The Latterson List

Chapter Two - The Host

"Leave," Katie spoke soft, but firmly. Without another word, every intruder to our table sped away leaving just the six of us. Then, Katie gestured to my table. "May we?"

I didn't answer immediately, but a sharp elbowing from Tom jolted me into responding. "Uh, yeah sure."

Counna held his hand out for Katie to take. He helped her take her seat, and then sped off towards the buffet to grab their lunches. Rosella and Holly pecked each other on the cheeks and then took seats opposite one another. I perched directly in front of Katie and gulped.

"Let us cut the chaff, I've never been one to beat about the bush," Katie splayed her hands in front of her. "I hear you've been invited to my party."

I gulped again.

"...uh...yes but if you don't want me to come I-" I began.

Katie raised her hand. "No, no. I'd love to see you there." Her face was unreadable, eyes fixed on me and eyebrows as sharp as a knife. "Normally, guests don't leave it this long to respond to an invitation. It's been well over a day, you see, and normally Holly can confirm everyone on the Latterson List within a few hours..."

She left her sentence upon, and another instructive nudge from Tom prompted me to explain the delay.

"Oh...I uh, well I've only just found the invitation." I said, meekly. "I...I've never been invited to one of your parties before so I wasn't expecting an...um...invite."

Heat began to rise up my neck and I knew my back was drenched in sweat.

Katie considered me for a moment, lips pursed ever so slightly. Counna returned, expertly balancing three lunch trays. He laid the first in front of Katie, and then Holly, and finally, one of his own. Smiling widely, he took the pudding from his tray and placed it in front of me.

Katie frowned at the offered pudding for a second, but then continued to speak. "It is true, when I read on Twitter that we'd finally discovered who the final Plus One was for, I did not know who you were."

"That doesn't surprise me!" Tom chortled. Katie raised her eyebrow at him, and then directed her unreadable gaze back at me.

"I am here to confirm your RSVP," Katie said, fiddling with the expensive looking ring on her finger. "But truthfully, I also came because I am curious. A student invited to my party whom I do not know. Fascinating."

Like that was some sort of cue, Holly retrieved her mobile phone from her pocket, typed and scrolled for a few seconds, and then glanced eagerly at me. In fact, everyone at the table was watching me now.

"So," Katie began, leaning back slightly on her seat. "Are you coming to my party?"

I glanced to Tom who was nodding frantically, and then across to Rosella who watched me carefully. And then I glanced at the pudding because the pudding wasn't putting any pressure on me at all.

Truthfully, no I didn't want to go. There would be people there. Drunk people. And lots of noise. And it'd only been ten minutes since I'd discovered the invitation yet look at the fallout that my invite had caused. Who knew what chaos would reign on the actual night?

No. I didn't want to go.

"Yes," I squeaked. Everyone bar Katie and I exhaled.

"Wonderful," Holly grinned, swiping away on her phone. "That's one hundred percent confirmed attendance."

Katie nodded, a mysterious fire in her eyes. "Good."

In synchro, the three of them stood up, grabbing their trays. Holly blew a kiss to her sister and mentioned something about their father under her breath. Katie stepped over the bench and then turned back to face me. "I'm glad you're coming, Paul. I feel this party is going to be one to remember."