Pam got up when the alarm went off and climbed out of bed. She looked over at the empty bed her friend should have occupied and she smiled. Goddamn, you're lucky. She thought and went into the bathroom and took a shower. Imagine getting to spend the whole weekend with him! She came out of the shower and dressed for work at the theatre, then left her room.

“Pam, I can't believe you're letting Janet spend the weekend with Arnold all alone after he spent the night with you.” Cynthia said.

Pam laughed. “Just because I slept with him, doesn't mean I own him.” She said. She remembered the day that Arnold had slept over and the reactions she and Janet were getting when they emerged, and she had stepped forward and claimed full responsibility for Arnold being there and having sex with her.

Janet had given her a look of surprise at the time, then remained silent, because she knew her friend was 'taking the heat' off of her to save her reputation. She really appreciated that. A lot.

“It should mean you've staked a claim, at least.” One of the other girls said, almost in a pout.

“We would all be out of luck if that was true.” Rachel laughed. “I mean, even though I haven't really been into the whole casual sex thing... Arnold is...”

“He's damn fine, is what he is.” Lisa said from the next doorway.

“Hey, you've already had a close encounter with your casual guy.” Cynthia said with a smile.

“I thought it was casual.” Lisa said with a chuckle. “He thinks it's a lot more than that apparently.”

“Does that mean you're moving up your relationship to the next level or you're thinking of breaking it off?” Rachel asked.

“Yes.” Lisa said and a few of the others laughed.

“I've got to get to work.” Pam said. “See you all later.”

“Is anything good playing?” Lisa asked. “Ooo! Can I have a discount if I bring a few friends?”

“I work there and I don't get a discount!” Pam laughed and walked to the elevator. She didn't tell them that she was allowed to stay after her shift and watch whatever she wanted, because she knew that a few of them would be trying to hang around to join her if they knew. The only one she knew for sure that wouldn't do that, was Janet.

Pam had mentioned it once by accident when she first started working at the theatre, and Janet immediately said that she couldn't do that, because she would feel too guilty about not paying. She admitted that sneaking in would be fun and exciting the first time; but, just casually walking in and not paying? That she couldn't do. They had been good friends before that and great friends after that.

I wonder what she's doing right now? Pam asked herself as she rode the elevator down to the ground floor.

*

Janet was surprised at how many people had shown up for a casual gathering. “Are you sure this isn't a concert or something?” She asked as they climbed out of Sarah's car.

Sarah's boyfriend laughed. “It could definitely be a nice rave or something.” He said as he went to the trunk. “Guys, give me a hand with this stuff.” They all went to the trunk and he chuckled. “Sorry, I literally meant 'guys'.”

“We can help!” Sarah exclaimed.

“You are not lifting a fifty pound bag of charcoal or cases of soda!” He said and she frowned at him. “I want you to save all your strength for dancing naked around the bonfire.”

“Hey!” Sarah said loudly and blushed.

“I'm joking.” He said and gave her a kiss. “The naked part is for later.”

Sarah blushed harder and he laughed.

“I need most of this stuff over by the pit.” He said to Arnold and Three's boyfriend as he pointed. Arnold nodded and grabbed the two large bags of charcoal and walked over to the barbecue pit.

“Holy shit.” Three's boyfriend whispered and picked up a single case of soda cans.

“He's not even straining.” Sarah's boyfriend chuckled and grabbed another case of soda.

They unloaded the trunks of all four cars and set up a large area with tables, two kegs, food, drinks, both normal and alcoholic, and everything else needed to have one of the best beach parties ever. It was their last one for the whole summer, so they wanted to make it great. Everyone had pitched in money for it, so there was a lot of stuff for everyone to enjoy. When it was set up, the girls kind of gathered together not far away from the pit and the guys went to get the fire started.

“That's not really a relaxing outfit you have on.” Sarah said to Janet. “By the way, I'm Sarah.”

“Hi, Sarah. I'm Janet.” Janet said. “I was expecting to spend some time at Arnold's with his mom, then maybe walk around a bit.” She looked around at the cottage and the people there. “I definitely didn't expect anything like this.”

“We can do a lot with almost no notice.” Three said. “With almost a month's warning? We could change the world!”

That made a few of the other girls laugh.

“How long have you two been dating?” One asked and motioned towards Arnold, who was currently using a shovel to dig out the pit to make it square.

