|COMMENT-VOTE-FAN|
Ain't no rest for the wicked....
Song: Ain't no rest for the wicket | Artist: Cage the elephant
_
Megan sits in a veil, two of her friends sit on either sides of her and I'm sure their all drunk.
"Grey! Grey, come down here!" Megan waves me over, I stood on the last step just watching the band of giggling 20 year olds.
I don't think I'v seen Megan laugh this much... Ever.
I gulp, step down from the steps and I stand in front of the three of them. Splayed out on the couch sits a red head, "Jenny!" She shakes my hand, and on the other side of Megan, "Fran!" A raven haired girl in a woman suit shakes my hand next.
"girls, this is my sister, Grey!" Megan announce, I didn't even think she bad friends.
There's only a month and three days until Megan's wedding, I know because she reminds me day in and day out. I still haven't told her about Stefan and I don't know if I ever will.
"Have a seat, have a seat! It's tradition that bridesmaids get to know each other!" Jenny says
"Oh that's true!" Fran seconds
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Jenny asks
"What's his name?" Fran adds
"Oh, you know what. There was one guy who came by the house looking for her on the night of end dance a weekend of two ago. If was like something out of a movie because Grey rushed off after him and missed her dance... She doesn't tell me anything so the details of her night are still a mystery to me!" Megan tells the girls.
I grow uncomfortable
Do you really want to know Megan?
OUR MOM FAKED HER DEATH
OUR DAD IS A DRUG LORD (and then some)
TYLER GOT THE SHIT BEATEN OUT OF HIM
AVA TOOK MY DATE
STELLA AND GIDEON ARE IN A FUED AND IM CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
AND LAST BUT NOT FUCKING LEAST I KISSED YOUR FIANCÉ.
"Nothing really happened." I say, that's what I keep telling her
She raises her eyebrows, "right. Like I'm going to believe that." Megan says
"Boy troubles?" Jenny asks
She didn't know the half of it, I haven't spoken to Tyler since we kissed, I'm not even sure what that was. Was it anything? Was it not? Can't forget about Finn... The boyfriend. I guess I'm the scheme of things we're qual now- he kissed Ava, I kissed Tyler.
Only he kissed Ava out of goodness, he was wrong about her being on her death bed but still... It's not like he kissed he because he wanted to and trust me that's the soul reason I kissed Tyler.
I wanted to.
I sink in my seat a little.
"I don't think he and I should go down that road..." I say lowly.
Who was I talking about, Finn or Tyler. Maybe both.
"Go with your gut, Girl. Let it go, forget him, you don't want to waist any time on someone who's not worth it when you've known that all along!" Jenny says
"Amen!" Megan picks up whatever her drink was in the martini glass and she sips it, as do the other girls
But Finn's a long time friend and I'm going to need Tyler, even when all this business with our parents is said and done I'd -- I don't know- I'd still like to be his friend, I guess.
"My dentist told me once that letting go is like pulling a tooth." Fran says, "oh I love this one!" Jenny ignites. "This is going to be inspirational so listen up Grey!" Megan says
"When it was pulled out, you're relieved, but how many times does your tongue run itself over the spot where the tooth once was? Probably a hundred times a day. Just because it wasn't hurting you doesn't mean you didn't notice it. It leaves a gap and sometimes you see yourself missing it. It's might take a while and you're going to be thinking 'Should you have kept that tooth? ' the answer is No, because it was causing you so much pain. A new tooth will grow, Grey. And that gap will be filled again, maybe next time by a tooth who won't hurt you as much," Fran explains.
"I don't get it," I mumble
Megan stands, "she's young." Waving off my comment
"C'mon, Ladies. I need a refill!" Megan chants.
I pull out my phone, deciding to text Stella. "Hey"
She usually replies back fast, I mean so fast I sometimes wonder if she's already got our messaging up.
No reply.
I think maybe I wanted to tell someone about Tyler and I, the event of two days ago have been weighing on me. I think Stella, as always, would say something like "You Go, Hoe!" Or maybe even "Yolo" but when it really came down to it she could help... If you decoded her cryptic, twisted words the right way.
But she didn't answer even when I called her, I take Megan's car keys. "I'm going out Megan," I call to her in the kitchen. "You're drunk you can't drive!" She says, giggly. "No, wait... I'm drunk. Ha, go ahead," she waves me off
I roll my eyes, drunk Megan creeps me out.
I stand at Stella's front door, I had Knocked twice already. Just when I was about to knock again her mom appears, "you." She says sourly. "What happened to Gideon, I liked him." She frowns
I open and close my mouth, "is-uh-is-Stella home?" I ask. Her mom rolls her eyes, "come in, I'll get her," she says
I step inside the house, there's not a light on inside. "STELLA!" Her mom screams up the steps to her, smokers cough gets her afterwards.
Stella comes to the top of the stair case. "Grey, hey" she says, coming down. Her mom is still coughing, "Mom, SHUT UP." Stella shoots.
"What brings you to my humble abode!" Stella gestures for me to go into the living room.
She turns on a light, "why are all your lights off?" I ask. "Moms newest husband is a green thumb, he's putting solar panels on the roof next weekend." Stella says. I look around, there are no family pictures, nothing personal, just some furniture.
"I really needed to talk." I hum, "where you busy?" I ask. Stella shakes her head no, "I'm always down to play dr. Phill!" She says. "Oh you weren't answering your phone." I say, "I didn't hear it." Stella says. "But what's on your mind?" She asks
"I kissed Tyler."
Her eyes are wide, skin a shade or two paler.
"YOU WHAT?"
"Well, he kissed me first- but" I begin
"Story. Story, I need the full story," she begs
So I tell her everything minus the whole investigation for our parents and the finger in the box and what not.
Her mouth is hanging wide open, "wait-wait, what about the boyfriend?" She asks. "Finn!" She adds, saying his name as if it had just come to her.
I nod, gulp, "I know" I mumble, "I'm a horrible person." I sink down onto her couch.
I fall over on my side, "Yes, sulk in your mistakes!" Stella jokes.
Penates exactly what I'm doing, sulking with my face buried in the cushion of her couch.
There are crumbs between the cushions, the couch smells of smoke and I smell of smoke and chewed up cheeks. Too many worries, I couldn't file by category so they ruled each other out and I'm not worried.
Not that I know of.
Just in over my head.
I look up and Stella's engulfed in her phone.
