Let's Rock!

Newton's third law states that for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction. Hell of a scientific revelation until you realise that it's just the physics version of Karma, which existed for about three thousand years at that point. You get what you give, you push people and they'll push back, you hurt people and you'll feel the pain. I've always had a soft spot for that theory of balance in the universe, I'm not really spiritual or anything but I'm not gonna argue with Newton.

So if that's the case, how the fuck is Jenny living in this massive-ass house, and why are so many people here to celebrate with her?

This place looks like it was ripped out of a nineties comedy, there's even a pool! I know Gene used to be an actor, but I mean, come on! Did I miss something? And I thought Jenny was a pariah nowadays, it looks like half the school's crammed in here.

We enter the open door and make our way through the sea of faces to try and find some space to regroup. We eventually settle in the kitchen, grabbing some glasses for our drinks. No chance we're making it through this without booze.

"You're here!" I make out over the sound of the music, I see Gabriel arrive at our hideout to welcome us, should have figured it wouldn't be Jenny who greeted us, she's not that dumb. Rouge hugs her ex while Elise and I smile politely. "The others are already out the back, follow me!" He smiles, gesturing for us to follow him. I have a lot of trust in Gabriel nowadays but I'm concerned about who 'everyone' is at this stage, it could mean the people involved in our plan, it could mean Henry and Jenny, it could mean the actual population of the Earth, but I don't think he's being that literal.

As we follow our leader outside I receive the answer to my question. Anya and Jessie stick out the most thanks to Anya's hair. They're wearing a couple's costume too, with Jessie playing the King to Anya's Queen in matching regal attire. Henry's a zombie, hey, not the most creative but at least he tried, Gabriel's a skeleton so that's kind of a theme, I guess. Kara's in her expected Red Riding hood get-up, and happily chatting away with Jenny, clad in a vampire costume, how appropriate for a blood-sucking leech.

Finally there's Trish, dressed in double denim and a Stetson she's obviously a cowboy... Cowgirl? I just think of the sex position when I say that, which could actually be more appropriate for her. Skye's at her side, wearing her expected cat outfit, skin-tight too, wow, Rouge wasn't kidding, her chest looks bigger than my arm span... I'm only exaggerating a little. Then, not having bothered to dress up at all there's Rob who-

Wait a minute.

Shit!

Rob!

We didn't think about him in our plans, how the Hell are we meant to keep him busy while all the other stuff is happening? This thing required pin-point precision and timing already, this isn't a spanner in the works, this is a destruction derby in a china shop! I turn to Elise who appears to be having the same revelation. We can't panic now, we've committed to the plan, we just need to improvise.

"Thank you... For coming." Jenny greets us. And then there's this bitch.

"Well, I owed Gabriel enough to give it a chance, don't read too much into it." I respond coldly. I have too much on my mind to play nice with little miss repentance. If she wants forgiveness she can priest, I'm fresh out.

"Hey, come on Scarlet, she's being nice." Cuts in an unexpected voice. Rob's. Yeah, I figured after Rouge ghosted him he's probably not inclined to take my side, but... It's the wording, and the look... Something feels...

"Thanks Rob." Jenny replies with a smile.

No.

Of all possible opportunities this is by far the one that's going to fuck with me the most.

Do they fancy each other? Have they ever even met before? They're sat next to each other, it is a party, people hook up at parties... This is stupid, this is the dumbest idea I've ever had and I hate that it's the only one I can think of.

*

"I'm going to go find the right room and make preparations, you need to find a way to keep Rob busy." Elise tells me. We broke off from the main group to catch up on the plan, everything goes when Anya and Jessie ask Skye to talk, at that point we tell Trish that she's waiting in the specified room, when it's actually Rouge. Then it's up to the hands of fate or the the gods of romance or Isaac Newton, whatever decides the outcome of this.

Rob's the one outlier, the one question mark. He's easy-going, if Jenny makes a move he'll go with it, the problem is that he'll never make the move himself. Which means Jenny has to... And I can't risk her not trying... Which means I have to talk to her. Damn it, did Rouge have to put up with shit like this? Who am I kidding? No one would dare treat Rouge the way Jenny treated me.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

I head outside again as Elise begins looking upstairs for a suitable location. Everyone's broken off into smaller groups, and the only person talking to Jenny is Gabriel. I move closer and speak up.