“Tanya!” Sarah gasped and her eyes immediately fell upon a girl she was pretty sure wasn't going to show up, despite being invited.

“I'm sorry, Kelly.” Tanya, formerly One, said.

“It's okay.” Kelly said. “I'd like to know, too.”

“We aren't dating.” Janet said as she looked right at Arnold's ex-girlfriend.

“Then why did he bring you home?” Kelly asked.

Janet opened her mouth to respond, then she was interrupted before she could.

“What are you girls whispering about over here?” A guy asked as he strode confidently over to them.

“We're talking about how many jerks showed up uninvited, Michael.” Three said.

“Ha ha, you're funny.” Michael said. “Todd said he needs a hand with something.”

“Why didn't he come over to get me himself?” Three asked.

“Because his hands are full? Duh.” Michael said. “He just told me to come and get you, Leann.”

Leann, formerly Three, sighed. “Whatever.” She said and looked at the other girls. “I'll be right back.”

Michael smiled and he watched her ass for a few seconds as she walked away. “Don't plan on that.” He said to the girls and walked off in another direction.

“How did he find out about this, anyway?” Tanya asked.

“It's not like we've been trying to keep it a secret.” Sarah said.

“That's the truth!” A girl said. “I've been looking forward to this for weeks.”

“I've told a few people.” One of the other girls said. “They wouldn't have invited him, though.”

“Same here. It's not a secret if half the town knows we're having a party.” Another girl said. “I still thought it was invite only, considering this is private property.”

“I think we're going to have a few party crashers lurking around.” Someone else said.

“It might get really bad once it gets dark.” Tanya said. “There's not really a lot that can be done, unless we could get the police out here to keep them at bay!”

Kelly took in a sharp breath and the other girls looked at her.

“What is it? Are you still sore?” Sarah asked.

“N-no, I have...” Kelly took a breath. “Arnold and I have a restraining order against him.”

Tanya gasped. “I completely forgot about that! He's one of Brad's friends!”

“That's right. He was always in the background and never really spoke a lot.” Sarah said. “Without Brad around to keep them together...”

“Call the police.” One of the other girls said. “He knows he's violating the order. You know he does.”

Kelly thought about it. “I don't want to ruin the party.”

“Forget the party! This is about your safety!” Sarah said.

Kelly looked at their concerned faces, even Janet's, and she came up with a solution. “Someone should warn him away. If he doesn't leave, then I'll call the police.”

Tanya sighed. “All right. I'll get Richard to try and run him off.”

“Thanks.” Kelly said and they all looked at her with disbelieving looks. “Do you really think the cops would let this party keep going when they get here and see how many people are here?”

“No, I guess not. They'd tell us all to move off and spread out.” Sarah said.

“Or go home.” Janet said. “With all the alcohol here, they may even call your parents for safe drives.”

“That would suck.” Tanya said. “Okay, I'll be right back.” She said and left to go find her boyfriend.

“I'm going to tell Arnold.” Janet said and started to walk towards the barbecue pit, then stopped. “Hey, where's Arnold?”

“We're done with fixing the pit, so he took the shovel back to the shed.” Sarah's boyfriend said as he dumped one of the bags of charcoal into the pit and two other guys spread it out. He stood up straight and waved at the cottage a hundred feet away. “He'll be back in a minute.”

“I don't think this can wait.” Janet said and walked towards the cottage.

“She really is overdressed for a weekend at home and visiting a 'friend'.” One of the girls whispered. “That top looks expensive.”

“The skirt, too.” Another girl said. “I mean, that's like a serious dating outfit.”

Kelly's heart had taken several blows so far, from hearing that Arnold brought someone to meeting that someone, and hearing what people thought about her clothes was another. She hid her pain as much as she could, then she felt an arm go over her shoulders.

“I'm sorry, Kelly.” Sarah said. “Arnold didn't text us that he was bringing someone until this morning.”

“She seems nice.” Kelly responded with a flat tone in her voice.

“She could be a real bitch.” Sarah said. “Do you want us all to hate her?”

Kelly looked at her face, then looked at the others. She saw that they all understood her pain. “That's the best offer a friend could ever make.” She said and then shook her head.

Sarah chuckled. “We can be subtle about it if you want.”

“No, I... I appreciate the offer, but... thank you.” Kelly said.

“If you change your mind, let us know.” One of the other girls said.

Kelly smiled and nodded.

*

“I can't believe you convinced me to do this.” Mark said as he crouched down in the bushes, part of the way around the lake.

