The air crackled with unspoken tension as Penny, Sticky, and Michael sat at their makeshift table. Relief washed over Sticky as Penny offered a sincere apology and a genuine attempt at reconciliation. He wasn't sure what had gotten into her that morning, but this felt like the Penny he knew – loyal and true.

"Don't worry about it, Penny," Sticky said, his usual goofy grin returning. "We were just glad you didn't ditch us completely."

Michael nodded in agreement, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, what's the deal with those folks at the other table? They look like they come with a whole lot of drama."

Penny rolled her eyes, recounting her morning encounter with Ming and Jazmine. "Those two are the self-proclaimed queens of freshman year. Ming thinks she runs the school because her grandpa owns half of it, and Jazmine just follows her around like a lost puppy."

Sticky chuckled. "Sounds like our old crew back in middle school. Remember those twins who thought they were Beyoncé and Solange?"

Michael snorted, the memory bringing a smile to his face. "Oh man, they were the worst."

Just then, the lunch bell rang, shattering the momentary peace. As they rose from their seats, Penny threw a glance at the other table. Her friends were deep in conversation with Huey, Ceaser, and Hiro, their laughter intermingling with the noise of the bustling cafeteria. A pang of guilt twisted in her stomach.

"So," Sticky said, breaking the silence, "where do you wanna go now?"

Penny hesitated. "I don't know," she admitted. "Maybe we could..."

Her words were drowned out by a boisterous voice. LaCienega, flanked by Zoey and Dijonay, approached them, their faces flushed with excitement.

"Penny, you won't believe it!" LaCienega exclaimed, her voice dripping with drama. "Those boys invited us to hang out with them after school!"

Penny blinked, surprised. "They did?"

LaCienega rolled her eyes. "Well, duh! They practically begged us."

Zoey, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "Actually, Ceaser just asked if we wanted to hang out. He wasn't begging."

Dijonay, however, seemed lost in her own world. "Did you see Hueys Afro? It's like a brown cloud of perfection."

Penny's stomach churned. A part of her genuinely wished she had joined them at lunch, but another part felt torn. She didn't want to cause any drama, especially not on her first day at a new school.

"That's cool, you guys go ahead," she said, forcing a smile.

Zoe frowned. "Are you sure? We can all go together."

Penny shook her head, a flicker of defiance entering her voice. "Nah, I think I'll hang out with Sticky and Michael for a while. Maybe we can explore the school."

LaCienega shrugged, giving Penny a pointed look. "Suit yourself. But don't come crying to us when you're missing out on all the fun."

With that, the girls flounced off, leaving Penny, Sticky, and Michael alone once more.

"So, exploring it is?" Sticky asked, raising an eyebrow.

Penny offered a determined smile.

Meanwhile, tension simmered at the other end of the cafeteria. Huey, Ceaser, and Hiro watched Penny's group depart, a mix of confusion and annoyance settling over them.

"What's her deal?" Ceaser wondered, running a hand through his hair. "First, she avoids us, then she's all buddy-buddy with those two guys."

Hiro shrugged. "Maybe she has her reasons."

Huey, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the empty space where Penny had been sitting. He couldn't explain it, but a spark of curiosity had ignited within him. He found himself strangely drawn to her.

The dismissal bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of the school day. Ceaser, his dreadlocks bouncing with each step, slung an arm around Hiro's shoulder.

"So, Hiro," Ceaser began, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "did you see LaCienega today? Looking like a whole damn goddess."

Hiro chuckled. "Yeah, she's definitely got that firecracker vibe going on. And that Dijonay girl seemed pretty playful with you too, man. Maybe this is your chance."

Ceaser grinned, flexing his bicep playfully. "Maybe it is. I gotta make my move before someone else snatches her up."

Huey, walking a few paces ahead, tuned out their conversation. Romance wasn't on his agenda. He just wanted to get home, lose himself in a good book, and forget about the chaos that was his first day at Woodcrest High.

Suddenly, a loud engine sputtered to a stop beside them. Huey looked up to see a bright pink, cartoonish car with giant chrome rims parked at the curb. Ming, a smug expression plastered on her face, sat behind the wheel, Jazmine by her side.

"Well, well, well," Ming drawled, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "Look at the losers who have to walk."

