Page 22 of Allure

“We got ice cream,” Kaylie says.

“If not for that, I would’ve made the cookies tonight, but I can’t pack on the freshman fifteen in the first week,” Dawn groans.

Eliza shifts slightly, so her right ear is closer to us. “How have your classes been so far, Brooke?”

“I have a feeling the professors are going to kick things into overdrive in the next day or two,” I say. “My first major assignment can be started this weekend already.”

Dawn grimaces as she places the bags on her desk. “I already have to write a paper.”

“You are a journalism major,” I remind her.

“I know, but the first week! Seriously? And it’s five pages, too, due on Monday.”

“What’s the topic?” Kaylie asks.

"We get to pick the topic, but the professor made it clear that if we want to write for a newspaper or news outlet, we might want to write about a current event, only I have no idea which one to pick."

“Why not write an opinion piece?” Kaylie suggests.

“On what topic?” Dawn asks dubiously.

“On whether or not God is real,” Kaylie says as she brushes back her mid-length curly blond hair.

Dawn lifts her eyebrows.

“Do you not believe in God, Kaylie?” I ask.

"I'm an atheist," she says proudly. "You could do two opposing sides and interview me for the nonbeliever side."

“That’s an idea,” Dawn murmurs.

"Or you can write about how hard it is for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community," Eliza states plainly. "With some handicaps, the visual ones, it's easier for people to feel sympathy, but when you can’t hear, when it’s invisible, other people will just pretend it’s not there, but that doesn’t make the issue go away.”

Dawn makes a face. “You two are coming up with way too many good ideas,” she complains as she flops onto her bed.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” I ask.

“No, not at all.” She grimaces. “Maybe I should make the cookies tonight.”

Kaylie and Eliza laugh.

I cross over and give Dawn a one-armed hug. “You don’t have to figure out the topic tonight, do you?”

“No.”

"Well, then? Ignore it for now. Instead, we can…" I eye the girls. "What are you up for?"

“It’s the middle of the week,” Eliza says. “I doubt there’s a party going on.”

“I’m sure there’s a party going on,” Kaylie argues. “You just have to find it.”

“I’m not sure a party is really my scene,” Dawn mumbles.

“Why not?” I ask, infusing cheerfulness into my tone even though I can hear my mom in the back of my mind wanting me to go out and party, which ensures that is the last thing I want to do. “We can scope one out, if we find one, and if we don’t, then we can just come back here, put on a stupid flick, eat some popcorn, laugh, have fun.”

“You know what?” Eliza says. “That sounds better, actually.”

“I do prefer to go to parties I’m invited to rather than crash one,” Kaylie says with a strange look on her face.

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