The following week we don't miss a day of school, instead focusing on our friends that we won't see after this week.
Friday night comes quickly, and Zoe, Scarlett, and I go to the movies. Zoe keeps smiling, and saying she has a surprise for us.
"For the love of God Zoe. Just tell us what it is!" Scarlett cries at her, and I just roll my eyes. The both of them are so annoying.
"Scarlett, be patient, and Zoe we get it. You have a surprise." I'm driving tonight, and Scarlett is upset because Zoe won shotgun over a coin toss. "... and Scar, please put your seatbelt on." I huff at her.
She slams her body back in the seat. "Okay Grandma." she says sarcastically, putting her seat-belt on. "What movie are we watching?" she asks.
Zoe turns her body around to face Scarlett. "That new horror film I was telling you about!" Zoe looks too excited.
"Do we have to watch that? I was thinking we could go see I Love You Over the Moon and Back." I chime and Scarlett nods her head quickly.
"Yes Mora! That sounds much better than blood, guts, and glory!!" she sings.
Zoe shakes her head furiously. "Come on. That name isn't even original. Seriously guys." she crosses her arms looking back and forth at us.
"Two beats one Zo." I respond, and she knows there's no debating with us.
Once we get to the theater, Zoe's attitude changes back, and she skips out of the car. "Come on girls. Hurry!" she runs away not waiting on us. "That's rude." Scarlett say's and we start walking inside.
As soon as we're inside I see Zoe standing with a girl. Her back is facing us, but I instantly know who it is! "Emily!" I squall and skip over to her to greet her in a hug. "What are you doing here?" I let her go, and look her over. The only thing that's changed on her is shorter hair, and a nose ring. "You got your nose pierced?" I ask.
"Yeah, you like it?" she asks me as she greet's Scarlett next with a hug.
"Sure. I mean, believe it or not, it suits you." I give her an approving look.
"Thanks." she says. "And yeah, I got here yesterday. I wanted to surprise you girls." she claims, and Zoe looks impressed that she didn't let the secret slip. I'm shocked as well.
"Well it's so good to see you!" Scarlett dances around as we walk to the prolonged ticket line. "So, how are things with you and Aiden?" She asks me as Zoe and Scarlett gossip about the group of kids in the neighboring line.
"We're doing good." I answer, and she notices my tone isn't excited.
She stares at me. "Just good?" she asks.
"Yeah, well we were fantastic until he informed me he was staying home, and going to Conroe for school."
Emily gasps. "What? I thought he got accepted with you?" she asks. I told her the news soon after I got my acceptance letter.
"He was going to, but his mom talked him out of it." I truthfully admit, and she raises an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" she asks, and I nod. "Mor, that sucks. Are you okay?"
"I'm okay. It just shocked me is all, but I'll get over it." I try to sound confident. She just softly smiles at me, and changes the subject.
"I'm happy to be home again." she says.
"Me too!" I cheese at her. "I was bummed when you didn't come home for Christmas."
"Yeah, I was sad, but I volunteered to do Christmas lunches and dinners for the homeless shelter that entire week. I couldn't say no." she admits, and I just look at her with admiration. That's Emily.
"So Zoe says you guys only have three days left?" Scarlett, and Zoe turn around to face us.
"Yes. I'm so excited!" Scarlett announces, and everyone smiles, and I try to but all I can do is feel sadness for Aiden and me. I quickly change my face so they can't tell I'm having a hard time.
After the movie we go get pizza, and then we go to Scarlett's for the last slumber party that we'll probably ever have.
Scarlett bought face masks, and polishes for mani, and pedis. Her mom brought up chips and dip for us to munch on.
"So what are the college guys like?" Scarlett asks as we wash our faces off.
"Honestly just like the high school guys. Some cocky, some shallow, and some are just kind." she giggles, and we all follow. "Maybe they are a little more mature. I'm not sure though." she admits.
"That's a bummer." I sigh as I pull my hair back with a clip.
"I bet they are way better in bed!" Zoe says.
Scarlett hisses. "Zoe, my mom is right down stairs!"
"Sorry." she laughs, and we all start laughing again. I'm going to miss Zoe so much. "Seriously though." she's whispering now. "They have more experience!"
"Well I wouldn't want a guy with more experience!" I claim, and Scarlett and Zoe roll their eyes at the same time.
"Yeah right Andrews. Your boyfriend has more experience then the whole school combined." Zoe spits out, and it offends me.
"Shut up Zoe." I snap.
