In A Different Light

The Sleepover Part II

Bill gulped and looked down then looked back up at Joan. He didn't want to make it too obvious that she was right. "How is it 'obvious' t-that we...like each other?"

"That dance you two shared at the thrift store, her standing up to Bowers when he was talking shit."

Bill started blushing, but tried to hide it. He didn't realise that her standing up for him could mean she liked him. He thought she was just being a good friend. "That dance was...just-uh." Bill couldn't think of anything so he stayed silent.

Joan sighed and patted Bills shoulder. "Just cut the bullshit and make a damn move."

Bill looked away, embarrassed that he couldn't admit one of the simplest things. That he liked his friend, Beverly.
"Alright, let's g-go up to the roof. Will we need b-blankets?"

Joan nodded. "Where can I find some?"

Bill thought for a moment and then told Joan, "Uh, my p-parents keep extras in this hall closet near the b-bathroom."

Joan walked back inside the house, through the garage, and went to the closet in the hallway.

Bill went and sat on one of the steps on the ladder, waiting for Joan and the rest of his friends.

Joan grabbed some blankets as well as some pillows she spotted in the far back corner and she carried them all back outside, her hands full.

Bill looked over at Joan and went up to her. "Do you need s-some help?" He asked while grabbing some items to lift the weight.

Joan let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, thank you."

Bill laughed and headed back to the ladder. He put his right hand and foot on the ladder and proceeded to climb up with his open hand.

Joan held the ladder steadily until Bill reached the top, then climbed up, as well.

Once he got to the top, he leaned against the ladder so he wouldn't fall back and tossed the blanket and two pillows he was holding far enough so they wouldn't fall back down. He then climbed onto the roof and went to pick the blanket up to spread it out.

Bill reached his hand out for either Joan's free hand or the items she was holding. Whichever she gave him first.

Joan took Bill's hand and tossed the items she had onto the roof.

Bill pulled Joans' hand up and helped her onto the roof.

Joan climbed up with Bill's help and she spread out the blankets she had.

Bill looked at the blankets with his hands on his hips and said, "Now we just w-wait for them."

Joan laid down on her blanket and stared at the late afternoon sky, right at sunset.

Beverly walked outside with her glass and the radio then walked towards the ladder. She climbed up the ladder and saw Joan and Bill up there already.

Joan looked at Beverly and smiled. "Hey, Red."

Bill looked up when Joan said 'hey' to Beverly and looked at her. He gave a small wave and smiled. "H-hey."

Beverly smiled back at them. “Hey, guys. You two set it up nice here.” She sat down on a blanket, looking up at the sky.

"Bev, you got the music?" Joan asked.

Beverly took the radio off of her wrist and gave it to Joan. “Here you go."

"Oh, thanks..." She looked at the radio in her hands before handing it to Bill. "I don't want to mess anything up."

Beverly grabbed her glass and sipped the last of the wine.