Chapter Three
Three months later, March 18.
"Okay. So run that by me again?" Tanna looked blankly at Drew. Drew was sitting on Tanna's bed across from Tanna, who was brushing her hair.
"They're coming out on the 22nd to spend three days in Edmonton. Mackie's coming up from Whitecourt and they want to meet you. Why is that so hard to grasp?" Drew rolled her eyes and turned back to the romance novel she was reading.
"Which part? You mean the part where they're taking off three days to visit Edmonton, or the part where they want to meet ME!? Drew!! Please tell me I'm not dreaming!"
Drew reached over and pinched Tanna.
"Ow! What was that for?" Tanna asked.
"Well, since you didn't wake up when I pinched you, it can't be a dream, right?" Drew didn't even look up from her book. "Now, shut up! It's the sex scene!"
Tanna shook her head, and left the room. When she got back, Drew was finished the book.
"Now, what's happening on Friday?" Drew asked.
"Well, my parents are going to some 'Long Service' dinner for Journal staff, then spending the night at the hotel. You and Mackie are coming here right after school, right?"
"Yeah, I gave her your address, so she'll be here around 5 p.m. That okay?"
"Sure. Kris says she's trying to convince her mom to let her come over even though she's grounded. If she can, she'll be here around 7 p.m. We'll rent the movies after she arrives. That gives us a while to get to know each other and talk about the boys." Tanna paused. "I think your mum's here, Drew."
"Okay." They walked to the door where Drew put on her shoes. "Thanks for having me. I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"Yup! Bye!"
"Happy Birthday Tanna!"
"Yeah! Happy Birthday!"
"It's your birthday? I didn't know that."
"How old are you?"
All her friends smiled up at her confusion.
"Thanks, Drew!" Drew hugged her.
"Thanks, Kris!" another hug. "And yes, Archie, it is my birthday. I'm 17, Susie." Tanna grinned ruefully. "I didn't expect to be bombarded first thing in the morning!"
Just then, the bell rang. Since it was her spare, Tanna sat down and waved as everyone scurried off to their classes.
"So what time are your parents leaving for this thing?" Drew asked. "Cause, you know, I'm kinda scared of your mom!"
Tanna laughed. "I know! But don't worry. They'll be getting ready and we can hide out in the basement. They're leaving right after Mackie gets here. My mum says she wants to meet her, then they'll go."
"Okay, good! And what time are they coming back?"
"Remember, I told you they were staying overnight at the hotel. So they probably won't be home till the afternoon."
"Right! Don't worry about me, this is normal!" Drew laughed.
"I know!" Tanna laughingly fended off Drew's swats, and opened the door to her room.
Ding-dong!
"I'll get it!" Rachel yelled as she thundered down the stairs. She flung open the door with one hand, holding Hobbes' collar with the other. "Hi. You must be that friend of Tanna's. Tanna!!!!"
"Coming, coming." Tanna and Drew came upstairs.
"Mackie!" Drew ran over and hugged her.
"Hi! I'm Tanna. Come in! Don't worry, he's friendly." Tanna waved Mackenzie inside, nodding at Hobbes. "Here, let me get one of those bags. Let's go downstairs."
As they walked down to Tanna's bedroom, Drew asked if Rachel would be there all night too.
"No, she's gonna sleepover at one of her friend's houses. She'll be out of here a little later." Tanna reassured Mackenzie and Drew.
"Oh, good! That way we can dance and she won't laugh at us!" Drew said.
Tanna put Mackenzie's bags on the floor by the door to her room. Drew immediately jumped on the bed and gestured for Mackenzie to join her. Tanna sat in the desk chair.
"So…. I've heard lots about you. It's good to finally meet you!" Tanna said to Mackenzie.
"You too. But I hope it was all good."
"Of course it was!"
"I have an idea." Drew interrupted the small talk. "To help break the ice, let's give each other makeovers!"
"Okay." Tanna agreed.
"That way, if we look really good, we can go out to Whyte, or the mall and scope out guys." Drew added.
"Yeah!" Mackenzie and Tanna said simultaneously.
So the girls decided that Drew would makeover Tanna, Mackenzie would do Drew, and Tanna would do Mackenzie. They each pulled out their make-up and hair accessories and spread them out on the desk.
The recipient would sit in the desk chair while the other two had a conference about the new look. By the time everyone had been made over, the ice was truly and completely broken between Mackenzie and Tanna.