I step outside, craving a break from the suffocating tension inside. The cool night air wraps around me, offering a momentary respite. Needing a distraction, I reach into my pocket, fishing out a pack of cigarettes. Lighting one up, I inhale deeply, letting the smoke fill my lungs.

Jessica and Lucy are deep in conversation a few feet away, their voices laced with laughter. Despite the animosity between Jessica and me, I find myself drawn to their energy, yearning for a brief reprieve from the strained atmosphere inside. Slowly, I make my way over, hoping to find solace in their presence.

As I approach, their laughter fades into a comfortable silence. I take a moment to observe them, their camaraderie evident in their smiles and shared glances. It's a stark contrast to the tension I've been drowning in lately.

Jessica notices my presence and greets me with a teasing grin. "Well, well, well... Hey there, Steph, "

As I draw closer, their conversation tapers off, and they both turn to greet me with warm smiles.

"Joining us for a breather?" Jessica asks, her voice filled with a touch of playfulness.

I return the smile, grateful for the chance to divert my attention. "Yeah, I needed a break from all the drama. Mind if I join you two?"

Lucy chuckles, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Of course, the more, the merrier. We were just discussing... romantic conquests."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by their topic choice. "Romantic conquests, huh? Care to elaborate?"

Jessica smirks, relishing the opportunity to share. "We were reminiscing about the time I managed to snag John Jackson right under your nose, Steph."

"Yes Jessica, it's been almost twenty four hours, I almost managed to forget." I roll my eyes, searching for a drink which is sadly nowhere in sight.

I begin contemplating what's worse; enduring Jessica's teasing without any alcohol to numb the nerves, or going inside and risking seeing Cassie. Which could either be still hugging John, or facing me in this state I've never known her in. Honestly, all options were almost equally horrifying.

Curiosity sparks within me, a sudden and blessed distraction that urges me into action. I turn to Lucy, a playful glint in my eyes. "So, Lucy, you've known Cassie for ages. Did you ever..?"

I don't expect to need to finish this sentence to get a confirmation from her, but to my surprise, she keeps staring at me with her big, blue, doe eyes.

"Did we ever-..?" She repeats in question.

"...-Hook up?" I mutter, frowning that she made me say it.

Lucy's eyes widen, surprise etched across her face. "Cassie? With women? No way."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked. "Really? I thought you two shared everything. Best friends and all."

Jessica, of course, unable to resist a chance to burst into mockery, leans in with a mischievous grin. "Steph, you've unearthed the mother of all secrets. Cassie? With women?"

"Uhu, so I see it's some common knowledge around here..." Lucy narrows her eyes between the both of us, then trails aloud her line of thought. "Is that why she never got a boyfriend..? I always assumed it was all that drama with John... "

I find myself and Jessica staring at each other in shock as Lucy continues musing to herself.

"Is she actually insane?" Jessica asks me, not really bothering to whisper even.

"I don't know... I've only known Cassie for a couple months, who knows what's the result of years on your mental health?"

"Obviously not too positive." Jessica lifts her chin condescendingly in Lucy's direction, who finally snaps back.

"Bitch please, even someone self-obsessed as you should be able to see there's a lot between them." She hisses, her friendly nature surprisingly quick to flip. Or not surprisingly, it's Cassie's old bestie, after all.

"Duh, it's called being siblings. Is the concept new to you?" Jessica arches a slender black eyebrow.

Lucy's face darkens, "It's obviou-"

"Yo! I'm getting drinks, any orders?" Damien's shout echos from the porch, and I turn my gaze to see Lora walking up to join us, already carrying a bottle of champagne and as many thin glasses she could hold between her fingers.

"Obviously what?" To my surprise, Jessica's words come out in a serious tone, rather than a mocking one.

Lucy twists her dainty little nose with a sideways glance towards Damien and Lora.

"No orders? I will bring whatever then!" Damien answers himself from inside, while Lora draws closer.

"Can't speak here. We gotta go out." Lucy lowers her voice and speaks quickly, while Lora is still out of ear-shot.

"How do we lose the Jacksons?" Jessica tunes in on her missions' wavelength in a heartbeat, meanwhile, I'm still blinking in confusion.

Lucy answers by reaching in her pocket and tossing a small plastic bag on the coffee table between us. It contains at least half a dozen dense white pills.

"Ketamine. Then to Cornelius. "

"Cornelius?" Jessica and I repeat simultaneously in question.

"Gay men bar." Lucy answers, smirking at us.

"Why there?" I feel more lost by the moment.

"Jacksons' drug tolerance isn't to be underestimated," Lucy nods knowingly. "That's the only place we'll be safe."

"I thought you're crazy, but now I think you might actually be brilliant." Jessica casually mentions as she raises her hand to accept a champagne glass Lora has extended towards her.

I let my face drop into my palms with a sigh, unable to look at my friend right now, who is enviably clueless of the plot forming under her nose.

Whatever scheme these two are in together, can't lead to anything that won't explode to my face. It would have been wiser to forget all these two had said, and get the farthest from it possible. Unfortunately for me, I'm not the kind of person that could walk away from a guaranteed explosion.