FOMO

The weekend went by at an alarming rate. I spent a lot more time with my family than I had originally budgeted for. We took a day trip to a state park, but I’m fairly certain it was just an excuse to wring every last drop of information about prom from me. Liz asked me to ask Jessica to ask her mother for the pictures we took on the lawn, and I agreed, as convoluted as it was.

The punch incident was popular gossip at school, and the culprit had yet to be found. I still left it out. I was fairly certain my father would laugh and tell me to watch out, but I wasn’t sure what Liz would say. In the absence of my birth mother, Liz more often than not took the role and took it seriously. Because of that, she was liable to… react more strongly than I would have preferred.

Naturally, Paul and Gabi wanted to know all the juicy details as well. Just as I suspected, Paul mercilessly teased me, but he actually shut up after I mentioned Jessica’s and my conversation about our feelings. Insensitive as he was, he could at least admit defeat.

Paul seemed to get stuck on a rather insignificant fact, however. “I just can’t believe that Matt guy would be such a loser,” he asked.

We were waiting for the bell at the end of P.E., standing as close to the doors as was allowed by law.

“I mean, is it really that different from what we did when we invited her over for lunch?” I rebutted.

“Dude, of course it is,” he explained emphatically, “We wanted to cheer her up. We wanted to hang. He just wanted to make himself feel better. Total dick move.”

I bit my lip. Jessica and I were actual friends—as far as I knew—but I still felt unsure of my own motives.

Paul sped on. “Dude, she should totally go anyway.”

“Jessica isn’t super motivated by spite, I don’t think she’d go. Plus, if she really isn’t wanted there, won’t it just be super awkward?”

“Then you can go too to keep her company.”

“Nah. I don't even have a driver's license, how would I get there?”

“I’ll drive you, dude,” he declared.

“Okay, so it went from just Jessica to Jessica, me, and you? What was this even supposed to accomplish?”

“To show that Matt guy he’s gotta be more considerate. Not to mention parties are fun,” Paul smirked.

“Well, you can tell her that at lunch tomorrow, how about that?” I said dismissively.

The next day's lunch came. Jessica was wearing a blue flower behind her eye, a fact which I celebrated.

"You should totally go to that party," Paul said.

Jessica looked at him. "I really don't know if that would be a good idea, I don't think they want me there."

"He invited you, though," he argued.

"He was doing that to save face."

"For who?"

"Himself and his friends."

"Screw them."

"What's your point?"

"My point is, they're gonna feel like they're so superior when they invited you but you were too ‘stuck up’ to come."

"I really don't mind. I'm not trying to impress them."

"Then make them uncomfortable. They can't kick you out for existing if they invited you."

"Why are you so adamant about this?"

"Because these kinds of people really piss me off," Paul smoldered.

It frustrated me as well, but I couldn't imagine being as peeved as Paul.

"You can't win every battle," Gabi wisely pointed out.

"Ugh," Paul said finally. "Okay, okay, I hear you. I'll shut up."

"I appreciate the concern, Paul," Jessica said politely.

"I mean this will also be your last chance to have a high school party," he said offhandedly.

Jessica seemed to actually consider his words. I was surprised that the fear of missing out affected her.

Everyone at the table seemed to lean in in anticipation.

"I've never really been to a big party," she said.

It made sense. She was always hyper focused on her studies. She was popular before the change, but the majority of that popularity was not due to her personality. Which was sad, because she was cool.

Paul shrugged in response, smirking.

Jasmine spoke up. “Do you want to go?”

Jessica took another moment to think. “I’d like to go to a party at some point.”

Paul spread his arms in suggestion, still opting for the silent treatment.

“What do you think, Noel?”

I was surprised she was deferring to me on such an important matter. “Uh…” I faltered. I didn’t have any strong thoughts at the time. On one hand, it was terrible that Matthew had been so flippant, and I wanted to get back at him. On the other, it was extremely petty and that was the last way I wanted to be seen. On yet another hand, Jessica said she wanted to go to a party, and Jessica had, it seemed, as good a chance as she was going to get.

“I don’t know. It would be bad if it’s just Matthew and his friends and they were mean the whole time,” I ventured. “But at the same time, if it’s a big party, you can just do your own thing. I mean, it’s not like everyone wants to avoid you.”

Jessica nodded. “That’s a good point. I guess… it depends on the size of the party.”

Paul grinned deviously. Somehow, his poorly thought out plan was working. “Well, I can ask Geoffrey on the football team. He might know.”

“Okay. But I’d only go if it’s big… and Noel comes.”

I frowned. “Why me?”

“Because it’s fun to tease you.”

“Ah come on, what about us?” Jasmine asked sarcastically.

“Okay, you guys are fun to tease, too,” Jessica relented.

I pursed my lips. It was too corny.

I sighed, finishing my lunch.