Kelly Anne notices my raised eyebrow and elbows me pyfully as the guys settle into the booth. “Rex, Jackie,” she whispers with a mischievous glint in her eye.

  One of the guys, a tall, nky dude with a mop of curly hair, introduces himself as Ethan and immediately starts joking with Olivia. Another guy, shorter but with a confident swagger, says his name is Steve, plops down next to Macie, and unches into a story about some skateboarding mishap. Kelly Anne leans close and murmurs, “How about you wow everyone and sing Defying Gravity for us?”

  I chuckle, shaking my head. “Defying Gravity? Really? That’s your first choice for me?”

  She winks at me. “Damn right it is, and you might as well go big because you have the control and the power to do it. Besides, I know you love the song.”

  “Whatever. You know I won’t say no,” I concede, grinning despite myself.

  “Of course I do,” she says, already grabbing the karaoke remote to queue up the song while I pick up the mic. The boys exchange curious gnces as the opening notes fill the room. I love the song, but I’m, like, seriously about to freak out here.

  Kelly Anne cps her hands and whoops to encourage me, her eyes lighting up as the first notes of Defying Gravity begin to py. The boys gnce over, their conversation momentarily pausing as I take a deep breath and lift the mic to my lips. I catch Ethan’s intrigued expression and Olivia’s encouraging grin, but it’s Kelly Anne’s unwavering gaze that steels my nerves.

  I close my eyes to block out any distractions. My voice starts soft and tentative as I ease into the opening lines, but with each word, my confidence builds. By the time I hit the chorus, I’m fully immersed, belting out the lyrics with all the emotion I can muster. My voice rises, clear and strong, filling the room as I channel every ounce of feeling into the song. Elphaba's song of defiance and determination is not just on stage; it is happening right now as I put my all into the performance.

  When I reach the climactic, ‘And nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down,’ I’m confident they can hear me in the lobby, and my arms are spread wide as if I could take flight. The room erupts into appuse and cheers, but I barely notice as I catch my breath, my heart racing from the adrenaline.

  Kelly Anne is the first to jump to her feet, cpping wildly, her face beaming with pride. “That’s my girl,” she shouts over the noise, pointing at me like I’ve just proven some grand theory.

  The guys are grinning, clearly impressed, and Macie and Olivia give me a thumbs-up while grinning from across the table.

  Ethan leans forward, his curly hair bouncing as he nods at me. “You could totally be on Broadway,” he says, his tone genuinely impressed. I ugh and murmur, “Thanks, but that isn’t happening.”

  I hand the mic back to Kelly Anne.

  “Broadway’s loss is our gain,” she decres, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Now, who’s next? Ethan, you look like you’ve got some pipes.”

  Ethan raises his hands in mock surrender. “Oh no, I’m strictly a shower singer. You don’t want that kind of torture.”

  As they devolve into a quiet argument, Kelly Anne leans close and softly kisses my cheek, then murmurs, “He’s right, you know. You have a wonderful voice.”

  I smile but shrug. “Maybe, but I sing for me because I enjoy it. It’s not something I want to pursue, ya know?”

  Kelly Anne nods, her expression understanding but still tinged with that persistent spark of mischief. “Fair enough,” she says, squeezing my shoulder. “But just because you’re not chasing Broadway doesn’t mean you can’t own the karaoke scene. Own it like you just did.”

  Before I can respond, Macie grabs the mic and announces she’s singing something by Taylor Swift, which predictably gets Olivia and Kelly Anne hyped up, though the boys groan. Olivia starts cpping in rhythm as Macie unches into a surprisingly good rendition of Bnk Space.

  During our time there, I sing several more times, and everyone really seems to enjoy them, especially when I sing the song Ashes by Céline Dion. After our time is up, we call an Uber; Kelly Anne and I tell the boys goodnight, though Olivia and Marcie give a couple of them an extended goodbye. Our Uber arrives, and we chatter away on the way home. We drop off Marcie and Olivia, then we head to Kelly Anne’s home. I won’t get into any detail about it because it’s not any of your business, but Kelly Anne and I spent quite a bit of time exploring each other. I will say that I love her dearly, and she means the world to me, but this will likely be a one-time thing. It was enjoyable, but it just... well, it didn’t feel right. I can’t expin it beyond that.

  ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

  The next morning, I wake up spooning with Kelly Anne. She’s got an arm thrown across me, and we’re both still nude. She wakes up when I move her arm.I roll over to face her, and she says, “Good morning, gorgeous.”

  I smile and reply, “Good morning.”

  She arches an eyebrow and asks, “Well, was st night what you were looking for?”

  Rather than answer her immediately, I pull her into a long, deep kiss. When we pull apart, she grins at me as I caress her lovely face. “I love you,” I begin, stating the obvious. “But if I’m honest, no, it wasn’t.”

  Kelly Anne’s grin softens into a thoughtful smile as her eyes search mine. “That’s okay,” she says quietly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I already assumed it wouldn’t be, but I’d never deny you anything.”

  I nod, relieved that she’s not hurt or upset. “It was... special because it was with you. But it just felt like... wrong? Not right? I dunno how to say it.”

  She props herself up on one elbow. “I get it,” she says, her voice soft but steady. “As I said, I assumed it wouldn’t. You’re still confused about all this, so it’s alright, but Jackie, you’re hetero. By that, I mean, you like men.” She leans in and softly kisses me. “Regardless, girl, you have a seriously talented tongue.” She chuckles lightly, her fingers tracing little patterns on my shoulder. “I love you, and you’re my person. Last night doesn’t change that. If anything, it just made us a little bit closer.”

  I smile at her, feeling a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the sunlight streaming through the blinds. "You’re incredible, you know that?"

  She grins, rolling onto her back and stretching. “Mhmm. I do.” She winks and giggles. “But so are you. On another note: if you ever get the urge to jump my bones again, I’m game. I’ve never had orgasms so intense before.”

  I ugh, shaking my head. “You’re always so composed. I wish I were more like you.”

  She reaches over and takes my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine. “You don’t need to be like me, Jackie. You’re perfect just as you are. Besides, if you were too unfppable, I wouldn’t get to see that adorable expression of yours when you’re flustered.”

  I groan, pulling the sheet up to cover my face. “You’re impossible.”

  As she tugs the sheet back down, her grin never wavers. “And yet, here you are, still hanging out with me.” She points at each of us. “Literally, we’re letting it all hang out.” She giggles and then sits up, the sheet pooling around her waist as she stretches again. “Alright, enough of this ooey-gooey, mushy, emotional stuff. Move that cute little ass of yours so we can clean up, dress, and go eat. I’m starving.”

  As I look at her, I murmur, “Kelly Anne,” and she looks over her shoulder at me. “You’re my person too. You have been for as long as I can remember.”

  She smiles, a soft, knowing smile that makes her eyes crinkle at the corners. “Yeah, I know,” she says, her voice warm and affectionate. “Now come on, girl.”

  I ugh, throwing the covers off and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. The room is flooded with soft morning light, and the air feels crisp against my skin as I stand. Kelly Anne follows suit. We shower, dress, style our hair, and head downstairs to find out what Mrs. Moore has made for breakfast.

  Mrs. Moore, Kelly Anne’s mom, is already in the kitchen, humming softly as she flips pancakes on the stove. The smell of bacon, sausage, and fresh coffee fills the air, and it’s impossible not to smile as I take in the scene before me. She turns when she hears us come in, her eyes lighting up.

  “Morning, girls!” she chirps, her voice as warm as the sunlight streaming through the window. “Sit down; I’ve got a stack of pancakes with your names on them.”

  Kelly Anne grins and pulls out a chair for me before plopping down across the table. “Mom, you’re my heroine,” she says, reaching in the refrigerator to make each of us a gss of orange juice. She slides mine across the table with a wink. A moment ter, Mrs. Moore sets a pte in front of each of us.

  “Now that I’ve fed the monsters,” Mrs. Moore begins, leaning against the counter with her mug of coffee. “How was your night out?”

  Kelly Anne and I exchange a gnce, and I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. She, of course, remains perfectly composed. “It was fun,” Kelly Anne says casually, spearing a piece of pancake with her fork. “Mason’s was packed as usual, but the burgers are so worth it. Then we went skating, and well, it’s skating, but we had fun. Then we went to karaoke. You should’ve been there for Jackie’s renditions of Defying Gravity and Ashes. She made everyone’s jaw drop. Except for mine, of course,” she says and grins at me. “You know, just a usual girls night out. Nothing special, but fun.”

