Jennie

"Are you sure you don't want to join us, John?" Lisa and Rosé's dad asks, like he does every year. And like every year, my dad shakes his head resolutely. "No, but thank you for offering, William. And thank you for taking Jennie with you."

He nods at William and smiles at me. "Have fun, sweetie," he says. Things have been awkward between Dad and me lately. He hasn't apologized for the way he snapped at me a few months ago, but he's been coming home earlier and he's been having dinner with me when he can. If he can't make it home, he'll call me to have a chat instead. I guess that's better than an apology, but I would've liked to have both. I smile back at him and make my way to the car. As I approach, Lisa and Rosé both shout, "shotgun not middle seat!"

I groan and squeeze in between them. The journey to their summer cabin is a couple of hours and I'm going to be so uncomfortable between Rosé and Lisa. Besides, I've done my best to ignore Lisa since she pulled that stunt on my first date. I haven't forgiven her yet, and I don't plan on being nice to her any time soon.

Lisa's thigh is pushed against mine and much to my surprise, she shifts away from me, edging closer to the door. I frown and lean back in my seat. I cross my arms over my chest, intent on giving her the silent treatment.

"I'm so excited!" Rosé squeals. "I can't wait to go swimming and kayaking at the lake. I wanna tan as well," she tells me. Usually I'd be just as excited as her. Towards the end of the school year we usually go to the cabin one weekend a month, and if William can get some time off, we usually go for a week during summer break too. Our weekends at the cabin are normally the highlight of our summer, but this time I'm too annoyed with Lisa to enjoy it.

I can't believe she ruined my date like that. She might pretend like she's never seeing anyone, but I know she's lying. The other day I heard Gemma gossiping about how she took her to our local coffee shop to hang out. She's such a hypocrite. I hate that she goes on dates all the time while I can't even go on one. Just the idea of Lisa with other girls pisses me off. If she gets to do it, then I do too. If Lisa gets things her way, I'll die a virgin. I don't want that. I want to date just like other girls my age, the way Lisa seems to.

"Aren't you excited?" Rosé asks. She pushes against my arms, inadvertently pushing me closer to Lisa.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm excited," I say eventually, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rosé frowns at me, her smile dropping. She leans forward and glares at Lisa and me. "You two better not ruin this for me. I don't know what the deal is with you this time, but you're both being weird. You don't usually fight for this long."

Lisa crosses her arms over her chest and looks out the window, ignoring her. Helen turns around to look at us with raised brows.

"Rosé is right. You usually get over your little arguments quite quickly, but you've barely spoken in two weeks now. What is going on with you two?"

I stare down at my hands, hoping she'll just let it go, but she won't.

"Jennie?" she says, her tone sharp. I glare at Lisa and then look back at Helen.

"She ruined my first date," I say. "Tony asked me out, and we went to the movies. Lisa followed us there. She even sat right next to me and told Tony he'd lose his hands if he touched me. Tony didn't even dare hold my hand," I tell her, distraught all over again. I didn't even want to go on a date with Tony, but it was the first time I'd ever been asked out. I still wanted it to be a nice experience.

Helen stares at Lisa with wide eyes. "You didn't!" she says, outraged. She stares Lisa down and she looks away. She purses her lips in annoyance and I'm glad I got her into at least a little bit of trouble. Helen looks back at me and raises her brows. "And you. You went out with Tony? Little snotty Tony from down the block? The one that would always cry if anyone so much as touched him?"

I feel myself blush. "He's not little anymore," I say. Lisa snickers and turns her head towards me.

"Yeah he is. Puny little fucker."

Helen shoots her a warning look and Lisa grits her teeth. "You were totally out of line there, Lisa. If I hear of you behaving that way towards Jennie again, I won't hesitate to ground you. Pulling pranks on her is one thing, but ruining her date is something else entirely."

She then turns to me, a stern look adorning her face. "And you, Jennie, I thought we had an agreement that there would be no dating until you and Rosé turn sixteen. There are still a few months left until then, isn't that right?"

I sigh and nod. Lisa chuckles and I elbow her.

"I'd better not hear any more of this dating nonsense until you're sixteen," she tells me. I pout and eventually nod.

Lisa grins and I pinch her thigh, making her yelp. She grabs my hand and brings it to her lips, biting down on my finger. She doesn't bite hard, but it's still annoying as hell. I gasp and lean in, biting down on the arm she's holding me with.

Helen turns back around, looking exasperated. "You two aren't kids anymore, for god's sake. Behave, or we're turning this car around and you can both stay home!"

I glare at her and let go, and she glares at me just as fiercely. I don't remember the last time I've been this mad at her. Rosé looks worried and pats my leg. "Don't piss mom off," she warns me. "You know how crazy she gets when she's mad."

I nod. It's true. Helen has the patience of a saint, but when she snaps, all hell breaks loose. I stay quiet for the remainder of the journey, and so does Lisa. I don't think the trip to the cabin has ever been so peaceful. Even William looks surprised with our behavior.

As soon as we're out of the car, Lisa and I both storm into the cabin, ignoring each other. She's the one that's in the wrong, so I don't know why she's acting so aggrieved. She should be apologizing to me, but instead she's just making me even more angry.