You’re digging through your closet, pulling out outfit after outfit, while Shauna sits on your bed, flipping through one of your old magazines. “This party better be worth it,” she mutters, barely looking up as she absentmindedly picks at a loose thread on her denim jacket.

You huff, tossing another shirt onto the growing pile beside you. “That’s what Jackie keeps saying!”

Shauna snorts, finally glancing up. “Yeah, well, she has an ulterior motive.”

She doesn’t even have to say it. You already know Jackie has been going on about how Shauna needs to make a move on Randy lately, how it’s practically a requirement, a box to check off before college. A certain tension has come to the ways Shauna will shrug it off, knowing she’s running out of excuses to dodge Jackie’s persistence.

“Speaking of,” you tease, turning to face her. “Are you like actually gonna kiss him? Or just keep pretending not to hear every time Jackie brings it up?”

Shauna groans and falls back against the pillows. “I don’t know,” she sighs, stretching her arms over her head. “I guess I should at least…be prepared? In case it happens?”

You raise a brow. “Prepared how, exactly?“

She hesitates before propping herself up on her elbows, her gaze flickering toward yours. “…We could practice.”

Your pulse kicks up at the words, surreal as they sound, coming from Shauna’s mouth. She watches you, waiting for a response. She’s not pushing it, but she’s not backing down from it either.

“Well?” Shauna adds, softer. “Are you gonna help me or not?”