"Who are you texting?" I ask
"A friend of a friend." She shrugs, smiling
"You're smiling." I say
"Because he's sweet!" Stella says.
"He?"
"Yes, he" she says
"What's "HE'S" name?" I ask
She smiles, "that's for me to know and for." Stella shrugs, puts her phone in her back pocket and stands, "So do you like Tyler... Or were you just kissing him to kiss him?" Stella asks
"I was kissing him to prove a point." I tell her
"What point?"
"That he wanted to kiss me." I explain
Stella smiles, it gets wider with each second she just stares at me.
"You do like him," she seems to come up with that just by looking at me.
I look down, "well there's one simple solution to this all..." Stella announces. "As my dad always says, 'never quit your day job' , you get me?" Stella says
"I'm sorry, what?" I ask
"Don't dump frank for Tyler, just forget about the kiss and keep doing what it was you were doing." Stella says
"It's Finn and- and- that's not at all what I was expecting you to say" I confess
"Maybe if you went after Danny or someone my answer would be different... But this is Tyler were talking about," Stella says
"What? Why Danny? Why not Tyler?"
"I mean, maybe it's just me but I'v been banking on you and Danny. Gideon..." She says his name by accident, smooths over it by continuing, "we--- we had a bet going on that you'd steel him right from underneath Vickie... Gideon said you were to nice I said otherwise." She says his name this time with so much confidence it's clear she's uncomfortable
I fold my arms, "Danny and I are friends. That's it." I shoot, Stella raises her hands in defense. "I see, you went for the bad apple instead, I mean this is pretty typical." Stella nods. "I'm just here to warn you, Tyler's no good." She adds
I stand up, "I'd never go after him anyways... I mean it's clear were incompatible-" I begin.
"Whoa, incompatible, whoever said that? I think you two would be adorable together," Stella states. "Wha-" I begin.
"But adorable doesn't mean good. . ." She says
Her phone buzzes, she gets a text message, smiles when she reads it, looks up at me and says, "we'll there is somewhere that I have to be," she pushes me towards the door
"You're kicking me out?" I frown
"I got a hot date at 8 and I need to get dressed! I'll call you tonight and fill you in," she opens her front door
"Wha-but-Stella." She pushes me out onto her porch
"Remember, don't quit your day job," she pats my shoulder, closes the door in my face.
Sometimes I'd like to slap her.
-
School on Monday is... Interesting
Gideon usually walks in right about now but he hasn't and he won't, him and Stella still aren't on speaking terms and by the looks of it, I'm wondering if they ever will be.
"I know I never called last night...sorry," Stella says, walking in and sitting down beside me, she radiated excitement.
"I'll tell you all about it now!" She says, putting her hands on my desk, "he's so sweet, I don't know if I'll ever learn how to act around him!" Stella gushes
"Are you going to tell me who he is?" I ask.
Stella shakes her head no, "I don't want to jinx it."
"Hm..." I frown
"It's not you Grey..." Stella begins.
"I'm sure you would of told Gideon." I whine and it's clear that Stella's pretending she's over the whole fall out because hearing his name, she goes stiff.
"I don't want to say anything because he's too sweet right now." Stella says
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I mean, I don't know what he's doing. I can usually read these things but not with him, it's almost like he ... Wants to get to know me." Stella says surprised.
"And would that be a bad thing?" I ask
"No, not at all, only... He doesn't seem like the type-" she begins.
"Don't judge a book bye it's cover." I say
"I don't. I judge them by their friends." She states
I gasp, "I hope that's just a 'stella thing' because if other people are judging by friends than me and you gotta start meeting in secret," I joke. Stella punches my arm
"Listen grey, you'll know who he is soon enough. I just need a little more time to figure out what it is he wants. I mean, for all I know, he could have ulterior motives, he's taking me out again, tonight." Stella reasons
She gushes more about her date last night "I mean he took me out on a Sunday, doesn't that mean something?" She asks. My mind is elsewhere, I wouldn't see Tyler in these halls anymore and for some reason that really bothers me.
"Huh?" Stella asks
"What?" I ask
"Doesn't that mean something?"
"Sure."
...
The bell rings and it rings through second period and third and four and fifth, and all day I keep thinking I'll run into Tyler again, I keep thinking I'm going to see him. But I don't.
Lunch is no different.
The closest I get is Danny,
"House party up in the hills tonight, you guys down?" Danny asks, swinging a leg over the lunch table
"Who do you know that lives in the hills?" Vickie asks
"Her names Carly, we go way back." Danny brushes it off. "It's suppose to be a real blow out, all the schools from around the district will be there," Danny says
"I could use a party," Gideon announces, Stella has snuck off yet again to do who knows what.
"Yea, a party sounds fun! Gideon, we can wear our shirts!" Molly exclaims
Gideon smiles but he looks less than amused,
"What about you Grey?" Danny asks
"Why must you always ask Grey? Huh?" Vickie snaps, looking at Danny. "Can't we just assume she's coming, I mean everyone invites her to everything all the time." Vickie says sourly, now looking over at me.
"Would it make you happy if I sat this one out, Vickie?" I ask
She smiles, "Very."
I fold my arms, "your wish is my command," I answer. Honestly I wasn't in the mood for a party, not until I heard Danny's next words, "Carly loves Tyler so this is also like a kind of -congrats, you dropped out of school sort of goodbye- party." Danny adds
Tyler will be there?
"On second thought, I think I'll go." I nod, Danny smiles a little. Vickie pushes up from her spot, "Will you stop being so dramatic?" Danny asks, taking her hand in his
She yanks away, "I can't take this anymore," she says, looking from me to Danny, "are you two fucking behind my back? Do you honestly think we're not all picking up on the 'flirty smiles' you two send each other?" Vickie shoots
Danny laughs, I laugh, the rest of the table is quiet.
I stand up as well, "well, that's enough for me!" I say, waving to the table. "I'm gunna go try to find Stella." I add.
As I walk off I hear Danny calming down Vickie.
In the hallway I catch Ava.
"Hey, Hey," I flag her down, she was coming out of the girls bathroom.
"Oh, hey, Grey... I kind of have to get to class," she gestures away.
"Ava-" I sigh
I grab onto her arm before she can turn around fully, her eyes are bright as always but I can see something's bothering her.
"I know it didn't seem like it but I was worried about you." I say
"Worrying is stupid, it's like walking around with an umbrella and waiting for the rain" she hums.
