nightstand

chapter 3

 ⠀⠀Kalani was one of those girls who managed to make sweat pants and messy buns look like they were worthy of Vogue. It was a talent that gained her both admirers and enemies. It was sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse but when it came to slumber parties it was definitely a gift.⠀⠀
⠀⠀After traipsing back from the park, Ava and Nia decided that going home was too much effort, preferring to invite themselves round Lani's. She didn't mind of course, the three girls had grown up together despite the fact that Kalani was homeschooled and the other two were not. Now though, the three were sprawled on the fluffy carpet in Kalani's bedroom, eating toffee popcorn and painting each other's nails, counting down the minutes until midnight.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"I still can't believe you're only dating Brandon just to piss Kendall off." Ava remarked as she carefully used the pads of her fingertips to pick up popcorn, so as not to smudge her newly applied nail polish.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"How's Nick?" Nia asked levelly, reaching for the packet, Ava held it away from her, flushing angrily.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"Nia! You promised you wouldn't remind me about that! Plus I said I'd never pull a stunt like that again." Kalani and Nia giggled at Ava's outrage. They both remembered the boy Ava had dated with the only intention of him helping her pass chemistry.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"It was pretty funny." Kalani grinned cheekily, remembering how Ava had dragged him around to all sorts of social events way above him in the school hierarchy.⠀⠀
⠀⠀Ava huffed and narrowed her eyes at Lani. "Who do you like?" She asked quickly. Kalani turned pink and Nia rolled her eyes.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"She won't tell you." Nia said flatly. "You know how cagey she is." Ava nodded, glaring at Kalani.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"It's just us! It's not like you don't know who we like." Kalani sighed at Ava's words, admitting defeat.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"If I tell you, you have to promise not to tease me." The two girls nodded, leaning forwards in anticipation. "I like Josh. Have done for years." Ava shrieked with joy, whereas Nia leapt to her feet. Kalani sat there stunned as the two girls began to leap around in what looked suspiciously like a happy dance.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"You're so weird." Kalani sighed, pulling out her phone and seeing a text from Josh at the top of her notifications. He was asking if she wanted to come over and watch a movie like they sometimes did. It had come through about an hour ago, probably when Ava had decided that making homemade popcorn was a good idea and had managed to forget to put the pan lid on top.⠀⠀
⠀⠀Kalani was about to reply when suddenly her phone was snatched out of her hands. "Call him and tell him to come over!" Nia giggled excitedly while Ava nodded happily.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"Give it back!" Kalani shrieked, but Nia had already hit the call button. Ava tossed the phone her way and Kalani, luckily, caught it. The call connected and taking a deep breath Kalani had no chance but to answer it.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"Hi Josh." She said and then bit her lip as a girl's voice sounded through the speakers that Nia had apparently turned on.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"Hello? Who is this?" Kalani felt almost sick as she hung up. Nia and Ava had sunk to the floor, looking incredibly guilty.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"He wasn't alone." Kalani said flatly. "He was with Chloe." Nia looked saddened as she exchanged a look with Ava.⠀⠀
⠀⠀"It doesn't mean that-"⠀⠀
⠀⠀"Nia we both know he's a player and we both know she's the biggest slut at FRHS. It doesn't take a genius to work it out. Plus, what else would she be doing there at this time of night?"⠀⠀
⠀⠀Nia shrugged. "I don't know Lani, but everyone knows that you're the only girl in the world for him."⠀⠀
⠀⠀Kalani scoffed, tossing her phone onto the carpet as she sat down. "Yeah well, has anyone bothered telling him that?"⠀