Cat slumped down on the couch, dropping her backpack beside her. Sam glanced over and frowned, then flopped down beside her on the couch. "Hey kid, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Cat said sadly.
Sam shrugged and began to stand up again. "Okay then I guess I'll see what's in the refri-"
"Wait!" Cat anxiously yanked her back down.
"What?"
"It's not nothing!" Cat sniffled. "It's Jade."
Jade... Sam sifted through her memory. Who was Jade again? No... the ridiculous wannabe star was named Trina... Oh! "The freaky goth chick you have the picture of in your room?"
"Sam, she's not a freak! That's mean."
Sam threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Fine! What's up with her, though?"
"She thinks I don't want to be her best friend anymore. I've been having so much fun with you that I haven't hung out with Jade in forever... I'm a horrible person, aren't I?" She started to cry.
"Aw kid! Don't cry! Just... invite Jade over! She'll forgive you."
Cat sat up suddenly. "Ohmygod that's a great idea!" Sam grinned until Cat continued. "Then she can meet you and all three of us can be besties!"
"Uh... I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
Cat looked crestfallen.
"Look, this Jade chick. She probably is used to being the toughest girl in the room. Hanging out with me... Might not be the best chiz for her ego."
To Sam'a surprise, Cat giggled. "Don't worry, Sam. You're both softies... Especially you."
Sam raised an eyebrow and leaned in threateningly. "Oh, really?"
Cat leaned in too, lowering her voice and grinning. "Yeah, really."
Sam stood abruptly, smirking. "Well, Valentine, that sounds like a challenge... And mama never backs down from a challenge."
Cat watched the laptop, waiting for Jade to come onscreen. She finally popped up, looking annoyed. "What is it, Cat?" She threw Cat's name at her like it was a weapon.
"Jade, I know we haven't been hanging out much-"
"Thank God."
"Jade, please!"
"Whatever." An emphatic flip of the black hair.
"And I really miss hanging out with you-"
"Well at least one of us did."
"And I know you've never met Sam-"
"Yeah your cute new blonde girl, right?"
Cat pouted. "Don't be sarcastic. I thought you could come over tomorrow night and the three of us could hang."
"Fine. It's a good thing you're asking for tomorrow because if it were any other night I'd have plans."
Cat smiled and Jade rolled her eyes.
"But if this girl thinks she's hot chiz because she rides a motorcycle, she has another thing coming."
"Of course, Jade." Cat laughed.
"I mean it. Little blonde girls don't often take a liking to me."
"Good night, Jade."
"Night, babygirl."