"Hey, what's going on with you? I thought we were all good now" I state
"We are." She answers, "if you want someone to worry about, worry about your friend. She's been in the bathroom crying her eyes out everyday during this period." Ava says. "What? Stella?" I ask, almost going for the doors but is stop myself.
"You practically jump for her." Ava mumbles
"Is that why you've been acting weird." I say, feeling guilty
"I'm not jealous of her Grey." She shoots
"Then-then what's wrong?" I ask
Ava looks at my blankly, "I'm surprise you haven't caught on."
"Huh?" I ask
"C'mon Grey... You're a smart girl." Ava says narrowly
Am I, though?
"Ava, What's going on?" I ask
"Did you really think it was a coincidence that I got out of the hospital just a couple days after you?" She shoots
I open my mouth to speak, "because it wasn't." She adds
"I'M DYING, GREY. And-and I wanted one thing, the promise you made to me a couple years back... Do you remember it?" She asks
I told her one day we'd walk the halls of high school together, I promised her that.
I nod a little, "When you got out I got worse. Nothing was working, my mom wants me home but I want to be here. I want to experience high school with my best friend but you barely have time for me. We haven't hung out at all-" she begins
"No," I shake my head, "no-" I say becoming emotional, "you can't die." I almost whisper to myself,
"Ava." I say, finally able to make my voice audible. I have talked to her, I may not of had time for her outside of school but she's making it out like I completely ignore her.
"You made new friend, that's what happens in high school right. People drift apart." Ava shrugs
I look down, "I don't want that for us, Ava." I say
"I don't want the school to know I'm sick, I don't want anyone treating me like the girl who's dying okay. I just, I want my best friend and I want to go to parties and I want the high school experience before I bite the fucking dust!" She says
I hug her tight, "I can do that for you!" I say, tears stinging my cheeks.
Ava pulls away, "go check on your friend," she says to me. I hug her once more, "I'll pick you up, tonight!" I say. "We're going to a party." I tell her, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.
She smiles wholeheartedly, "I gotta get back, later," she says
I walk into the girls bathroom, sure enough I find Stella at the sink fixing her mascara. It's clear from her red eyes that she'd been crying
"Stella?" I say, she looks at me, smiles, tries to avoid the fact that she's sad.
"Are you okay? Is this what you've been doing ever day? Why?" I ask
Stella gulps, "I'm fine." She says, smiling
She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she's sad and I think that's really important.
That is Stella in a nutshell, Monroe said and Stella perfected
"You're not." I say
She looks down, "Do they hate me?" She asks
"what? Stella-" I begin.
"Just tell me grey." She shoots, sniffle
"No."
She rolls her eyes, "your a horrible liar." Stella frowns. "I've known all of them since middle school and I can tell you exactly what's going on right now. Molly sits under Gideon's arm going on and on about all the ways she could ruin my life and every so often Vickie gets interested and pitches an idea and Gideon doesn't say anything, Robin doesn't either but the atmosphere just reeks of hatred for Stella." Stella says, trying to contain her sobs
I look down, "I miss him," she whispers
I should of told her this sooner, "he misses you too," I announce, now it's clear she doesn't believe me. She thinks I'm just saying this to make her feel better.
I'm an idiot
She frown, "nice try,"
"No, he really does. He told me to tell you that. Swear." I say. She just laughs a little, "I believe you." She says quietly
"I'm serious Stella-" I begin
"No, I do." She says. "I know he misses me, I know he wants everything to go back to normal, I believe that he said." She answer
"Awesome, so just come to the lunch room and we can all be cool-" I begin
Stella smiles, "it doesn't work like that." She says
"what?"
"I can't." She says
"Stella." I shoot. "Are you really going to be so stubborn that you let your friendship suffer?" I add
"It's not that..." She gulps
I roll my eyes.
"Okay, it's like 10 % that." She admits. "I'm stubborn but I also can't go back because...." She frowns. "Because..." I urge for her to continue
"Because, It won't be the end of them. Molly will still be his girlfriend and Gideon will still be madly in love with her and I will still be watching it all go down. Do you know what it feels like to have to sit in watch while they smile and kiss and hug and -and it's so annoying." Stella shoots
"Because it's not you," I nod, how could I have forgotten her feelings for him.
She grows quiet, tucks a strand of hair behind her ears, "maybe you can get over him, what about sweet boy, he's taking you out tonight right?" I say, trying to ease her mind.
"He canceled." She says
I look down, "Forget him, there's a party tonight that I'm sure will have plenty of guys that'll make you forget all about Gideon and sweet boy." I say
Stella smiles, "you know how to cheer me up," she puts her head on my shoulder as I feel her in for a hug. "That's why we're best friends." She adds
I blink once or twice, pull away from her with a gaping mouth
"are you okay?" She asks
"You said we were best friends." I repeat
She smiles, "well duh." She says. "Do I have to spell everything thing out for you," she punches my arms.
"Let's go to lunch," I laugh a little, she's hesitant. "Baby steps, maybe I'll talk to him soon... I dunno." She shrugs. "But I can't go back in there... Just, stay with me into the lunch periods over?" She asks
I nod
I stay with her until 6th period
-
"Did you not do your homework again?" I ask, catching Danny sitting up against the lockers outside of his Econ class
"Do you always get a drink of water around this time?" Noticing the hall pass in my hand, and referring to one of the first times we talked... Which was in this empty hallway up against these lockers
I slide down beside him, "hey, How do I figure out the price at which a plant should close or stop producing?" He asks, reading one of his homework questions
"The rule for this is that a plant should shut down in the short run if the price that it is getting for its product is lower than the average variable cost involved in making that product." I answer for him
He writes it down, "thanks, Ty usually helps me with this stuff." Danny huffs
"He's pretty smart, I still don't get why he dropped out." I say, Danny gulps.
"He didn't tell you?" Danny asks
"Me and Tyler aren't best friends, Danny." I say, danny nods. "Sure."
I roll my eyes, "what's going on with him, though? Why did he do it?" I ask.
"Dell, he's the owner of the garage and Tyler's father figure kind of... He uh, died a couple weeks back but he left the business to Tyler." Danny explains
"Oh that's good!"I say, Danny nods, "yea but the note he left him was weird as fuck," Danny adds
"We'll what'd it say?" I ask
"After leaving him everything he told him to make sure he gets away from Sal."
