Chapter Fifteen

      I took a deep breath, letting what my mom had just said sink in. Yup. It’s officially. She’s gone insane.

      “Mom, on what planet- actually no, on what UNIVERSE did you think doing that would make anyone’s lives better?” I asked, staring at her enraged.

      “Sweetie, Amy and I thought it would be fun for the girls to have a night together again, like old times. Besides, the girls were being very agreeable to this, Julia why aren’t you?” she asked, completely and utterly clueless.

      “Mom, there comes a time in people’s lives when they move on, make new friends, and they don’t keep the old. I really don’t know what’s so hard to fathom about the fact that I’M NOT FRIENDS WITH EMILY AND TAYLOR ANYMORE!”

      “Well tonight you will be.”

      “No, I won’t.”

      “Hun, we already made all the arrangements. You’re sleeping over Taylor’s house, and that’s final.”

      “You can’t make me!”

      “You’re right, I can’t; I can however take away your phone and computer for the next month.”

      “You wouldn’t!”

      “Oh yes, I would. Jules you’re just being very rude right now! The girls are trying to be sweet, the least you can do is accept the gesture of kindness.” The girls, sweet? That’s pretty funny!

      “No.”

      “Fine. Give me your phone and computer.”

      “Wait, so my options are suffering an entire thirteen hours, or loosing my phone and computer for a month?”

      “Yes.”

      “Hmmm…” I weighed out the outcomes of both scenarios. No phone or computer would result in me lacking a social life, while going to the sleepover would be hell. It’s a toughie...

      “Jules I’m giving you five seconds, make up your mind.”

      “I’ll go,” I said, seriously considering giving up my beloved hunks of metal.

      “That’s my girl! Now go pack, and meet me down here in a half hour!” she said, smiling. Fine. If I have to endure thirteen hours of torture, I’m going into the battle zone prepared.

      I trudged up to my room, bumping into Adam on the way.

      “Jules, why are you so mad? Boy problems again?” he asked.

      “No, actually. Our mother is forcing me to go to a sleepover.”

      “Sounds fun?” He studied my facial expression, “Or not…”

      “It’s with Emily and Taylor.”

      “MOM! YOU CAN’T LET JULES GO TO THAT SLEEPOVER!” he yelled from the hallway to her.

      “I already tried,” I said.

      “Yeah, well even if mom’s making you, I’m forbidding you to go.”

      “Oh? My brother’s forbidding me to go? Fine by me.”

      “She’s crazy if she thinks you’re going.”

      “I agree.”

      “Adam! What’s with all the yelling?” my mom demanded, stomping over to us.

      “Don’t make Jules go to that sleepover. Those girls are a bad influence, mom please, listen to us!”

      “Sorry Ad, she’s going. End of discussion.”

      “But mom-” he began.

      “End of discussion!” she said, strolling back to her office.

      “So what are you going to do?” Adam asked, with distress written across his face. Aw! He cares about me! What a good brother!

      “Bringing my computer, and some heavy duty headphones. Stay on Skype or iChat all night please, so I’m not alone!”

      “Totally. Talia might come over later, we’ll video chat with you.”

      “Cool. But yeah, I think I can survive. And if I can’t, I’ll just escape.”

      “Escaping sounds good. Call me whenever if you need a ride a home.”

      “I will,” I said, as a plan arose in the depths of my mind. Oh I’m so getting out of this! Yes! I’m such a genius!

      I got into my room, got a duffle bag out, shoved a pair of sweats, a T-shirt, and just incase another pair of clothes in it. I went into my closet, and brought out my sleeping bag (like I’d actually be using it! Psh! No!). I found a backpack, and threw (not literally, because that would BAD, and cause serious injury to it) my computer, charger, headphones, and some other stuff into it. Okay, I think I’m prepared.

      “Jules! You ready?” my mom shouted.

      “Yup!” I said, grabbing my stuff, and slowly walking to the front room.

      “You prepared to be polite?” she asked.

      “Yes,” I said, not fully lying. I mean, maybe we have different definitions of that word?

