Page 66 of Absorbed

“What about me?” Chad asked, wrapping his arm around Desiree’s waist. “Why can’t I come?”

“Dude,” Mark said. “Let go of her and take hold of that corner. I wanna go home.”

“As if my parents would let you sleep over!” Desiree said. “It’s not like I won’t see you at the party.”

“You sure Melissa’s okay with me being there?” Stacey was still skeptical about whether Melissa could be trusted.

Mark chuckled. “Don’t worry, Chapman. My guess is this won’t be a night of Ouija boards and pillow fights.”

“That’s oddly specific.” Stacey smirked at Mark. She pushed the empty covers cart back up against the wall.

“Why does everyone assume I don’t know things?” He locked the chemical room door.

Desiree laughed. “I know that episode! You watch90210?”

“Don’t judge me.” Mark feigned insult, moving over to lock the equipment room.

“Melrose Placeis better. More sex,” Chad said.

“You are both idiots.” Desiree turned back to Stacey. “Seriously, though, you should totally come. We’re gonna get ready at my house. Eat pizza. Walk over together.”

Staying at Desiree’s would be easier than trying to sneak in at home after midnight. “Um…yeah. I guess so,” Stacey said. Maybe this way her mom would never have to find out where she’d been.

“You’re going to a sleepover? Tonight?” Her mom poured coffee into a mug before leaving for work Wednesday morning.

“Is that okay? At Desiree’s house. She lives on Hillcrest.”

“In Hawk Hill?” Her mom looked up, skeptical. “Howdo you know her?”

“She works at the pool. All the girl guards are staying over.”

“So, she already graduated. You’re…hanging out? Watching movies?” She eyed Stacey suspiciously.

“Is that a bad thing? Me hanging out with more girls?”

“No. Of course not. That’s not what I…” She took a breath and started again. “I’m glad you’ve made more friends. Will Desiree’s parents be home? What’s their last name?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why they wouldn’t be.” Stacey nodded. “Their last name is Fox.”

“Fox…Desiree Fox… Doesn’t ring a bell. Well, I…” Her mom looked at the clock. “Shoot, my first client is in fifteen minutes. I’ve gotta run.” She grabbed her purse and keys, then hustled toward the front door. “Have fun,” she yelled over her shoulder.

“K. See you tomorrow,” Stacey said as the front door closed.

Stacey slurped Cap’n Crunch Berries while packing her overnight bag. She surveyed her closet, searching for a cute outfit for the party. Murphy jumped on the bed and rested her muzzle on the canvas duffle.

Pivoting to add her cropped KROQ tee to the bag, Stacey noticed Murphy’s sad expression. Stacey stuck out her bottom lip. “Don’t look at me like that, Murph. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Murphy whined, wagging her tail, but held her spot on the duffle bag.

Stacey pulled the bag out from under Murphy and set it on the desk. She added boxers and a tank top to sleep in, a sandwich bag full of makeup, her toothbrush, and hairbrush. Before heading out the door, Stacey squished her pillow into the duffle.

She slipped into her flip-flops. “Be a good girl,” Stacey said, as she put Murphy on the back porch with a milk bone and a bowl of water.

She threw the duffle bag into the passenger seat of the Silver Bullet and turned the key in the ignition. The radio blared and Stacey rolled down the windows. She sang along with Stone Temple Pilots about not feeling like herself.Maybe not me isa little more of what this summer needs.Stacey released the emergency brake and backed down the driveway.

Coach Bob caught wind of the party. Afternoon swim ended, they pulled the cover over the pool, and were about to head out when Bob came in unannounced. Everyone was grabbing their keys from the lockers when he stopped them.

“I expect you all on time for your shifts tomorrow,” he said. He went around the room pointing his finger in their faces and looking each guard in the eyes. “Ready for a long day,” he said to Tiffany. “In the hot sun,” he told Stacey. “With loud kids,” he pointed in Chad’s face. “Got it?” he asked Mark.

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