The Clique

by Valerie Thomas

  “Can’t we just stay here?” Maddie asks. “I’d rather keep drinking.”

  “We can take the wine with us! Come on, we can take my car.”

  Kate sighs. “Why do I feel like this is the beginning of some ‘don’t drink and drive’ commercial?”

  “It isn’t!” Aude takes a few steps toward the front door, stumbles on the carpet.

  “See, you are drunk!” Kate accuses.

  “No, I just tripped. I promise, I’m not drunk.”

  She seems pretty drunk. Maddie shakes her head. “We aren’t driving anywhere, Aude.”

  “But I wanna do something!”

  “We could walk to the park,” Kate suggests. “Play hot lava or something.”

  “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!” The girls slowly rise, and follow Aude down Kate’s front steps.

  Aude may be drunk, but she definitely handles it better than the rest of them. Kate stumbles a few times and Maddie does too, once or twice, but they make it to the park in one piece. One game of Hot Lava is all it takes for Maddie to figure out how bad the idea is: she gets the wind knocked out of her by a piece of railing, and Kate nearly chips her tooth on one of the jungle gym bars.

  “Guys, I think I’m just gonna sit out for a while,” Maddie says, sitting on a rock off to the side.

  Aude slides down a pole and comes over. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Just resting.”

  “I don’t mean like that,” Aude whispers. “I mean—about the other thing.”

  Maddie frowns. “The student council thing?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I don’t know. I guess.” Maddie watches Hannah and Kate play. “I’ve just been feeling so—“ it takes a moment to come up with the right word “—so inadequate lately, you know? Like nothing I do is ever gonna be good enough.”

  Aude takes a seat next to Maddie and hugs her. “Oh Maddie, you aren’t inadequate.”

  “I know. That’s just how I feel sometimes.”

  “Why?”

  Maddie stares at some wood chips on the ground in front of them. “Do you really want to know?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, you know my parents just divorced, right?”

  “Yeah, I remember.”

  “Okay. My mom sort of hasn’t called, in like three weeks.” Maddie releases a deep sigh. “When she left, she didn’t even say goodbye. She was just there one night, and when I woke up in the morning my dad was holding divorce papers. She didn’t explain it to me, she never even talked to me. I guess I’m not worth talking to. Not good enough.”

  Aude blinks. “Fuck her.”

  Maddie squints. Did Aude just cuss? “What did you just say?”

  A smile spreads across Aude’s face. “Fuck. Her. Your mom’s a bitch if she doesn’t think you’re worth spending time on. She should want to spend every minute with you.”

  The conversation doesn’t leave Maddie in a happy mood, but something about the way Aude’s smiling makes her want to smile too. “Maybe you’re right. I wish I could just forget about her.”

  “Then forget. Look, I bet she’ll eventually realize what a horrible mistake she’s made. And if she doesn’t—well, that’s why you have us. We’re your family.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Friday brings George Washington’s first dance: the Back-to-School Dance. Audrey can hardly focus on her classes; she and Kate head straight to Kate’s house after school, to get ready.

  “What about this one?” Aude holds up a small, blue dress.

  “Yeah, that’s pretty. But didn’t you wear it last year?”

  “Oh, I think you’re right. Okay, then what about this?” She holds up an even smaller black one.

  Kate sniggers. “That’s from middle school. I wore it to graduation, remember?”

  Aude holds the dress up to the mirror hanging at the back of the closet. “You did? Dang, this has a lot of cleavage. They let you wear this?”

  “Yeah. No one even noticed.”

  Aude smiles. “I think I’m gonna wear it. I’m not much taller than you were, in middle school.”

  “Go for it. But Aude, isn’t it a little too, uh, skimpy?”

  “Naw—“ Aude pulls off her shirt “—I mean, the bottom’s below my fingertips. Kinda.”

  “I don’t wanna get turned away at the door.” Kate takes Aude’s place in the closet while Audrey goes to the bathroom to put on makeup.

  “We won’t. They wouldn’t dare turn me away,” she jokes, not realizing how conceited it might sound until the words are already out.

  “Well if they do, I’m blaming you.”

