It was a beautiful spring evening. The moon was out, the garden filled with newly bloomed flowers, and the crickets chirped out a merry tune. However, for one girl, the evening was far from perfect.
Jeck Hyde strolled out into the courtyard of a fairly large manor only to find her best friend, Roxie Sparrow, crying her eyes out. The two were attending their Band Banquet. Jeck noticed her best friend’s absence from the party and searched the area for Roxie’s long brown hair and sparkling brown eyes, but couldn’t find her. Jeck decided to take a peak outside for her baritone playing comrade and there she was.
“Roxie… what’s wrong?” Jeck asked calmly as she approached the crying girl.
“Nothing Jeck. Go back in and enjoy the party.” Roxie mumbled and Jeck shook her head.
“It’s no party without you, Rox.” Jeck said soothingly, but Roxie ignored her.
“Trust me, I’m no fun tonight.” Jeck put an arm around Roxie’s shoulders and realized the poor girl was shivering.
“Are you cold? Here, take my jacket.” Jeck pulled her suit jacket off and slung it over Roxie’s goose bumped shoulders and her spaghetti strapped blue dress.
“Thanks Jeck. Please, go back in and enjoy the party. I don’t want to ruin your evening too.” Roxie pleaded, but Jeck wouldn’t listen.
“Not with my best friend out here crying her eyes out. Come on Rox, tell me what’s wrong.” Roxie sighed and leaned her head on Jeck’s shoulder, soothed by the soft stare of her grey eyed friend.
“It’s… Aaron. He stood me up. He promised to meet up with me at the party, but he never showed up. I really thought that… never mind, it’s silly of me.” Jeck scoffed as she slung her arm back over her hurt friend.
“It’s not silly, Rox. Aaron Peterson is an asshole and if he’s got a pair, I’m ripping his balls off the next time I see him.” Roxie giggled at her best friend’s over protectiveness.
“Don’t do that. I want to be the one to castrate him.” The two girls shared another chuckle before silence fell over them. Jeck looked up at the sky.
“It’s a beautiful night.” She breathed out, overwhelmed by the beauty of the sky. All the stars peeked out and lit up the garden in which they sat.
“Yeah, it is.” Roxie replied as she too starred up into the starry sky.
“Hey, let me take you home. There’s no point in mopping around this joint when we can easily break out the ice cream back at your house.” Jeck said and ran a comforting hand through Roxie’s long brown hair. Roxie closed her eyes, enjoying the comfort her older friend provided.
“If you insist, but if you’d prefer to hang out here a bit more then I can give my mom a call and see if she’ll come get me.” Jeck shook her head.
“Naw, let’s cut your mom a break tonight. I’ll give you a lift home. But first, you need to do something for me.” Roxie glanced up at her friend to see a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
“What?” Jeck removed her arm from around Roxie, stood up, ran a hand through her short wild brown hair, and held out her other hand.
“You owe me a dance.” Roxie just smiled at Jeck.
“Jeck, I’m really not in the mood tonight…”
“Nonsense. I’ll give you a ride home and you give me one dance. Do we have a deal?” Roxie stood up and took Jeck’s outstretched hand.
“Just one dance.” Jeck smiled and pulled Roxie back into the manor.
“Of course. Just one dance.”