Taylor checked on the library after class. Courtney and Heather had an early dismissal and Paddy went ahead to their dorms to prepare for her study session with James. It’s not that you call it ‘dating’ but to Paddy, it is. After Taylor got the book that she borrowed, she made her way to the dorms then her iPhone vibrates. It’s not that she’s expecting it to be someone else but it disappoints her to see Heather’s name in the caller I.D.

What’s up? Taylor sounds annoyed.

Where you at?

On my way to dorms.

There’s an emergency. Could you please buy a gallon of rocky road ice cream? We’ll pay up later. Don’t forget the spoons and cups. Thanks!

Why? What happened? Taylor sounds worried but Heather just hang up on her.

Taylor puts her iPhone back in the bag. She bought a gallon (seriously, a gallon?) of their favourite rocky road ice cream and grab some sweets and chips as Heather told her. She walks passed her room and went right away to Heather and Courtney’s room. She did not knock and entered the room right away. She was shocked when she saw Courtney’s on the floor in front of the TV, crying loudly and open mouthed. Heather grabs the ice cream she’s holding and gives it to Courtney.

“What happened?” Taylor asked, now seating beside Courtney and scoop a spoonful of ice cream to her cup. Courtney is still sobbing so loud while putting a spoonful ice cream into her mouth.

“Simon.” Heather answered. She is seating in her bed also with a cup of ice cream. Taylor figured it out already.

“She dumped you?” Taylor asked without thinking. She shouldn’t be so harsh to her best friend.

“NO! He cheated on me, I dumped him.” Courtney screamed still crying so loud. “I called and I heard a girl’s voice in the background calling him ‘baby’.” Courtney explained. This time a little more calm.

“What if..” Taylor said, trying to be optimistic.

“Don’t ever dare to say that it doesn’t sounds what it sounds like cuz I’ve heard it. And which side are you Tay?” Courtney spitted. She could be a little harsh sometimes.

“Okay, okay.” Taylor said, now hands in the air for her defence. “You dumped him, he’s in Sacramento, you’re in Spencer, you’re single, and you’re beautiful. Move on Court! You don’t deserve this. Nobody does.” Taylor sang the words.

“Hell-yeah! Let’s go out. And Tay, I’ve heard your mom told you she would send you here a car, right?” Heather butted in.

“Yeah but not tonight, maybe it will be delivered this Friday or Saturday, not sure. Why do I have a feeling that you know what I am thinking?” Taylor is grinning turning her head to Heather.

“What? I don’t want to go out. My eye is a wrecked.” Courtney complained still crying.

“Ok! Not tonight but as soon as Taylor’s got her ride, we’re going to paint the town red.” Heather said excitedly.

Among the girls, Taylor passed her driving test and got her driver’s license first. So, she always drives. Partly, it was her fault they all got suspension because if she did not drive all of her three best friends to school, they wouldn’t be here stuck in a boarding school.

The three decided to watch chick flicks movie and Courtney still sobbing so loud when she got to see the part wherever the leading man kisses his leading lady. Taylor, who is still in her Spencer’s uniform, and Heather just ignore Courtney’s sobbing. Taylor is supposed to be reading the book she borrowed from the library because of her assignment-night off and great thing she decided to finish her homework for tomorrow’s period the other night. Once, you received a call with a rocky road ice cream emergency, it means only one thing; Girls’ night out.

“Wait, what do you think, Paddy and James’ doing right now?” Heather asked after seeing a scene in the movie that the girl is flirting with the guy in the library.

“I don’t know. I went straight here. I did not have a chance to drop by.” Taylor said. Obviously, she’s still in her uniform. Courtney’s still crying like a baby.

Then there’s a knock in the door and Courtney’s sobs are getting worst. Heartbreak has a nerve.

