A/N: Thanks to ottomatic21 and NumbuhOneHoney07 for their nice reviews. You guys rock! Keep reading and replying, folks.
Out in the parking lot, Twister grabbed Val under arms and effortlessly hoisted her into the air. He spun around a couple of times. Val laughed as he did so. She felt lighter and happier than she had all week. Everything was back to normal.
"Let's get going," said Jacob,taking his car key out of his pocket.
"Okay," Val grudingly agreed. To Twister, she added, "Put me down, hon."
Twister carefully lowered her onto the pavement.
"I'll get your junk," he offered, picking up her backpack and skateboard. "I bet you're tired."
Otto made a gagging face behind Twister's back. Reggie gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs.
"Jacob, let's go round up the rest of our friends," Val suggested as she fastened her seatbelt. "I'm in the mood to par-tay!"
"Sure," said Jacob, putting the car in gear.
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They first stopped at Val's house so she and Reggie could change into different clothes. Reggie put on a mint-green spaghetti-strap tank, shorts, and matching green flip-flops. Val put on a form-fitting magenta tee that bore the message "Dancing Queen" in silver letters, dark jeans, and clear glitter flip-flops. Both smeared a touch of body glitter on their faces.
Val called up Chuy and Roderick to share the good news. Then she laid out the plan for the evening: dancing at a local teen dance club called Club Alien, followed by an ice-cream cone from Friendly's.
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At Club Alien, the kids had to wait quite a long time before they were able to get inside. The lobby featured butterfly chairs, thick smoke from a fog machine, and glow-in-the dark abstract art on the walls. Above their heads was a mural of the solar system.
"Wow, look at this place!" Roderick exclaimed.
"Isn't it great?" Val asked, buying each member of her party a glow necklace from a nearby vendor.
She grabbed Twister's hand and pulled him onto the crowded dance floor, over which a mirror ball hung. They began to dance, which was difficult due to the mass of people.
During the two hours they spent at the club, Val managed to dance with every male in her group at least three times. Of course, Twister got the honor of receiving every slow dance, as well as the last dance of the evening.
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The teens made their way up the street toward the nearest Friendly's. Val and Reggie were carrying their shoes rather than wearing them because of how badly their feet had been chafed after dancing in them. They spent a good part of the evening at Friendly's in fits of sugar-induced laughter.
It had been a perfect day, Val thought as she strolled home hand-in-hand with Twister.