Girls just wanna have fun
Ellie was on her way to Jesse's place, she figured it would be better if she and Dina didn’t see each other until tonight. The last time she had gone to Jesse’s was when they were barely teens, she remembered the times when they used to run around playing pirates and terrorising the neighbourhood- things were so simple back then, she wondered if the house still looked the same, if there were still remenants of their old adventures. As she stepped off the bus she looked around the familiar neighbourhood, it was more or less the same, a small community but a close one. She followed the route to Jesse's, surprised that it hadn’t left her mind after so much time. She texted Jesse to let her know she was there and then rang the doorbell. She expected Jesse to open the door but was instead greeted by his mother, she had obviously aged since they last saw each other but her hugs were just as warm and full of life.
She pulled Ellie into a tight embrace and looked her up and down in shock, "Ellie Williams? My how you’ve grown!"
"Hi…" Ellie awkwardly voiced.
"It’s been so long, what brings you here?"
”Here to see Jesse, if that’s ok?"
"That's more than ok, come in come in-" The older woman exclaimed.
Ellie followed her inside and took her shoes off at the door, she was struck by an intense feeling of nostalgia from the aroma of Jesse's Mom's cooking. She felt her mouth start to water, realising that she hadn’t eaten all day.
"Jesse! Ellies here-" His mother yelled at the bottom of the stairs before turning back to Ellie, “So how’s school been treating you, Jesse says you study art?”
”Oh yeah, it’s going fine, the school is great.” She lied.
”That’s amazing, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you again, you and Jesse were such good friends and if I remember correctly you were quite the prodigy-“
"Yeah…” Ellie forced an awkward smile.
"Don’t tell me that’s- Is that Ellie Williams?” A deep voice called. Jesse's dad was sitting in the living room, reading the daily newspaper. He instantly got up from the couch and approached Ellie. "I hope my wife’s not bombarding you with questions about school-"
”Don’t worry it’s- fine…”
"You’ve grown into quite the young lady, must be breaking all the boy's hearts right?” He playfully nudged her shoulder.
Ellie nervously laughed and excessively blinked, "Sure-"
"Mom, Dad let Ellie breathe for a second-" Jesse complained as he rushed down the stairs.
"Jesse- we have a right to talk to her too, we missed our little firecracker.” His mother responded.
Hearing them talk about her like this made Ellie feel strange, it seemed like they missed a version of herself that she had forgotten ever existed.
"Ellie let’s just go upstairs." Jesse groaned.
"No no she needs to eat something-“
"Mom-"
"Are you hungry darling?”
Ellie’s eyes flittered between Jesse and his mom, Jesse was obviously signalling for her to say no, but her stomach was screaming yes and she just had to listen.
"I guess I’m a little hungry-"
Jesse's shoulders instantly dropped in contrast to the way his mother perked up.
"Great then you can join us, Jesse do you mind setting the table for our guest?"
"Yeah, Jesse do you mind?" Ellie teased.
Jesse rolled his eyes and dragged himself to the kitchen.
After a few minutes, they all sat around the table, Ellie felt herself light up at the sight of the mouth-watering meal.
"I would just like to say, I’m glad to see that Ellie has returned to our home." Jesse's dad declared.
"I am too-“ Ellie smiled.
"Come on guys she isn’t a celebrity that’s just good old Smellie Ellie-"
"When are you going to stop calling me that?"
"When you stop smelling bad."
"Oh come on Jesse, table manners!" His mother snapped.
"Sorry Mom-“ he laughed.
"Is there anything you’d like to say, Ellie?"
"Uh… honestly I just wanna eat-"
"I see you’ve never lost that sense of humour-" His dad remarked.
Ellie shoved spoonfuls of rice down her throat as if she had been starved for years. She felt everyone start to stare at her and she caught her breath. "Sorry just hungry."
"Do you not eat at home?”
"I’ve never been a good cook so I usually order something-”
"No wonder you’re so stick thin, go on eat some more." Jesse's mother scooped another serving of fried rice on Ellie's plate.
"Hey- how come I never get refills? " Jesse complained.
"Jesse, we both know I was always the favourite-“ Ellie joked, which made him kick her under the table.
"So Ellie," His mother interrupted, “Do you have a boyfriend?"
Ellie almost choked on a grain of rice that was halfway down her throat, she urgently gulped a mouthful of water and swallowed down her nerves. "Not at the moment no-"
"No way a girl like you is single- do you have a very specific type?"
"I guess you could say that…” She muttered.