My heart literally speeds up ten times as fast as it was before.
"S-Sal?" I ask
"Yea, I have no idea who he is and when I asked Tyler, he said he didn't know either. Dell did have Alzheimers." Danny says. "He was probably mistaking or something, people with Alzheimers say things that don't make since all the time, but Tyler looked a little different after reading it."
I look down into my lap, "I'm going to miss him going here but I guess he's just waisting time if he already has this job just handed time him." Danny shrugs
"Yea, I guess," I mumble
"Hey," he says, "and don't worry about Vickie." He adds
I smile a little, "I don't." I say
"She can be..." Danny searches for the words
"A bitch," I answer for him.
He nods a laughs, "for lack of better words." He says
"How do you put up with it, why do you put up with it?" I ask
Danny smiles a little more, "every time she says something or does something rude I have to re,ever to forgive her because she forgave me-" Danny begins
I open my mouth to speak he seems to know what I was about to ask next. "That's a story for another time though." He says, the bell rings
I stand, "you better start getting your homework done if you want to keep that scholarship." I say, Danny looks up at me. "Where did you say it was again?" I ask
"Texas," Danny smiles proudly
"You want to get yo Texas you gotta do the Econ homework, later." I say before walking off.
-
After school Danny catches up with me, "Vickie insists on driving me today, but I just wanted to show you... This!" He shows me the 95% he got on his homework.
"All thinks to you," he says, patting my head.
I swat his hand away, "Texas is looking brighter," I say.
He gives me a small laugh, "catch you tonight." He smiles rushing off toward the student parking lot
I'm happy for Danny, he shared with me before that he really wants to leave this place. I don't think it's so bad but maybe that's because I'v come to accept the fact I'm going to be here a long time, digging up my fathers secrets.
When I get to my porch, Finn sits on the steps
"H-hey..." I wave vaguely as I approach
He stands, smooths out the legs of his pants and steps down from the steps he was sitting on.
He walks towards me, still not saying anything, only kissing me once he gets close enough
Don't get me wrong, I kiss him back, I do, it's just- caught me off guard.
He pulls away,"what was that for?" I ask
"There use to be a time when I could kiss my girlfriend without reason." He answers narrowly
I look down, "that's not what I-"
"Grey," he cuts me off
"I'v been thinking about it a lot," he begins. "About what?" I interrupt, he keeps going. "I told you I kissed Ava because I wanted to do something nice for her, I thought she was on her death bed. That's not entirely true." He gulps
"Finn?"
"I kissed her because I wanted to, I just wanted Grey." Finn reasons
"So, What... Do you even like her or are you just bored in that hospital and you go for whatever you can get your hands on?" I shoot
"It's not about that Grey, you were gone and I--- I got scared, I know you and I knew that fitting in wouldn't be hard, making friends wouldn't be hard, boys would do anything for you... I mean look at you, your a different person outside of the hospital gown I was use to." Finn explains
I don't want to but I can feel tears threatening to fall.
"You'd come out here and you'd find something better than me and the hospital... I kissed Ava because on that night you left she told me she was quitting chemo. She said they had told her she maybe had 3 or 4 months and yea in that moment I was kissing her because who wants to die and never of had their first kiss but when she pushed me away... I think I fell in love with her."
"why are you telling me this now." I shoot, voice trembling
Finn looks over my shoulder, obviously not able to look me in the eyes. "I'm going to peruse her." He says
I gulp, "get the hell of my yard." I push past him, I run inside the house and I through myself on the couch.
With my face buried in a pillow I let out a frustrated scream, "everything Alright?"
I look up and Stefan stands in the kitchen arch way
I gulp, fix my hair, wipe the wetness from my cheeks, and I rush up the stairs.
I can't talk to him, not ever again.
When Megan gets in she stands in my doorway taking off her high heel leather boots, I admire her for taking fashion on the job but lord I know her feet have to hurt.
"And where is this party at?" She asks
The hills
Megan caught a little, surprised, "who do you know that lives in the hills?" She asks
"A friend's friend." I say
"The kids in the hills get a little wild, Be careful. Will Tyler be there?"
"I dunno." I lie
She nods, "if he will be would you of even told me if you knew?" She asks. "Nope," I tell her the truth. "I didn't think so..." She tosses her keys at me. "Curfews extended to 12 tonight, not a scratch on my car or else you'll be riding in the back of my cruiser for the rest of your high school career." Megan states, walking off
-
I wait outside Ava's house, "be cool to her, okay." I tell Stella who sits in the front seat. "She's the sweetest person and I don't know if she'll be able to handle your banter." I say
Stella rolls my eyes, "I'll be nice, I'll be nice." She says, her phone buzzes. "Is that sweet boy?" I ask
Stella nods happily, "I thought you were pissed at him for canceling tonight." I say
"He had a good reason." Stella says
"Which was?" I ask
"He's going to be at the party tonight because it's for his friend--" Stella cuts herself off
"Wait, he's friends with Tyler?" I ask
"Stella, is it Santos? You've been talking to Santos?" I ask
Stella's smile grows wide, "he's not at all what I thought he'd be like." She tells me.
Ava's front door opens, "whoa- I thought you said she was a sweet innocent girl." Stella says, I look to Ava in a short purple dress and matching strappy heels- her Stella dressed similarly only Stella's go to color is black.
I feel a little underdressed around them, I wore shorts.
I gulp, Stella honks my horn. "Woooo Wooo! Sexy mama!" Stella shouts
Ava laughs as she climbs in the back, "so I look okay?" She asks
"You look hot," I tell her, trying to look her in the eyes without thinking about Finn.
That was a jerk move but I feel bad for not feeling as bad, I mean he basically broke up with me and told me he was going to go after my best friend but I still should feel bad. I don't.
Danny sent everyone everyone the location earlier today, pulling up front there's a banner that reads "congrats on graduating" and I between the words 'on' and 'graduating' someone spray painted the word 'not'
There was cap and tassel that had also been spray painted over, and replaced with a red X. Tyler's got some supportive friends.
I know why everyone is psyched about the hills, this house is maybe the size of our school.
"Whoa, how could anyone live here. It's like a museum." Ava says, as the three of us walk for the front door.