“You're the youngest man on the force, so you were the logical choice.” Detective Tanner said. She wore a medium length blonde wig, had on the same overdone make-up that a lot of high school girls wore, and she had even bought a fake tan to make herself blend in.

“I understand that part.” Mark said. “What I don't understand is us having to act like we're dating.”

“It's a party and most of the people there are couples.” Detective Tanner said. “If we don't show up and look like we're comfortable with each other, we're going to stand out like a light in a dark room.”

Mark gave her a look, then sighed. “Even knowing were undercover, it's going to be awkward trying to hug you in front of strangers.”

Detective Tanner chuckled. “It won't be as awkward when we have to kiss.”

Mark widened his eyes and she laughed.

“Do you really think there's not going to be some making out over there?” Detective Tanner asked.

Mark looked back at the gathering and saw a nice fire being started. “My girlfriend is going to kill me.”

“We're undercover, so it's fine.” Detective Tanner said. “Look, if it makes things easier for you, just close your eyes and imagine that you're kissing your girlfriend.”

Mark reluctantly nodded and she pat his arm.

“We'll wait here until it gets going, then we will walk over there as if we've always been there. We are coming back from a walk, if anyone asks.”

“You don't expect them to.” Mark said and she shook her head.

“I expect to be ignored, especially dressed like we are.”

The two of them wore their old and slightly baggy clothes and would fit right in with the easy-going teenagers at the party.

“If you say so.” Mark said and was quiet for a few minutes. “Detective Tanner...”

“Olivia.” Detective Tanner said. “Call me Olivia.”

“Olivia, do you think...” Mark looked away from the fire and at her. “...maybe we should practice.”

Detective Tanner turned her head to look at him. She quickly judged that he did need to practice to get over the awkwardness she could see in his posture. She sighed and moved back from their observation point to be out of sight.

“Don't get any weird ideas about this.” Detective Tanner said as she put her arms around him.

“N-no, of c-course n-not.” Mark said nervously as he put his arms around her, and she sighed.

“Jesus, just relax.” Detective Tanner said. “Remember our cover. We're friends. We've known each other for a year. We just started dating, so this is new and exciting.”

Mark chuckled. “It's definitely going to be new and exciting.”

Detective Tanner stopped herself from rolling her eyes. “Remember. Close your eyes and pretend I'm your girlfriend.”

Mark nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned in with his lips puckered.

Amateur. Detective Tanner thought and almost laughed, then briefly kissed him. “Now do it right.”

“I...” Mark sighed. “All right. I got this.” He said and opened his eyes to look at her. “My girlfriend. My girlfriend. My girlfriend.” He chanted under his breath, then he closed his eyes and kissed her. Really kissed her.

If he can keep this up, my plan to casually investigate is going to work. Detective Tanner thought and got into their practice session herself and kissed him back.

*

“Arnold?” Janet asked a little loudly. She was by the shed that was a hundred feet away from the cottage, which meant she was over two hundred feet away from the party. The trees were thick and most of the sound of the party was blocked, including the music that she could barely hear, and she was a little worried that he might not hear her.

“Janet.” Arnold stepped out of the shed and closed the door.

“Arnold, I came to tell you that one of the guys you have a restraining order against is here.”

“Thank you.” Arnold said as he put his arms around her and kissed her.

Janet couldn't resist a good kiss, not from him, and put her arms around his neck to kiss him back. “Tanya's getting her boyfriend to try and warn him to go away. If he doesn't leave, then Kelly will call the police.” Janet said and kissed him again.

“That's okay. I already took care of it.” Arnold said.

“I'm glad.” Janet gave him another kiss. “Kelly looked so worried about ruining the party with the cops showing up. Now we can tell her that Michael guy is gone and she can relax.”

Arnold nodded and kissed her, then slid his hands down to grip her ass. Janet jumped a little, then she moaned into his mouth. After a couple of minutes of getting her butt massaged, she broke the kiss.

“Arnold, I want to have sex with you; but, we need a blanket or something to lay on.” Janet said.

Arnold slipped off his backpack and pulled out two thin blankets.

Janet chuckled. “You planned this?”

“Mom told us to have fun.” Arnold said and she laughed.

“Your mom is the best.” Janet said and he nodded.

Arnold took her hand and walked around the shed and out of sight of anyone at the party, spread out both blankets, then they both stripped off and climbed between the blankets.