Jacob makes a noise. "Lacey only ever went to my soccer games." "Huge mistake," I say, looking back at Will and Vicky. "Anyway, let's get started." A couple of days ago, I had them start some tutorials that I used when I was a freshman. They're fairly simple. The online tutorial goes along with the book, but has changed a bit so they have a couple of questions. All three of them seem to be getting the hang of it pretty quickly. "Lacey, what is this?" Jacob asks. He's pointing to the book, but he isn't pointing at anything specific. "Which part?" "This whole section. Where is that tool?" He points to a certain part of the tutorial in the book. I understand his confusion. That tool is in a different spot than what the book says. I point to his computer screen. "Go to this drop down—no this one—and then click that. I think it's...yeah, it's right here." I feel his eyes turn to me. Our bodies are closer than I want, so I sit back in my chair. "What were you and Dylan Parker talking about in the hall a while ago?" he suddenly asks me. "Why?" "You two looked pretty cozy. I was just wondering." "It's none of your business," I say automatically. He doesn't have the right to question me about who I'm talking to and what we're talking about. I don't see what the big deal is about me talking to Dylan in the first place. Dylan isn't as bad as everyone makes him seem. Jacob doesn't say anything back and instead focuses on his computer. For the rest of class Jacob is in his own bubble while Will and Vicky ask me questions here and there. I feel a sense of relief when the bell rings. I need the weekend to start already. While walking through the parking lot to my car Casey is walking nearby. I almost make my way to her until I see she's talking to a guy. She has her flirting smile on, so I leave her alone and watch instead. It has to be that guy from her psychology class who she's always fawning over. It looks like he's interested in what she's saying, and I take that as a good sign. I wonder if she had gotten brave enough to ask him out. I get to my car and act like I'm minding my own business while Casey and that guy are standing at her car. I try to eavesdrop, but I can't quite hear what they're saying. Casey suddenly appears next to me and she has a huge grin on her face. "What was all that about?" I ask her, eager to hear the details. "Well, we ran into each other in the hall and got to talking. I took your advice and asked him if he wanted to hang out sometime. I couldn't think of anything right then, so I was pretty vague, but I made sure he knew I was into him," she explains. "Then he said we could hang out sometime this weekend, so I agreed, and then he invited me to a party tonight. I know your protective ass, so I asked him if it was okay if you could tag along and he said it was fine." She says it so quickly I almost don't catch all of it. "So, pretty please with a cherry on top, will you go to that party with me? He gave me the address and he says he'd be there around nine." A party? I haven't been to a party since last year and that was when I was still with Jacob. I try to stay away because they never really feel like my scene. The idea of Casey going alone to a party with some guy makes me uneasy. It's my job as a best friend to keep her safe. As much as I don't want to go, I know I have to. "Um, yeah. I'll go." She wraps her arms around me immediately. "Thank you, thank you!" She pulls herself away from me. "I have to get home to see what I'm wearing. Clear it with your aunt, then come over so I can dress you." Casey dressing me means a dress. "I'm not wearing a dress. I'm not trying to impress anyone," I tell her. She crosses her arms. "Fine. I'll see you at my place anyway so we can take my car." While driving home, a nervous feeling settles in my stomach. My lack of partying makes parties seem daunting and scary. Drunk teenagers aren't the best teenagers to be around. At home I make sure to finish the one homework assignment I have. My aunt will be getting home soon, and I don't want her worrying about any work that I need to do. She walks in as I'm grabbing a snack from the kitchen. "What afternoon snack have you prepared for me?" she asks as she smiles at me. I lift my plate. "Apples with peanut butter." "Yum." She picks up one apple slice and swipes some peanut butter on it. "Heaven," she says, laughing. "How was school?" "Good," I nod. This is my chance. "Casey was invited to a party by some guy she likes, and she wants me to tag along in case it doesn't work out." I chew on my lip nervously. I've never had to ask her permission for something like going to a party, so I'm a little afraid of what she'll say. She nods her head immediately. "Yeah, go ahead." Then she frowns. "Wait, what time are you going?" "Nine, but Casey wants me to go over to her house to help her pick an outfit before." "Okay," she says slowly. "Can I stay at Casey's? Or should I be back by a certain time?" I ask. I can tell she's uncomfortable. "Did your parents ever let you go to parties?" "They let me go when I went with Jacob and Casey," I say. They trusted Jacob to take care of me, and they trusted Casey to watch over us. "You can stay at Casey's. I know you're not dumb," she smiles at me. "But call me if anything happens. And I mean anything." I'm glad she trusts me so I give her a quick hug. "Thank you." Next is trying to figure out what to wear. I want to control at least half of my outfit so Casey doesn't make me look ridiculous. I want to be casual and comfortable. I pull out a pair of jean cut off shorts that made my legs look good. There isn't anything wrong with showing off some leg. Casey has cuter tops than me, so I'll let her pick the shirt. I pack my overnight bag and gather all my essentials, mostly meaning my phone charger. Around seven, I say bye to my aunt and I head to Casey's house. I hope the party doesn't turn into a disaster for her. She deserves to have a little fun with that guy. Hopefully he's decent and treats her like a queen. When I get to her house I let myself in. Her parents aren't home, so I go straight to her room. In her room, her whole closet is on her bed. She's standing in front of her bed with her hands on her hips. "Having trouble?" I ask her.