Pete: How’s it going?
Leo: It’s fine. We’re watching game shows with Ma and Leo’s kicking ass. I think he’s got a new career goal.
Pete: Why am I not surprised? I can drop Van at Gramma’s and then make my way over.
Leo: Gramma’s here with us cause Bunco was cancelled tonight, so we’re at max capacity. Go be an actual college student for one night, bro.
Pete: Noted.
I’m not actually going to take my brother’s advice. Myplan is to head home and get some extra studying in, but then Van elbows me. “Do we have time for a detour?” he asks. “Josie had girls’ night, and she needs a ride. Mel brought drinks and my girl only had one, but?—”
But Josie is the lightest of lightweights. There’s probably mouthwash out there that would give her a buzz.
Rosco holds up his phone. “Holland’s there, too. I’d offer to get Josie, but I already promised a ride to Dean and Annabelle.”
“We’re good,” I assure them both. “The boys are with Ma, so I’ve got plenty of time. Tell me where girls’ night is so I know where I’m headed.”
Van just grins. “Awesome. This actually works out. And they’re at a place called Hissy Fits. It’s on Brentwood Avenue.”
I’ve bever heard of it, but my guess is that it’s one of those cat cafes. Either way, my GPS will get us there.
16
Claire
When I’m in need of regular self-care, I do a hair mask or give myself an at-home facial. But after the week I’ve had, I was in the mood to smash some shit. My first choice was to punch the baseball team’s starting lineup in the face, one-by-one, but I’m already on the college’s radar as a troublemaker, so I went with option two.
When I did an article last year on local resources and supports for partners in violent and abusive relationships, I found Hissy Fits. It’s a rage room that offers everything from kids’ birthday parties to post-divorce celebrations to therapeutic sessions for people with a surplus of anger who need a safe way to channel it.
I freaking love this place. As soon as I told Holland my plan for tonight, she was in. Apparently, third graders can bring out the rage monster in one of the nicest people I know. And because she’s the social butterfly to my prickly cactus, she rounded up her crew of girls. I didn’t mind one bit, though, because Mel Cohen is a badass I’ve always had a bit of a girl crush on, and there’s no one sweeter in theworld than Josie Reynolds. I don’t know Annabelle Taylor well, but I gave her a great review when I saw her in the Bainbridge Players’ rendition ofThe Importance of Being Earnestlast fall, so I feel like we’re old friends.
And after we smashed the hell out of every object that wasn’t literally nailed down, I think the five of us are bonded for life.
Holland is wearing a welder’s mask and wielding a broken guitar like it’s a sledgehammer. She’s going to town on a crap ton of ancient telephones with dials like my grandma used to have, and plastic shards are flying like shrapnel. My best friend is squealing with delight, so I do what comes naturally: I snap some pictures.
Glancing around the room, I see some other great shots, and I take them. Josie’s had half a margarita from the pitcher Mel snuck in, so she’s officially banned from breaking anything. I snap a great pic of her anyway. She’s curled up on a cozy chair, riffling through a box of old CDs with rapt fascination.
Annabelle and Mel are taking turns throwing plates at a wall and despite the plastic shields they’re wearing, I manage to capture their expressions perfectly. Annabelle’s face tells a story of pure joy and liberation, but when I look through my viewfinder at Mel, I see something different. She looks, well, hot and horny. I am fairly certain that Bainbridge’s star center is going to have a very good night tonight.
I make a mental note to develop these photos sometime next week and frame them so I can give them to each of the girls. I’ve felt so isolated since my article dropped, and being here with them tonight has helped tremendously. I’m not the kind of person who thrives on a large social network, but everybody needs to feel connected in some way, and that’s the gift they gave me tonight.
A bell chimes overhead, signaling that our time is almost up. That’s probably a good thing. I should go home and get some rest before facing the haters tomorrow. Another day, another slew of insults muttered in my direction. Yay.
Josie uncurls herself from her cozy cocoon and yawns. “This was so much fun. We should hang out more often, and we should invite Norris’s girlfriend, Maggie. I think she’s had a rough time lately and she could use some Girls’ Night Out bonding to destress.”
“I totally agree,” Holland says, peeling the gloves off her hands. “I almost texted her tonight, but then I realized that smashing objects and expectant mamas aren’t a great combination.”
“True,” Mel says. “But what about a movie night? We’ll let her pick the film and we can get all the snacks she’s craving. What’s a good night for everybody?”
While they all agree on a date—one I know Holland will clear with my schedule, which she knows by heart—I check my phone. Andy said the dean would like to meet with both of us to discuss my “findings”. I’m not scared of a meeting, but Andy’s pissing his pants. I haven’t had any new messages tonight, though, so I guess I’ll check in with him tomorrow.
There’s a commotion at the door and I look over to see a parade of hot hockey players stroll in. It takes a second to realize they’re all here to pick up their girlfriends. I smile and wave goodbye, and when Mel wraps me in a hug, I take it.
“Don’t let the bastards get you down,” she tells me. “You know your truth and your worth, and you know what? So do we,” she says, pointing to the other girls.
If I weren’t such a prickly bitch, I might get misty-eyed. I know Holland has my back no matter what. She’d helpme hide a body and never ask a single question. That’s just what best friends do. But knowing I have the support of Mel, Josie, and Annabelle means a lot.
I’m zipping up my coat when I feel eyes on me. Color me shocked to see Pete Santos leaning against the wall.