Kids are already drunk and splayed out in the front yards along with their cups and other trash
"That the 'hill' people for you." Stella chants
Inside, the lights are dark and their are strobes on in place, "oh my god, there he is!" Stella gets a little excited when pointing out Santos across the room. He sits on a couch with a couple other guys and some girls surround them
I've never seen her act so excited, it's adorable
"Check my makeup, check my teeth," she says, "good and good." I say over the cloud music that rocked the ground.
"I- uh, I'm going to go to the bathroom real quick." Ava says, I nod to her, dancing a little. "WHAT DID SHE SAY?" Stella shouts over top of the music. "SHES GOING TO THE BATHROOM." I shout back
"I'm going to go get us drinks," Stella says, walking off...
Leaving me to myself and a swarm of dancing bodies
"Hey, you made it!" Someone says into my ear from behind, I turn and see Danny.
"Hey, yea I did!" I say
"Need a dance partner?" He asks, holding his hand out for mine
"You seem to always been around when I do," I smile, taking his hand
He spins me around like a princess, but we weren't dancing the waltz afterwards not with Joan and the Splinters playing in the background.
For a moment I forgot about Vickie and I forgot about Tyler and Finn and Stella and Ava and all these other people dancing around us, it was just Danny and I and I kind of liked that.
A hand lands on my shoulder, I stop dancing and turn to see who it is.
Stella stands before me with two red solo cups in her hands.
"I'm gunna go find Vic, I'll catch you later." Danny says from behind, "yea, see yah" I wave him off
"I know you can't handle your alcohol so it's water." Stella whispers.
"Don't let anyone know, you'll totally be the laughing stock of the party if people find out your drinking water out of a red solo." Stella laughs
I take the cup form her, "Are you going to talk to Santos?" I ask
She looks at his way, he's with a group of guys but even I notice his wondering eyes always end up on Stella.
"Nah, let's make him wait it out!" Stella says
I admired her for knowing how to play the games she does, somehow she has guys feeding right into it.
"He'll text me in about 2 minutes... Maybe 3" Stella takes a drink, "are you going to talk to Tyler?" She asks.
I look over to him, he's in that group with Santos too.
"Probably not, I'm kind of nervous. We haven't talked since we kissed, I wouldn't know what to say." I tell her. "Good, say nothing. Maybe you should just cut him off completely. I mean, I'm no saint but... Tyler? Out of all the guys-" she begins.
"Stella." I shoot
"I'm just saying," she takes another drink
"What do you have against Tyler?" I ask. "It's what I know," she hums. "He won't change for you Grey. You'll end up changing for him," Stella says sourly.
"What?" I ask a little confused.
"He's not looking for a relationship, he never is..." Stella sighs.
"Wait, Stella... Have you and..." I question. "Oh good god no! Me and Tyler?" She asks disgusted.
I'm a little relieved but I see Stella's anything but that once she see's who just walked through the door.
Gideon and Molly came in hand in hand, I know Robin and Vickie are already here, I saw the two of them briefly.
But as if to rub salt in Stella's wound Molly wears a shirt that says "my boyfriend" within arrow pointing at Gideon who has matching one that says "my girlfriend"
Stella sticks her finger in her mouth and fake gags. "Kill me." She sighs
Stella looks down, "talk to him" I say and she said to me, "make your choices reflect your hopes not your fears, right?"
I nod, "go," I push her a little.
"What do I say?" She asks.
"I don't know, just be yourself. Say something nice!" I add
"I can't do both." She shoots, I push her away, "just go."
"I change my mind. I can't. Nope, I can't. I'm fine with my choices reflecting my fears." Stella whines.
"Are you just going to avoid him the whole time?" I ask
"Maybe I'll talk to him when him and Molly finally split up." She says
"Like that'll happen." I say
Stella frowns, "hey, where's Ava. She should be back by now, Right?" Stella asks
"Yea. We should go look for her," I say and when we find the upstairs bathroom, knock once or twice, Ava answers.
"Occupiedo!" She tries today's happily but both Stella and I could tell that she was crying.
"Ava it's us, are you okay?" I ask
Stella wiggles the door handle to open but it doesn't, "yea, I'm fine. Be out in a sec!" Ava announces
"Ava, open this door. Right now." Stella shoots
A second passes, the door unlocks
"Stay out here" Stella says to me, "w-what, why? I want to go in too.." I say
"She comforted me in the bathroom now it's time for me to pay her back." Stella says
I sink down a little, "fine." I hum
Now there both locked in the bathroom and I press my ear up against the door, trying to tune out the bass boosted music in my background so I can hear what they say inside there.
"Anxiety is normal, especially at parties like these," I here Stella say
"I- I've never been to a party before. I don't know how to act or what to do." Ava sniffles
"Stick with me..." Stella says, their voices become more and more muffled.
"Eavesdropping?", in front of me stands Tyler.
I stand up right, what do I say? What do I do?
Man, he looked so good right now. Black jeans, timberland boots, white tee underneath a jean jacket.
It takes my all not to jump his bones right here.
"H-hey," I spit out.
Did I really just say hey? What's wrong with me?
He smiles, I take a drink of the water in my cup, "I did think this was your scene." I say, "it's not but how could I not show up to a surprise party for me?" He says
Another drink of water
"I'm guessing your here for me, this doesn't seem like your scene either." He says
I scoff, "I'm here because Danny invited me." I shoot
Tyler raises his eyebrows, "oh right, how could I forget that you two are in love." He says
"Someone sounds jealous."
"Me? Of you and danny?" He laughs, a girl walks by and he grabs her by the hand and pulls her in between the two of us.
"What's your name?" He asks her
I take a step back, "Lena," she says, Tyler looks up at me to make sure I'm watching... He kisses Lena and then sends her on her way.
I roll my eyes, "what was that suppose to be?" I ask
"I could have anyone in here, after all they are here for me." Tyler says, he takes another step forward making the step I had taken back a minute ago for nothing.
"Even you," his fingers tilt my chin up at him.
I look way, "I don't want you," I tell him.
"You're lying," he smiles
We stood in the narrow hallway, each leaning against the opposite wall, eyes darting everywhere but each other.
I had my arms folded defensively across her chest, refusing to make any eye contact with the smug, conceited, boy across from me.
God, I wanted to punch Tyler in the face
"You must want to kiss me again." He says.
I roll my eyes, laugh, "I never wanted to kiss you in the first place." I lie.
He smiles, "I'll pretend like I believe that." He retorts
I gulp, "I- wanted-to-uh-ask you-uh...." C'mon Grey, think of something. Anything. You can't just keep mumbling.
