“To feel the brief sensation of a flat stomach. Oreos don’t have the same effect.”
“Is it a pool party?” I asked reluctantly, focusing intently on rearranging my math notes.
“Yeah. But not like the others,” clarified Amelia, who wasn’t even looking at the camera, occupied with ripping the wax strip from her shin. Watching her wax during the video call was painful, even though I wasn’t even the one doing it.
“No, ladies, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t really get what it’s about.”
“I get it, Amelia. Poppy told me eight times. It’s a secret party in a secret place where you can only get in if you know the password, blah, blah, blah.”
Poppy was already on her third stick of gum. She put a fourth in her mouth before talking again.
“I’ll tell you how it went last year if you want.”
“Shut it, Poppy!” Amelia said, holding back a painful groan before ripping the strip off her calf. “Come on, June, it only happens once a year!”
“My mom knows how to be much more convincing than both of you combined,” I teased.
“Yeah, it’s a pool party, but there are still tons of hot guys,” continued Amelia.
“Objection! If I had two guys like James and Will to look at, you know I wouldn’t care about any others,” Poppy said.
“Enough with that crap, Poppy. June isn’t with that asshole Hunter. She’s with Will. Right, June?”
Amelia’s suspicious expression didn’t go unnoticed.
“Why are you asking me? Of course I’m not with Hunter. Besides I already told you, I might not even be with Will.”
“You’re officially free like us. Another reason to come! James usually brings fluorescent paint.”
“I bet. He can’t wait. I hope he drowns in that stuff,” Amelia said curtly.
“He is pretty good at painting. I think he should take one of the courses your mom teaches, June. Do you remember the—”
“Poppy, enough. Is it just me, or are you a little more uptight than usual?” Amelia cut her off, reproaching her.
“Why do you have such an issue with him?” I asked, before Poppy started off on another of her monologues.
“Because he’s awful. So it’s decided. June’s coming.”
Did I really have to sneak out? Who was reassuring me that this was worth it?
“Let’s do it like this. I’ll come but you gotta tell me what happened at Tiffany’s party last year.”
Amelia jumped then shot Poppy a threatening look.
“Damn it! Mr. Rabbit never stays in his cage! I gotta go!” she shouted, hanging up.
“Who?”
“Her stupid rabbit. I still don’t know if it’s real or imaginary.”
Amelia and I burst out laughing.
“Come on, June, then we’ll talk tonight,” she begged me with a smile.
“I don’t know what point Will and I are at, but I don’t like all these secrets,” I whispered.