"You know, I always wondered why you and Jesse never dated each other-"
This time Jesse nearly spat out his food, he had to stop himself from going into a coughing fit. "That might’ve been the most outrageous thing I’ve heard today-"
"It’s an innocent thought-"
"Me and Jesse? That would never happen-"
"Why not?"
“Uh don’t get me wrong he's handsome or whatever but I’m not into his type.”
"What, Asians?" He taunted.
"Yeah that’s totally what I meant-"
"Mom leave the poor girl alone, why are you so obsessed with finding me a girlfriend anyway?"
"Because ever since you broke up with Dina you’ve been moping around the house-"
"Really?" Ellie asked.
"Mom, that’s not true-"
"It is so- and we’re tired of it-"
"Wow, thanks love you guys too."
"I’m not trying to be cruel, you know we miss her too-"
"Sometimes it feels like you guys liked her more than me-"
"You said it not me-" His dad joked.
"Very funny Dad."
Ellie always admired Jesse's relationship with his parents and their ability to make her feel like she was part of the family too. "So did Dina come over often?"
"All the time, she was so lovely, never complained if I asked her to help me with something, always had a smile on her face-"
"Can we not talk about my ex-girlfriend right now?" He dramatically sulked.
"Here you go again, how many times have you broken up at this point? Did Dina say she was done for real this time?"
"Ellie can answer that one for you."
"How do you and Dina know each other?"
"Through Jesse I guess, and it just so happens that she lives in my building."
"Well that’s great, if you see her tell her we miss her-"
"Please don’t.” Jesse shook his head.
"Uh I’m actually going out with her later to some bar-" She mentioned, almost looking for Jesse's approval.
"You're going to that?" Jesse looked sincerely surprised.
"Well if that’s okay with you-."
"I’m going too, we have some mutual friends-"
"Isn’t this a nice coincidence, I’d love it if you became a little trio-" His mother smiled.
Jesse seemed to be in deep thought for a moment before deciding to quickly finish his plate, "Mom, is it okay if we cut dinner short?"
"Why? We still have to eat dessert-"
”I have to take Ellie somewhere before the party if that’s okay-"
"Wait what? Since when-" Ellie blinked.
"Trust me, Ellie, I’m a party expert you have a lot to-" Jesse noticed his father's raised eyebrow and remembered he never told his parents about all those times he snuck out to parties without their permission. "Uh, forget I said anything-"
"If that’s what you want Ellie?"
"Uh, I guess…”
"Alright I’ll let you go just this once, but don’t hesitate to visit again anytime!" His Mom stood up and hugged Ellie once again, Ellie didn't realise how much she missed being at Jesse's, she was grateful that she was able to restore that part of her childhood.
Jesse grabbed his and Ellie's jackets and his keys.
"Where exactly are you taking me?"
"Shopping, where else?" He winked.
—-
"Remind me why we’re here again?" Ellie groaned as she followed Jesse into a large store.
To Ellie's displeasure, Jesse had driven them to the closest mall and dragged her through the bustling shops.
"Ellie, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help prepare you for this party?" Jesse faux gasped.
"And how is buying clothes going to prepare me?" She replied, raising an eyebrow at the hundreds of aisles of clothes.
"No offence but I’ve seen your closet, you have like 3 articles of clothing-"
"Well sorry, I didn’t know there was a dress code for these things-"
"There isn’t one, it’s common courtesy to look better than normal-"
"Ugh, why did I let Dina drag me into this?” Ellie groaned, she dragged her hands along her face and dramatically sighed.
"Dina always has that kind of effect on people, somehow she always ends up getting what she wants…."
”Tell me about it." Ellie then looked up at Jesse whose facial expression was slightly cold, "Shit- I forgot to ask how it’s going between you two-"
"It’s not going-"
"Did going through lines with her not work out?"
"No, it was fine.” He shrugged, "It’s not like me and Dina ever hated each other- I think this relationship has run its course, you can only be on and off for so long…”
”That’s a total 180 from the past couple of days-“
”Right? When did I get so emotionally mature?”
"Well… Are you okay? With what your Mom said earlier-"
"Ellie we’ve been broken up for a while now, this isn’t anything new-"
"Yeah but you’re my friend and that still sucks-“
"Honestly, I’m kind of ok with it as long as Dina’s happy, and we can still be friends-"
"Ok but can you let your Mom know that because I can’t handle any more boyfriend questions-"
"Sorry about that, she’s just concerned about me and now you apparently-"
Ellie contemplated for a moment before asking her next question, "Do you think there’s any chance that you’ll get back together in the future?" She was asking this question more for herself than for Jesse.
