Rue
Rue doesn't usually have plans on Saturday nights.
It's not that she's never invited to anything- because she is. She just decides not to go. She has a pretty cut-and-dry routine.
Fridays are for plans with friends and family. Saturdays are typically spent alone. And Sundays, well- are Sundays. Rue does what anyone else does on a Sunday. Sleep in until noon, eat whatever her stomach is calling for, and go to sleep by ten pm- eleven if she's feeling rebellious.
Life is simple and content how it is. And it is a lot different than how it used to be.
But... when Lexi mentions Jules' birthday party being on Saturday night, Rue decides to throw simplicity out of the window. She makes it her mission to attend, because... why shouldn't she?
It's Jules.
Jules fucking Vaughn. Rue hasn't seen her since the winter break of their freshman year of college. Their time apart has been... healthy, to say nonetheless. Rue has matured, cleaned up, and learned so much since their high school relationship. However, Rue can't deny that Jules popped up in her mind every now and then over the last four years. But since Rue heard through the grapevine (Jules' Instagram account) that Jules has officially moved back home, Jules crossing her mind has upgraded from an "every now and then" thing to more of an "every now" thing.
"Rue? Did you hear me?"
"Huh? Yeah, sorry- what did you say again?"
Lexi laughs and puts her phone down. "I said I don't care about you coming to the party with me. It's not like I have anyone else to bring as a plus one anyway. But you know it's at a club, right? I know that's not really your scene."
"Of course, Jules is having her party at a club," Rue groans. "I mean, I figured as much. I'll go... I need to get out of the house anyway."
"And see Jules?" Lexi grins.
"What? No- no! I'm just going to show support."
"Support of...?"
"Of you, Lexi. Duh. I can't let my best friend show up to a club alone. Jules being there just happens to be... a coincidence."
"Really? A coincidence on her birthday? At her party? Whatever helps you sleep at night, Rue." She grins.
It's currently Friday, which means Jules' party is tomorrow, and Rue has absolutely no idea what she's going to wear tomorrow.
She hasn't been to a club in god knows how long. Probably since her freshman year of college. She can't remember the last time she went to a party either- probably her senior year of high school.
Once she and Jules stopped talking, she found it way harder to attend parties her peers were throwing. Can you blame her? Who wants to go to a party and run into your ex (-if that's even what they were)?
Plus, Rue just isn't a party girl. There's nothing there for her. She rather curl up in bed and watch her favorite TV shows or go to a museum or some shit with Lexi and her other friends. Being around a ton of people that are bumping and grinding, yelling, and most likely doing all sorts of drugs only stresses (and grosses- because ew germs) her the fuck out, and for the sake of her mental well-being, she rather not put herself through the torture.
But to see Jules...
To see Jules, she'll sacrifice her discomfort for a bit.
"What about this?" Gia throws a cropped top her way.
She catches it and holds it up to view it, "It's a little revealing."
"Um, yeah, that's the point. You're trying to catch her attention, aren't you?"
"I mean... not really."
Why did Rue just lie to her baby sister?
"Oh my god, shut up, you liar."
Damn it, Rue thinks to herself.
"The sooner you admit the truth to yourself, the sooner we can all make peace and carry on with life."
"We?" Rue laughs. "Who the hell else am I holding back?"
"Besides yourself? Everyone that cares about you. You and Jules need to either make up, or dead this shit once and for all. I'm so serious, Rue. You better make tomorrow count."
"Hmm," Rue doesn't say anything. Gia is probably right.
But in order to make tomorrow count, it's probably important that she figures out what she wants the end game actually to be. And if that's the case, then she has no fucking idea...
"Lexi?"
"Yes?" Lexi is currently driving them to the club where the party is being held, and Rue would be lying if she said her heart isn't beating out of her chest right now.
"Does Jules know that I'm coming?"
"I don't think sooooo..." She draws out. "Why?"
Rue bites her lip and stares out of the window, wondering how Jules will react to seeing her. Maybe it's for the best that she doesn't know. She probably would have put Rue on the "do not enter" list or some shit.
"Wait, you don't think so? How do you not think? Did you talk to her?"
"Well, Jules invited me to the party and told me to bring whoever. I told Kat that I was bringing you along, though. You know since she's helping with the party planning and stuff."
"Interesting..."
"You know, I don't think it'll make much of a difference. You said you're here to support me right?" Lexi teases.
"Shut up," Rue laughs. "I just don't want things to be awkward."
"Which they definitely will be," Lexi nods.
Rue rolls her eyes and turns her head back towards the window.
"Which is why I'll be staying glued in the section all night. Yay!" She smiles sarcastically.
"You know, you're the one who asked to come to this. You better enjoy yourself, Rue Bennett."
"Whatever, I'll try."
"Good. Because Gia is expecting a full report from me by morning."
Both girls burst out laughing at the younger Bennett's antics. God, Rue loves her sister. She's not sure what she would do without her and Lexi.
"Lexi! Oh my god. Hold the fuck up- is that Rue?" Maddy squeals and rushes over to the two, pulling them both into a hug.
"It's been a long ass time Maddy, how are you?"
"I'm really good, Rue. How have you been? You look amazing."
Rue blushes. That means a lot coming from Maddy. She always looks like she's ready to walk the runway. Rue has the give most of the credit to Gia though. She styled Rue's look for tonight, which is a cropped halter top, black faux leather pants- and to Gia's dismay, Rue demanded to wear her converse. She has very light makeup on and her hair is straightened tonight, but that actually wasn't a part of the makeover. A few days ago Gia wanted to practice doing a silk press and Rue volunteered. Her sister actually did a damn good job, and here she is surprisingly still rocking the style.
"Oh, thank you. You always do. And I've been good too, thanks."
"I literally love that for us. Lexi, did you see my texts? Rue, Lexi and I were planning to do something soon. Join us!"
Rue glances at Lexi and she shrugs. "Yeah, sure. Just let me know the details."
"Perfect. I'm gonna go dance but I'll see you bitches later."
Despite the shit that went down between Cassie and Maddy in high school, Lexi and Maddy remained friends. Maddy respected how Lexi wasn't afraid to expose her sister and Nate, and she appreciated Lexi a lot more after the play. Rue isn't sure if Cassie and Maddy ever made up, but considering that she hasn't heard Cassie mention her throughout the last four years, her safe guess would be a hard no.
"Anyway, let's go find the birthday girl."
"What?" Rue's eyes widen. "No. No, I told you I'm staying here. I'll just chill here while you do your thing. I'll say happy birthday later."
"Ugh," Lexi groans. "Fine, Rue. But you will dance before the night is over."
"We'll see about that," Rue mumbles as she crosses her arms and takes a seat.
Let the night begin.