First Meeting

"....and that concludes today's lesson everyone! Have a safe and happy long weekend!" Mr. Rodriguez shouted as the class scrambled out the door. That's what happens when you end last period history class half an hour early. Seniors rushing to their freedom. Alexa leaned back on her chair and immediately scooped up her long brown hair and threw it into a messy bun. She bent down to put her history textbook back in her bag, and gather her notes. The less time my hair spends in my way the better, she thought. Maybe I should think about cutting it before summer starts...She tucked a loose strand behind her ear, muttering to herself. "Umm...Alexa? Helloooooo, Earth to Alexa!" An amused voice rang out, interrupting Alexa's thoughts of imagining herself with some cute highlights and a short bob. "Hey Ally! Give me one second and I'll be ready. Just gotta pack up the rest of my notes quick since I won't be back for 2 weeks." Alexa responded without even looking up. She didn't have to. When you've been friends since first grade and practically inseparable since, you just know. "I'm so excited!!!!!" Ally squealed loudly, unable to contain herself, earning a warning look from Mr. Rodriguez. "I can't believe it's almost the end of the year! Plus, this weekend is going to be the best weekend of the whole summer and it's right at the beginning!" Laughing, Ally grabbed Alexa's hand and nearly dragged her out of the building, heading towards the parked gray SUV she had been given a few months ago for her 18th birthday. Jumping into the passenger seat, Alexa laughed too. "You know, it's really hard to convince my parents that you aren't a wild party child when you act this way. Why do I even need a big party? I won't even know half the people there!" She meant the people comment to sound like a joke, but it came out in a half whine instead. "I just want a quiet night with my best friends instead, is that too much to ask? I'm turning 18, not 19 or even 21! It's not that important!" Alexa groaned and flopped dramatically across the armrest separating her from the driver's side. "Plus, my parents have this 2 week surprise planned that I'm not allowed to miss... We're leaving like super early Sunday morning, so it's not like I could party all night anyway." "Oh yeah! I forgot about that- did you want help packing for your trip? At least that way we could pack and then get ready for the party together!" It sounded like a question, but Alexa knew better - Ally wasn't really asking, it was already decided. "Sure Ally, that would be great! Are you coming over for dinner again tonight? Mom says we're having steak and potatoes on the grill." Alexa couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her friend drooling over her mom's home cooking. They practically lived at each other's houses, rotating dinner, weekends and sleepovers. "Well if she's cooking I can't say no! I gotta grab my stuff from my house for the party tomorrow first, then... Sleepover at your house!" Ally shouted gleefully. She swept her carefully trimmed red bangs away from her eyes, turned the key in the ignition and cranked out the tunes. Here we go, Alexa thought. She tightened her grip on the handle above her window as Ally peeled out of the student parking lot. Birthday weekend with the firecracker best friend plus a 2 week surprise trip with her parents? Who said 18 wasn't magical?