Libby James, Stefani McAdams and Josie Kirkpatrick walked the halls of their high school the same way everyday. They observed the chaos around them from the sidelines. The girls weren't social outcasts but they weren't overly popular either. They had their group of friends and belonged to other social circles. They didn't believe in having a certain clique. To them it was safer to not really belong to any other group outside of the three of them or they'd end up in the middle of some gossip hungry, teen girl hatred fest. Okay, so at times the girls got a bit cynical and ahead of themselves. On that particular day, they were discussing the party they had been invited to.
"So Sarah tells me that some guys are throwing a party and that I should come and bring some friends." Stefani told the other two.
"Wait, some guys? Do you know who some guys are?" Josie asked her eyes wide.
"No." Stefani said.
"Stef, some guys are Andrew Cooper, Evan Reynolds and Ryan Bennett." Josie said.
"No way." Stefani replied
"Way." Libby said
"Sarah invited us to their party? I didn't think Sarah was cool enough for one of their parties." Stefani said.
"Well, I heard that they were trying to invite more non popular people to their parties." Libby said
"Shocking. It only took them two years. Last year the popular kids didn't invite people out of their social circle until they were seniors. We're only juniors." Josie said
"So, we're going to this party right?" Libby asked
"I don't see why not. I mean, we were invited." Josie said
"I think this calls for an emergency trip to the mall after school." Stefani said
"Agreed." Libby and Josie said.
"Well, time for class. See you guys later." Stefani said, walking to her class.
Andrew Cooper, Evan Reynolds and Ryan Bennett, were the three most popular boys in the junior class at Tremont High School. To be invited to one of their parties was like being invited to the White House, only cooler. The guys were deemed teenage royalty in their freshman year and the roles stuck. Most girls would kill to be one of their girlfriends. Usually whichever girl they were dating became top of the social world for that time. Of course every girl wanted to date them. Stefani, Libby and Josie were no different. They weren't like some girls who sit and think about it all the time and fantasize about what it would it be like to be one of those girlfriends. They just talked about it in a joking kind of way; sometimes they thought of it as a 'what if' but they were never serious.
Stefani sat in her math class wondering what could possibly happen at the party the next night. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with Evan Reynolds.
"Hey Stefani, can I borrow a pencil?" he asked
"Sure, let me get you one." she said turning around and getting a pencil out of her bag.
She turned back around and handed it to Evan.
"Thanks." he said
"No problem." she replied
"Hey, we're having a party tomorrow night at Andrew's. You should come." he said
"I'll try." she said, trying to play off the fact that she was already going.
"You can bring your friends if you want." he said, trying to persuade her.
"I'll have to ask my mom, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to come." she said
"Okay, cool. I hope to see you then." he said
She smiled and turned back to face the board. Outside, she was calm and collected but inside she was screaming. She couldn't believe that Evan had actually invited her to the party. She couldn't wait to tell Josie and Libby.
Josie sat restlessly in English. Her teacher was droning on about the book they were reading. Josie hadn't read the chapters they were assigned to read so she was doodling in her notebook and writing about other things.
"Oh God, can this get anymore boring?" she asked herself aloud.
"Of course it can. This is only the first three pages of the chapter. It get's much worse." she heard a voice say.
She turned her head and saw Ryan Bennett talking to her.
"Oh. I wouldn't know. I didn't read it." she said
"You didn't? That's a surprise." he said
"Eh, this book sucks. Orwell could have done better. Actually, he did do better. Animal Farm? Great book. 1984? Sucks." she replied
"I think its cool." he said
"You have horrible taste in literature then." she said
"Ow. That was kinda harsh." he said
"Not really. I was merely voicing my opinion." she said simply.
"Well, can I merely voice my opinion?" he asked
"Sure, that's why this is a democracy." she replied shrugging.
"You should come to a party we're throwing at Andrew's tomorrow." he said
"Why?" she asked
"Because it would be...cool." he said, obviously not having a reason.
"I'll have to check my calendar." she said
"You can bring your friends if you want." he said, hoping it would help her decide.
"I'll talk to them and my mom and get back to you." she said turning back to face the lesson.
