A gaggle of girls

[Jeszika]

A knock sounds on jez's door, she lays her book aside to answer it. SHe pouts a little as she does so, her book "Time Untime" Was starting to get really good. She was curious to see what happened next between Kateri and Ren, but sigh... She walks to the door and is surprised when she opens it to find Bethany Kenyon, Nikki Peltier and Ashley Kenyon. Her best friends. KISS.

Jeszika: 

Heya guys...

0Nikki, Bethany and Ashley all smile at their friend. 

Nikki:

Welcome home, Jezzy Belle!

Jeszika: 

Good to be home, come in, come in. 

She holds the door open and steps back so they can come in. 

Ashley: 

Did ya have a good time in New York this time? 

Jeszika blushes a little at the memory of New York, and a playful smirk spreads on her face. 

Jeszika: 

A lady never tells....

Ashley smirks. 

Ashley: 

Then spill it, sister! 

Nikki and Bethany chuckle. 

Bethany: 

Jesus, Ash...

Ashley shrugs. 

Ashley:

What? It's not like we haven't told each other about such things before! 

Nikki nods slowly. 

Nikki: So are you gonna tell us about that bouncer guy you've gone back to see a couple of times now, then?

Ashley just shoots back. 

Ashley:

Only if you're gonna admit you did Richie last night! 

Jeszika: 

Girls!! Yes, me and Melissa slept together... Do you need details? No. All I'll tell you is... BY God it was worth the wait! 

Bethany smiles knowingly, making sure the other two can't see her. Nikki nods, genuinely happy for Jeszika while Ashley just stands there brooding. 

Nikki: 

Are ya gonna go back or... bring her here?

Jeszika: 

Honesty, I'm not sure. She works in New York so it might be tricky for me to bring her back here. But next time we're all up in New York, you're welcome to meet her if she wishes.

Ashley nods, still looking slightly surly. 

Ashley:

Guess this means she burned that jackass Brody's number... 

Jeszika looks away suddenly, not able to look Ashley in the eye and tell her that she didn't. 

Jeszika: 

I... I didn't... 

Ashley can't believe her ears. 

Ashley:

WHAT?!!!?!?!

Nikki and Bethany try to slow her down as Ashley takes a step forward. 

Bethany: 

Ash... 

Ashley shakes her head. 

Ashley:  

No... what do you mean, you didn't get rid of his number? Why would you possibly keep it? 

Jeszika looks down for a moment, before sighing. 

Jeszika: 

I called him... 

Ashley is completely taken aback. 

Ashley: 

Have you lost your fucking MIND?!!!?!

Jeszika takes a step back. 

Jeszika: 

I... Ash, please don't hate me for this... Please... 

Bethany puts her hand on her sister's arm. 

Bethany: 

Ash, calm down! 

Ashley pulls away. 

Ashley: 

You think it's perfectly fine? 

Bethany raises her hands, trying to calm her further. 

Bethany: 

I didn't say that... 

Ashley nods. 

Ashley: 

Then what ARE you saying? 

Jeszika is starting to get agitated now and her hands clench a little. 

Jeszika: 

Guys stop! Stop fighting! 

When they don't listen she yells. 

Jeszika: 

STOP!

Nikki nods slowly. 

Nikki: 

Guys... I'm sure we could all write books on dating people others thought were bad ideas... 

Bethany nods in agreement. 

Bethany: 

Yeah... we should give her a chance. 

Nikki: 

Besides... calling somebody doesn't necessarily mean anything... 

Jeszika: 

He invited me to dinner... which before you over react does NOT mean I will be sleeping with him again, its just a friendly dinner between work. 

Ashley starts to retort but Bethany cuts her off. 

Bethany: 

Ash... just because it would mean that with you... 

Ashley wheels on Bethany. 

Ashley: 

Oh, so now I'm a slut?!!?

Jeszika gets in between them and holds out her hands. 

Jeszika: 

Whoa, whoa girls stop this! No one is calling anyone a slut! Calm the fuck down!!! 

Bethany shakes her head, looking upset that her sister would think that. 

Bethany: 

I wasn't saying that at all, Ash... 

Ashley nods skeptically. 

Ashley: 

What WERE you saying then?

Bethany: 

I was just saying... if you cared enough about somebody to call them like that... it wasn't just gonna be dinner. If it was, you wouldn't bother calling them back. You'd text them an excuse to politely decline. 

Jeszika: 

Exactly, but I swear it's only going to be dinner... A simple, harmless dinner. I won't be drinking, so he can't coerce me into his bed like he did last time. It will be fine guys, I swear. 

Ashley exhales fiercely. 

Ashley: 

Do we at least get to tail y'all and then kick his ass? 

Nikki nods slowly, wishing she wasn't agreeing on this somewhat. 

Nikki: 

Please... let us tail you... I don't think this is a great idea, I smell a rat... just in case... 

Bethany raises her hands again to try and calm everyone. 

Bethany: 

Jezzy... do you want us to tail you, just in case or would you rather we just... trust you on this? 

Jeszika: 

I... I'd rather you trust me on this. I can handle myself. 

Bethany and Nikki both nod grimly while Ashley stands there looking annoyed.

Bethany: 

Ok... 

Jeszika: 

Thanks guys... Maybe you can ring me after the dinner to make sure everything went ok? Or text me, whatever easier. 

Nikki nods slowly. 