      “Okay! Good! Let’s go!” she said, smiling. I got into her car, after putting my stuff in the trunk, and texted Adam that I’d left.

      “Here, I’ll walk you in,” my mom said, as we pulled up to the overly familiar light blue house I had spent countless nights gossiping, and laughing at. I didn’t object. Going into the line of fire without protection? I’m not that stupid! My mom would chat with Amy for a few minutes, and that’d use up a good twenty minutes of me not talking to the girls.

      She rang the doorbell, and I saw a flash of orange hair whizz down the stairs. Amy. She opened the door, and shrieked, pulling us in.

      “AH! Laura! Julia! I am so happy to see you guys again! I haven’t seen you in forever girl!” she said, suffocating me into a hug. “And you! You look incredible Laura! Loving the hair!”

      “Thank you! Amy you look as glamorous as ever,” my mom said. Glamorous? Right mom, the Botox really makes Amy’s whole face come life, and the new hair dye? It doesn’t look fake at all! Yeah, Amy definitely looks natural. Can you taste the sarcasm?

      “Thanks! We really need to catch up sweetie! Come, in have some coffee for a while!” Amy suggested, while I just stood there, noticing the changes in décor that had taken place over the past two years.

      “Oh I really can’t! I have a palates class, but we should do lunch!” my mom said.

      “Absolutely! How about Friday?”

      “Friday? Lemme check,” she said, getting out her phone, and scrolling through her calendar. “Friday it is!”

      “Oh good! Where?”

      “I don’t know, any new places in the area?”

      “Well there is this one place, it’s like Japanese I think? It looks really good; I’ve been dying to try it! I’ll email you the details!”

      “Okay, great! Wonderful seeing you again! Jules, have fun!” my mom exclaimed, walking out of the door, leaving me alone with Amy. Shit. It didn’t take up the planned twenty minutes.

      “So, what’s up with you J?” she asked, smiling her overly white smile.

      “Oh, nothing,” I said.

      “Well that’s a lie. The girls are in Tay’s room, do I need to show you where it is, or do you remember?” Right, because I clearly forget where my ex-best friend’s room is.

      “I think I remember,” I said, taking my stuff.

      “Okay! Need any help with that stuff?”

      “Nope.”

      “Okay then! Dinner’s in like an hour, so just remind the girls that!”

      “Will do,” I said, starting down the long hallway. I came across a white door, and knocked on it.

      “What?!” the voice of a boy who would save me from my misery said.

      “Open your door,” I said.

      “Who is it?” he asked.

      “Open your door,” I repeated.

      “Who the fu- Oh. Hi. Julia why the fuck are you in my house?” he said, opening the door for me.

      “Nice to see you too Aaron. Oh, and our moms are idiots,” I said, walking into his room, closing the door behind me. 

      “Like I didn’t already know that!”

      “Yeah, mine forced me to come over here.”

      “Why?”

      “To have a sleepover!” I said, false excitement dripping through my voice.

      “With me?”

      “No with your sister, idiot!”

      “Oh. Why the hell would you want to have a sleepover with those bitches?”

      “I don’t. It was either this, or I’d loose my phone and computer.”

      “Ah. Tough decision.”

      “I know.”

      “So you gonna chill with me the entire night?”

      “Majority of it.”

      “Cool.”

      “But, I think I’ll make an appearance in your sister’s room, and then ditch them after dinner, sound good?”

      “Yeah. Oh, uh… did they tell you?”

      “What?”

      “No, I’ll let it be a surprise.”

      “Fine,” I sighed, “bye Aaron.” I reluctantly left his room, and made my way down the rest of the hall with my bags in hand. I dropped them on the ground in front of the dreaded room, and knocked slowly on the closed door.

      “Who is it?” a perky voice sang.

      “Jules,” I said.

      “Come in!” she called. I opened the door, to reveal a blinding sight. I had to close my eyes to not let it impair my vision. What color was that? Hot pink? As a wall color? Ew!

      “See Tay! I told you this was like an ugly color!” Emily said.