Hiro eyed the car with suspicion. "Ming, how are you even driving? We're not old enough for permits, let alone licenses."

Ming scoffed. "This, my dear Hiro, isn't a car. It's a limited-edition, extra-large electric toy car. Top speed of twenty miles per hour, perfect for cruising around town."

Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure it's illegal to be on the road with that thing."

Ming rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a jealous smartass, Hiro. Can't afford a ride yourself?"

Jazmine, pushing down her oversized sunglasses, leaned across the passenger seat. "You guys want a lift?"

Ceaser and Hiro exchanged a hesitant glance. "Nah, we're good," Ceaser mumbled, straightening his posture.

Huey, however, surprised everyone. He mumbled a barely audible "yes" and reached for the door handle before anyone could react.

Ceaser and Hiro's jaws dropped. "Huey, dude, what are you doing?" Ceaser sputtered.

Ignoring their protests, Huey climbed into the back of the bright pink monstrosity, a strange mix of apprehension and defiance flickering in his eyes. Ming smirked, slammed the door shut, and peeled off from the curb, leaving Ceaser and Hiro staring after them in disbelief.

Ceaser and Hiro continued their walk home, the encounter with the bright pink car fading into a strange memory.

Suddenly, two figures materialized from the shadows ahead. Recognition dawned on Hiro's face as Nubia and the Gross Sisters, loomed before them. Their trademark oversized clothes and menacing scowls sent shivers down his spine.

"Well, well, well," Nubia boomed, her voice dripping with mock surprise. "Lookie here, Olay. If it ain't the new fish outta water."

Olay sporting a mischievous grin, nudged Nubia with her elbow.

Ceaser's bravado quickly evaporated. "We, uh, we don't have any money," he stammered, his voice cracking.

Nubia's smile vanished, replaced by a scowl that could curdle milk. "Don't play dumb, short stuff. We ain't interested in your lunch money. We want all your cash, every penny."

Hiro clutched his backpack strap, his mind racing for an escape plan. Fear threatened to paralyze him.

Before either of them could react, Nubia lunged forward, her hand outstretched. Ceaser instinctively shoved her back, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him.

"Get away from us!" he yelled, his voice surprisingly firm.

The Gross Sisters advanced on them, their menacing shadows engulfing the sidewalk. Ceaser and Hiro exchanged a panicked look. This was no joke.

Without a second thought, Ceaser and Hiro turned on their heels and bolted. They sprinted down the street, the pounding of their feet a counterpoint to the booming laughter of the Gross Sisters echoing behind them.

They didn't stop running until they reached the safety of a well-lit street, gasping for breath and clutching their against a store window, they tried to catch their breath.

"Dude," Ceaser wheezed, wiping sweat from his brow. "We should've just..."

Hiro finished his sentence, his voice shaky. "Gone with Huey. Even that illegal car seems better than dealing with those...things."

Penny looked them both in the eye, her voice firm. "Promise. Today was awesome, and I want to hang out with you guys again tomorrow. At lunch, for sure."

A relieved grin spread across Sticky's face. Michael gave a high-five, his enthusiasm almost knocking Penny off then, a familiar honk echoed from the parking lot.

"Uh oh," Penny sighed. "That's Dad. Gotta go."

"See you tomorrow, Penny!" Michael called out.

"Yeah, don't ditch us again, alright?" Sticky teased, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Penny laughed and waved, already heading towards the parking lot. As she climbed into the passenger seat, her father looked over, his gaze curious.

"So, Penny," he started, "how was your first day in the new school area?"

Penny slumped a little in the passenger seat. "It was okay, Dad," she mumbled, staring out the window.

Oscar, ever perceptive, noticed the lack of enthusiasm. "Just okay, huh? What happened?"

Penny hesitated, unsure if she wanted to share the awkwardness with the girls. "Well," she finally started, "things were a little...weird with the girls."

"Weird? How so?" Oscar prompted gently.

Penny sighed. "It's nothing major, really. We just didn't hit it off at lunch, that's all."

Oscar, sensing a shift in the conversation, decided to avoid a potentially sensitive topic. "High school can be a bit of an adjustment, Penny. But hey, you've got Sticky and Michael, right?"

Penny's voice brightened a bit. "Yeah, they were actually really cool. We hung out all day."

