She takes a break from the group

She excuses herself from the group to go to the bathroom, but she really just wanted to go and explore for a bit. Alexa was keeping the conversation flowing and the guys thoroughly entertained so she didn’t think that she would be missed. She goes into the bathroom and checks herself over in the mirror, she can feel the effects of the ****, feeling tipsy but far from the point of drunken mess, feeling happy and confident. Just as she is about to leave the door opens and a couple of girls enter who she immediately recognises as two girls who were part of Carrie Andrews’ clique. She immediately tries to slip away and escape the room before they notice her. She reaches the door, about to escape before a hand pushes the door back closed.

“Carla, hey didn’t know you were coming tonight, you weren’t in the group chat,” one of the girls says to her.

“Yeah, it's so great to see you,” the other one says, the false attempt at sounding nice was very evident in her tone.

“Becky, Amy, so nice to see you too,” Carla says, mimicking the girls in an overly pleasant way.

The girls didn’t seem to notice that she was mocking them and continued talking to her as if they were old friends, standing in front of the door, preventing her from leaving.

The girls rambled on about their life and various nonsense she had no interest in. Carla nodded occasionally, pretending she was listening. She had to stop herself from laughing, it was comical how these girls still looked identical to when they were in high school, same hairstyles and dress sense, it was like they had refused to grow up. They were just in the middle of going on about their respective partners when Carla couldn’t take it anymore.

“Well, I’ve got to go now girls and I’m sure Carrie will be looking for you,” she said, moving around them to leave.

“Oh my God, you haven’t heard?” Becky gasped, both girls looking at her amazed.

Amy grabbed Carla hard by her arm, “Carrie died last year in a freak boating accident while doing a photoshoot,” she told her in a hushed tone.

Yesssssssss! Carla thought, hearing the news, knowing she didn’t have to worry about Carrie ruining her night. Trying her hardest to hide the immense glee she was feeling, wanting to scream out in joy. she concentrated herself trying to feign sorrow. “Oh no, that’s terrible,” she said, patting Amy’s arm. “What a shame, I was really looking forward to seeing her tonight, her presence will be missed.”

“I know, right,” the girls both replied in unison, consoling each other.

“Well you girls take care now,” Carla said with a beaming smile, taking advantage of them moving, slipping past them and out of the door before they could say anything.

Carla now out of the bathroom could free her laugh that she had kept suppressed. This night just got even better, she thought, happy at the news of her former tormentor being six feet under.

She looked around the room, figuring out where to go now.

“What are you looking so happy about?”

She turned to see Lexi at her side.

“Oh, Lex, I just heard some terrible news about a tragic, fatal boating accident,” Carla replied, plainly. A confused expression appeared on Lexi’s face, before a realisation came to her.

“Ahhhhhh, you mean about Carrie,” she said, laughing. “I saw that on the news last year, I forgot all about it.”

“Yeah well ditzy and ditzier just told me about it in there, I had to get out quickly before I burst out laughing,”

“Oh, I wish I saw that,” Lexi replied. “I can’t believe I forgot to tell you the good news.”

“Ding dong the witch is dead,” Carla said, both girls laughing.

“So, we’re all going to do some shots and get the party started,” Lexi said, gesturing to Brian and the group that was gathered at the end of the bar.

“So come on and have fun with us,” she added, grabbing Carla by the arm.

Carla wasn’t interested in doing shots at the bar, at least not this early into the night. Not being a big drinker and wanting to be able to get home on her own accord, she decides to be sensible and not try to keep up with Lexi and the others who are seemingly more experienced than she is.

“I’ll be over later on Lex, I’m trying to pace myself. It’s been a while since I had a drinking session, don’t want to peak too soon,” stopping Lexi and freeing her arm.

“Ah, damn Carla, why are you no fun anymore?” Lexi teased her.

“Well now that you have moved back here we’re gonna go drinking all the time, I’m gonna get fun Carla back, trust me,” she said, lightly slapping her arm and turning away from her.

“Oh and do make sure you come over and drink with us later, don’t make me come and find you,” she added playfully, while walking back towards the bar area.

“Will do,” Carla said, laughing back at her.

Carla decided to walk back over to the area along the wall where all the photos and various high school books and memories were at the entrance area which was away from the crowds and the door offered a break from the loud music. There were a few people out there who also stood around talking in small groups, she didn’t pay them much attention. She was smiling looking at the various photos and reminiscing, enjoying a bit of peace.

“Miss DeAngelo, nice to see you here,” a soft voice from behind her said.

Carla turns to greet the voice.