barb ❀

    ‘   you know, the kind of notes that got me through my last two pop quizzes.  i was sure mr. ryan was going toss me out the window if i failed ANOTHER bogus pop quiz.  ’   he jests back, nodding at her offer  ‘  that would be MOST OUTSTANDING if you can, i was just headed to the library, anyways.   ’

           ❛  NO DEAL.  ❜   she states promptly, with a shake of her head.   ❛  that was me asking you.  as far as i’m concerned, anyone else is too late.  ❜   they’re in need of fun, after all, the redhead’s smile might as well have indicated she’s not entirely against going.   ❛  surely, someone’ll be found crying in the bathroom.  a fight between whoever’s wearing the same dress.  if it’s totally lame, we’ll leave.  ❜

       barb looked down at the books in her arms but couldn’t hide her growing smile. nancy really was the best friend ever.   “  ... alright. we’ll go together then.  ”  with a little nod she’s approved the idea. barb really appreciated that nancy always respected her feelings and pushed her to be a better person at the same time. in this case, a slightly more adventurous and outgoing person. a school dance wasn’t the worst idea in the world, right? they could get ready together and barb really believed that nancy would leave with her if barb wasn’t having fun. there was nothing to lose. 

❝   𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊.   ❞    his mom would buy that,   and would hopefully trust him enough to know that he wouldn’t get into anything inappropriate while spending the night at a girl’s house.   she knew him better than that,   surely.   ❝   you’re smarter than us all,   ya know.   ❞

          she isn’t surprised at the other girls score, barb didn’t seem like the type who played games as much as she herself did. barbs score wasn’t as bad as the rest of the parties, and even though it didn’t make it onto the scoreboard, max was still impressed. “yeah, i can try. my skills come from instinct, really. if that makes sense.”

"oh, well...” barb chuckled and fiddled with the sleeve of her sweater. she liked how this one was extra long and could nearly cover her hands. “mine aren’t so great. maybe that’s my problem.” she gave a little shrug as she stepped aside to let max play. “it’s so cool that you’ve gotten to levels i haven’t even seen yet... is this game your favorite?”

       Parties were not for him. There were too many people, too much noise, and he just felt as if he was out of place. People had tried talking to him, and being friendly, but he couldn’t figure out the words to respond. What was he supposed to say? It was probably mostly his fault when they collided, as he was usually a million miles away. “Oh uh.” He’s caught off guard by the sudden compliment. The sweater was new, considering all of his old clothes were gone. “Thanks.” It means more than he seems to offer, but he does smile. “Oh uh, probably. I’m Greyson. Maybe we uh, had a class together?” She doesn’t look familiar to him, but he won’t say that. It’s something he’s gotten tired of saying.

          "yeah...” barb seems to zone out for a second. maybe she’s thinking back on past classes, maybe she’s just drunk and confused. it’s hard to tell. “that’s probably it.” offering another smile, she steps out of someone else’s way then continues to talk to greyson. “are you having fun?” barb takes a sip from one of the cups in her hands then grimaces slightly. yeah, that was a bit too strong for her tastes... but she’d deal with it. “oh, and i’m barbara -- barb! call me barb.”

             SHE’S KNOWN BARB LONG ENOUGH to know exactly what that particular laugh implies, giving her a look that suggests as much.  ❛  only … it is fatal.  ‘cmon, it’ll be fun.  what if  - I -  was your date?  we can …  count clichés.  ❜