  Aude opens a new bottle of ivory foundation. “Kate, you know if they actually enforced dress code at these things, no one would be let in. Well, except the boys.”

  Kate laughs. “Now that’s an image. A gym full of boys, all awkwardly standing around.”

  “Oh, I bet a few would be dancing. Like Gabe would be, for sure.” Aude decides she wants to stand out. Red lipstick sounds perfect. She looks in the mirror, careful to avoid using too much.

  “Sean too. Aude, they could dance together!”

  Aude holds back a laugh. “We should totally make them dance together tonight.”

  “Yeah. Hey, do you think I should wear that red dress you wore to Hannah’s party a couple weeks ago?”

  “I dunno. I went to school in that, remember?” Aude sets the lipstick down and pokes her head into Kate’s room. “Never mind. You’ll look like ten times better than I did. You have to wear it.”

  Kate blushes. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. Could you help me do these wings?”

  “Sure.” Kate drops the dress on her bed and picks up the eyeliner pencil. “You know, you really should learn how to do this by yourself.”

  “I know.” Aude closes her eyes. “And I’d try, but you just do it so much better.”

  “Thanks. Okay, one more. Aaaand—done.”

  “Thanks.” Aude looks in the mirror. “Perfect, like always.” She smiles sheepishly. “I meant the makeup.”

  “Yeah, I figured. Well, I’ve gotta change.”

  Aude applies mascara and eyeshadow, finishing just as Kate comes in. She waits in Kate’s room, playing games on her phone and trying not to touch her face.

  Finally, Kate steps out of the bathroom. “Tada!”

  “Oh Kate, you look amazing! Sean is so lucky!”

  Kate’s eyes twinkle. “Thank you. You look better.”

  “Oh, no.” Aude stands up and walks her friend back into the bathroom. “Here, I want you to look in the mirror.”

  “Uh, ok.”

  “Now say to yourself, ‘I look great.’”

  “I look great.”

  “’I am beautiful.’”

  “I am beautiful.”

  “’I’m gonna be the sexiest bitch at this dance, and I’m gonna break some hearts.’ Sorry.”

  Kate giggles. “I’m gonna be the sexiest bitch at this dance, and I’m gonna break some hearts, sorry.”

  “No, you weren’t supposed to say sorry. That was just because I cussed. Oh, whatever. You ready to go?”

  “Yeah.” They head downstairs, and wait for Sean and Gabe for several minutes. Kate’s doorbell rings.

  “I’ll get it!” Kate makes it to the door before Audrey. Aude stands to the side as Kate pulls it open.

  “What’s fun?” Sean smiles. Aude notices his eyes on her, and smiles back.

  “Uh, not much. How are you?” Kate says. Aude can sense her disappointment, and wishes she could mentally will Sean to tell his girlfriend how nice she looks.

  Gabe wolf-whistles. “Holy shit, you look—Audrey, wow.” He just shakes his head, as if he can’t come up with words.

  Sean, tell Kate she looks pretty! Now! Aude tries to communicate the message via a complicated pattern of eye movement, but she’s pretty sure it only makes her looks spastic. “Thanks,” she says quietly. The boys back out of the doorway to allow
Aude and Kate through; Kate comes last, locking the door behind her.

  “Ooh—“ Aude grimaces on the way to Gabe’s SUV “—I’m not sure these heels are gonna last through Nate’s after-party.” They all scored invites, thanks to Hannah.

  “You can always take them off,” Gabe offers. “I have a spare pair of shoes in the trunk.”

  “Aha, yeah right.” Aude and Kate climb in the back.

  Gabe checks his car’s digital clock. “Actually, the dance doesn’t start for another hour. Any ideas?”

  “Uh, we could go back inside and hang out,” Kate suggests. “My mom has a Wii.”

  “Alright.”

  Aude frowns at her friend. “Hey Kate, do you still have those super fancy flats your mom bought you?” It can’t hurt to spend one dance without heels, especially when they’re cutting into her heels.

  Kate gives Aude a sympathetic look. “Um, yeah, they’re in my closet. Under the t-shirts, but like farther back. Close to the skirts.”

  “Okay.” Aude kicks off the heels and leads the way back inside. She brings the shoes upstairs and trades them for Kate’s soft ballet flats.