She was focusing herself to the front of the room but her mind was all over the place. She was trying to rationalize Ryan asking her to the party. All sorts of ideas flew through her head. In true Josie form, thoughts of mistaken identity and alien abduction were at the top of the list. She figured she'd just wait for Libby and Stefani to get their analysis.
Libby sat in chemistry looking totally confused. She was glad the class was getting ready to split into groups. Hopefully whoever her partner was would know what was going on. She listened carefully as her teacher announced the lab partners.
"Libby James, you're working with Andrew Cooper." her teacher said.
Libby froze. She didn't know what to do. She felt Andrew sit next to her and she looked up.
"Hey Libby." he said sitting down.
"Hey." she said scooting over.
"What's up?" he asked
"Nothing. I'm so confused so I'm really hoping you understand this." she said
"I do so don't worry." he said smiling at her.
Libby felt her heart flip a little. She had a crush on Andrew Cooper; it was hard not to have one. He was blonde and cute and Libby had a soft spot for cute blondes. She felt herself getting caught up in how cute he was and she totally stopped listening to what he was explaining.
"Did you understand that?" he asked
"What? I'm sorry, I totally spaced out." she said sheepishly.
"It's cool. Here, look over my notes." he said sliding her his notebook.
"Okay." she said, looking at his notebook.
After a few minutes of reading Andrew's notes, Libby felt like she was grasping the concept of chemistry. She slid the book back to Andrew.
"You get it now?" he asked
"Better than I was. Thanks." she said smiling.
"Anytime. Maybe you can do me a favor." he said
"Maybe. It depends on what it is." she said
"I'm having a party tomorrow night at my place. I want you to come." he said
"I'll have to ask my mom." she said
"Okay. I really hope you can come. Bring your friends." he said
"I'll try." she said, knowing she was going to the party.
Class ended and Libby said goodbye to Andrew before practically running out of the classroom. She went to her locker and saw Josie and Stefani standing in front of it.
"Oh my God you guys, the weirdest thing happened in Chemistry!" Libby exclaimed
"It couldn't be any weirder than what happened to me in English!" Josie exclaimed
"Ooh no. The weirdest thing happened to me in Math." Stefani said.
"Okay, Stef, you first." Josie said as they walked out of the school to Libby's car.
"Okay so I'm sitting in math and Evan Reynolds asks me for a pencil." Stefani said.
"What is so special about that?" Josie asked
"I'm getting there. So I give him the pencil and than he invites me to the party at Andrew's tomorrow!" Stefani cried
"Oh my God..." Libby sighed
"Something similar happened to me in English." Josie said
"Same here." Libby agreed.
"So wait, you guys got invited by Ryan and Andrew to the party too?" Stefani asked
"Yes." they both said.
"Did they tell you you could bring a friend?" Josie asked
"Yeah. You guys, I think this is a sign." Libby said. The other two groaned.
"Seriously you guys. Don't you think this is all a bit weird?" Libby asked, climbing into her car.
"Of course it is. The three most popular guys in the junior class asked us to go their party personally. I mean it is a bit odd but..." Stefani said
"Do you think they're trying to pull a Laney Boggs?" Josie asked, referring to the movie 'She's All That'.
"No Jo. We're not that socially depressed. Laney was like scraping the bottom of the cool pool. We're able to breathe." Libby replied.
"Thanks for the analogy." Josie said.
"Anytime." Libby said grinning.
They drove to the mall thinking more about what was happening to them. As Libby parked, her cell phone rang.
"Hello? Hi Mom." she said
"Where are you?" Mrs. James asked
"I'm at the mall with Josie and Stefani." Libby replied
"Oh, what are you doing?" her mother asked
"Shopping for a party we got invited to tomorrow night." Libby said
"A party?" her mom asked
"Yeah. Andrew Cooper invited me to a party at his house. I can go right?" Libby asked hopefully
"Well, since its Andrew Cooper, sure." her mom said, knowing her crush on Aaron.
"Mom, you rock! But I gotta go. Later!" Libby said hanging up.
"You know, I should call my mom and ask her about the party." Stefani said
"Me too." Josie agreed.
They pulled out their cell phones to call their moms. They got permission to go to the party and then proceeded to shop. Their first stop was Mandee. They walked in and Libby immediately spotted jeans she wanted. She grabbed them in her size to try on and went in search of a top. Josie picked up a skirt and Stefani got both jeans and a skirt because she couldn't decide on what she wanted. They all got tops and went to try on their outfits. After they were pleased, they purchased their clothes and went to have dinner before doing some more shopping.
