The Boy Next Door

Chapter 23

            “Come on Tay, lift with your legs.” I joked. She gave me the death glare, and I backed down. About two hours later, all the furniture was cleared to make a dance floor.

            “The last thing we need to set up is the food.” She said. “Now food I can do, but furniture, never again.” I laughed at her seriousness.

            We put the chips and pretzels into giant bowls, and we placed the cups out. We weren’t going to put the beer out until closer to the party, as well as the pop.

            A few hours before the party, we started to get ready. Tay had no idea what she was going to wear, and she was freaking out.

            I lent her one of my old dresses that didn’t fit me anymore, but it looked amazing on her. It was red and tight, but it ruffled at the bottom. I threw on my little black dress. It had long-tight sleeves, and it shaped my body perfectly. I put on some light brown eye shadow, mascara, and a little bit of lip-gloss.

            “Curl your hair.” Tay demanded.

            “Bu-”

            “Do it.” She ordered.

            I sighed and began to curl my red hair. By the time I was finished, I was glad Taylor made me curl it. It looked really good. I looked over at Taylor; she was straightening her long, blonde hair.

            Will came over after he got dressed. He walked into my house wearing dark-wash jeans and a navy shirt that highlighted his eyes. He looked great. I walked over to him and kissed him.

            “Well thanks for not ditching school; we had to move all the couches without your help.” Tay said with a smirk.

            “We, you mean me, right?” I asked with a smile.

            “Hey, I’m fragile.” She retorted. “Remember, I’m ‘small.’” She said while putting air quotes over small.

            “Whatever.” I smirked at her.

            The guests started arriving at eight, but most didn’t show until nine or ten. I was having a great time. I managed to get Taylor to not drink as much as she usually does. I was dancing with Will to the music. It was a blast. Then someone got the bright idea to play a game of Truth or Dare. Half the people were already drunk, and I knew that this wasn’t going to end well.

            We began the game, and it was the standard questions and dares, like “do you like so and so” or “I dare you to make out with him.” It wasn’t very original. Then it was my turn. I chose truth.

            “Hmm. Well, is it true that Jace raped you?” some drunk basketball player asked. I was appalled. People should not be asking about stuff that personal.

            “No, he didn’t.” I said through gritted teeth.

            “Then why is he in the slammer?” someone else called.

            “Domestic abuse, now may we move on?” I said impatiently. My temper was growing short with these drunks. One of the important reasons why I didn’t drink-you turn into an asshole.

            The game continued, but I was bored. Some people went back to the dance floor, and I followed them. Will was attached to my side the whole time. We danced even more and had fun. We kissed at times, but around one o’clock, the party started to die. A lot of people had to leave around then because they didn’t want to get in trouble with their parents.

            By three, there were a few drunks left, and I kicked them out. Then there were just four. Will, Tay, Matt, and myself. I went into my room and slept next to Will, while Tay and Matt were in the guest room.