It all started with a series of metal bangs that echoed down the hallowed halls of the institution. Footsteps pounded up and down the tiled floor as the school children ran in different directions for lunch.

Aspen peeked out the door before taking another puff off her cigarette and then quickly passed it to Jennifer. She blew the smoke out the high frosted windows above the sinks that lined the girl’s locker room.

“Anyone coming?” Jenifer asked as she put the cigarette to her lips, took another puff and then passed it to Aspen.

“Na,” Aspen giggled. “The hall is empty.”

Aspen took another puff and then threw the butt into the toilet and flushed it.

“Any plans for your birthday next week?” Jennifer asked.

“My mom and dad are up to something but they won’t tell me until this weekend after school is out. Something big according to them.” She rolled her eyes.

“Oh god, if your parents are planning something it’s gotta be good.” Jennifer shook her head.

“Well I’m guessing it’s not a surprise party, or you would have told me, or Debbie would have for sure.”

“That girl never could keep her mouth shut.” Jennifer smirked.

“Remember that time we told her that Gina and Rob making out in the broom closet? The whole school knew about it by the end of the day.” They both laughed.

“Yeah, and remember when we told her about the surprise party at Carlo’s and she actually showed up?” Aspen grinned.

“Yeah, I’d actually feel sorry for her if she had any brains. She’s so stupid.” Jennifer shook her head.

“Well, sometimes I feel sorry for her.” Aspen frowned.

“Really?”

“No.”

They laughed.

“So what do you think?” Jennifer asked.

“It’s hard to tell. I can almost always get my dad to tell me, but not this time.” Aspen frowned. “I hope it’s not some lame family thing. I’m still mad about that long stupid trip through Kansas.”

“I know, right.” Jennifer said.

“Yeah, there wasn’t a mall in hundreds of miles from that stupid farm. I don’t think the entire state has anything civilized and NO cell service.” Aspen narrowed her eyes in thought.

“Disney World and Epcot?!” Jennifer clapped.

“Like we haven’t done that before, but it’s better than Kansas and I did manage to get a few drinks from some cute German guy.” Aspen snickered.

“Well whatever it is I hope I can come too.”

“I know, right. Party’s just aren’t any fun without you.”

“So how’d the math test go?” Aspen asked studying her face in the mirror above the sink.

“I passed thanks to your little cheat sheet.” Jennifer spoke as she applied some lipstick. The florescent light above the row of sinks flickered. Down the hall a locker door slammed.

They giggled.

“If I find anything out I’ll let you know. Hey, want to come over tonight and have some fun. Tonight is their so called “date-night” so they’ll be gone until late. We can get some of my dad’s liquor.” Jennifer asked.

“That sounds like fun. We can make it a sleep over so if we get wasted my parents wont get wise.”

“I have a great idea,” Jennifer grinned maniacally turning toward Aspen.

“What?” Aspen smiled looking at Jennifer’s face.

“Let’s buy a disposable phone and send text messages to Debbie from an unknown secret lover.”

“Oh god Jen, you’re mean.”

“We can tell her to meet across town. Then when she gets there tell her something happened and then have her go to the other side. We can have her running all over town all night long.”

Aspen and Jennifer laughed so hard at the idea that Aspen had to run for one of the stalls. A small green dragonfly flew up from the stall startling her. She paused for a moment and watched the dragonfly hover in front of her face before it flew off. In her mind she could hear the words, “Help,” but the voice was small, so she quickly dismissed it.

Later, the final bell rang and noise filled the halls as children screamed, slammed their lockers and ran for their rides, while Aspen wondered what was up with her parents and what had the planned that was so secretive.