GB96 s2 - Adulthood Part 6

You’re wrapped in a towel and brushing your hair, humming along with the radio. It was a good day. Mr. Gibson is out of the hospital, you’re feeling relaxed, you aren’t broke, and your mom loves watching you walk out the door dressed professionally as much as Stef loves to see you walk in that way.

The phone rings and you grab it; your mom isn’t home.

“Hello?” you say.

“It’s me,” Stef replies. “Melissa Stark’s having a party.”

“Didn’t your dad just get out of the hospital?” you ask, taken aback. “Shouldn’t you be with him?”

“He’s asleep!”

You laugh. “I thought you hated Melissa.”

“I don’t care about Melissa. But why should I drink all my dad’s beer when I can drink hers for free? Besides, everyone’ll be there. Can you pick up Ellen?”

“Stef, we had to leave the last party because of Ellen,” you remind her.

“She’ll be fine now,” Stef replies pompously with zero hesitation.

“Oh my god.”

“Come on, Carla.”

You think about earlier in the day, how hot Stef was. It makes you blush and shiver.

“All right,” you say.

The contrast between you and Stef, at least in the way you look, has been growing more noticeable. She turns out to Melissa’s party in jeans and flannel. You’re in a skirt and striped crop. Ellen’s just doing her thing in shorts and a hoodie. That’s OK. Stef has never been the type to put a lot of effort into her appearance.

“You gonna be OK this time?” you ask Ellen as the three of you head up to the party, which is already in full swing. Pearl Jam can probably be heard in the next county over. A noise complaint seems likely, but that’ll have to be Melissa’s problem. Her dad is a cop and her little sister is a snitch. You have never gotten along with her.

But she has a nice house.

You head in, finding a strong smell of perfume and beer with a little tobacco smoke mixed in. It is loud and crowded. You find Stef’s hand, and she absently squeezes yours.

Ellen touches your arm.

“I’m gonna find her,” she yells.

“Who?” you call back. Does she mean Mary?

“Nadia,” she replies.

Oh. Maybe Stef was right. Your little gesture toward Ellen has kickstarted her confidence, but she’s still living in the real world. Mary is boy-crazy. Nadia is more realistic, although she’s awfully preppy. On the other hand, she is at every single party and she does have a wild side.

“Go get her,” you tell Ellen, patting her bottom. She rolls her eyes and slips away. You feel a spark of something like pride. You’ve done a lot of stupid things. Maybe punching Ellen’s V-card was the right move.