and took Allie's hand.
"Your...squealing about Mandy grinding on Kevin. And telling Adam to watch where his hands were..."
"Britt, we were right outside the restaurant!"
"Allie, it's not your body. If Gina wants to let Adam squeeze her ass in public, she can let him squeeze her ass in public."
Allie opened her mouth several times, but no words came out.
"You okay, sweetie?"
Allie nodded vigorously, unwilling to trust her voice.
So I'm the party pooper.
"Good. I'm sorry, I just want to be up front with you."
"Thanks."
Britt jumped up and gave Allie a hug.
"I love you, baby, you're my best friend."
Allie nodded through a fake smile and turbulent emotions played out in her mind. She had been called all the names, straight laced, stick in the mud, goody goody. She wasn't shy, she was on the cheerleading squad like her friends, she was pretty and friendly and knew almost everyone at school. She had been the homecoming queen for Pete's sake! But she respected the rules and decorum and didn't approve of public displays of ass-grabbing. Her boyfriend had seemed fine with her hang ups, content with just feeling her up and getting the occasional hand job. She knew her friends were all having sex, and what they did in private didn't bother her. For her, the best way to avoid sexual temptation was to focus on other, more important things.
"So...what aren't I invited to?"
"We are going to a cabin up in the hills after prom."
"Oh, silly, I wouldn't want to come along! That sounds so romantic, just you and Dan, why would me and Steve go?"
Britt paused. "There are several of us going. Me, Gina, Mandy and Amy. And Dan and the other guys."
"Oh."
"Yeah, the place sounds nice. What are you and Steve doing?"
Something about the flinch in Britt's voice caught Allie's attention.
"Um, we haven't talked about it. My church is having a thing."
Britt's eyes fell again.
"I'm not sure Steve wants to go to your church."
"We can do something else," Allie said with a shrug.
"I've heard some of the guys talking," Britt said, her eyes serious.