Rules
"Fuck I need to sit down," Jules can still feel the music as she plops down on the couch. A few drinks and lots of dancing later she is finally in their section, having totally forgotten about her goal of talking to Rue.
She just needs a break from the crowd for a minute. She opens Instagram and starts watching everyone's stories recapping the night so far. One story in particular sticks out to her and she clicks on it, loading a selfie of Rue sitting right in this section.
Her eyes light up and she immediately double-taps the story, not caring if it makes her seem thirsty or not. Rue looks fucking gorgeous.
"God, I miss her," She sighs, thinking out loud.
"Miss who?" Rue plops down next to her, eyebrow raised.
Internally, she's panicking. Jules looks amazing. Rue can't help but wonder if Jules has her own plus one tonight...
"Shit!" Jules jumps, startled. Where the fuck did Rue come from? "Um... You, actually."
She can't tell if that answers her internal question or not.
Rue grins at Jules. "Yeah? Got any proof?"
"Besides the fact that I was just stalking your Instagram? No." Jules laughs. "So, um, what're you doing here?"
The question may seem obvious but Jules knows that Rue typically doesn't willingly go to a club. Parties are one thing, but clubs are a whole other ballpark for Rue. That's something that she learned early on in their relationship- or friendship, whatever the hell they were.
"Honest answer? I only came cause I knew you'd be here. It being your birthday party and all," She laughs shyly.
Jules feels her face heat up and she grabs her water bottle, taking a gulp. When she realizes that Rue is making eye contact with her she takes another gulp, damn near finishing half of the bottle.
"Slow down there, you don't want to choke," Rue jokes.
"Shut up," Jules blushes. "So what's the non-truthful answer?" Why the hell is Rue making her so nervous right now?
"That I'm only here for moral support for Lexi. Which I guess isn't completely a lie. I'm also the designated driver, so..." She shrugs.
Jules nods. "So you're the plus one, huh?"
Rue gives her a look. "You knew that already."
"I did. I guess I should thank Lexi because you're the only reason I was excited to come tonight."
"What?" Rue laughs. "What are you talking about? It's your party."
"Yeah, but..." Jules sighs. "I don't know. It didn't feel special. Until I heard that you were gonna be here. I even changed my outfit."
Rue nods and gives her a full look, biting her lip. There's her answer. "Well, you look beautiful, Jules." It seems like Jules' outfit is working, after all. Rue grabs her hand and places a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Happy birthday."
Jules is about to fucking die. She's going to melt and disintegrate right in Rue's fucking lap.
"Says the one who looks drop-dead gorgeous. You trying to impress someone, Rue?" Jules teases.
"Maybe," Rue shrugs, cheesing. "I got a mini makeover."
"Gia?"
Rue nods and they both burst into laughter.
"You know, this is my first time being to a party since like high school. It's funny. We met at a party, then I partly stopped going to parties because I was scared I'd run into you, and now here I am... inviting myself to be Lexi's plus one so I could see you again."
"Really?"
"To which part?"
Jules shakes her head. "I just... never knew you stopped going to stuff cause of me. You never had to avoid me, you know."
"I did, though. I kind of have a weak spot for you."
"Have- as in still do?" Jules grins, looking up at Rue.
Having this conversation with Rue is making Jules forget it's even her party, despite Rue being here being the ultimate gift. Forget the club, right now it feels like it's just her and Rue in the building. This is what Jules is missing. Fuck, she still needs Rue in her life. She can't mess this up... again. Rue is way too important to her.
"You know I do... But do you wanna dance? I promised Lexi I would before the night is over."
"Yeah, let's go."
Rue grabs Jules' hand and pulls her up, leading her through the crowd until they're in close proximity to their friends. Jules leads their dancing, but Rue quickly falls into the groove with a genuine smile on her face until Jules burst into laughter.
"What's funny? Is it my dancing? Cause I can guarantee my moves are way better than yours right now," Rue laughs along.