  When she comes back downstairs, Kate and Sean are rocking out on fake guitars while Gabe sings an absolutely horrendous version of “Misery Business” by Paramore. Aude dances over and sits down next to him.

  “Hey babe, you wanna sing?”

  Aude raises her eyebrows. “Alright.” But before she can start, the screen turns red. “You failed,” a male voice announces.

  “Well that’s not very nice.” Aude hands the plastic microphone back to Gabe.

  “Yeah, well, it was a poor song choice. I told you we should’ve done Smoke on the Water.”

  Kate giggles. “But that one doesn’t have any vocals!”

  “Exactly.”

  They play for a while, until the dance is only fifteen minutes away. “You know we’re still gonna be like the first ones there?” Gabe points out.

  “Yeah, well, we can kick things off.” Aude rubs a hand along Gabe’s arm. “Plus, that means we can be the first ones to Nate’s party too. We can help set up.”

  “Yay... Fine babe, we can go if you want.”

  Aude pauses as the four leave, taking a moment to enjoy the fact that her shoes aren’t cutting off any circulation.

  Sure enough, when Gabe pulls into the George Washington lot, it’s nearly empty. They get out of the car and follow a series of signs to the secondary gymnasium; the doors have been propped open and a couple of teachers are checking tickets.

  “It’s Mr. Silveris!” Aude squeals, pointing to their English teacher.

  “Yeah, I saw,” Kate says. “By the way, I have the best story…“

  “Hey kiddos.” Mr. Silveris smiles brightly at the two girls. “Are you having a good night?”

  “Mhm,” Audrey replies. “Are you gonna come dance with us?”

  Mr. Silveris chuckles. “No, I don’t think so. You gals have fun, though.” To their right, Gabe and Sean hand over four tickets to the other teacher.

  The secondary gymnasium serves as a sort of coat-check room, with a few fans set up for any students who need to cool off. From there, a thin hallway connects to the main gym. The lights from the DJ booth fill the gym with alternating flashes of purple, blue, and yellow.

  “Wow, there’s like no one here!” Audrey exclaims.

  Gabe laughs. “Told you. Now come here.” He holds out a hand.

  Aude takes it and lets Gabe spin her in close. “That was fun!”

  “Wanna do it again?” Gabe asks. Aude lets him spin her several more times. “One more?”

  “No, no, I’m too dizzy.” The gym is quickly filling with students, and teachers patrolling the outskirts of the “dance floor,” a large brown tarp spread over the gym floor.

  “Okay.” Gabe pulls Aude in close. “You smell great, babe.”

  “Thanks. It’s my conditioner. Mango.”

  “Mmm.” Gabe takes an exaggerated whiff. “You wanna just dance here for a while?”

  “Sure.” Aude turns to face the DJ, and Gabe sets both arms around her waist. They shift back and forth to the music.

  “Aude!” Hannah practically sprints over. “Hey! Wow, you look so beautiful!”

  “So do you!” Aude flashes a grin. “Where’s Nate?”

  “He’s coming!” Hannah shouts over the music. “He had to go to the bathroom.” She smiles and then runs off, almost as fast as she appeared.

  Aude sways with Gabe; she can feel him against her. “Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to—“

  “What!” Gabe yells.

  Audrey repeats louder, “Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”

  “I still can’t hear you!” The music is reaching a crescendo, and it’s making it hard to hear anything.

  “I said, is that—a—gun—in—your—pocket! Or are you just happy to see me!”

  Gabe frowns, “No thanks.”

  Aude’s Stat teacher marches up to the pair. “Not so close, please.” The last song’s finished, and the next one is much quieter.

  “Huh?” Aude stops moving.

  He holds his hands about a foot apart. “I’m sorry, but there are rules against dancing too close together.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Audrey takes a step away from Gabe.

  “Much better.” The teacher returns to his patrol.

  “Well that sucks,” Gabe says. “I was having fun.”

  “I know, me too. Did you hear what I said?”

  Gabe shakes his head. “Something about gum.”

  “Unh uh. I said, is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” Audrey repeats, for about the fourth time.

  “Oh. Well I’d be happy to show you.” Gabe winks.

