Company!

Lauren was expecting just her mother and sister at the table. To her surprise though, there were five others at the table! She recognized them as Vanessa's friends. There was Charlotte, head of the cheerleading squad. Britney, best volleyball player in the school. May, rebel with a motorcycle. Kevin, head of the football team. Lastly Dan, lead guitarist in the coolest band in town. All 18, all just finishing senior year.

Lauren froze, clutching her towel to herself.

"What are they doing here?" She asked as everyone smiled her way (many of the smiles were not so friendly.

"I invited some friends by." Vanessa said.

"What's up Lauren?" Britney laughed. "Forget to get dressed?"

Lauren, very aware she was naked except for her towel, clutched the towel in place desperately, feeling very exposed.

"Oh, Lauren doesn't have any clothes at the moment." Michelle explained.

"No clothes?" May asked.

"No, she had stolen my credit card to buy clothes." Michelle explained. "So as punishment we took her clothes away."

"MOM!" Lauren whined. She did not want these people hearing about her punishment!

"Lauren, hush up and take a seat." Her mother commanded firmly.