"I mean it’s not like I can predict the future, it could happen, you never know-“
"Wanna bet 20 dollars?"
Jesse chuckled, "Sure but you’d just be losing money for no reason-"
"Sounds like someone who’s too chicken to make a bet-“
"I’m pretty sure you’re more likely to end up dating her than us getting back together at this point-"
"What? Don’t be ridiculous-" Ellie’s eyes widened and she started to speed walk through the crowded store.
"Can’t take a joke, Williams?” He teased as he caught up with her.
"Aren’t jokes supposed to be funny?"
"Don’t act like I'm not the funniest person you know-"
”Pfft- in your dreams-"
“Oh yeah?-“ Jesse laughed, he reached for a bright pink dress that hung off a clothing rack, "Keep talking like that and I’ll make you wear this tonight“
"You’re such a dick-" Ellie rolled her eyes and gave him a light shove.
"Ok seriously though we need to find something or you’re gonna have to turn up naked-"
”Shouldn’t I take this as a sign that I shouldn’t go?”
"I think it’s easier for you to go than to have to face Dina’s wrath if you don’t-“
"True.” Ellie shuddered, remembering how scary Dina gets when she’s angry. She strolled towards the men's sections and scanned through the shirts, "What about this?"
"Thats not too bad-"
"Why do you sound surprised?"
"Because I can’t believe you finally chose something- looks like we’ve successfully avoided hurricane Dina."
She picked up the shirt and a few other clothes that peaked her interest, "Do you know why she wants me there anyway?"
"I was just as confused as you-“ He responded as he picked out some stuff for himself.
"What do you mean?”
"I mean I had no idea you guys were actually becoming friends-“
”We’re not." She paused, " I mean not really, I only started talking to her for you-“
”Well I’m officially relieving you from your post… but something tells me that’s not what you want?"
"No- I don’t know…”
"Well I wouldn’t care if you guys did become friends, you need a female friend in your life-“
"What’s that supposed to mean-“
"Your only friends are me and a middle-aged man-"
"Hey-"
”You have to admit it, Ellie, you need someone like Dina-"
"Isn’t this some kind of sexism? lump the girls together just because they both have uteruses.”
"You know that’s not what I mean-"
"I don’t know sounds pretty sexist to me-" She ridiculed as she went up to pay.
"I just want you to have fun, I never thought I’d see the day when we could go to a party together-"
"Did you want to?”
"Of course, you’re my best friend."
"But it’s not like you invited me to any-“
"Come on Ellie, you’ve made it clear you don’t like going out unless you’re forced to-"
"Am I really that boring?"
"Yes."
"Not the answer I was expecting-"
"I don’t know what Dina did but I’m glad you’re stepping outside your bubble, that’s what college is for-“
”Ugh you sound like a dad when you talk like that-“
”Maybe I’ve been your dad this whole time…”
"Ok I think all this shopping is getting to your head, let’s go-"
"That’s no way a daughter should talk to their father-" Jesse taunted as he chased Ellie out of the store.
——
Ellie had her hair half up half down. She wore her new dark blue shirt which was slightly unbuttoned, exposing her collarbone, with a pair of baggy black pants. Since it was a special occasion she had also decided to actually put earrings in her ears, they were dangly guitar earrings that she had gotten for her 18th birthday. She took a deep breath as her and Jesse approached the entrance of the club.
After being ID’d by the security guard, the doors swung open and the music suddenly poured out into the streets. Ellie followed Jesse through the doors and was instantly bombarded with the smell of alcohol and overwhelming flickering lights.
"Did Dina say if she was already here?" Jesse yelled over the loudness.
”Yeah, but how are we supposed to find her?"
"Uhhh knowing her she should already be dancing here somewhere…"
"Maybe I should just call her?"
"No use, no service in here."
"Well, whose fucking bright idea was that?"
"Ok let’s just split up-"
"Are you kidding me?"
"You’ll be fine, we can cover more ground this way-"
"Jesse don’t you dare-"
Soon enough, Jesse had already disappeared out of sight. So much for sticking together.
"Fuck me." Ellie cursed as she forced herself through the bustling crowd. She made her way to the actual bar and slumped into a chair, already feeling depleted.
As her eyes scanned the crowd for Dina, they almost instantly fell upon a familiar freckled face. Dina was surrounded by a group of people, probably her friends. Her infectious chuckle overpowered the loud music, it was as if nobody was there but her. Dina smiled brightly as she always did but what Ellie didn’t realise was that she was also smiling back, admiringly.
