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"All thehot," Lacey declares "Come on, don’t you want to look fine for the Ex?" she asksood for edy-ass face all night Just a little bit ofat my face and shirt "And maybe a cute top, and a skirt, and some lipstick…"

"OK, OK!" I bat her hands away I know Lacey well enough to know, she doesn’t quit Better I save us both the hassle of her bugging ive up Do whatever you want to me!"

"That’s what all the boys say" Lacey winks

Since I’ht of drinking ahead of us, I convince Lacey to trade the Bug for a pair of bicycles We ride into town, unsteady on the rusted old fra wide loops on the e part before we got dressed!" Lacey huffs along beside h as she pedals

"Like that would havethat hits past your thigh!"

"Yeah, but " She shoots back, sticking her tongue out at -song We’ve already fought about ht a backseat full of clothing--enough to last ame up in a short, white denim mini and colorful print tank She layered ht, and finished off the look by scrunchingloss

When I saw the result in theto venture back into town again, there’s nothing wrong with looking good for it, I decide

Now, as we reach Main Street and cycle down to the harbor, I feel ain I can already hear the hter from the cron by the docks, and I wonder if E back a beer with friends Or worse, a girl

"Don’t ht, you understand?"

"It’s my face!" I protest weakly

"Yeah, and you look like you’re heading in to have Marta rip hot wax of your va-jay-jay" Lacey retorts

I can’t help but giggle

"See? Better!" Lacey cheerleads "Trust uy ever existed Me, or tequila, anyway"

We reach the harbor and chain the bikes up against a railing I look around It’s early, but there’s already a huge crowd Music is blasting loud, with food stalls and tables set up serving fresh shrimp and crabcakes There’s a makeshift bar with beers and liquor, and the party continues all the way across the harbor: boats playingthe dock I see locals, and unfae kids, and families too It’s a real party, and I can’t help but feel a small sense of anticipation

Then irl dressed in tiny cut-off shorts and a black bikini top She’s draped over a skeevy-looking guy, doing shots I freeze

"Fuck," Lacey feels me tense up beside her "Is he here?"

I shake my head "No It’s just his sister"