After we stop in front of Connell's house in one of the housing estates in the village, I smile, while I say, "Thank you, Ma'am," using the term I have heard the other kids use when talking to an adult.
Jane's mom turns around toward me, smiling friendly and says, "Bye, Elizabeth. Hope to see you again soon."
" Me too." I open the door, take my bag and get out of the car, while Jane says goodbye to her mom and negotiates her pick-up time.
I look around, looking for Jared's Jeep and I feel disappointed when I do not see it.
Jane jumps out of the car and hooks her arm into mine. We turn and wave to her mom as she drives away.
" Why did you get your mom to drive all the way out to pick me up? I could have asked my dad to drop me off."
" But then that leaves room for you to phone me later and give me a silly excuse. I wanted to make sure you were here tonight."
" Why make sure?" I ask.
She stops and looks at me seriously. "I related to you so easily right from the beginning. I have been friends with Sarah and Siobhan since first year, but still I feel closer to you." She leans nearer to me and whispers conspiratorially, "They don't even know I love Aaron."
" I understand." I smile widely.
" And - Aaron phoned me to tell me about the party."
" That is why you are acting so hyper!" I laugh.
" Maybe," she simply says, without offering any explanation. Taking a deep breath, she rings the doorbell.
After a few seconds, Aaron opens the door and he smiles at me. "At last, I thought you would never get here. I was starting to get worried."
He looks at Jane and I see something pass between them - a mysterious look. I wonder if anything happened between them, something I had somehow missed. I feel disappointed though because I thought maybe Jared would be arriving later, but with Aaron already here, it would mean he is not coming at all.
Following Jane into the house, I suddenly feel alone.
Aaron leads us into the house and I notice my small group of friends sitting scattered around the lounge.
Jane leaves me and pulls Aaron by the hand toward the kitchen.
I do not follow them because it looks as if they want to be on their own and this makes me even more curious, so I remind myself to ask Jane if anything happened between them.
I stand in the doorway leading into the lounge, deciding where to sit.