Lacey Harvelle
"Folks at home are putting on the pressure for me to at least apply for a college or some crap, but what's the point? Not like I'd study there anyways, right? How stupid can you be? You gotta be smart to get into shit like that, right, Lace?" Lacey tensed when Violet began talking about pressure and home. If only she knew, Lacey thought before nodding in agreement, the same smile from earlier plastered upon her face. Thinking about it, Lacey was pretty sure she could make for a decent actress. Few people knew when she was acting and when she was not. At this particular point, Violet was definitely the latter.
Don't get Lacey wrong; she loved Violet. Violet was this ball of hyperactive fire that kept Lacey on her toes. It was exhilarating, to say the least. Amber was her best friend, sure. Amber kept Lacey's mind out of the more depressing situations because Lacey was too busy trying to get Amber to just have fun. They could talk for hours and when Lacey didn't want to be brave and just wanted to be a girl, she would cry with Amber. Not saying that she couldn't do that with Violet, but there was a level of closeness that Amber and Lacey had and Violet hadn't reached that yet.
Which was why she chose to say, "Yeah, I understand. But tonight, it's about us and fun. And damnit, I'm gonna enjoy myself!" Now that she thought about it, she did not want to burden her friends with feeling bad for herself. No, there were greater, more fulfilling things than getting into Stanford.
"Omigosh, Violet! What happened to your hand? Was that blood? Are you okay?" All at once Amber spoke, leaving Lacey to observe in shock at the blood on Violet's hand. It was smeared and nearly dry. Amber reached over and Vi snatched away just as quickly, her mumbling caught by Lacey's ears. Lacey's eyes narrowed at the girl, a silent demand of an explanation.
But it could wait. Lacey wasn't like Amber. Amber cared deeply for everyone; loved everyone. She would demand an explanation if anything ever happened to anyone and would want the full story. Lacey, on the other hand, had a different approach. Certain situations were meant for privacy. This was one of them.
"She said she was fine, Amber. Just leave it," Lacey exclaimed, waving her hand carelessly. "Besides, I want my milkshake now. Who cares if the others aren't here yet?" Lacey signaled the waiter over and while waiting, she added to Violet with a crooked grin, "And champagne is for babies, hon. Max said that one of his friends is a bartender and you're gonna want something a little stronger before the night's over." She winked and giggled before cutting her eyes at the waitress flirtatiously, "Hi, love. I'd love a peanut-butter and chocolate milkshake and Red over here wants vanilla. And, if you're interested, her number is..."
Lacey didn't even get to finish telling him because Amber let out something akin to a shriek and elbowed her, causing Lacey to erupt into a fit of giggles. The waiter only chuckled in amusement before walking away to put in their orders, claiming that he would be right back. Before he could get away, though, she called, "Oooh, and some sweet potato fries. And don't forget about these guys!" Smirking at a flustered Amber who decided to pout, Lacey turned her attention to the boys. "So, you guys coming or what?"