Everyone sat around the table glumly. The only people talking to each other were Bette and Tina, and they did so in hushed tones, watching the others out of the corners of their eyes. They were once again wearing their wedding rings, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the other girls.

Milk was really wild that night; the music so loud they could barely even talk even if they wanted to. Dana took a sip of her wine cooler, wishing she could get into the party mood and have a little fun.

Bette and Tina left the table to go dance, and Shane took off after some girl, leaving Dana and Alice alone in uncomfortable silence.

Dana fiddled with a straw wrapper; crumpling it up into a little ball and smoothing it back out repeatedly. “I’m sorry, Alice,” she finally said timidly, finding the courage to look at Alice.

Alice surveyed her quietly for a moment before replying, “You should have told us, Dana. At least me.”

Dana leaned forward. “I know, but…”

“But what, Dana?” Alice demanded. “We could have supported you. I had to be hard to go through this alone. I don’t understand why you had to lie about it. Instead I have to find out from some stupid tabloid at the supermarket.”

“Alice, I just didn’t want to involve you guys. Plus, I was kind of ashamed, to tell you the truth,” Dana admitted, looking away.

“Dana, there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Alice told her, laying her hand on top of Dana’s.

“I’m sorry, Alice. Can you forgive me?” Dana asked earnestly.

Alice bit her lip. “I don’t know, Dane. I’m hurt. Hurt that you didn’t share such a big issue in your life with me. I don’t know if I can trust you.” With that, she stood abruptly, heading to the bar for another drink.

Dana sighed and laid her head on her arms, feeling defeated.

Halfway to the bar, Alice was stopped by Shane. “Hey, lay off Dana, okay? This has to be hard for her,” Shane told Alice sternly.

“Back off, Shane,” Alice replied angrily, irritation evident in her voice as she attempted to brush past her. Shane caught her arm.

“Listen to me, Alice. She’s already hurt, so don’t ***** hurt her any worse.”

Alice laughed bitterly. “What the ***** do you care, Shane? You only care about yourself. Where were you when Dana needed someone, huh? I didn’t see you there. You were probably off ***** some girl, as usual!”

Shane stared at her coldly before replying, “I do care…more than you know.”

Alice saw something in Shane’s eyes at that moment. It was only there an instant, but Alice recognized the look. “Oh my God, you totally like Dana, don’t you?”

“Shut up, Al,” Shane instructed quickly, glancing around. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Shane, give it up. She’s not your type. Dana would never want you. You guys are too different. Besides, all of your…”experience” would probably scare the ***** out of her.”

Shane surprised herself when she reacted by giving Alice a hard shove.

Tina and Bette were moving quickly through the crowd toward them to intervene, wondering what the ***** had gotten into them.

Alice stumbled back and caught herself, preparing to shove Shane back as someone bumped into her rudely and pushed between the two women, giving them both a snide, haughty look. The woman tossed her familiar head of curls as she pushed past them. Both Shane and Alice recognized her immediately.

Their eyes met, and they both shouted in unison, “Tonya!”

They both began pushing through the crowd after her, Bette and Tina hot on their heels, while Dana sat slumped glumly at the table, oblivious to what was unfolding.