      “It is not! It’s like pretty, and hot. Get it, because it’s like hot pink! L-O-L!” Taylor said, giggling. Kill me. Now.

      “Julia come in!” Emily said warmly.

      “Mhmm…” I said, gradually walking into the frightening room, and not bothering to correct her. I looked them over, and almost laughed. Emily had on an V-neck T-shirt, three sizes to small, and a mini-skirt. In the winter, seriously Emily? I looked over to Taylor. I put my hand over my mouth to stop from laughing. She had on a spaghetti stapped tank top, and some very, very, very short shorts. Well, I mean all they are doing is chilling in the house, so it kind of makes sense? No. Wearing slutty provocative clothes is never good, even if it is just hanging around.

      An overwhelming emotion stabbed my heart. You know that feeling you get when you see you’re ex best friend (or two ex best friends)? All the memories, good and bad, start flooding back? You know all their secrets, and everything about them; and yet you feel disconnected from them in a way. You were so invested in their lives, and it all stopped. You remember that you’re not friends with each other for a reason, and in some ways it hurts. You know all those times you shared with each other you can never take back, for good or for worse. Yeah, that’s the way I felt seeing them; it was kinda like seeing a ghosts in mini skirts and short shorts. I know I’ve seen them before, but just standing in Taylor’s room just caused that feeling to resurface.

      “I am soooooooooo happy that you like could come!” Taylor gushed, snapping me out of my state. Oh no.

      “We need totally like talk!” Emily said.

      “About what?” I asked.

      “Everything!” Taylor beamed. Fine, they want to talk, I’m game.

      “Okay,” I said.

      “Where should we like start?” Emily asked.

      “Oh! I know! I heard you like broke up with your like boyfriend, tell!” Taylor said.

      “You want to know about my breakup?” I asked.

      “Yeah!” she said, as I took a seat in a pink beanbag chair.

      “Okay, we broke up.”

      “That’s it?” Taylor said.

      “That’s it.”

      “Who dumped who first?” Emily inquired.

      “Doesn’t matter.”

      “It really does! Emily tell her!” Taylor whined.

      “Julia, it totally makes a difference,” Emily supported.

      “I dumped him.”

      “Good girl! Now you can like go out with Chase! Yay!” Taylor said, clapping her hands in excitement.

      “No,” I said, shaking my head. I was still confused about the whole kiss thing… I mean, I’m an impulsive person, so I guess it felt right at the moment, and I just… kissed him. We haven’t really discussed it, but Chase has been a little overly possessive about me lately. We agreed that no one needs to know about the kiss, because I really don’t want to regain my rep again. He thinks we should go out. I think I’m not ready to be in a relationship yet.

      “Yes,” Emily said. “You two would be like perfect for each other!”

      “No, I really disagree.”

      “Do you have like anyone better to like choose from?” Taylor asked. Emily started cracking up. Em, always the smarter one between the two. Not quite a rocket scientist, but still a little brighter than Taylor.

      “You’re kidding, right Tay? The entire freaking school like wants to tap that!” Emily said, still laughing, and pointing to me.

      “No, but let’s be like realistic, Chase is pretty much her best like option,” Taylor said, flipping through a magazine.

      “Hmmm?” Emily asked, spacing out to admire her bright blue nails.

      “Chase is like the hottest dude ever, and Julia should totally like go out with him,” Taylor explained.

      “Okay, it’s Jules, and I’m not going out with Chase. Ever,” I said.

      “Still not over Mason yet, huh?” Emily asked, giving me a knowing smile. Why was I even put in this situation?

      “I’m over him, I’ve been over him for a good two years now,” I said.

      “That’s what you claim…” she said, shaking her head.

      “Jules, are you like not wearing makeup right now?” Taylor gasped.

      “No, I’m not wearing makeup right now,” I said.

      “OMG! We’re totally like doing it for you!” Emily shouted. Oh god no. They are NOT touching my face! Before I could think four hands were working on my face with product. I didn’t even have a chance to object. They were so going to pay for this!

Taylor’s POV

      “Done!” I said, smiling at our accomplishment. Julia looked so pretty with the makeup on. I mean she’s pretty anyways, but that makeup just added to it!