I shut up because I honestly couldn't find the word to finish that sentence.
This is what it's come to, my brain will turn to mush every time I'm near him.
Tyler steps forward, closing the space between us in this hallway.
His hands lock my hair behind my heads and he's looking me right in the eyes, "you wanted to kiss me again, it's okay, I'm not asking you to admit it." He smiles, I open my mouth to reject that idea but he's kissing me all to soon.
He ruined me beautifully by smudging my lipstick with his lips and tangling my hair with his hands.
I'm almost sad when he pulls away, his eyes are still closed and he's still alarmingly close my face and so I just take the time to regroup, to look at his perfect cheek bones and his freckle at the bottom of his nose and his bow shaped lips and his eye lashes that if another centimeter closer would brush past the skin of my forehead...
I pulls his lips back down on to mine by grabbing onto his cheeks and propping myself up on my tip toes as high as I could go.
His hands scan around my waist and then their opening a door but I don't notice be used we still kiss and he's pulling me into a room and I still don't care because we still kiss and then he's closing the door behind us and only then do I realize we've made our way into Carly's parent's bedroom.
He looks at me for a second, almost like he was waiting for me to protest the idea of being alone with him in here.
When he realizes that I'm okay with it he slips a strap of my shirt off my shoulder, his eyes are still on mine, still waiting for my to protest
"I'm waiting for you to chicken out, honestly." He says
I smile because I know him so well.
"I'm not going to." I shoot
"Alright then," he says as if he had just accepted a challenged
He pushes me towards the bed, it was done in a green slimy blanks and had matching pillows.
I go towards the bed, I wasn't too sure how this would go down or if I'd even like it, all I knew was that I wanted to have sex.
"Spread 'em" His voice sounded demanding and I slowly and somehow eagerly spread my legs. Looking down in between them, it's clear what he does to me. My panties are so wet and all I want is for him to take them off of me. "Do you want me to fuck you?" He asks, my eyes flicker up to his instantly, teeth sink into my bottom lip, and reluctantly and somehow confidently I nodded.
He presses a knee into the bed, placing himself right I between my legs.
His hand goes straight down my shorts, fingers rubbing me right over the fabric of my underwear.
My head rolls back on my neck, I needed skin to skin contact but Tyler knew what he was doing -- I didn't doubt that for one second.
The pleasure is unlike anything I'v ever felt before, sure Finn's tried this but he didn't get to get going long enough to make my stomach turn the way Tyler is.
And-- and it scares me, I know I said I wouldn't chicken out but a girl can change her mind can't she.
I grab onto Tyler wrist, "wait." I say quietly he stops instantly, eyes screaming 'I told you so'
Tyler, slowly, teasingly, pulls his hand from out underneath my shorts. He falls over on his back next to me.
He's smiling, this time because he knows me so well.
I gulp, we both lay on this bed staring up at the ceiling, I know I want him-- I know this like I know my name but something inside me isn't letting me do this.
"I knew you'd chicken out." He sighs
"I'm not chickening out." I shoot
He sits up, "I didn't want to anyways." He says, digging in his pants pockets and pulling out a pack of cigarettes
I gulp, that comment would of gotten to me if I did know to never trust what comes out of someone's mouth.
Don't trust it because the mouth is a passageway for lies. Instead look into their eyes and you can see exactly what they really want to say
And Tyler, he wanted this as much as I did, he reads disappointed and yet a little relieved. Is it that he could be as nervous at me?
"Sure." I shoot, he looks over to me with a cigarette now between his lips.
He lights it, takes a hit, says "maybe next time, Kid." All while blowing his smoke in my face
I take the cigarette from his fingers, put it between my lips and I do similar, telling him "who says there'll be a next time. I'm obviously drunk, there's no way I'd do this sober." I lie
He gulps, reaches for the cigarette but I take another hit and this time as soon as I do, I swing a leg over his hips and I bring my lips an inch from his, opening them and letting him inhale the smoke that had been caged inside my mouth.
He seems surprised by the gesture, I can feel a bulge growing in his jeans as I straddle his lap.
"I know you're not drunk." He whispers, laying back on his back.
I'm so close to his face it's almost intimidating
I lick over my lips, "how would you know," I shoot.
"Your mouth doesn't taste like alcohol, you were probably drinking water." He says, his hands placed right on my the pockets of my shorts.
"What a smart boy." I say, reaching up and knocking on his head
"I guess I'm all figured out then," I give up, kissing the spot right below his ear and then I kiss along his jaw and his hands just explore my bottom half.
"You are my weakness."
I look at him, surprised by this seemingly random outburst.
"How long have you been holding that back?" I question, angling myself to look him in the eyes.
"Too long." He replies, claiming my mouth with his before I can even respond. I sink into the kiss, feeling my body relax as his tongue glides over my willingly parting lips.
He pushes me from off top of him, now hovering over top of me, he yanks down my shorts and I kick them off me fully.
"May I?" He asks, "what a gentleman." I say, he rolls his eyes.
His hands are still so soft, they pull my legs apart further.
He kissed up my thigh, dangerously close to where I needed him the most. I tangled my fingers in his already messy hair, pushing my hips up for contact. Tyler took that as a gesture for him to just go for it and though it was, I was still so shocked when he licked up my slit, before lightly circling his tongue around the small bundle of nerves his finger had once pressed on.
I think I can handle this, I think I can finally allow myself to go all the way when the door opens.
"Alright lovebirds, it's a well known rules that the parents bedroom is off lim- a blonde begins to state as Tyler and I scramble to decency
She notices Tyler first, "Tyler, HEY!" She says a little to happily
I yank on my shorts, "Carly, Hi, Hey." He says, though still looking at me.
I stand there awkwardly, running my fingers through my hair.
"You can go." Carly announces, looking over to me with disgust.
She runs a finger up and down Tyler's chest, looking at him with nothing bed seduction in her eyes.
I open and close my mouth, "ah-uh-right." I head for the door
"Grey-" Tyler calls after me, I rush out.
Carly looks at me with narrowed eyes as I walk past her.
Her and Tyler exchange some words and I find myself flying down the staircase.
I want to flea this party and I want to flea it now, I just need to find Stella and Ava and we I can do so.
I'm looking around but I can't decipher either of the two from the sea of kids I this living room, I checked the kitchen, and then the back patio, where are they?
