Never Have I Ever

Chapter 2

Once I dropped Chris off at my neighbor Lucy’s house - a sweet middle aged woman who couldn’t have kids, and watched him frequently – I drove reluctantly to Anna’s house.

If you couldn’t already tell, I didn’t want to go to this party. What was the point? I mean, really, what was I missing if I didn't go?

In my experience, watching movies about it and reading about it, parties with teenagers were just sweaty people drinking and getting hot and heavy up against walls. That just didn’t seem too pleasant. Sighing heavily, I pulled to a stop in front of her small, white house with bundles of bright flowers scattered around the entrance. Her mother was quite the gardener.

My heart panged. She was so lucky to have a parent who cared. I rolled my lips into my mouth, clenching my hands onto the steering wheel. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. I swallowed back the lump that formed in my throat, and opened the door of my car.

Just as I was about to knock on Anna’s door, the door opened and Anna’s red hair was piled messily on top of her head. She claimed that she was her most artistic with makeup and hair when her hair was on top of her head. Don’t ask.

She grinned, her dimples showing.

            “Are you ready to be beautified?” She squealed, wiggling her eyebrows. I laughed, shaking my head no, but following her upstairs to her room anyways.

I found Scott already there, lying on her bed throwing a football up and down, a bored look on his face. I didn’t know why he bothered to come while we got ready, he always complained.

            “Guys,” He groaned, “You’re taking forever.” See? Told you. Scott was the ultimate whiny boy. No one I knew could complain like Scott could.

Anna thumped Scott on the head, frowning at him, “Aria just got here, we’re not even started. So shut it, Scotty.” She grinned cheekily.

            “Don’t call me Scotty,” Scott glared, but smiled when she giggled. I swear they were meant to be together, but they always got grossed out whenever I mentioned it. Whatever. They’ll see it soon enough.

I sat down on Anna’s vanity chair, closing my eyes. I sighed through my nose. This was going to take forever.

  *    *    *    *

            “Anna!” I screeched as she pulled on my hair, again.

            “Stop screaming,” She muttered, pulling harder on my bangs.

            “I hate you.” I told her. I could just imagine her smiling.

            “No you don’t, and you’ll love me when you see how yummy you look.” I sighed. No matter how many times I told Anna, she never listened when I insisted she should not ever use the word ‘yummy’ to describe a person.

            “Sure, sure,” I said, offhandedly. I could feel her plucking my eyebrows. I made a face. My eyebrows weren’t even bad.

            “Scott,” Anna murmured after a while of plucking, painting, and pulling, “Get out so we can change.” Anna made something that sounded like a scoff, “Don’t make that face. You cannot stay in here while we change.”

He groaned, “Whatever,” He muttered sounding disappointed.

I laughed, grinning. “Scott, you’re such a pervert!”  I heard the door slam closed, and I opened my eyes. Anna had turned all the mirrors away so I couldn’t see myself yet.