"So...� Stefani said as they sat down in TGI Friday's.
"We're gonna look awesome." Libby said
"Do you really think it'll matter? I mean, can we really hold a candle to those skankos who are gonna be there?" Josie asked
"Totally. Obviously there's a reason we're going to this party. There's a plan for us and we just have to go with the flow." Libby said.
"Do you believe that everything in life has a plan?" Josie asked Libby.
"Yes I do." Libby replied.
"Why?" Josie asked
"Why are you so cynical all the time?" Libby countered
"I'm not cynical all the time." Josie argued
"Actually Jo, you are." Stefani said.
"Oh whatever. I'm just trying to be rational." Josie said
"Dude, we're sixteen, we don't need to rationalize everything." Stefani said
"Forgive me oh great knower of karma and the world." Josie teased
"Hey, you just gotta be chill." Stefani said shrugging.
"How long did you live in California?" Josie asked
"Until I was fourteen. We moved here right before I started Tremont." Stefani explained
"Long enough to adapt the mindset of the Californian." Libby teased
"Hey, you're not from Mass either." Stefani reminded
"I know!" Libby replied.
They chatted and debated about various other things until they were finished eating. Libby decided that she needed a new pair of sneakers to go with her outfit so they were off to the Sketchers store.
"Do you wear anything but sneakers?" Josie asked
"Sometimes. You act like you've never seen me in shoes before." Libby replied
"Well, it happens so rarely I forget what it looks like." Josie replied
"Stop being a smartass Josie. I can't wear Docs all the time like you do." Libby said
"Maybe we should both wear Birks like Stef." Josie said
"Hey! Birks are my thing. You guys stick to your own shoes." Stefani argued.
"Ooh! These are so cute! And they totally match my outfit." Libby exclaimed holding up a pink and navy sneaker.
"Very cute. Are you getting those?" Stefani asked
"Hell yeah. Can I have these in a size nine?" she asked the clerk.
The clerk reappeared with the sneakers. Libby tried them on and they fit perfectly. She bought them and then the friends went to Steve Madden so Stefani could get a pair of shoes.
"These shoes are so cute!" Stefani exclaimed
She got the shoe in her size and tried it on. It fit and she bought them.
"Do you need a new pair of Docs?" Stefani asked Josie.
"No, I just got a new pair last weekend with Rayne." Josie said referring to her friend from art.
"Sweet. So we're ready to go?" Libby asked
"Yup." Stefani and Josie agreed.
They walked back to Libby's car and threw their bags into the trunk. Libby dropped off Stefani first and then Josie before going home. She parked and went into the house. Her sister was sitting on the couch.
"What are you doing here?" Libby asked.
"And hello to you too." her sister said.
Libby's sister Delia was in college and had her own apartment. It was rare that she'd come over to visit.
"Hi. What are you doing here?" Libby asked again
"I decided to come over for a visit. Is that a crime?" Delia asked
"Nope, not at all." Libby said walking toward her room.
"What did you do? Rob the mall?" Delia asked, following her.
"I had a few things to pick up." Libby replied
"That looks like it's a lot of stuff." Delia said
"What? I got an outfit, accessories for said outfit and sneakers." Libby said, opening the first bag.
"Where are you going that you needed a new outfit?" Delia asked
"A party." Libby said
"Oh really?" Delia asked
"Yes. It's tomorrow night." Libby said
"Where? Who are you going with?" Delia inquired
"What's with the inquisition?" Libby replied
"I'm just being a good sister." Delia said
"Well if you must know, I'm going with Josie and Stefani to a party at Andrew Cooper's house." Libby said snottily.
"Andrew Cooper? Isn't he like the most popular boy in your grade?" Delia asked
"Yes, one of three." Libby replied
"And you got invited to his party?" Delia asked
"I did. He invited me personally." Libby replied
"When did you become cool?" Delia asked
"I'm not." Libby said
"So the coolest guy in the junior class invited you to a party at his house and you're not even that cool? Dude, he likes you." Delia said
"Yeah right Del." Libby said laughing.