"You got your eye on someone?"
"Huh?" Ellie turned around to see that the bartender had been staring at her.
"Sorry didn’t mean to startle you." He smiled, sliding over a cup of beer.
"Thanks-"
"So, you were looking at Dina huh?"
"What? No, I-"
"I’m not surprised, she’s a crowd favourite."
"She sure is putting on a show right now."
"I do hear she’s single nowadays-"
"No, I’m not- I’m just her friend, I’m not here to hit on her-"
"So why are you sitting here and not out there with her?"
"I don’t wanna interrupt-"
"Ellie? You came!" Dina exclaimed, throwing her arms around Ellie. Dina stumbled to where Ellie was sitting and took a sip of her half-empty jug.
"Uh yeah of course I came…" Ellie responded as she cautiously watched Dina lick the beer off her lips.
"Wow…" She looked Ellie up and down, "I have to say Ellie you look… almost as good as me.”
"I don’t know if that’s how compliments work…"
"Since you’re here how about we take a shot together?”
"I don’t know…”
"Remember you’re still making it up to me-“
"Sounds like you won’t take no for an answer?"
"You know me so well, what should we cheer to?"
"I don’t know whatever you want-"
"Hmmm, how about the fact that I’m the luckiest girl in this room-"
"Why’s that?"
"Because I get to spend the night with you."
"That was awful-" Ellie laughed.
"Cheers to Ellie Williams," She yelled enthusiastically.
They took a shot in unison, "Now what?"
"I think my friends are coming over here-"
"Wait I don’t think-"
"Trust me, you’ll be fine I’ll be right here." She reassured, squeezing Ellie's thigh for a brief moment. "Guys? I want you to meet my friend Ellie-"
Ellie recognised a few of the faces that started to take seats next to Ellie and Dina but they were never usually the type of people that would acknowledge her existence.
"Hey, you’re in my art class right?" One girl asked.
"Uh yeah-"
"You’re really good, how come you don’t come to class?"
"Uh…" Ellie started to shuffle in her seat feeling a weird amount of pressure build up in her stomach. Luckily Dina sensed this and swooped in to save her.
"Ok, how about less talking and more drinking?"
Ellie rested her hand on Dina's to stop her from reaching for another glass, "Don’t you think you’ve had enough?"
"I’m totally fine Ellie." She hiccuped.
"You shouldn’t be drinking so much, we talked about this-"
"Nooo we said I shouldn’t drink without someone around, I have you now don’t I?" She smiled as she put the shot glass to her lips. But before she could take a sip Ellie intercepted it from her hands and chugged down the rest of the drink.
"Hey no fair-"
"Dina I’m serious, no more drinking for the rest of the night. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” She breathed seriously as she placed her hand on her shoulder.
Dina felt her heart skip at Ellie's demanding tone and nodded her head. "Okay…"
"Would you two get a room?" Someone yelled from behind.
"Jesse? Where’d you come from?" Dina questioned.
"I dropped Ellie off-"
"Ugh thank you so much for doing that, I don’t think she would’ve come on her own." She replied as she hugged him briefly.
Dina, perceptive as always, noticed Ellie’s expression change and chuckled to herself, "Don’t worry we’re just being civil-"
"I wasn’t worried-"
"Sure you weren’t." She suddenly stood up from her seat and stretched, "Now come on-"
"Come on where?"
She reached her hand out to Ellie and smiled. "Are you gonna dance with me or what?"
"Pfft, as if."
Dina clasped Ellie’s hands and pulled her up from her chair, "You need to let loose and have fun-"
Ellie felt tingles running through her veins as her and Dina's fingers interlocked, they fit together perfectly like pieces of a puzzle. "Don’t you wanna dance with your friends?"
"You already know you’re my number one Ellie-"
"I can’t even dance-"
"Then I’ll teach you-" Dina insisted, dragging Ellie onto the dance floor. She somehow managed to navigate them through the crowd, Ellie smiled as Dina grazed her thumb along the base of her palm.
"Ok here’s perfect." Dina stopped walking and placed Ellie's hands on her waist and wrapped her arms around her neck.
Something about having her arms around Dina’s waist felt natural, Ellie never wanted to move from that position.
"So, are you having fun yet?" Dina teased.
"I don’t know why I let you drag me into this-"
"But aren’t you glad you’re here now?"
"I don’t think glads the right word…"
"Well I am."