Oscar smiled, relieved. "See? That's what I'm talking about. New friends, new experiences. That's what high school is all about."

They pulled into the driveway and entered the house. The familiar sights and sounds greeted them. Sugar Mama napped peacefully on the couch, Bebe and Cece played with Legos on the floor, and Trudy hummed in the kitchen.

"Penny! You're home!" Trudy exclaimed, her face lighting up. "How was your first day with the girls? Did you all get along?"

Penny shuffled her feet a bit. "It wasn't exactly what I pictured," she admitted dryly.

Trudy's smile faltered slightly. "Oh honey? Did something happen? Did you guys have a fight already?"

Penny sighed. "Not exactly a fight. It's just... they seemed more interested in hanging out with some boys."

Trudy raised an eyebrow. "Boys, huh? Well, that's teenagers for you. But hey, did you make any other friends?"

Penny hesitated for a moment, then a genuine smile spread across her face. "One kind of but, to be honest I spent most of the day with Sticky and Michael."

Penny mumbled, "But um Yeah, I'm gonna head up to my room for a bit." She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Alright, honey," Trudy replied, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Dinner will be called in about an hour. Come down when you're hungry."

Penny gave a small nod and trudged up the stairs to her room. As soon as the door shut behind her, she flopped onto the bed, letting out a frustrated groan. She couldn't help but pout. Pulling out her phone, she opened the group chat with the girls. It was filled with messages about where they were meeting and who's house they were going to. Jealousy gnawed at her. They had invited her, sure, but it felt hollow now. Penny closed the chat with a final sigh, the fun they were having seeming miles away.

Meanwhile, Ming pulled up to Huey's house, the car coming to a stop in the driveway.

Huey opened the door and stepped out. "Thanks for the ride," he mumbled, shutting the door behind him.

Jazmine, still in the passenger seat, chimed in, "No problem, Huey."

Ming shot a quick, irritated glance at Jazmine. "Busy tonight, Huey?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of expectation.

Huey hesitated, remembering Ceaser and Hiro He wasn't sure what they were up to, but suddenly the idea of hanging out with them appealed to him.

"Actually, yeah," he replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. "There's a gathering at Ceaser's place."

Ming wrinkled her nose. "Gathering? Who's gathering?"

"Just some girls, or whatever," Huey said dismissively, already opening the front door and heading inside.

He was greeted by the sight of Riley sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to his phone. Grandpa sat in his usual spot, watching TV with a half-eaten bowl of popcorn on his lap.

"Yo, Riley," Huey greeted, heading towards the stairs.

Riley barely looked up, mumbling a quick, "Sup, didn't know Ming had a whip." before returning his attention to his phone.

"Its a electric one." and then he climbed the stairs, intending to grab a book and head to his room.

Ming wasn't about to let a little "gathering" happen without her. Fuming, she turned to Jazmine, who was oblivious, applying lip gloss with exaggerated concentration.

Jazmine, barely paying attention, dabbed at her lips with lip gloss, her eyes glued to her reflection in the rearview mirror. "Uh-huh," she mumbled noncommittally.

Furious at Jazmine's lack of focus, Ming slapped the lip gloss shut with a loud clack. "Jazmine! Are you listening to me? I said we're crashing this little party."

Jazmine yelped, startled. Staring at Ming with wide eyes, she stammered, "Crashing? You serious?"

Ming leaned across the console, her voice low and dangerous smirking.

Jazmine blinked, the seriousness of the situation finally registering. "You mean, like, going uninvited?"

Ming rolled her eyes. "Obviously. This whole thing reeks. There's no way Huey would ditch us for some random gathering without telling us more."

Jazmine, still a little dazed, considered this. The truth was, she hadn't been paying much attention to Ming's earlier frustration. Now, however, the prospect of crashing a party and potentially catching Huey off guard held a certain appeal.

"Okay, okay," she mumbled, wiping the stray lip gloss from her cheek. "But where are we gonna go first?"

Ming smirked. "My place, of course. We need to change. No way I'm showing up to Caesar's house looking like this."

Ceaser bustled around the living room, setting out bowls of chips and salsa with a flourish. "Good thing my parents are outta town for the weekend," he muttered to Hiro, who was sprawled on the couch, nose buried in a comic book.