"I'm serious Lib. He likes you. There's no other reason he'd invite you personally to a party at his house." Delia replied
"Whatever. He doesn't like me." Libby said shaking your head.
"You'll see Lib, you'll see." Delia said walking out of Libby's room.
Libby shook her head. Delia was wrong; Andrew Cooper didn't like her.
Stefani sat in the living room watching television when her little brother David came in. He was a freshman at Tremont High. He was one of the most popular boys in the freshman class.
"You have to do my dinner chores tomorrow." David said, sitting next to Stefani.
"Why?" she asked
"Because I won't be here for dinner." he said
"Neither will I." she replied
"Where are you going?" he asked
"Out. Where are you going?" she asked
"To a party at Andrew Cooper's house." he said
"Do you need a ride?" she asked
"Yeah so then Mom won't drive me." he replied
"She was probably gonna ask me anyway since that's where I'm going." she said
"Seriously? You're going to the party at Andrew's?" he asked in complete disbelief.
"Yes, Evan invited me." she said
"Wow, I didn't know you were cool like that." he said
"Ha ha David." she replied
"Whatever. Are Josie and Libby going too?" he asked
"Indeed they are little bro." she said messing with his hair.
"Stop. That's so annoying." he said
"Oh whatever." she said pushing him.
"So, Evan invited you to the party? I didn't know you talked to him like that." he said
"We have math together. No big deal." she said
"And Josie and Libby are tagging along?" he asked
"No, they got invited too." she said
"By who?" he asked
"Andrew and Ryan if you must know." she replied
"Wow, you guys are moving up in the social pool." he said
"Hey, we're able to breathe." she said, using Libby's analogy.
"Okay...interesting analogy." he replied
"I can't take credit for it...it was Libby. You know how she is." she said
"Yeah...weird." he said laughing
"Be nice." she warned
"I was joking. You know I love Libby." he said
"Yes I know. We all know. How could we forget?" she asked referring to his crush on Libby.
"Shut up Stefani." he said pushing her over.
Josie sat in her room cradling the phone against her ear as she painted.
"So, let me get this straight. Ryan Bennett, the guy you've had a crush on since freshman year, invited you to a party tomorrow and you're second guessing why?" her friend Rayne asked.
"Because it's what I do best. I mean, I really can't believe that he wants me there just for the sake of hanging out. Would you believe it?" Josie asked
"Jos, I'm just as cynical as the next girl but sometimes you just gotta suck it up and go with the flow. I think this is one of those cases." Rayne said
"Maybe you're right Ray. I can't really fathom what's happening." Josie said
"Don't worry. Just think about how much fun you'll have tomorrow night when you're talking to Ryan." Rayne said
"Thanks Ray." Josie said
"Of course. It's what I'm here for. It's my pseudo sisterly duty." Rayne replied
Josie was an only child and Rayne was like her sister. They met when they were thirteen in art class and instantly bonded. Rayne went to a different school because she lived just outside of Boston. The distance wasn't far so the girls saw each other regularly. Even though the girls were still close, Josie loved having Libby and Stefani as her best friends. She liked knowing that she would see them everyday at school.
The girls had been best friends since their first day of high school. They were in the same homeroom. Somehow they all managed to sit next to each other. They each had the same Care Bears sticker on their notebooks. Stefani and Josie saw it as a coincidence but Libby saw it as a sign. Stefani and Josie liked her because she thought everything happened for a reason and she liked them because they were so different. The three were bonded from that day on.
The next day in school, the girls didn't know how to keep their excitement contained.
"Okay, so how are we doing this tonight?" Josie asked
"Stef has to drive the kid to the party so I'll come get you and we'll meet them there." Libby said
"Sounds good to me." Josie said
"Good." Libby agreed
"You guys...this is gonna be so much fun!!" Stefani squealed
"I know! I have chemistry next period. Should I tell Andrew I'm coming or surprise him tonight?" Libby asked
"You should be like 'I think I'm coming but I'm not sure' then show up tonight." Stefani said
"Good idea. I think we should all do that." Josie said
"That would be wicked cool." Libby agreed
The bell rang and the girls split up to go to class. Libby walked into chemistry and sat down. Andrew turned and smiled. Libby smiled back. He walked over to her.
"Hey Libby." he said sitting next to her.
