Chapter 6

“Happy Birthday,” they shouted as one. They were all hugging me and high-fiving me at once and, to tell the truth, it was kind of overwhelming since I didn’t really like being the center of attention.

And then they were all ushering me out to a club. A club! Me.

I was immediately uncomfortable the minute we stepped inside. I figured I wasn’t dressed right. I’d been wearing an old battered pair of jeans, and a gray graphic T-shirt. Vans on my feet. None of the new clothes Ruby had insisted I buy. They hadn’t given me a chance to change clothes and I’m not sure I would have even if I’d had the time.

Most of the people I spotted right away were dressed much different than me. Girls wore dresses, revealing lots of skin, and guys dressed like they were trying to impress the girls.

“Uh. Are we sure about this?” I asked, stopping just inside the entrance.

“It’s fine,” Ruby said, linking her arm with mine. “Don’t be a baby. Maybe you’ll meet a guy.”

“Looks like they are all het.”