"Of course you are, you’re a party animal-"
"I meant that In glad you’re here with me."
Ellie couldn’t find the right words to respond but she smiled, probably the widest she had smiled in a really long time.
"You have a pretty smile."
"Cut the bullshit."
"I’m serious Ellie, I think you’re really beautiful."
"I don’t know what you want me to say."
"I want you to say you think the same about me."
"Haven’t you heard it enough from everyone else?"
"But you’re not everyone else. It means more coming from you."
"Why?"
"Why do you think?"
"Please, you could have anyone in this room right now-" Ellie responded as she took a look around the room, feeling the states of several rejected men glued on to her.
Dina moved her hands from Ellie's neck to her jawline, she turned her head back to face her, ”Stop paying attention to them, just look at me-"
"I can't."
"What’s stopping you?"
"The way you’re looking at me right now."
"How am I looking at you?" She breathed, her eyes full of desire.
At this point, Ellie's eyes were lost in Dina's, she couldn’t even look away if she wanted to. "I'm serious, if you keep looking at me I’ll think-"
"Whatever you’re thinking is probably right."
"I don’t think it is…"
"Then maybe I should prove it to you…"
Just then, the two were suddenly thrown off balance by someone who had collided with them.
"What the fuck?" Ellie complained as she held her and Dina up from almost falling over.
"Oh my God I'm so so sorry-" The stranger apologised.
"It’s… fine I guess-" Ellie voiced with a hint of disappointment.
"Are you sure, is there anything I can do to make up for that?" She pointed towards Ellies now beer-stained shirt.
"Oh shit I just bought this today-"
"Now I feel really bad, how about I buy you a drink to make up for it?"
Dina suddenly began to laugh to herself, "Was that your attempt at flirting?"
"Was I that obvious?" The girl shrugged.
"Uhh…" Ellie looked at Dina and then back at the girl, she saw some kind of unexplained tension between them.
Dina clenched her jaw and crossed her arms over, standing slightly in front of Ellie, "She’s fine thanks-"
"Can she speak for herself?"
"She’d tell you the exact same thing, right Ellie?"
"Dina, relax-"
"You don’t have a girlfriend do you?"
"Yes." Dina responded before Ellie could even process the question.
"What?"
"She does have a girlfriend, you’re looking right at her-"
"Yeah right like I’m gonna believe that-"
Dina turned towards Ellie and whispered something in her ear, "Do you trust me?"
"Uh…" For a moment, Ellie could’ve sworn that Dina was looking at her lips. I can’t be imagining this right? "What are you-"
Dina placed her finger on Ellie's lips "Shhhh, follow my lead." She breathed as she tucked a rogue strand of Ellie's hair away from her face. She slowly moved in closer before softly pressing her lips against Ellie's.
Ellie was completely caught off guard but she didn’t pull away, why didn’t she pull away? Why is Dina kissing me right now?
Dina broke away and smiled triumphantly, "Is that enough proof for you?"
"I’m sorry I didn’t know, I thought you were-"
"You thought wrong, have a good night." Dina asserted, pulling Ellie in the opposite direction.
Ellie brushed her fingers against her lips, feeling the ghost of Dina's kiss. What was that? That couldn’t have been, jealousy? No- don’t be delusional.
"Ellie? What’s wrong?” Dina waved her hand in front of Ellie's zoned-out face.
"I think I should go-"
"What? But the nights not over yet-"
Ellie unravelled her hand from Dina’s, her senses suddenly heightened and the loud music rang through her ears.
"Are you okay?"
"I- I have to go-" She yelled out as she turned away.
"Ellie, no wait-“ Dina reached her hand out to stop her but Ellie was too fast.
Ellie pushed through the ocean of strangers, blinded by the intense flashing lights. She felt slightly claustrophobic and suffocated by the amount of people. It was almost like a never-ending maze, the closer she got to the exit door, the further away it got. As she continued to squeeze through, she clashed with a tall figure in front of her. Shit.
"Oh, there you are Ellie-" Of course it was Jesse, the last person Ellie wanted to face right now. “Are you okay? You look really pale-"
"I’m fine." She exhaled irregularly.
"Are you sure? Where’s Dina?"
"Who knows-" She tried to push past him but he was way stronger.
"Seriously Ellie what’s going on-"
Ellie felt an immense pit of guilt build up in her stomach, "Can you just take me home?" She whispered.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and rubbed her back comfortingly. Jesse didn’t ask any questions, he didn’t even say goodbye to his friends, "Sure, let’s go."