I traveled a full circle back into the living room when Tyler catches my by the arm.
"Grey," he says over the music, I pull my arm from him.
"Hey, I'm going early so... See yah round" I try to walk off, he catches me by latching on to both my shoulders.
"Calm down," he says, "I am clam." I say. "I mean, calm... I'm calm." I correct
"You're not," he sighs, "take a deep breath, that was nothing. . . You're fine, I'm fine, everything's fine." Tyler says
I don't know about him but I'm not fine. I'm not fine with having some girl walk in on us giving oral and just going on about our days. I'm not fine. It's not fine.
He maybe fine but he should only speak for himself.
That's what I tell him, "speak for yourself." I shoot, shaking his hands off of me.
He's annoyed, I know his annoyed face and he's got it on now.
I don't care if he's annoyed, I'm uncomfortable
when I'm uncomfortable I ramble
"I have to look for Ava and Stella. Besides you know how Stella is and she's probably drunk-- you know how she is when she's drunk-- she actually met a guy, you know- I really should look for them--"
He kisses me.
He kisses me right here in the middle of this ground of kids who jump wildly to the music, talk loudly to people standing next to them, and drink excessively whatever they can get their hands on.
He kisses me and then pulls away, "you talk to fucking much." He states. The music may be loud but I can hear him say that perfectly.
Is he just going to kiss me every time he wants me to shut up...
Theirs yet another girl who flags Tyler down... This was his surprise party but I just felt weird every time a girl waved him down and I was around.
She wasn't like all the other girls here, she didn't take the short dress and heels rout, she wore jeans and combat boots, and a military jacket. admirable, but I still felt weird when she approached.
"Hi, I'm Richie!" She says to me, her hairs short and skin tan.
Tyler looks at her, smiling. They hug.
It's a long hug.
"It's good to see you," she says to him, "where is he?" Is all Tyler says in return.
Richie seems to lose all color in her eyes, she looks down, "Not here and that's all that matters." She shrugs.
"So who's this?" Richie asks, referring to me but I was just wondering who it was they were talking about a moment ago.
"Grey," I answer in place of her question to Tyler.
He gulps, "ah, the pick of the party!" Richie jokes, "did you forget her name already?"she asks Tyler.
"We're friends, actually." I say
She raises her eyebrows, "friends that kiss, I suspect?" She asks. "Huh?" I say almost instantly. "Tyler kisses all his friends," she narrows her eyes at him.
Have they kissed?
"I kiss girls I feel nothing for all the time." He shrugs, was that a direct jab at me?
"Is that so?" Richie asks
Tyler laughs, nods
I walk off, rolling my eyes.
I'm glad I walked off when I had because what I walked into certainly needed my attention more than Tyler had,
"You have cancer, are you sure you can handle this?" Vickie says
The whole crowd seems to stop
She holds a joint above Ava's head.
"Vickie-" I begin
"What are you talking about now Vickie?" Stella says before me, eyes rolling. She stands close to Ava, I can see she'd have her back even when I wasn't around.
"What is it, Leukemia?" Vickie asks, Ava is quiet in her spot
"Is that true?" Stella asks
"Maybe you shouldn't smoke-" Molly begins. "Cancer patients smoke all the time,". Robin says to Molly. "Hey, if you need a seat-" Danny begins, standing from his spot on the couch and offering it to Ava. "Ava, do you really have cancer?" Stella asks
This is what Ava wanted to avoid, being the girl with cancer. Unnecessary gestures and questions, it got annoying for her,
Ava opens and closes her mouth, "earth to Ava," Vickie says happily. "Does leukemia eat your brain?" She adds. "VICKIE." I shoot, Ava is tearing up. "Shut it, Grey. We want to hear her answer." Vickie says sourly
"YOU SHUT IT VICKIE, WHY DONT YOU GET A LIFE." Stella shoots
"hey, Vic- chill out." Danny says, sensing his girlfriends evil ways coming into play.
"Well, Ava..." Vickie folds her arms "do you have cancer?"
"n-no." Ava whispers.
I take her hand, "let's go Ava." I tug.
Vickie pulls on a lock of Ava's hair and with me tugging Ava one way and Vickie the other, the wig falls to the ground.
The crowd gasps, Ava runs off.
I look at Vickie in pure disgust. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" I shoot
Vickie smiles, victoriously.
"Are you crazy?" Danny latches on to Vickie's arm.
"What? Was it some secret?" Vickie looks at me
"You're such a bitch-" I begin, Stella latches on to my arm, preventing me from getting any closer to her.
"IM DONE WITH YOU." Danny says
The party is completely quiet, vickie gulps, finally understanding the consequences of her actions.
"I FEEL STUPID FOR TRUSTING YOU, VICKIE. I FEEL STUPID FOR THINKING YOU COULD CHANGE, EVERYONE ASKS ME WHY I PUT UP WITH YOU AND HONESTLY I HAVE NO ANSWER ANYMORE.WHY? WHY DO I PUT UP WITH YOU..." Danny shouts directly in her face, his fist are balled and his eyes are angry.
"WHAT DID SHE DO TO YOU, VICKIE?" Danny yells, with each word Vickie jumps.
Tyler comes from behind Danny and pulls him away from Vickie.
"Danny, Danny, c'mon man." Tyler yanks him away, "let's go outside." Tyler leads him towards the door, I didn't blame Danny at all.
Vickie took it too far.
"His capacity for forgiveness wasn't infinite" Robin says to feel the silence
Vickie looks down, "Will you-" she begins. "Shut up?" Robin finishes for her.
"No, I will not. Honestly Vickie, I'm tired of dumbing down for you, I'm tired of shutting up for you, and I'm damn sure tired of being around you. I think I'll take a play from Danny's book and leave you looking stupid too." Robin shoots, grabbing up Molly before the two rush off. Gideon follows close behind
Whoa, kudos to Robin.
My eyes are hanging open as wide as my mouth, Stella looks pretty please. "And you said I was evil?" Stella says sourly, stepping in front of Vickie's view. "How pathetic are you? Do you need attention that bad?" Stella says, she looks over at Santos and nods from him to follow her.
"I'll be in the car, Grey." Stella struts off
It's just me and Vickie. And the rest of the party...
"Ava did nothing to you." I finally say my piece. Vickie gulps, "what was the point?" I ask. She doesn't speak, "Huh? We're you bored? Did you just need someone to terrorize?" I shoot.