      “I love it!” Emily said.

      “And what about you, Jules?” I asked.

      “I- eh… it’s nice?” she said.

      “Damn right it is! It makes you look like so pretty!” I said, adding more mascara to my lashes.

      “Right… thanks?” she said.

      “Yo! Dinner’s ready!” Aaron said, barging into my room. Jerk. He doesn’t even knock!

      “Ever heard of knocking?” Emily asked, scanning her eyes over his body, with fake disgust spread across her face. Nice try Em, you’re not fooling anyone here; we all know you have a crush on Aaron, we’re no stupid!

      “Yes, but I didn’t want to,” Aaron said, walking up to Julia, and sitting down on her lap.

      “Get off of me!” she said, pushing him onto the ground.

      “Oh come on Julia!” he said, smiling at her. My brother and Julia always did have a special relationship with each other- not based on feelings of attraction, but rather genuine care. They’ve always been… friends; I guess you could call it.

      “So um… Aaron how was your lacrosse game last night?” Emily asked, batting her eyelashes. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for her to just ask him out, or hook up with him! I’m his sister, and I don’t have a problem with. I mean Emily’s been with tons of guys, I just don’t understand how Aaron is any different!

      “Good, we won,” he said, punching Julia.

      “Ouch!” she said, slapping him.

      “Really? That’s great!” Emily said. I could tell she didn’t care.

      “Right, so I came in here to tell you guys it’s dinner, so let’s go. Oh and Julia, you look like crap,” he said, studying her face.

      “Thanks,” she said.

      “Aaron! You don’t like tell people that! And besides, we like did her makeup! It looks fantabulous! But you wouldn’t know, because you’re just another dumb guy!” I said.

      “Ouch. That hurts sis. Let’s go to dinner,” he said, helping Julia up from the beanbag chair she had resided on. The four of us walked down the hallway, in a rush.

      “Hey guys!” my mom said, smiling at the sight of us.

      “Hi Amy!” Emily said cheerily.

      “Dinner’s at the table how about you guys just take a seat?” she said.

      “Yup,” I said, rolling my eyes. She can be so embarrassing, and annoying at times! I sat down in my usual seat, Aaron sat down in his usual seat, diagonal from me, Emily rushed to sit next to him, and Julia sat across from Aaron, next to me.

      “Don’t you kids dare start eating!” my mom warned, coming into the room with a steaming hot pot of whatever. As crazy as she was, she was one hell of a good cook; which is kind of a bad thing, because that means more calories! She’s knows I can’t eat this stuff!

Emily’s POV

      I squeezed Aaron’s hand under the table, and smiled to myself. Anytime I get a chance to be with Aaron, is a good time. I mean he’s so cute! Dirty blonde hair, light gray eyes, and a perfect body; he’s just the whole package!

      “So Emily, why don’t you tell us about that dance competition you were in on Saturday?” Amy asked, giving me one of her brightest smiles.

      “What about it?” I asked.

      “Did it go well?” she asked.

      “Yeah, we came in second.”

      “That’s wonderful sweetie! How about you Jules, what sports are you playing now?” Heartbreaking, kissing, lying, tongue? I thought, laughing to myself. I missed this girl. She was wild and fearless. Even if I had wanted to, I would never have had the courage to hook up with a guy two years older than me!

      “Volleyball,” she said, slowly dissecting the mashed potatoes in front of her.

      “Oh? Do you like it?”

      “Yup.”

      “That’s fabulous hun!” I love Amy. She’s one of the sweetest people I know, and she’s so easy to talk to! I can’t wait until she’s legally my mother-in-law… you know, when Aaron and I get married. Ding… Dong… I heard the two notes sing. I smiled, knowing the identity of the person on the other side. Julia, you are so welcome babe. She better love us after this!

      “I’ll get it. It’s my friend,” Aaron said, getting up, and leaving my hand. I felt empty now; without Aaron’s hand.

      “Who is it?” Julia asked.