"Hi Andrew." she said, taking out her notebook.
"Hey, can you come tonight?" he asked
"I'm still not sure. My sister may be taking me out tonight." she replied
"Oh. Okay." he said
"Yeah." she said
"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked
"Not at all." she smiled
Stefani sat boredly in math class. Evan came in and stopped at her desk before he sat down.
"Hey Stefani, what's up?" he asked
"Not much. What about you?" she asked
"Not much. Just getting ready for the party tonight. You're coming right?" he asked
"Um, I'm not totally sure yet cause my mom's being a goof." she said
"Okay. Well, I hope you can come." he said
"Yeah, me too." she said
"It's gonna be fun." he said
"I bet it will." she agreed
Josie walked into English and found Ryan sitting in her seat.
"Um, I think you're sitting in the wrong seat." she said
"This is your seat right?" he asked
"Yeah." she said
"Then I'm sitting in the right seat." he said
"Why are you in my seat?" she asked
"Because I wanted to get your attention." he said
"Mmm, okay." she said
"You're coming tonight right?" he asked
"I'm not sure. My friend Rayne has an art showing tonight." she said
"Oh. Well, I hope you come." he said disappointedly
"I'll try." she said smiling apologetically.
After school, the girls met in font of Stefani's car to drive home. They gabbed about their day and what was to come during their night.
"You should have seen Ryan when I told him I wasn't sure if I could come tonight. I felt so bad lying because he looked so sad." Josie said
"Yeah, Andrew sat next to me today and he was making the puppy eyes at me for practically the whole period." Libby said
"That's why I'm glad Evan sits behind me." Stefani said
"Okay, so what is the plan for tonight ladies?" Josie asked
"So, the party starts at eight. No one cool ever gets there before at least eight fifteen according to my brother." Stefani said
"Okay, so we'll shoot for eight thirty." Libby says
"Sounds good to me." Josie agreed
"Jo, I'll pick you up at eight then. You're closer to Andrew's so it should work out." Libby said
"Actually, if you come at like eight fifteen it'll be better." Josie said
"Okay. So I'll be there at eight fifteen." Libby said
"Which means, I'll swing by Josie's at eight fifteen and meet you guys." Stefani said
"Sounds great. Ah!! This is so exciting!!" Libby squealed
"Oh Libby, you're so funny." Josie said patting her on top of the head.
"Bite me Josie." Libby said sweetly.
"Girls, don't make me pull this car over." Stefani warned jokingly.
"Yes mom." the girls groaned.
Stefani dropped her friends off and drove home. When she got in the house, her mom was sitting on the couch.
"Hi Stef. How was school today?" Ellen McAdams asked
"Good." Stefani replied
"Sweetie, do you mind driving David to the party tonight?" Ellen asked
"Not at all mom. I had already planned on doing that." Stefani said
"You're such a good girl." Ellen said
"Thanks mom." Stefani said
"So, what time are we leaving?" David asked, walking into the living room.
"Around seven forty-five. We're going to Josie's first then to the party." Stefani said
"What time will we get to the party?" he asked
"Eight thirty. You said we couldn't get there before eight fifteen right?" Stefani replied
"Right. Good job sis." David said
"Thanks. Be ready to go at seven forty or I'm leaving without you." Stefani warned
"Okay, geez." David groaned.
Stefani went into her room to take a nap before getting ready for the party. She set her alarm and laid down.
Libby groaned as she stretched out on her bed. Just as she was getting comfortable, her door flew open. Her little sister Melissa ran in.
"Libby!!!" Melissa screamed
"What Mel?" Libby asked
"Will you play with me?" Melissa asked
"No Mel. Libby's trying to take a nap." Libby said
"Please?" Melissa begged
"No Mel! Get out!" Libby yelled
Melissa slinked out of the room and Libby threw her pillow over her head. Her mother came in a second later.
"Lib, why did you yell at your sister?" Debbie James asked
"Mother, she was annoying me." Libby replied
"Don't yell at her okay? For me?" Debbie asked
"Okay mom." Libby replied
"Thanks honey." Debbie said
"Anytime. Now can you please get out so I can take a nap?" Libby asked
Debbie laughed and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Josie propped up her easel and got ready to paint. She didn't really need to take a nap to relax, she just needed to paint. For her, painting was her way to relax. She mixed her colors, got her canvas and began to paint. She painted from her heart and created a painting of two people walking hand in hand along a beach at sunset. In the back of her mind, she imagined it as her and Stevie. She would never tell anyone that. Soon, it was time for her to start getting ready.