  “Ew. Gabe!”

  “Haha, you started it. You shouldn’t use pickup lines if you don’t wanna, you know…“

  “I was just trying to be funny.”

  “And you were, babe. Very funny. Well, since we can’t grind, you wanna…“ he trails off.

  “What?”

  “Get out of here. I’ve had enough dancing for the night.”

  Aude squints at him. “But we just got here. I haven’t even seen Maddie.”

  “Did she get a date?”

  “Um, no. I don’t think so.”

  “Well, maybe she didn’t come. Can’t you text her and find out?”

  “Yeah, I could,” Aude says. She doesn’t want to leave so soon, though. “Can we at least dance for like another hour?”

  Gabe groans. “But I’m so bored, babe.”

  Aude’s immediate desire is to kick him, say something to the effect of “I put up with your crap last week, so you can put up with mine” and force him to stay. But instead, she bargains. “A half hour?”

  “Okay. I can do a half hour.”

  They sway for another seven songs, hands around each other’s hips. Aude can see Gabe counting down the minutes. “Fine,” she relents. “Let’s go.”

  “Oh, thank god.”

  Aude sighs, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his reaction. “Just let me find Kate, and tell her we’re leaving. We’ll be back to give them a ride to Nate’s party, right?”

  Gabe smirks. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “Yes we will. Okay, wait for me here.” Aude presses into the group of bodies closer to the booth, searching for her best friends. A hand gropes her, but she ignores it. “Kate! There you are!”

  “Hey, Aude!” Kate smiles. Aude notices that no one made her stop grinding. “What’s up?”

  “Gabe wants to leave. So I guess we’re going.”

  “What? Why?”

  Aude shrugs. “I dunno. He says he’s bored. We’ll come back, though, for Nate’s party.”

  Kate holds out her arms. “You could stay and dance with us. Sean wouldn’t mind. Right, Sean?”

  Sean gulps. “No, of course not.”

  “See, Aude? You should stay here, wit
h us.”

  “I know. But if Gabe wants to go—“ she frowns “—I don’t wanna make him stay. See you in like an hour or so.”

  “Okay.”

  Aude crosses the press of bodies again. Gabe’s standing in the exact same position as when she left. “Hey baby,” she says. “I’m ready to go.”

  “Good.” Gabe takes Aude by the hand and leads the way out, into the hallway and the secondary gym. His clipped response and quick steps make her wonder if he’s mad at her.

  Wait a second... Aude nearly passes by a beautiful girl in a slim pink dress without recognizing Maddie. “Whoa, Maddie! Hey! How are you?”

  Maddie smiles. “I’m good. How about—wait, are you leaving?”

  Aude nods. “Yeah, Gabe was getting bored.”

  “Really?” Maddie turns to Gabe. “Why were you getting bored?”

  Gabe crosses his arms. “The music’s lame.”

  “Oh… Well, before you go, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Maddie steps back to put a hand on her date, a boy with short black hair and an angular jaw. “Aude, this is Jonah. Jonah, this is Audrey. She’s like one of my best friends.”

  “Nice to meet you!”

  Maddie grins at Aude. “Well, I’ll see you at Nate’s party.”

  “Yup.” Aude runs into another girl she knows, right behind Maddie. The girl starts to strike up a conversation, but Gabe insists that they have to leave, right at that moment.

  He’s definitely mad. Gabe walks ahead of her, without even bothering to look back. They reach his Porsche, and Aude climbs in. “What did I do wrong?” she asks.

  Gabe takes a deep breath. “I told you I wanted to leave an hour ago.” He points at the car’s clock. “It’s nine-thirty, and I wanted to leave at eight-thirty.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Aude traces the outline of the glove box. “But you said we could stay for a half hour.”

  “But I didn’t want to. I only did it for you. And then you took twice that time.”

  “I—I had to say bye to Kate. And then I ran into Maddie.” Something about Gabe’s tone of voice, the barely-controlled anger, reminds her of her father. “Why did you wanna leave, anyway?”

  “Because, I wanted to—I just wanted to be alone with you.”

  “Well, we can be alone now. Can’t we?” Aude rubs his back, hoping to calm him down.