"You're Scum." I say lastly
With that we all leave her inside, I climb into my car where stella sits with Ava in the back, consoling her.
"I'm so sorry Ava." I say, looking back
"Vickie's a bitch." Stella adds
Ava looks up, "T-thank you," she mumbles, "huh?" I ask
"For sticking up for me," Ava says quietly
"Cancer or not, you're a friend of Grey so you're a friend of mine. I stick up for my friends." Stella offers
Danny, Tyler, and Santos come into view next to my widow. Danny knocks and I roll the window down.
"Hey, sorry for what happened back there." Danny says, he leans up in my window.
Ava looks down, "listen, we're all going back to my place to wind down... If you girls want to come." Danny offers
"I'm down, what about you Ava?" Stella asks.
Ava's eyes are red when she looks up, "we can smoke there," Tyler reasons with her. She smiles a little, nods to him.
I don't know if I was down, I don't know if I want to spend anymore time around Tyler for the night. He kisses girls that mean nothing to him, all the time? What was that suppose to mean.
I sink in my seat a little
Santos looks in a Stella, they exchange a little smile and then we're all following Tyler's car to Danny's place.
-
Danny and I walk ahead of the group the follows close behind us
"I'm really sorry about her," he says lowly
I nod, "Ava's strong." I tell him
We reach his front door and it's good we do before everyone else because a slip of paper was stuck to his door, on was a red stand that read "EVICTION NOTICE"
I look at Danny with wide eyes, he tears it down fast and crumbles it up.
Tyler squeeze between the two of us, I watch Danny drop the crumbled up paper in his pocket.
"I'll use my key." Tyler says, looking at me, Danny takes a Step to the side, I look down.
Inside Danny's house is so comfy, it's done in warm colors and pictures of him and his little sister lace every wall In dark wooden frames.
There's even pictures of Tyler up, my heart broke in two at the thought of Danny and his family having to leave this.
Tyler, Santos, and Danny occupy the red couch. Both Tyler and Santos roll a joint. Stella sits on the arm of the couch closest to Santos. Gideon sits with Molly under his arm, on the floor. Ava and I sit crossed legged on the two seater couch and Robin has the recliner to herself.
I don't look at Tyler but I can feel his eyes on me, Danny is smiling and making jokes but I can hear it in his voice that he's not in the mood, Gideon and Stella still haven't spoken but when Molly announces that she's going to the bathroom I catch them exchanging eye contact.
I look over to Ava, "tonight was..." I mumble to her, "eventful" she smiles
Robin gets first hit of the joint, it's passed around the circle after that, Danny and I are the only ones who pass on the chance to smoke
I know I smoked cigarettes with Stella, It wasn't that I was scared or turning a new leaf, I just ... Just, the thought of Tyler's lips being on it before mine made me feel off.
The atmosphere is so chill though that I almost forget everyone's problems. Ava doesn't have cancer and Tyler and I are cool and Gideon and Stella are still friends and Vickie is a good person and Danny's family wasn't being evicted and the world is a happy happy place.
While none of this is true, at least for the time being, while we all sit around in Danny's living room it sure feels that way.
-
"DANNY?" His front door opens and his mom and little sister stand in the doorframe with surprise written on their faces.
"TYLER!" The little girl rushes in and hugs him, she buries her head in his chest and for a moment just her blonde pony tale is visible.
Everyone is pretty quiet, considering the fact that beer bottles and the smell of the burning joint has now been add to the decor of Danny's house.
"MOM!" Danny answers in complete shock.
His mom doesn't look too old, she has lose blonde curls that hang around her ears and eyes just like Danny's. She sighs, "sorry to ruin the fun everyone, but I'm very tired." She picks up bottles while she talks, "I have to get the little one into a bath" she kisses Tyler's cheek, "I have to be up at 4 in the morning" she kicks Santos's feet off the coffee table, "and I want to rest -only- with my three irresponsible adolescent in the house. So good night." She says to everyone, we scramble for our things and make way for the door.
Tyler stands too, "are you not staying tonight?" Danny's mom asks Tyler.
"Please stay, Ty!" Bella clings to Tyler's waist.
"I'll be in later Bella, I want to make sure everyone gets home safely." Tyler looks over to me, I look away.
"THAT'S HER!" Bella points at me.
I shift my weight a little, everyone now looks at me.
"Who's HER?" Danny's mom asks, eying me. I smile awkwardly.
"She's in Tyler's coloring book!" Bella announces
Tyler narrows his eyes, "what are you talking about?" He asks her
"Oh yea, she does look like the girl from your sketch book, Ty. You're getting good, she looks exactly-" Danny's mom begins
Tyler clears his throat, "alright, Everyone OUT, you heard the lady she wants to rest." Tyler announces
Everyone exits the house, saying goodbye to Danny and his mom and Bella who waves to everyone one by one as they walk out the door.
He really did draw me.
I walk for my car, trailing behind Stella and Ava who laugh about something, Tyler catches up beside me.
"I don't know what she was talking about," he says
"Can I see them?" I ask, Tyler shoves his hands in his pockets
He licks over his lips, "no," a sigh and he's suddenly not looking me in the eyes anymore, like he embarrassed
"What you said to Richie, tonight..." I say absentmindedly, a gulp
Tyler looks away, "I won't be confused any longer." I tell him. "It doesn't have to be weird now... But, I'd still like it if we could figure stuff out together." I say
"Grey-" Tyler begins
I shake my head, "it's fine, no need to 'break it easy to me' I get it. I do. My mistake." I shrug. I do feel kind of stupid for reading him and everything else completely wrong.
Maybe we really were strictly business.
"I kiss boys I feel nothing for, all the time too..." I lie
"is that so?" He nods.
I nod
"Look,I didn't mean to embarrass you--." He says.
"You didn't." I let him now, "I wasn't embarrassed, just ... Disappointed." I shrug. "I though maybe..." A small shaky laugh. "Never mind, forget it. Night," I say, turning fully going for my car where Ava and Stella wait
I leave it at that because though I told him I didn't want it to be weird, to be completely honest everything about being near him now felt weird.
He kisses girls he feels nothing for all the time. It shouldn't surprise me that I was one of those girls. Stella warned me.
-
Hope everyone loved chapter nine! This part is dedicated to @Dii4M0ND , you commented on every chapter and that made me heart race! Thx babe!