"Don't worry, man," Hiro mumbled back, his eyes glued to the page. "It'll be chill."

Ceaser frowned. "Chill? Huey's just sitting there reading the whole time. How's that chill?"

Huey, who indeed was engrossed in a hefty science fiction novel, simply shrugged. He'd figured things might get a little...out of hand, and secretly hoped his earlier mention of a gathering at Ceaser's to Ming would throw some cold water on the party.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Ceaser and Hiro exchanged excited glances and raced to open the door. A chorus of giggles greeted them as Laciegna, Zoey, and Dijonay piled in, all dressed in their best "casual-cute" outfits.

"Hey guys!" Hiro greeted, a wide grin splitting his face.

The girls giggled again, their eyes flitting between him and Ceaser.

"Wasn't there supposed to be another one of you?" Ceaser asked, feigning confusion.

The girls exchanged a series of knowing glances and shrugs. "Huh, guess not," Laciegna finally said with a wink.

They all settled on the couch, the flirting starting almost immediately. Huey groaned and buried his face further into his book, but Laciegna, ever the tease, wouldn't leave him alone.

"Hey," she drawled, batting her eyelashes at him. "Whatcha reading?"

Huey sighed, lowering his book with a grimace. He was trying to understand the intricacies of black hole physics, not decipher Laciegna's latest flirting tactics.

Meanwhile, Penny sat alone in her room, boredom gnawing at her. Her phone buzzed, and she saw a text from Sticky.

"Hey Penny! Why didn't you come over with the girls?" it read.

Penny's heart sank. "Ugh, I regret it now," she typed back.

Sticky's reply was immediate. "Want me to walk you over?"

Penny hesitated for a moment, then a small smile played on her lips. "Sure," she texted back. "Meet me at my house."

Across town, Jazmine and Ming were putting the finishing touches on their outfits. "Casual but confident," Jazmine declared, admiring herself in the mirror. She sported a pair of black Nike Pros, Yeezy slides, and a comfy oversized hoodie.

Ming, ever the trendsetter, opted for a pair of denim shorts and a cropped tank top that showcased her toned arms.

"You look amazing," Jazmine said, eyeing Ming's outfit. "Huey will definitely be checking you out."

Ming smirked. "Don't I know it."

They headed outside, ready to steal the show (and Huey's attention) at Ceaser's party. As they pulled out of the driveway, however, they spotted Penny and Sticky walking down the street.

"Isn't that the new girl?" Ming sneered, slowing down the car. "The one thirsty for Huey?"

Jazmine glanced over, then gave Penny a small, hesitant wave. Penny started to wave back, but Ming slapped Jazmine's arm, her voice sharp. "We don't like her."

Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, geez."

Climbing back into gear, Ming pulled out onto the street. "We'll be at Ceaser's before they are," she declared. "And besides, we know Huey longer. We'll have him wrapped around our fingers before she even gets a chance."

"Who even invited her anyway?" Ming continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "And where are those little friends of hers?"

The cruel words stung Penny. Sticky, ever the supportive friend, squeezed her shoulder. "Don't listen to them, Penny. They're just jealous."

Penny's lower lip trembled. "But what if I show up at Ceaser's and they all get annoyed I'm there? I already told them I wasn't going."

Sticky shook his head. "Nonsense," he said firmly. "If you want to go, we'll go together. And besides, if they don't want you there, well, their loss."

A loud rapping echoed through the room, momentarily halting the flirty banter. Laciegna, momentarily distracted, wrinkled her nose.

"Who is that?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. "I thought you said nobody would be home, Ceaser."

Ceaser frowned, wiping his hands on his pants. "They wouldn't," he muttered, heading towards the door. Huey, ever perceptive, closed his book with a soft thud, a knowing glint in his eyes.

The door swung open, revealing Ming and Jazmine barging in with a flourish. The room erupted in surprised shouts.

"Whoa, hold on a minute!" Laciegna exclaimed, her irritation bubbling over. "Who invited them?"

Ming, ever the diva, rolled her eyes. "Ugh, silence! We're here to liven things up, obviously. Huey invited us."

All eyes turned to Huey, who raised his hands defensively. "Hold on, hold on," he stammered. "I never invited them. I just..." He trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Just what, Huey?" Ceaser cut in, a suspicious glint in his eyes.

