I’m just applying the last of my eyeliner when a low whistle catches my attention. Jenna stands in my bedroom doorway, leaning against the frame.
“Hey there, lady killer,” she says. “Looking good, sis. Sloane is going to faint when she gets a look at all this.”
Grinning, I check my makeup one last time before moving away from the mirror. I know I look good because I spent fucking hours this afternoon agonising over my outfit choice. I decided to go with what makes me comfortable. Black. I’m in my fancy black suit pants and a very fitted black shirt. My hair is slicked back and I’m wearing punkymakeup. It’s possible I look like a character fromLost Boys,but whatever. I look good, and Sloane has always appreciated my alternative fashion.
“It’s our first official first date,” I say to my sister as I search for my watch and wallet. Sloane will be here in ten minutes to pick me up. I’m stupidly excited to be eating at a fancy restaurant with her. Hopefully there will be candlelight and soft music, you know, to really notch up the cheese factor.
“I know. Sloane hasn’t stopped messaging me all day.”
I laugh because I can imagine Sloane panic messaging all her friends in a bid to choose her outfit, like I did. Bella helped me for all of ten minutes until she got bored with my inability to decide.
“Why are you here anyway?” I ask, strapping on my watch. “Did I know you were coming over?” My memory is atrocious at times.
“No, you didn’t, it was a spur of the moment thing,” she says.
“Fair play. I’m sorry I’m about to leave you alone, then. It’s been ages since we’ve hung out.”
“I’ve got Bella and Becca waiting in the living room with pizza and Xbox.”
Snorting, I slip my boots on. “Right, so you didn’t come over to see me at all. Charming!”
Jenna rolls her eyes. “It’s Friday, so it’s pizza and game night. It’s not my fault you’re abandoning us for the love of your life and a sappy restaurant.”
“You’d only cry if I was here, kicking your arse atMario Kart.It’s a blessing really.” I squint at her when I realise she’s in a soccer jersey. “You’ve been AWOL for two weeks,” I state. “And since when have you been into soccer?”
She goes pink. “If you must know, I decided to volunteer at a summer camp for kids with queer parents.”
Hmm, there’s more to the story. There isn’t much in life that gets Jenna Sawyer blushing. If I make this too serious she’ll clam up, and I desperately want to know what’s going on with her.
Taking a step towards her, I place my hand on her shoulder. “This is a safe space, Jenna. You can come out if you want, I love you for you, and it’s totally okay to be straight. I won’t judge you.”
Jenna gives me one of her best eye rolls and bats my hand away.
“You’re such a dick sometimes, Eden. And if you must know, I’m pansexual.”
“Right on,” I say, holding out my hand for a fist bump, which she gives me reluctantly.
“So? Is there someone at camp? Because that’s the only reason I can see you dragging your arse out of bed voluntarily on a holiday.”
“Dick!” she reinforces, but her blush kind of takes the heat out of her word.
“There is! Isn’t there?” I push. “Come on, Jen. Spill it.”
She relents, grinning sheepishly. “Fine. But it’s classified information until I can figure it out myself.”
I flop onto the bed. “Who are they?”
Jenna picks at her cuticle. “Her name’s Kiera.”
Huh, interesting. I knew a Kiera once, and she was the fucking worst. Okay, we sort of left on better circumstances than when we met, but still. She was the school’s soccer captain and a menace. She had a massive crush on Sloane and got pretty shitty when we started dating. It was because of her I hobbled across the finish line on my very first 5k run. Kiera tripped me, almost busting my ankle. She apologised eventually, and I told her I had no beef with her. She went off to college, and so did I. That’s the last I heard of her. It’s just a coincidence for Jenna to like a woman called Kiera. It’s not that small of a world.
“Is she camp staff?”
She nods, bashful. “She’s the assistant coach. The kids love her.”
“Are you guys dating?”
Jenna shrugs. “We’re just talking at the minute. She’s a few years older than me, and I think she’s worried about what people might say.”