      “Oh, a friend of ours,” Taylor said, smiling at me. I returned the gesture, as I heard the two male voices in the room beyond. I waited for Aaron to return, but he never did. I guess they went into his room or something.

      “Mom, we’re going to go like paint our nails, okay?” Taylor said, excusing us from the table. We walked down the hall to her room. I briefly stopped by Aaron’s door, but all I heard were the boys yelling at something, probably some stupid video game. We got into Taylor’s room, and I sat at her desk, looking over at old pictures I had seen a billion times.

      “So Tay, did you see how that bitch was dressed?” I asked, continuing to look through pictures.

      “Which?” she asked, starting to paint a neon pink color on her nails.

      “The pathetic wannabe loser.”

      “Which?”

      “Mia Bentley,” I said, as a smirk emerged on my face. From the corner of my eye I saw Julia squirm, and bite on her lip. Nervous? Really Julia? Don’t you dare tell me that you’re actually friends with that bitch!

      “She looked so desperate in that hideous tube top she was wearing today!” Taylor laughed.

      “I know! So ugly! Who’s she trying to impress anyways?”

      “Seriously guys?” Julia spoke up.

      “What?” Taylor asked.

      “Why do you have to gossip?” she asked. Guilty conscience much? If anyone, Julia Tylers should not be bitching about us about gossiping.

      “Are you saying you actually like Mia?” I asked suspiciously.

      “No. Absolutely not, I’m just saying it’s mean.”

      “Whatever. Em, what do you think?” Taylor asked, holding up one of her hands, and showing me her interesting choice of nail color.

      “Love it!” I said.

      “Do you guys mind if I go talk to Aaron for a few?” Julia asked.

      “No, not at all. I bet Aaron would love to talk to you, and I’m sure his friend wouldn’t mind either,” Taylor said, trying to not give anything away from her facial expression.

      “And how exactly do you know that?” she asked.

      “Twin telepathy, duh!” she said, as we both giggled. It still cracks me up every time Taylor reminds me that she and Aaron are twins. I mean they don’t look a thing alike! I know, I know, they’re “fraternal twins” or something; but still, they should at least look kinda the same, right? 

      “I’m gonna go now,” she said, taking her backpack, and leaving the two of us in the room.

      “OMG! She’s so like gonna flip when she sees him!” Taylor said, once the door was safely shut.

      “I know, right? She’s gonna totally love us!” I said, picturing the look of surprise she’d have when she walked into the room. Julia Tylers, after this you’re ours. We’re taking you back. You belong with us, not those sad weirdos. 

A/N: Ummm.... Sophie, it's a Monday, why in the universe (see what I did there?) are you uploading today? Cuz I didn't have school, duh! Oh, and I'm kinda epic. Oh, and I saw that this was #512 on the teen fiction list or whatever. Why does that matter? Because 5/12 is my birthday... I think? But Sophie, does this mean we're not going to have our special Friday upload?! No, you'll still get Friday, this was just a filler chapter to set up the scene or whatever for Friday's chapter. So, what did you think of it? To be honest, I hated this chapter. It was boring. We got some insight from the terrible two- Emily and Taylor. What do you think of them? Didn't seem too over the top mean, right? Just wait... I kinda hate them both. Did you like the part about ex-best friends? Yeah, that took real thinking and effort! OMG! Sophie, are you hinting that that part came from experience? Maybe... HAHA! Yeah, it did! Okay you should know that Aaron IS NOT AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER. Forget him, I don't care, he doesn't effect the story! Oh, and just to clarify there's NOTHING going on between Jules and he. Also, I don't know if it was clear or not, but he's Taylor's twin brother. This is such a confusing story! UGH! Whatever. Who's the friend? Come on guy you can guess this one! It's pretty easy, I'm not making it difficult, just think a little! What do you think Jules is going to do to get out of this mess? I'm almost 100% sure you'll never guess this one! And one more question: who do we hate more, Taylor or Emily? Or do you like them? I really don't. This is the last time I'll mention it, go check out my new story: As Long As You're Mine. PLEASE. So yup. I love writing these authors notes! Bye, see ya Friday!

-Sophie