Josie took a shower and went back into her room to start her hair. She didn't know what to do with it. Her hair was long, curly and red. She picked up the phone and dialed Libby.
"Yo." Libby said
"Lib, its Jo. What the hell should I do with my hair?" Josie asked
"Um, what were you thinking?" Libby asked
"Should I blow it out? Or would I look like I'm trying too hard?" Josie asked
"You can. I don't think it'll look like you're trying too hard. You've done it before." Libby said
"Sounds good to me. Talk to you later Libberz." Josie said
"See ya at eight fifteen." Libby said
Libby sighed and looked at herself. She needed to shower. She got her stuff together and went to shower. She came out and started on her hair. She blew it straight and then braided it into pigtails. She thought she looked twelve but it matched her outfit. She tied them with a pink ribbon that matched her pink shirt. She got dressed and set out to call Stefani.
"Holla." Stefani said
"Stef, it's Lib. What color eye shadow should I wear? Pinkish peach or regular pink?" Libby asked
"Pinkish peach. Your shirt would look pinker that way." Stefani said
"Thanks Stef." Libby said
"Anytime honey." Stefani said
"See you later!" Libby exclaimed
"Yup! Bye!" Stefani replied
Stefani went into her closet and pulled out her outfit. It was in desperate need of ironing. She took out the iron and got to work. She got all the little creases out of her skirt and went on to her top. She realized that because it was stretchy it didn't really need to be ironed. But because she was so paranoid, she ironed it anyway. She laid her clothes out on her bed and went to take a shower. When she came back, her dog Cuddles was lying on top of her shirt.
"Cuddles! Bad dog, off my shirt!!!" she yelled
The dog got up and ran out of her room.
"Stupid dog." she muttered as she picked up her shirt. She sniffed it to make sure it didn't smell like dog and set out on getting dressed. She put on her clothes, did her hair and makeup and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled.
"Lookin good McAdams." she said to herself.
Soon, Stefani noticed it was time for her and David to leave for Josie's. Stefani made sure her wallet, keys, cell phone and lipstick were in her purse before she walked out of her room. She knocked on David's door.
"It's seven forty-five! Are you ready?" she asked
"Yeah, hold on." he replied
He opened the door and stepped out. Stefani whistled. He had his dark brown hair gelled into perfect curls and replaced his usual glasses with contacts.
"You look so cute!" she squealed, pinching his cheek.
"Stop! You are a freak." he groaned
"Am not. It's not very often we get to go out together." she said
"That's usually because you won't let me." he said
"Whatever." she replied
They walked downstairs to find their parents in the living room.
"Mom, we're going." Stefani said
"Okay honey. Have a good time. David, we're extending your curfew since you'll be with your sister." Ellen said
"Sweet! Thanks mom." David replied
"No problem. Have fun and be careful!!" Ellen warned as they walked out of the house.
Libby drove to Josie's house singing along with the cd that she had on in her car.
"Baby, you're all that I want, when you're lying here in my arms. Finding it hard to believe we're in heaven." she sang, bopping her head.
She pulled up in front of Josie's house just as Stefani and David did. Libby beeped her horn.
"Okay, Libby's here. Mom, Dad, I'll see you later." Josie said, walking to the door.
"Have fun sweetheart. Are you coming home tonight?" her mother Barbara asked.
"Yeah." Josie said
"Okay. See you later then." Barbara said
Josie waved and walked out the door. She waved to Stefani and David and climbed into Libby's car.
"Let's roll chica!" Libby exclaimed
Josie laughed and started playing with the tracks on the cd.
"What are you doing?" Libby asked
"Trying to find party music." Josie said, finally settling on a song.
"Ev'rybody in the club gettin tipsy. Ev'rybody in the club gettin tipsy." the girls sang.
Libby opened the sunroof and Josie turned up the song so that it was blasting out of the car. Stefani drove along side of them, bopping her head and drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. David tried to slink down in his seat before giving in to the music and dancing like his sister and her friends.