**

Paddy’s study session with James is quite enjoyable than she expected. She thought that there wouldn’t be anything to absorb because James’ lips is provocative every time it moves but Paddy managed not to be distracted. They pause every after a problem is solved and James would joke around then back to lessons. Paddy never thought that a junior student would tutor a senior like her. She likes it anyway.

After they were done, Paddy’s attention shifted to her roommate Taylor. She never dropped by to change or get her stuffs before going to Heather and Courtney’s room. Is something happened?

“Thank you so much James. You really are a whiz.” Paddy thanked James after they were done with Paddy’s assignment.

“Anytime Paddz” James winked. Paddy giggled for hearing James saying her name.

“I wonder, where’s Taylor? I’ll check her on Heather and Court’s room. You wanna come?” Paddy asked to change the awkward silence.

“Um, hope you don’t mind but how you four get into Spencer? I mean, not that I don’t want you here in Spencer, actually I love having you here but I’m just curios you know.” James asked nervously. He talks non-stop when he gets nervous.

“oh! No! of course I don’t mind, um, well, can you keep a secret?” Paddy just a little bit caught off guard joked around. Not that, they did something horrible but Paddy made it sounds like it is horrible.

“Are you serious?” James asked. His nervousness shifted to confusedness.

Paddy looks at James in amusement and her smile faded when she saw James expression.

“Well, we got suspended for two weeks because of intruding school premises on a Saturday night. It was stupid spur of the moment ‘ghost hunting’. I panicked when I heard a creeping sound and ran towards the alarm and pressed it. We woke up the whole town because of our thirst for adventure. How lame? ”

“You weren’t kicked out? why….” James question was cut when Paddy answered immediately.

“Oh no, our parents are great friends as well. They think our suspension would ruin their reputation so they decided to divert the rumours that we did not get suspended but we ‘transferred’.” Paddy shared. “I missed home but I’m glad I came here.” Paddy winked at James.

“Me too, I’m glad you came.” James said.

“Come on; let’s check Taylor on Heath and Court’s room.” Paddy changed the subject to refrain herself from blushing.

“Sure, of course.” James agreed and let Paddy walks first. What a gentleman?

Heather and Courtney’s room were just two rooms away from them. Paddy and James walked silently ‘til Paddy knocked on the door. She did not wait for them to open up instead she opens the door right away. Courtney’s voice filled the room. Was she crying?

She looks up at James and saw his jaw dropped. Probably he never saw a girl crying before, sobbing. Paddy corrected the thought.

“What happened?” Paddy asked as they entered the room. Courtney continues to sob. Taylor and Heather looked up at them with a worried in their eyes.

Paddy thinks that this is a bad timing for James so she escorted him out of the room. “I’m sorry, I think Courtney’s having a tough time and boys right now wouldn’t be necessary.” Paddy explained.

“Oh yeah, it’s ok.” James still shocked and confused. “Do girls cry like that?”

Paddy laughed. “That’s the benefits of friendship James. You can cry open mouthed and tongue out in front of them.”

“Really? That is weird.” James laughed a little still trying to process the fact about girls.

“You think when boys’ obsession with cars and engines is not weird for us girls?” Paddy smirked.

“I’ll take that as a point.” James agreed running his hands through his hair.

“I’ll see you tomorrow James? And big thanks! Really, I mean it.” Paddy really wants to get James a drink or something downstairs but Courtney need her right now.

“Ok, talk to you later.” James waved goodbye flashing his all-out smile.

**

Paddy entered the room and tried to make Courtney feels better. She is the Joker and the most optimistic of the group. It really is working because Courtney is now laughing.

“Drop it off Court. Let’s just go for a boy hunting tomorrow, any Spencer guy that caught your attention lately?” Paddy asked Courtney.

“Well, after I dumped that asshole with the big S in his name, I bumped into someone. He told me his name is Neil. He’s quite attractive but I was really mad that time so I never really talked to him.” Courtney started talking without crying. “And he offered me his hanky.”

“Oh my god, did you have the hanky?” Paddy asked excitedly. Her eyes dilated with excitement as well as Taylor and Heather.

