The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,38
think I’m going to get myself a reputation for being a ho, seeing as I’m a member of the Virginity Club.
“Mom, don’t worry. I’m not messing either of them around. Ryan and I are just friends. That’s all.” And when we go out it won’t be like going out in the strictest sense, so it doesn’t count. “Call me when dinner’s ready, please. I’m going upstairs to do my homework.”
***
“Suzy,” Lori calls when I walk into the class. “Sit here.” She pats the chair beside her. “I’ve got something for you,” she says, once I’m seated. “Here.” She hands me a big ivory colored envelope, which feels very expensive—not that I’m an envelope expert—with Suzy written on the front.
“Thanks.” I take it from her. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out.” She has this silly smirk on her face and is wriggling all excitedly in her chair. If I didn’t know better I’d say it was an invitation to a bouncy castle party, or something equally childlike.
I slide my finger under the seal, open the envelope and pull out a big card. On the front, in fancy gold lettering, it says Marlene and Bruce.
“Who are Marlene and Bruce?”
“You’ll see.”
I open it up. Wow. Suzy and Partner are invited to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of Marlene and Bruce Baker on—I turn to face Lori.
“This is your mom and dad isn’t it?” Lori nods. “And they’ve invited me?” She nods again. Holy crap. Why me? According to the invite it’s being held at the Ocean Breeze Country Club on the bay.
“They said I could invite a few of my closest friends. You will come won’t you? You can bring Guy. His parents will be going too. They’re friends of my parents.”
“Um, yeah. Thanks. Sure. What does it mean ‘black tie’? Surely I don’t have to wear a tie.”
Lori throws back her head and laughs. “You’re so funny. Men wear a tux. Women cocktail dresses. We’ll have to go shopping. What about Saturday?”
Cocktail dress? That will cost hundreds of dollars. I hope Mom and Dad are okay with it. Unless they let me borrow something of Rosie’s. I bet she’s got a cocktail dress or three stashed away. I’ll sneak a peak when I get home later.
“Great. And you reckon Guy will come if I ask him?” Lori nods her head. “How come you didn’t invite him anyway?”
“Mom said I could only invite three friends and whoever they want to bring. So I chose Rachel, Jana and you thinking you’d want to bring Guy. I wanted Jamie for my partner but Mom said no. I think that’s really mean but she was adamant.”
Yay for Lori’s Mom. The thought of an evening with Jamie. No thanks.
“So who are you going to bring, then?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I know who you want to bring,” I whisper in case anyone’s listening. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“No, don’t.” Color floods her cheeks. I seriously think she’s only saying no because she doesn’t want to be let down. But I don’t want to upset her if she really does mean it. I’ll see what Maddie says.
“Well thanks so much for inviting me.” I say brightly. “It’s going to be great.”
“That’s what best friends are for.” Excuse me? Best friends? Since when? She can’t be my best friend. I already have one. And we tell each other everything (almost). I know Lori and I get on well but it’s not like we confide in each other—apart from when we talked about doing it and other stuff, I suppose.
“Yeah.” I laugh. Well I can hardly say sorry but best friend position already taken. Anyway, I can be hers even if she isn’t mine, especially if I don’t tell her. Which is a bit mean. Or a lot mean. Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt her feelings but really, she knows about Maddie. Though she has made the occasional snide remark about her. Mind you, Maddie’s done the same about her, too.
“So you’ll ask Guy?”
“I guess. At break, if he’s around.” And if I dare.
Hopefully he won’t say no. If he does I’ll look a prize dick.
I could always ask Ryan—I can just imagine his face if I ask him to wear a tux and accompany me. It’s almost worth asking just to see his reaction.
Really? I’m doing all I can to prevent him from disclosing my innermost secrets and now I’m thinking of inviting him somewhere all my friends are going to be.
For goodness’ sake Suzy.
Chapter Fifteen
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