An Unexpected Invitation

Who: Gabe and Jordan
Where: Marquette Senior High School
When: Immediately after the last bell

As much as Gabe had enjoyed chatting with Claire the entire way through History class, he was ready to be done with school for the day. When the bell rang, he took off towards his locker, his mind jumping back to his weekend plans and what all he needed to get done. There were people to talk to, that much was certain, but he'd catch them as he could. He had plenty of time, all week in fact, so there was no real need to rush... except for the fact that he needed the number, otherwise he had no clue how much beer he needed to acquire in only four days time.

Jordan was at her locker, her backpack backward over her shoulder as she unloaded the books from her stage production class and math class in exchange for her English book she’d need for homework. Her mother had gotten a call from the school, and while she ‘understood’ why she’d been acting out and not attending class the previous week, that she was still upset about Devon, she still needed to go to class. The final threat of counseling made her realize that she’d better toe the line for a while. Slipping off the bag, she crouched by the bottom of her locker to grab out her sheet music to take with her for the guitar that was propped up against the locker next to her.

When Gabe spotted Jordan, he diverted from his bee-line down the hall, coming instead to stand by her locker. "Hey Ice Princess," Gabe said, crouching down beside her. "You free Friday night? Or have you got plans to lock yourself up in your room for the evening?"

Jordan looked up to him with a quizzical expression. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had asked her if she was free on a Friday. “Umm, no plans that I know of,” she replied as she stood back up and zipped up her backpack.

"Good," Gabe smiled, standing up as she did. "I'm having a party Friday night and you have no reason not to show. What do you drink?" While he couldn't guarantee having a big selection to choose from, he'd try his best to get drinks for the girls.

Jordan blinked a few times. Had he just really invited her to a party? “Umm… I don’t?” Which was true; she’d had a couple sips of her mom’s wine at dinner before, but really never drank anything.

"At all?" he asked, his smile shifting to a smirk. "You know we're gonna have to change that, right?" Now he was teasing. He wouldn't force her to drink if she didn't want to, but if she wanted to, then he'd definitely provide.

Jordan laughed a little. Not much, but it was something. “Haven’t been in a real ‘drinking’ mind-space recently,” she replied. “But I’ll have to see if I can make it.” Transportation would be the key. If Chance was invited, then a ride would be sure fire, otherwise she’d have to ask her mother. Her fear wasn’t that the woman would say no, but that she’d have to listen to her get over excited about her daughter actually going to a party.

"You'll have to see?" Gabe asked. "You just told me you have no plans! And, really, you don't have to drink, but if you want to, I'll try to get you what you want. Say you'll be there? Goth girls need to get out sometimes too," he teased, remembering their conversation on the ice skating rink. "It'll be fun. Promise."

“If I can get a ride, then I’m there,” she told him, not able to keep from grinning at his tease. ‘Fun’ was an alien concept, it seemed. Jordan slipped her pack over her shoulder and pulled her guitar to her, leaning on the case a little. “I’ll talk to my mom.”

"If it's a ride you need, I'm sure I can find someone to pick you up," Gabe offered. He felt bad that he couldn't do it himself, but he'd not yet saved up enough to buy himself a car. His mom paid him well when he was willing to assist her, but that didn't mean he was always willing. Additional summer jobs just hadn't added up quite yet. "Is that a good idea? Will she let you go if you ask?"

Jordan nodded. “I think so.” Although after skipping school for a week, her mother's thrill of Jordan socializing might be trumped. She’d be able to get out of the house no mater what though; all she needed was to claim that she needed to feed. “It’s a good idea.”

"Okay then!" Gabe grinned, taking a few steps back as he started off down the hall again. "I'll see you Friday if I don't see you before," he smiled. "And if you don't show? I'll hunt you down." The tease was delivered with a grin, almost as if he was serious. He'd be disappointed if she didn't come, but he couldn't make her have fun, even if he thought she needed it desperately.

Jordan smiled and nodded. “Ok, ok. I’ll be there,” she told him, giving him a little wave as she picked up her guitar and headed towards band practice-- she’d plead with the band teacher not to loose her spot. It was a wonder how many people gave her a bit of slack because of Devon's death… that’s not what she’d intended.