The problem with having a guy for a best friend is that people automatically assume you’re a tomboy. And when you have a best friend that’s a guy and are not a tomboy and get dressed up to go to his family’s welcome home party, they give you weird looks...
Since the Hanson fam had decided to be- ahem- fashionably late, I sat on the steps to the second floor in Taylor’s aunt’s house, watching the partygoers and trying not to look like too much of a dork.
I frowned when I saw Reagan Larkspur, who is Taylor’s sort of ex-girlfriend. I say sort of ex-girlfriend because they had this huge fight, which I was unfortunate (or fortunate - you decide) enough to be caught in the middle of - literally. I was sitting between them at Taylor’s kitchen table.
I say I frowned when I saw her because, as you’ll recall if you’re a horror movie fan, or perhaps even if you aren’t, the girl in The Exorcist who gets possessed by Satan also goes by the name Reagan. Coincidence? I think not.
I was wondering how she got invited to the party in the first place when I noticed a shadow over me and looked up, hoping to see Taylor. I was greeted instead by the familiar face of Ashley Greyson, who is one of the Hanson family’s close friends and an all-around good guy.
“Well, if it isn’t Abigail Gwenivere,” he commented, looking uncomfortable in khakis and a blazer, and plopping down on the bottom step beside me. “You look nice.”
“Thanks,” I told him. “Just for that, I’ll ignore the fact that you used my full name, although I distinctly remember telling you that doing so was a crime punishable by death.”
Ash laughed. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Clara says my name is extremely romantic and that if she could, she’d trade with me. I myself would rather be named Clara Jacqueline than Abigail Gwenivere, but my parents met in a college Medieval Times class, and my Great Aunt Jackie died right before Clara was born, so I got the honor of being Abigail Gwenivere. Yippie skippie.
“So how’s school?” Ashley questioned.
“Fine,” I answered. “Made Honors again.”
“Congrats,” he said, loosening his tie. “Christ, I hate dressing up.”
I was about to ask him how he would feel if he was the one wearing a skirt and two and a half inch heels, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Hey,” said a quiet voice behind me.
“Oh, my God,” I said, standing up and whirling around. “Taylor!” We stood somewhat awkwardly for a moment before hugging, and the first thing I noticed was how short I felt, even in the infamous heels. I was used to being the taller of our little duo, but in the months since I had seen him last, Taylor had shot past me, and now had a good six inches on my five foot two.
Ash stood up. “Ah, the Dynamic Duo is back together again, and all is right with the world. See ya, guys.”
I waved, and grinned at Taylor. “Okay, I would just like to say that you are never, ever leaving me alone in this hick town again. I don’t care if I have to chain you to the house.”
Tay laughed at the thought, but I thought I detected a clouding of his blue eyes. Deciding to ignore it, I informed him of Reagan’s presence.
He nodded. “Yeah, I know. I think Jack and Susan just invited everybody in my parents address book. Fun, huh?”
I smiled. “An absolute blast. I’ve never had so much fun in my life. I’m also starving. I’m getting something to eat. Interested?”
Taylor nodded. “Yeah.”
“Of course you are. Why did I even bother to ask?” And as the two of us walked towards the food table, I marveled at how awesome it was to see my best friend again.