"Well," Huey continued, clearing his throat, "I may have mentioned there might be something going on here I never actually said you guys could come."

Ming scoffed. "Tomato, tomahto. Difference? None. Now, let's get this party started. How about a game of 'Never Have I Ever'?"

Before anyone could protest, Ming plopped herself down on the carpet, her legs crossed in a picture of casual confidence. She grabbed a deck of cards from the coffee table and tossed them to Hiro, who caught them with a bewildered expression.

Ceaser shrugged helplessly, while Jazmine made a beeline for Huey at the table. Huey, for a fleeting moment, felt a flicker of relief wash over him. But that feeling vanished as soon as Jazmine plopped down in the seat next to him.

"Hey, stranger," Jazmine chirped, trying to lighten the mood. Huey managed a small nod, his gaze flitting back to his book.

"We haven't talked much," Jazmine remarked, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Yeah, I noticed," Huey replied curtly, though there was a hint of intelligence in his eyes.

Jazmine's smile faltered. "Is everything okay between us?"

Huey sighed, finally meeting her gaze. "Honestly, Jazmine? No, it's not. You've changed. And not for the better."

Jazmine's shoulders slumped. "What do you mean?"

"You're hanging with Ming all the time now," he explained, his voice low. "And frankly, I don't like the influence she has on you."

"Oh, so those girls you're hanging out with now are any better?" Jazmine shot back, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Huey shook his head. "I don't pay them any mind. Ceaser and Hiro do, which is why I slick invited you guys so they wouldn't drag me into a three-man and steal my innocence."

Jazmine couldn't help but let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous, Huey. But seriously, I miss hanging out with you."

Huey felt a pang of something akin to sweetness in his chest, but he quickly pushed it down. Trying to maintain his tough exterior.

Jazmine burst into laughter, the sound genuine and carefree. Perhaps, Huey thought, there was still hope for their friendship.

Her voice barely a whisper, said, "You miss me?"

Huey, trying to maintain a facade of indifference, mumbled, "Maybe. But that doesn't mean things can go back to the way they were. Not until..."

He left the sentence hanging, but Jazmine understood. A small, sad smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Not until I'm not influenced by Ming, right?" She let out a soft laugh, a hint of longing in her voice.

The doorknob rattled, then gave way with a bang. Before anyone could react, Penny and Sticky burst into the room,their faces flushed from exertion. Laciegna, ever the drama queen, shrieked.

"Seriously, can people not just knock anymore?!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.

The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare at the newcomers. Penny, caught off guard by the sudden attention,shrank back slightly. Sticky, however, stood his ground, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.

"Hey guys," he greeted casually, his voice cutting through the awkward tension.

Ming, perched regally on the floor with her deck of cards, arched an eyebrow. "Who invited them?" she drawled, her voice dripping with disdain.

Dijonay, chimed in with a gentler tone. "Yeah, Penny, I thought you said you weren't coming?"

Penny's smile faltered. The sting of rejection was fresh, and the sight of all these people laughing and having fun made her feel even more like an outsider. Shame burned in her cheeks. She opened her mouth to stammer out an apology, but before she could speak, Sticky stepped forward.

"We just wanted to see what was going on," he explained, his voice firm but polite. "Besides, it's not like this is their house, right Ceaser?"

Ceaser, who had been engrossed in flirting with Laciegna, finally tore his gaze away. He shrugged, a neutral expression on his face. "Yeah, it's cool with me if she stays."

His words offered little comfort to Penny. The air crackled with an unspoken tension, and she felt like a lone island in a sea of already established friendships. Jazmine and Huey were deep in conversation, oblivious to her and Ceaser continued their flirty banter. The others were engrossed in their card game. Penny was adrift,unsure of where to turn.

Sticky, sensing her discomfort, nudged her gently. "Hey," he whispered, "why don't you come talk to me?"

Penny cast a hesitant glance around the room, then back at Sticky. His genuine smile offered a lifeline in the chaotic scene. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected turn of events wouldn't be so bad after all. With a tentative nod, she followed Sticky over to a corner of the room, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest.