"Zoe, that wasn't nice to say!" Emily voices.
"Oh I'm sorry Mora. I meant it as a compliment." She tries to defend her words.
I scrunch my face at her. "Whatever." I say and move on. Of course she would think that's a compliment.
"I am curious though..." she looks at me suspiciously. Oh no.
"I'm not talking about that with you." I look down, now with my face mask on and pick out a polish.
"Oh come on Andrews!" she begs, and Emily nudges my shoulder. She wants to know too. Scarlett of course already knows, but she doesn't say anything.
"What about you and Zach?" I turn it around on her.
"Duh." she acts like I should already know. I didn't, but her answer say's enough. "Well?" she doesn't drop it.
"No, okay. We haven't done it if that's what you're asking." I break, and she looks satisfied.
"What about other stuff?" she's milking me for more answers.
"No, nothing else. Just making out." I admit, and she seems pleased.
"What about you Scarlett?" she changes her direction. I'm just as curious. She never talked about her and Josh because for a long time I was upset about them, but now that Conner has moved on, and I've spent more time with them I don't think it would bother me.
Scarlett shoots her eyes at me then back to Zoe. "We've done other stuff." she's honest, and my mouth drops. I guess I should have known, but I wasn't expecting her answer.
"Other stuff? So no sex?" Emily asks.
"No sex. I'm just not ready to have sex with him." she answers.
"Did you and Conner ever have sex?" Zoe asks. I know the answer because one day I made Conner admit to me that they did it.
"Yes." she whispers. "He's the only one I've ever had sex with, and I'm just not ready to do it with anyone else yet." she answers, and then gets up to use the bathroom. That's our que to drop it. Scarlett isn't usually a runner, so when she leaves we all know she's uncomfortable.
"Let's play poker!" Zoe offers.
"Okay, but not for real money." Scarlett says as she enters the room again.
"Fine by me." Zoe says, and Scarlett leaves again to go down stairs and get the poker set.
We decide on Texas Hold Em' because that's the only game I can play. My dad taught Conner and I how to play at a young age.
Though I've played almost my entire life, I was first out so I go ahead and lay down and start a movie on Scarlett's laptop. Soon I feel my eyes tire out on me. That's when I hear them whisper.
"I can't believe Aiden would pull that move on Mora. Does he realize how lucky he is to land someone like her?" I hear Zoe's voice whisper.
"I feel sorry for him honestly. It wasn't easy for him to deny A&M like he did." Scarlett stands up for him. I'm thankful she does. He did have a hard choice, and honestly I would have made the same decision.
"Do you think that they will make it with the long distance?" Emily asks, and Zoe answers first.
"Hell no."
"They could make it work." Scarlett disagrees.
"I doubt it. I mean, no offense but look at you and Conner." she says.
"Yeah, but Conner and I are not Aiden, and Mora. He would do anything for her." Scarlett says..
"But Scarlett, he didn't do anything for her; did he? He chose to stay behind."
"We don't know why he had to stay behind though. It's obvious that it was something that really mattered because Mora instantly forgave him for making that choice." shes fights for us.
"Well I still don't think they can make it work. He'll mess up at some point, and she'll find another guy.
"Oh stop it Zoe. I'm sure they will be fine." Emily intervene, and I can hear the frustration in Zoe's tone. She doesn't like when everyone disagrees with her. I just hope she's not right.
"We'll see." is all she says. I can hear them shuffle around getting ready for bed. Zoe, and Emily lay on the floor on a blow up mattress, and Scarlett gets in the bed with me. After about thirty minutes I can hear Zoe snoring, so I roll over to see if Scarlett is sleeping.
"Hey." I whisper, and she turns around.
"Hey." she mutters back.
I tuck my hands under my cheek flat on my pillow. "Did you mean what you said about me and Aiden?" I ask.
"You heard us?" she asks, and I nod. "I'm sorry Mor. and yes, I think if the two of you try..." she hesitates momentarily. "you two can accomplish anything." she smiles, and wipes a tear from my eye. "I see the way he looks at you, and I've never seen him look at anyone else that way, and I know you've never felt this way about anyone. It's different then Conner and I because you found yourself before he ever came along. I didn't know myself yet when I found Con. It's a huge difference." she says.
I close my eyes, and pull the blanket up higher to cover my shoulders. "Thanks for never giving up on me Scarlett." I'm thankful that we're still friends after all we went through this year.
"Best friends forever." she whispers, and we both fall asleep.