“What a perfect timing Court! Why you never told us?” Heather did not wait for Courtney to answer Paddy’s question.

“I gave it back and it’s no big deal. He was just in the process of seeing a girl crying, offered his hanky and introduced himself trying not to be rude. That’s it. I left him there without saying my name.” Courtney explained, looking to her friends’ eyes in horror.

“What? You mean he still doesn’t know your name? You did not exchange numbers?” Paddy’s voice a little high.

“Noo Paddy. You try in my position? My heart is breaking and you think it is a perfect timing to flirt with a guy with big hands, big foot, big body build-up and cute face?” Courtney describes the Neil- guy.

“You think he has a big um you know big thingy?” Paddy joked. Her mind starts to green again.

“eww Paddy! You’re gross!” The three girls said in unison.

“That’s interesting Court. So, you’re mad but you manage to observe that cute guy slash big hands slash big foot slash with big body build up.” Taylor teased Courtney ironically.

“Maybe this Neil-guy is an athlete. That’s hot Court. Simon-kiss-his-ass.” Paddy said, poking Courtney in the side.

“He-who-must-not-be-named.” Courtney flinched at hearing that dick’s name.

“I’m sorry.” Paddy apologized for saying Courtney’s ex-boyfriend’s name out loud.

“But look Court, I’m not saying he’ll be a rebound guy but at least try to loosen up. Just stare at him if you see this Neil-guy. Maybe you’ll like him soon.” Taylor explained.

“She got a point Court.” Heather agreed.

“Yeah, I agree. And I’m sure this Neil likes you.” Paddy winked.

“You think? Okay. We’ll see.” Courtney agreed, feeling better now. Simon cheated on her. She deserves to be happy.

“Yeah right!” The three girls said in unison.

“Group hug!” Paddy said. “Group hug!” The three girls echoed.

They hugged like forever and laughed out loud. They are young and no problem would be a thing tonight.

Paddy brushed her finger in the remaining ice cream container and sticks it out to Courtney’s face. Courtney in shocked opened her mouth in O-shaped. “FOOD FIGHT!” She shouted. She deep her hand in the melted ice cream and went into Paddy who covered her face immediately. Courtney couldn’t reach Paddy so she went on Heather instead.

“Oh my god! I’m going to kill you Court! You mess with the wrong man” Heather shouted, grabbed an ice cream and started to fight back.

“NO, No, I’m in uniform. Go away.” Taylor shouted. Backing up so her three best friends wouldn’t join her in there food fighting but too late when Paddy slap her cheek with melted ice cream in her hands.

“OUCH! Paddy!” Taylor screamed and wiped the ice cream on her face and joined the game.

The room filled with laughter and roaring, sure, the boy/girl next door would be absolutely mad.

“Stop it. Stop it!” Heather pleaded after a couple of minutes acting like a kid. They are all tired and sticky.

“Our room is a mess!” Heather said laughing. It is cease fire now and they are all a mess. Lucky for Heather and Courtney, they don’t need to go out but Taylor and Paddy have to go back to their room and take the shower there. Worst is everybody is going downstairs for dinner. Taylor just wishes Kent wouldn’t spot her, the curse of Co-ed dorms.

Courtney hurried up to the shower before Heather could.

“Court! You win again this time.” Heather whines.

“You have to clean it all up Paddy! You started it!” Heather shot Paddy a glare. She is always the fault-finder but this time she’s not serious.

“Why me? It’s your room anyway.” Paddy barked back. Heather stands up to reach for Paddy but Paddy bolted out of the room dragging Taylor, still laughing.

“See you downstairs at 20.” Taylor called up.

The students are out of their rooms for dinner. Taylor and Paddy run fast as they could to reach their room before somebody would point out how messy they were. They arrived at their room in fast pace.

Boarding school ain’t bad at all especially when your best friends were just next door. Every night is a girls’ night out.

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