Laciegna, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, leaned in towards Dijonay, her voice dripping with fake concern."Hey girl," she drawled, batting her eyelashes dramatically. "Did you notice how much time Sticky's been spending with Penny?"

Dijonay, focused on her hand of cards, shrugged dismissively. "They just friends, Laciegna. Relax."

Laciegna scoffed. "Friends, huh? Seems kinda sus to me. Sticky walked her all the way over here, and he hasn't even come over to say hi. Plus, Penny just decided to invite herself to the party uninvited."

Dijonay winced slightly. A seed of doubt, planted by Laciegna's words, began to sprout in her mind. It was true, Sticky had been spending a lot of time with Penny lately. But then again, still, the thought of Sticky being interested in someone else sent a pang of jealousy through her.

Trying to brush it off, Dijonay mumbled, "Maybe he just shy, that's all."

Laciegna wasn't finished, though. She leaned in even closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Or maybe he's got eyes for someone new. You know how boys are, fickle as the wind."

Dijonay forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She tried to focus on the game, but Laciegna's words kept echoing in her head.

Huey shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to focus on the words blurring on the page. Jazmine, oblivious to his discomfort, had practically draped herself over him, scrolling through TikTok on her phone. Her arm brushed against his, sending a shiver down his spine – not in a good way. He wasn't a fan of excessive touch, but with Jazmine, it was a constant battle. He sighed internally, resigning himself to enduring it for now.

Across the room, Penny couldn't help but steal glances towards Huey and Jazmine. A knot of jealousy tightened in her stomach. They seemed so close, so comfortable with each other. She longed to walk over and talk to him, but Jazmine's presence felt like an impenetrable barrier.

Sticky, noticing Penny's downcast expression, nudged her gently with his elbow. "Hey, you alright?" he asked softly.

Penny forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Her voice lacked conviction, though.

Sticky wasn't fooled. He knew her better than that. "You sure? You seem a little...out of sorts."

Penny hesitated for a moment, then let out a defeated sigh. "It's just...They seem really close."

Sticky chuckled softly. "Yeah, they've known each other for a while. You might need to chill on that idea of talking to him right now."

Penny's shoulders slumped slightly. Deep down, she knew he was right. It wouldn't be the best time to interrupt their conversation. "Yeah, you're probably right," she mumbled, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

The front door swung open with a bang, shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the room. In the doorway stood Oscar, a frown etched on his face. But he wasn't alone. Laciegna's dad, Felix, stood beside him, arms crossed and looking equally unimpressed. To complete the picture, there were Zoe's mom and dad flanking the entrance, their faces grim.

The party came to a screeching halt. Confused faces turned towards the unexpected guests. Dijonay's jaw dropped."How did you even find us?" she stammered.

Oscar, clearly the ringleader of the impromptu raid, held up his phone. "Let's just say Penny's phone has a handy tracking app," he said, his voice laced with disappointment.

"Daddy!" Penny cried out, mortified.

Felix, Laciegna's dad, surveyed the scene with a disapproving snort. "Too many boys here!" he boomed, his voice echoing in the room. He cast a pointed look around, adding, "And clearly no parental supervision."

Laciegna, her face flushed with anger, stormed towards the door. "Thanks a lot, Penny," she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Penny, on the verge of tears, sputtered out, "How is this my fault?"

Dijonay, clearly torn, simply shook her head and walked past Penny without a word. Zoey, on the other hand, stopped in front of Penny for a moment. "Well," she said, her voice laced with disappointment, "we asked you twice if you wanted to come and you said no. And all you've been doing is talking to Sticky the whole time you could have done that elsewhere."

With that, Zoey followed the others out the door, leaving Penny alone in the doorway, feeling like the world had crumbled around her.

Dejected, she turned to leave, her gaze falling on Huey. He was now standing up, with Jazmine still clinging to his unlike the annoyance Penny had expected, Huey offered her a smirk.

Misinterpreting his expression, Penny's heart skipped a beat. Was he flirting with her? Maybe this whole thing wasn't so bad after all. She flashed him a tentative smile, completely oblivious to the truth. Huey's smirk wasn't one of amusement; it was one of relief. He'd suspected Penny might be behind the parental raid, a suspicion fueled by her sudden appearance at the party. Now, with everyone gone, the night he'd dreaded was finally over.