Nikki: 

Is it gonna be here in town?

Jeszika shakes her head. 

Jeszika: 

It will be in Reno, after Tragic Engagement.

Bethany suddenly looks like she's gonna be sick. 

Bethany: 

So if we wanna be able to be close enough to come help... we have to go to... Reno? 

Jeszika nods Jeszika: 

Yes... Are you ok with that? 

Bethany bites her lip. 

Bethany: 

I... 

Jeszika: 

I understand if you don't B. Its ok. 

Ashley grins playfully. 

Ashley: 

You afraid she's gonna get you drunk and fuck you? 

Bethany just stands there looking panicked and as if she might burst into tears now. Ashley almost immediately regrets her words. 

Ashley: 

I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that... 

Bethany just nods slowly again. 

Nikki: 

Jesus... Ash... 

Jeszika puts her arms around Bethany. 

Jeszika: 

I agrees.... Jesus, Ash... not the place for a joke like that... 

Ashley nods, ashamed. 

Ashley: 

I'm sorry... 

She pauses. 

Ashley: 

Can I... make it up to you by buying you a drink at Prey tonight?

Bethany stares at her sister in shock. 

Bethany: 

You... would pay for something? 

Ashley nods knowingly. 

Ashley: 

Hey, I know I was a bitch just now, I need to make it up to you...

Bethany nods. 

Bethany: 

Ok... but... I'm gonna ride with Jezzy so we have more than one car just in case... 

Ashley and Nikki nod. A few minutes later, Ashley and Nikki roll out in Nikki's car while Bethany steps into Jezzy's car with her. 

Bethany: 

I didn't tell them about the other night... 

Jeszika: 

Thanks, B.... I appreciate it. 

She nods as Jeszika cranks up the car and pulls out into traffic. 

Bethany: 

I haven't called Carrie yet... but her boss called me. 

Jeszika frowns. 

Jeszika: 

Her boss called you? Why? 

Bethany looks down in shame. 

Bethany: 

He and Carrie are friends... and he knew... 

Jeszika: 

He knew? How? 

Bethany shrugs. 

Bethany: 

He has a room in the back of the club too and he was apparently in it when Carrie and I... 

Jeszika: 

OK, well that's not awkward at all.... what did he say? 

Bethany: 

He wanted to know what my intentions were towards Carrie. 

Jeszika: 

What did you tell him? 

Bethany: 

Same thing I told you... I don't know... I... just.. don't know... 

Jeszika: 

How did he take that? 

Bethany: 

Wanted to know what was stopping me then asked me if I'd come see him... 

Jeszika: 

Ok.... that's not weird at all. Are you going to? 

Bethany shrugs. 

Bethany: 

Well, if he's there tonight... I'm gonna end up seeing him whether I want to or not... same as Carrie...

Jeszika: 

Do you want me to come help you? 

Bethany nods. 

Bethany: 

I know why they wanted to go out tonight. The Red Hoods are playing and Nikki's been going lately very night they play and Ashley tags along whenever that Billy guy is in town. 

She pauses. 

Bethany: 

Sometimes I worry about her though. That Billy guy seems to be kinda... he's got a habit and I worry she might party too much with him... 

Jeszika: 

We'll just have to watch her I guess, make sure she's safe. 

Bethany nods. 

Bethany: 

What am I gonna do if Carrie and this.. Jonas... both wanna talk? 

Jeszika: 

Just talk to them, I'll be there to back you up. 

Bethany: 

God help me... he's kinda hot but... I think I like her... 

Jeszika: 

There's no rule that says you can't have both. 

She winks jokingly. 

Bethany: 

Somehow... I don't think that's... 

Jeszika: 

Why not?

Bethany shrugs. 

Bethany: 

Carrie's a lesbian?

Jeszika: 

Good point. 

Bethany: 

What are you gonna do about Brody and Melissa?

Jeszika: 

I don't know... I honestly don't know.... 

Bethany nods. 

Bethany: 

Do they know about each other? Like... fully?

Jeszika shakes her head. 

Jeszika: 

No... but there's nothing really to tell. She knows about the first night, there's not much to tell beyond that. 

Bethany: 

What will happen if... it happens again? 

Jeszika: 

I... I don't know.... I'm too scared to even think about that... Cos I think I do want it to happen again... I think that dinner will end that way...

Bethany nods understandingly. 

Bethany: 

You're right... we are quite the pair, Jezzy... 

Jeszika: 

That we are, B... 

Bethany shakes her head. 

Bethany: 

This is gonna be one of them nights I wanna get really plastered and yet... don't wanna get loaded at all... 

Jeszika: 

Just go with the flow. I'll help you no matter what you do. 

Bethany smiles. 

Bethany: 

Ok. 

Jeszika: 

I won't make you face this alone. 

Bethany smiles. 

Bethany: 

You're the best friend I've ever had, Jezzy... thank you. 

Jeszika: 

I only give back what is given to me. I couldn't ask for a better friend either, B.

They pull into the parking lot and smile at their giddy friends. 

Bethany: 

As usual, they're excited already... 

Jeszika: 

Of course.

Bethany takes a deep breath. 

Bethany: 

Well, here goes nothin... 

Jeszika: 

you'll be fine B... don't worry 

She nods as Jeszika turns the car off. They step from the vehicle and walk inside with Nikki and Ashley, ready to see what awaits inside.