  Mrs. Moore raises an eyebrow, her gaze flickering between the two of us with a knowing smile. “Nothing special, huh?” she says, sipping her coffee. “Well, as long as you two had fun. You’re young—enjoy it while you can.”

  Kelly Anne nods, her mouth full of pancakes, and I take a bite to avoid having to say anything. The buttery sweetness explodes on my tongue, and I make an appreciative moan that earns a chuckle from Mrs. Moore.

  “Oh, Jackie,” she says, shaking her head fondly. “You’ve been coming here for breakfast since you were kids, and you still act like it’s the first time you’ve tasted my pancakes.” She sets her mug down and walks over to the table, ruffling my hair pyfully. “You’re like a second child to us.”

  I feel my cheeks flush again, and I smile up at her. “Thanks, Mrs. Moore. I can’t help it; your pancakes are, like, legendary.”

  Kelly Anne softly snorts, covering her mouth with her hand to keep from spitting out her juice. “Legendary? More like life-changing. Mom’s pancakes should be cssified as a controlled substance.”

  Mrs. Moore ughs, swatting at Kelly Anne with a dish towel. “Oh, hush, you,” she says, though her eyes sparkle with amusement. “At least someone appreciates my cooking.” She turns back to the stove, flipping another pancake onto the growing stack.

  Kelly Anne leans over to me, her voice dropping to a whisper. “See what I have to deal with? No respect, I tell you.” She widens her eyes dramatically, and I can’t help but ugh.

  “You’re such a drama queen,” I mutter, poking her with the butt of my fork. She gasps in mock offense, clutching her chest. “Thou wounds me!” she excims, her voice dripping with melodrama. “After all I’ve done for thee, this is the thanks I get? Yerked by thy fork? Forsooth, mine heart can’t take it anymore.”

  I burst out ughing, nearly dropping my fork. “Okay, Shakespeare, calm down before you give yourself a stroke.”

  Kelly Anne throws her hands up in surrender, but her grin never fades. “Woe is me. Mine meetest friend hath betrayed me. How shall I survive?”

  Mrs. Moore shakes her head, though she’s clearly trying not to ugh herself. “You two are something else,” she says, setting another pte of pancakes on the table. “Always have been.”

  We finish breakfast in comfortable silence, the kind that only comes from years of friendship and many mornings just like this one. After we’ve eaten our fill, Kelly Anne asks, “What do you have pnned for today?”

  “Mom’s taking me to the salon to have extensions put in,” I reply.

  She reaches over and runs her fingers through my hair and asks, “Why? You’re already adorable as you are.”

  “Thanks, but all the girls at Starlight have long hair, and I don’t want to be the odd one out. Transferring in the middle of the school year is already going to be stressful without drawing extra attention to myself.”

  Kelly Anne’s expression softens, and she gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re not going to be the odd one out, Jackie. You’re going to be the girl everyone wants to be friends with. Trust me, you’ve got this magnetic thing about you. People can’t help but like you.”

  I roll my eyes as I reply, "Oh, really? Care to expin me being avoided at school then?”

  Kelly Anne hesitates for a moment, her smile faltering. “That’s different,” she says, her tone softer now. “Those kids are just stupid. They never bothered to get to know you.” She squeezes my hand. “That just means more Jackie time for me, so I win.”

  I can’t help but ugh, her optimism infectious despite the knot of anxiety still coiled in my chest. “You’re such a dork,” I say, nudging her shoulder with mine.

  “Yeah, but I’m your dork,” she shoots back, sticking out her tongue.

  Mrs. Moore clears her throat from the sink, where she’s washing dishes with that quiet efficiency of hers. “You know,” she says without turning around, “if Jackie’s worried about fitting in at Starlight, we could swing by the mall after her salon appointment. Get her something new for her first day.”

  “I appreciate the thought, but I’ll be wearing the school uniform, you know?”

  Mrs. Moore turns to me, her hands still dripping with soapy water. “Uniform or not, there’s always room for a little fir. A new bag, some cute shoes, maybe even a charm for your bracelet. Something that feels like you.” She shrugs, a knowing smile pying on her lips. “First impressions matter, even in a uniform.”