"No... It's just, everything is so different. It's been so long since I've seen you like this. But you're... different."
"I am. A lot has changed since high school," Rue shrugs.
"I know," Jules stops dancing. "Doesn't it feel weird that we've just missed a chunk of each other's lives? I mean besides social media... we've become strangers."
"Yet here we are, holding onto each other while we dance. How often do you do that with strangers again?" She chuckles.
"Rue shut up," Jules scolds with a stupidly big grin on her face. "I'm being serious."
"I am too... we may have become strangers but we will always have a connection," Jules's breath hitches as Rue pauses her movement and leans forward, "You know it's true."
"I guess it is," Jules sighs breathlessly. "Well, stranger, can I at least get to know you better?"
Rue bites her lip and goes to answer when--
"Rue!" Their moment is immediately killed as Lexi butts in, leaning on Rue. "You're actually dancing! Dance with me," She doesn't give the taller girl much of a choice before she's tugging her away.
"After this dance, you might," Rue laughs and looks back at Jules, answering her question with one last smile before a different part of the crowd swallows her and Lexi up.
Staggered by how quickly Lexi came and snatched Rue away from her, Jules looks around dumbfounded, hoping to lay eyes on one of her friends. She eventually spots Maddy and gravitates toward her until she's close enough to start dancing with her.
"Hey birthday girl," Maddy grins. She's definitely a little drunk. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing much," Jules glances around, looking for where Rue and Lexi went. "Where's Kat?"
"Bar, I think. What were you doing all this time?"
Found them.
"Talking to Rue." And she wishes she still was. The night isn't getting any younger and Jules is worried that they won't have enough time together before Rue's social battery runs out. She knows the other girl too well- or at least she knew her- and there's no way she can let her slip away this time.
"Jules, what are you looking at?"
"Huh?" Jules furrows her brows, peeking over Maddy's shoulder.
"You're literally looking past me when we're supposed to be dancing-" Maddy turns her head to see what's catching Jules' eyes when she sees Rue and Lexi dancing. "Oh, I see. You getting jealous already? You just reunited with Rue, why don't you take her out on a date first."
"Bitch, shut up," Jules laughs. "I just can't believe she's really here. It's like... You know what? I have to go dance with her."
"What? Bitch you're just going to abandon me?"
"Sorry! Love you!"
Jules pushes through a few people to reach the pair, and once she does she taps on Rue's shoulder which causes her to turn around.
"Hey birthday girl," She smiles. "What's up? You missed me already?"
"Lexi, I'm gonna steal her from you. Birthday girl demands, sorry!"
Lexi raises her hands jokingly and turns around, continuing to dance by herself. Rue laughs and steps closer to Jules.
"Wanted me all to yourself, huh?" She rests her hands on Jules' waist.
"Of course," Jules takes a deep breath. Her hands clasp behind Rue's neck and she pulls her a bit closer so that they're basically nose-to-nose. "And I want you to take me home."
"What do you mean? Are you feeling okay?" Rue's eyebrows furrow with concern.
Jules laughs at that. "No, like- Rue, I want you to come home with me. Take me home and stay with me. Let's catch up... I need to get to know you again, remember?" Jules is in her ear now, and though she can't see Rue's face she knows she has that adorable-ass nervous look on her face.
"Oh..." Rue clears her throat. "You're drunk, Jules."
"So? I missed you. So fucking much Rue. Seeing you has made me realize that I cannot let you go again. So it is my birthday wish that you come home with me and spend tomorrow with me."
Rue pulls away from Jules a bit. "I don't know, Jules..."
"Please?" Jules pouts. "You're all I want for my birthday."
Rue rolls her eyes at how dramatic Jules can be. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can't resist. Besides... I guess I have to get to know you again too. I'll just have to drop Lexi off first."
Jules nods with what might be safe to call the biggest grin she's ever had on her face.
"I'll call you whenever I get home, okay?"