"Hey, Gabriel, can I talk to Jenny for a moment?" I request, he smiles kindly and leaves to hug with Henry, leaving me with my nemesis. I take the now empty seat next to her and grit my teeth. My next words are gonna be hard to get out. "I'm sorry. For earlier. I shouldn't be rude in your own home." I begin.

Jenny seems taken aback by my apology. "Oh, it's okay, it's not like I don't deserve it." She stammers. Damn right you do, and worse, but tonight's not about me, it's for Rouge, and for Trish, and Skye, and Anya, and Jessie... So many people's happiness is riding on me getting this right... And even if I say all the right things it could end up failing anyway. Damn it. Too late to worry about that now.

"Even so. You've kept your word since you came back, and you deserve at least some credit for that." I answer. I need to switch the subject. "You know, in a way, it's because of you that Elise and I got together... Even if that wasn't your intention. She's the best thing in my life, so I suppose I don't have enough space in my heart to keep hating you."

Jenny's face is hard to read nowadays, she always seems so emotionless, but for a moment, I swear I can see just a flicker of a smile on her face. Maybe Gabriel was telling the truth, maybe she really does just want to make amends. Sorry, but this is the best you're getting, and you're only getting it because I need you.

"I'm glad you both came, Trish was telling me about it before, said you're love's young dream!" Jenny states. it's odd, she's talking about things so coldly and yet it feels like she's passionate about it... If I actually gave a shit I'd be curious about what made her like this, I know stuff with her family but still...

Focus!

"What about you? Rob sure seemed to stand up for you quickly." I retort, trying not to sound too accusatory. I need her to open up, not shut down.

"What? He's... I mean, we only met tonight, and I thought he was with Rouge?" Jenny stutters again. Perfect, she's on the back foot, if I can keep her off-balance I can launch her at rocker boy like a dick-seeking missile.

"Oh, no! They went on one date... One bad date from what I hear, and then didn't speak again, they weren't really compatible." I assure her. Well, I'm not lying, just missing out all the details of her fucking his sister while she was there.

Jenny's quiet for a moment.

Several moments.

Okay, it's been about a minute now, make up your fucking mind!

"There's... There's no way he'd be into me, we barely know each other." She decides.

For fuck's sake, why didn't Elise punch this one too, might've shaken loose a fucking brain cell or two. I can't afford her not to make the right decision. This is way bigger than you Jenny, stop being so selfish and kiss the guy!

"Elise knew me for about an hour before she knocked Amanda out." I answer matter-of-factly. "Then we went back and forth for ages trying to figure out if the other liked us. Nearly ended with us not speaking. Trust me, taking time is overrated." I continue. She's clearly thinking, but that's not good enough, I need confirmation. "Look, I'm not saying this as a friend, because let's be honest, we're not. But the way I see it you've put the effort in, you deserve at least something nice. Consider it you're way of making it up to me."

I'm laying it on thick now, it's make or break, give me the right answer.

"Okay..." She mutters.

Yes!

Fuck yes!

"Well go on then, go talk to him. I need another drink." I order her, standing up. Sure enough, she makes her way towards Rob. I look at my phone and see an update from Elise.

'Found the perfect spot, R is in position, wait for S to leave then send T up to the third door on the left.'

It's not a subtle code, but I'm reassured that at least that side of things is going well. That begs the question though... Where is Skye? I swing my head around wildly, trying to catch a glimpse of her cotton-candy hair. A flash of colour, I see her heading towards to pool, Anya and Jessie with her. Oh shit, it's already happening, it's sooner than expected, I still need to find Trish and get her to the room before anyone notices.

I scan the area again. There's no sign of her. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. There's a limited window of time here, if Skye comes back quickly it's over. Damn it, where is-

"You look like an owl when you look around like that!" Comes a laughing voice. Damn it Trish. "You looking for El-ucifer?" She adds. Damn it, there's not even enough time to groan at that pun.

"Actually, Skye wanted me to grab you." I begin. "She says to meet her in the room, third door on the left at the top of the stairs. Says it's urgent, didn't ask why." I ramble. Damn it Scarlet, you're covered, stop embellishing. Please just take the bait.

Trish's face looks concerned by my instructions. Damn it, I feel guilty when her brow screws up like that, as if my stomach wasn't doing backflips already. Only taking a brief hiatus when I hear the magic words from her.

"Okay, thanks, I'll go see her."

It's done. I'm done. My heart is pounding. My role is finished. It's on Rouge now...

And Elise.