Megan popped the top of her third beer. "So, Heather, you haven't told us what the occassion is yet." She took a long gulp from the can. "Why exactly have you descended from on high to mingle with the commoners?" All the girls laughed at Megan's attempt at aristocracy.
"I broke up with Ed," Heather said simply. She drank from her beer can. Her fourth since the impromptu party had begun half an hour earlier. "I needed to get drunk."
Tina looked at the stack of beer cases and wine coolers that held a prominent place in the Gannis living room. That had been the admission to Heather's part - bring whatever booze you can get a hold of. The five girls had been able to bring quite a lot. "Well, getting completely shit faced shouldn't be too much of a problem." Again, the girls laughed.
"So, why'd it happen?" Bethany asked Heather.
"Why'd what happen?"
"Why'd you break up with Ed, stupid!"
Heather looked down at her nearly empty beer can. "I - uh - don't really want to talk about it."
"Oh, come on, Heather, you can tell us."
"It was that Gaia bitch, wasn't it?" Ashley asked, actually sounding concerned.
Heather shook her head. "No, I think I got Ed to stop hanging out with the bitch."
"Then why'd you break up?" Mandy demanded. "If he wasn't in the chair, he'd be perfect!"
"I bet I know what happened," Tina said with a conspiratory grin. "With the chair, you two couldn't exactly have sex, could you?"
"It had nothing to do with the damn chair!" Heather shouted. "He's better than any other guy in the damn school. Our break up had nothing to do with his chair, nor is our sex life any of your business."
"Then why did you break up?" Megan pressed.
"None of your business," Heather said through gritted teeth.
"Does Heather have her eye on someone else?" Tina teased.
"No way!" Bethany said. "She just said Ed was the best guy at school, so it's no one here, and we know her record with college guys isn't good. Heather's going to grow up to be an old maid!" The girls, all except Heather anyway, burst into giggles.
"She probably couldn't get anybody even if she wanted to," Mandy said with a loud, drunken laugh. "She's been in steady relationships for too long. She probably doesn't remember how to pick a guy up!" The girls laughed harder.
"I could get anyone I want!" Heather said. She ahd to shout to be heard. "Anyone!"
Megan looked at Heather. "Anyone?"
Heather nodded. "Anyone you name."
"Alright, ladies, I believe we have a challenge!" Tina crowed. "Where's your year book, Heather?"
Heather tried to think through her drunken haze. "Um...top shelf of my book case." Tina ran off to get it and returned a moment later. The other four girls crowded around her. Heather sat back, nervously drinking her beer. She only heard snatches of conversation. "He's too easy...No! I wouldn't wish him on anyone! ... Too dorky, too jocky...." The list of excuses went on and their drunkeness made each one more ridiculous than the last.
"There! That one!" Megan finally shouted out. "Absolutely perfect." The other girls nodded and left their circle, the year book open with Tina's thumb over one picture.
"This one!" Tina said proudly, pulling her hand away with a flourish.
Heather stared at the picture wide eyed. "No, you guys -"
"You said anyone, Heather," Megan reminded.
"But -"
"No buts, " Bethany said. "Do you accept the challenge?"
Heather began to feel sick. "What if I say no?"
Mandy grinned wickedly. "You won't say no."
Heather knew that grin. She saw it whenever anyone inher group was about to play a particularly nasty joke on some poor soul. Heather had never wanted to be on the receiving end of one of those smiles. She took another gulp of her beer to try and build her confidence. It didn't work. It tasted sour and she nearly choked on it. When she caught her breath her friends were waiting expectantly. "I'll do it."