"I'm sure that won't be until tomorrow," Lexi smirks. "You know, Gia is going to fucking love the report that I give her."
"Please shut up. Take your ass to bed, and drink some gatorade or something. You probably won't even have the energy to get out of bed let alone send Gia any information, you damn spy."
"Okay, geez, no need to bite. Save that for Jules."
"Goodnight, Lexi Howard."
Rue shakes her head as she heads back to the car, climbing in to watch Lexi safely enter the house.
"You're a great friend Rue," Jules admires her as she buckles her seatbelt.
"You think so?"
"I know so. Lexi is really lucky to have you in her life."
Rues smiles softly. "That means a lot... thank you."
It actually means more than Jules knows. Rue hasn't always been a great friend, but she's worked really hard the past few years to turn her life around. Lexi has always been there for her, and she's just happy that her best friend never gave up on her. The last time Rue and Jules were really around each other, things were really intense with everyone. As Jules said earlier, things are just different now.
Jules hums and leans back into the passenger seat.
A few minutes of comfortable silence pass before anyone speaks again. They're nearing Jules' place now.
"I want you in mine," Jules mumbles, fiddling with her fingers.
"Huh?" Rue looks over, eyebrows furrowed. "Jules, why the fuck do you always have to speak in riddles?"
"God shut up Rue, I'm trying to have a sentimental moment with you! I want you in my life."
Rue's silent, not really sure how to respond. If she's being honest, she had no idea showing up to Jules' birthday party would get her this far. She only imagined they would exchange short summaries of what they've been up to, she would say happy birthday, and they would fade out of each other's lives again.
"I can't tell if you're ignoring me, or thinking."
"Both," Rue laughs while Jules rolls her eyes. "But um... I'm just thinking."
"About?"
"Everything left unsaid between us. I said and did a lot of fucked up things back then."
"So did I," Jules nods.
"I know. We were just fucked up kids in high school, both going through way too much shit. But... things happen for a reason, I guess. And maybe-" Rue cuts herself off, biting her lip. "I don't know," She softly shakes her head. So many things happened between them in the past that it's hard to know if they'll ever recover from some.
"Maybe what?" Jules bits her lip too, analyzing Rue's expression. She can't tell where she's going with this.
"Maybe... Maybe we needed to have such a terrible parting. Maybe we had to argue and break each other's hearts and say goodbye in high school so that- I don't know- so that we could be here now? Me driving you home on your birthday, trying to mentally prepare myself for this sleepover because it was the birthday girl's wish," Rue laughs trying to bring the conversation back to a more positive note.
"Maybe," Jules shrugs, lips poking into a frown. "Or maybe, if I could go back, I would've never done half of the things I did. And maybe you wouldn't have either. Maybe we could've been living happily ever after as high school sweethearts all this time. That's something I think about often."
"Really?"
"Yeah... But enough of the m-word. I don't want to waste any more time on maybes. I want to enjoy right now with you, if you'll let me.
Rue groans, but there's a smile on her face. "You can be so headache-inducing, Jules. But I think I'd regret it if I didn't let you give me a few more."
"Now who's talking in riddles?" Jules laughs, but she feels the sentiment behind Rue's words. If she would've known that when she came back in town she would have the chance to make amends, and possibly start fresh, with Rue, you bet your ass she would've packed her bags and headed home much sooner.
"Still you, always trying to be poetic and shit."
"Ugh, just stop talking and kiss me already, Rue." Though part of Jules wants to kick Kat's ass for not giving her a heads-up about Rue being at the party tonight, the other part of her knows she has to thank Lexi and Kat for their reunion. Perhaps 23 will be her favorite year yet.
Rue grins, unphased by Jules' bluntness. "I will... after I park."
Rue can get used to this. The newer, more mature, grounded, and direct Jules in her life. She thinks Jules will enjoy the newer version of her, too.
She doesn't mean to bring the m-word up again, but... maybe, just maybe, the club isn't so terrible. After all, it did bring them together again.