  “Mom already has my bag covered; I have no need of a backpack either since I’ll be issued a school ptop. Shoes? I have to wear heels with my uniform, and Mom said she’s taking me shopping for them soon.” I shrug. “We could find me a new charm or something, though I don’t want to overdo it, you know? I just want to blend in, not stand out.”

  Kelly Anne leans back in her chair, grinning at me. “Blend in? Jake tried,” the name makes me cringe, and she reaches out and touches my hand. “Sorry. Anyway, that option has been tried, and it didn’t work out well, remember? I’d say since it’s a new school, you should try new vibes. Jackie sparkles too much to do anything else.”

  I roll my eyes again, but there’s a warmth in my chest that won’t go away. “Sparkle? Are you calling me a glitter bomb now?”

  “Maybe,” she says with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I don’t mean the annoying kind that gets everywhere and ruins things. I mean the good kind. The kind that makes people stop and say, Whoa, who’s that?”

  I groan, burying my face in my hands. “You’re unbelievable.”

  “And yet here you are, still hanging out with me,” she fires back, leaning over to ruffle my hair. “Face it, Jackie. You’re stuck with me. If I say you’re going to sparkle at Starlight, then you’re going to sparkle at Starlight.”

  Mrs. Moore chuckles from the sink, her hands now dried on a dish towel. “Well, it sounds like you've got your cheerleading squad already,” she says, nodding toward Kelly Anne. “But don't let her pressure you into anything you're not comfortable with, Jackie. You do what feels right for you.”

  I nod, gncing down at my hands. “She’s right, though. I don’t want to be the same as that person. He was miserable, depressed, and hated life.” I look up at her and say, “I’m finally happy. I’m me, and Jackie should try new ways of doing things. Heck, just a few days ago, Kelly Anne would’ve never been able to get him to sing in front of others or get him to go anywhere with other people. I am changing already, so why shouldn’t I embrace that and see where I go from here.”

  Mrs. Moore smiles warmly, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. “That’s a good attitude to have, Jackie. Change isn’t easy, and it sounds like you’re ready for it, but you don’t have to figure everything out at once. Take it one step at a time.”

  Kelly Anne nods enthusiastically. “Exactly! I’ll be right there with you every step of the way. Even when you go to Starlight, I’m just a phone call away.”

  My phone chimes loudly, and I pull it out to look at my messages. “Mom says I need to come home or I’ll miss my appointment.”

  I sigh, sliding my phone back into my pocket. “Guess I’d better get going,” I say, standing up and brushing invisible crumbs off my p.

  Kelly Anne hops to her feet and chirps, “I’ll walk you out,” already heading for the door.

  “Thanks for breakfast, Mrs. Moore,” I call over my shoulder as I follow Kelly Anne.

  “Anytime, sweetie,” she replies.

  At the door, Kelly Anne gives me a hug and a long, soft kiss. “I love and believe in you. Just remember that when you head off to your new life at Starlight. You’re my person, Jackie, and I’m always going to be here for you.”

  I reach up and caress her face as I look into her eyes. “I seriously don’t deserve you, but I love you, too.”

  She giggles. “Everyone deserves a Kelly Anne in their life.”

  I roll my eyes at her. “Yeah,” I say, my tone amused, “as if they could handle the stress.”

  Kelly Anne swats my arm pyfully, her ughter trailing behind me as I step out onto the porch. The te summer air is warm but carries the faintest hint of autumn’s approach, a subtle shift that makes me pause for a moment. I take a deep breath, letting the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming hydrangeas center me.

  “Hey,” Kelly Anne calls softly from the doorway. I turn to see her leaning against the frame, her expression softer now, less teasing. “Don’t overthink it, okay? You’re going to do well at Starlight. Just... be you. The you that you are now. The you that ughs at my terrible jokes and doesn’t run away from everything. That’s the Jackie people are going to love.”

  I smile, feeling a little less weight on my shoulders. “Thanks. I’ll try to remember that. Love you.”

  She grins, crossing her arms and tilting her head. “Love you, too.”

  I’m smiling happily as I turn to make the short walk back to my house, feeling a little less stressed about this whole thing.