Chapter 8

           JessdrovefasterthantheChief,sowemadeittoPortAngelesbyfour.IthadbeenawhilesinceI’dhadagirls’nightout,andtheestrogenrushwasinvigorating.WelistenedtowhinyrocksongswhileJessicajabberedonabouttheboyswehungoutwith.Jessica’sdinnerwithMikehadgoneverywell,andshewashopingthatbySaturdaynighttheywould

           haveprogressedtothefirst-kissstage.Ismiledtomyself,pleased.Angelawaspassivelyhappytobegoingtothedance,butnotreallyinterestedinEric.Jesstriedtogethertoconfesswhohertypewas,butIinterruptedwithaquestionaboutdressesafterabit,tospareher.Angelathrewagratefulglancemyway.

           PortAngeleswasabeautifullittletouristtrap,muchmorepolishedandquaintthanForks.ButJessicaandAngelaknewitwell,sotheydidn’tplantowastetimeonthepicturesqueboardwalkbythebay.Jessdrovestraighttotheonebigdepartmentstoreintown,whichwasafewstreetsinfromthebayarea’svisitor-friendlyface.

           Thedancewasbilledassemiformal,andweweren’texactlysurewhatthatmeant.BothJessicaandAngelaseemedsurprisedandalmostdisbelievingwhenItoldthemI’dneverbeentoadanceinPhoenix.

           "Didn’tyouevergowithaboyfriendorsomething?"Jessaskeddubiouslyaswewalkedthroughthefrontdoorsofthestore.

           "Really,"Itriedtoconvinceher,notwantingtoconfessmydancingproblems."I’veneverhadaboyfriendoranythingclose.Ididn’tgooutmuch."

           "Whynot?"Jessicademanded.

           "Nooneaskedme,"Iansweredhonestly.