Chapter 2
I strolled into school the next morning happier than usual. I was thinking about Calum all last night. Even though our conversation barely lasted 5 minutes, it was very special to me. The way he looked at me. The way he said my name. I felt there was something behind it. Like maybe he had feelings for me too. He may not, but by the way he looked at me, I could tell there was still hope.
"Someone looks awfully happy." Elliana chirped as I walked up to her locker, "Still thinking about your little encounter with Calum yesterday?"
I reached in her locker and pulled out the spare pack of gum she always keeps in there. I had told her about my conversation with Calum last night, "I'm telling you Ellie, these next two months might be different. You had to be there. You should have seen the way he looked at me. He might like me back." The thought of him liking me back gave me butterflies in my stomach. The good kind though.
"I still think there is a better guy out there for you," She commented as she slammed her locker shut.
"C'mon El. You know I really like him. I've been trying to get him to notice me for 14 years and he finally did. I am not going to give up now." I said.
"Okay..." She sighed, as we started walking down the hall towards our class. "So you remember how I was supposed to stay at my neighbor Aimee's house this weekend becos' my parents are going out of town."
I nodded as we took our seats in the back of the classroom as usual.
"Well her brother Chad is one year younger than us, and he's having a huge open house party friday night and the whole entire school is invited. Their parents will be out of town too."
"I don't think its a good idea." I replied honestly. My mum would kill me if she found out I went to an open house party. Plus I've heard about previous ones and they always ended up being broken up by the cops.
"Oh come on Val. This is our last year of high school and we haven't been to one party yet. It'll be fun. And Aimee, who is very responsible might I add, will be there and I know she won't let things get too out of hand." Ellie assured me. She was right. It was our last year of high school and we hadn't been to one party. I don't want to graduate looking like a total loser.
"I guess I'll go." I finally gave in.
"Yay!" She coo'd clapping her hands together as we both turned our attention to the front of the room where our teacher was about to begin the lesson.
The rest of the week passed by in a breeze and before I knew it Friday was finally here. I went shopping earlier that day and bought a new outfit. My casual attire of a hoodie, sweatpants, and converse was not going to cut it. I slipped on a sleeveless beige top, and some silky, leather leggings. I curled the ends of my hair and topped it off with some pink lip gloss and mascara. Finally I slipped on my new black studded steve madden boots and stepped in front of the mirror. The girl I saw in the mirror looked completely different. But I kind of liked this new Valerie. The bold and confident Valerie. I smiled contently before heading down stairs.
I tip toed towards the front door and just as I was about to turn the handle I was caught.
"Where do you think you're going?" My mother spoke, followed by her foot steps as she was soon standing right next to me.
"I'm going to a party with Ellie," I informed her.
"Valerie..." She warned.
"Mum it's a friday night and I never go to parties. Plus there will be a responsible adult supervising the whole party." I explained.
"Fine you can go, but be back no later than eleven." She smiled as I thanked her and headed out the door.
When I pulled up to El's neighbor's house, there were a bunch of cars parked everywhere. I walked in and pushed my way through a bunch of sweaty, drunk bodies. When I got to the living room there wasn't a huge clump of people and I could finally breathe. I didn't spot Ellie so I made my way through the living room towards the kitchen when I was interrupted by a voice.
"Hey look its Victor," The voice slurred.
I turned to see Calum sitting on the couch with his arm snaked around some slutty girl's waist and a plastic red cup in his other hand.
"Dayummm Victor you don't look totally hideous today," Another voice called out.
Everyone started laughing at me, and my cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
"Hey Victor, how bout you come join us for a friendly game of spin the bottle." another boy spoke as he stepped towards me. I recognized all these people from school but I had never actually spoken to them.
"No I'm okay" I replied.
"Fine," The same boy said reaching out to grab my arm and lead me to the couch, "At least join us for some truth or dare."
I had no other choice but to sit on the couch next to this drunk, sweaty boy who was basically on top of me, and play a stupid game with his drunk, popular friends. Normally I would be happy to see Calum here but seeing him with that slutty girl all over him was not an enjoyable sight for me.
The boy next to me finally spoke "Fiona, truth or dare?" He asked looking towards a girl on the other side of the room.
"Umm truth." she replied.
"Are you a virgin?" He asked. The question shocked me. If these were the kinds of questions that were asked in this game, then I definitely didn't want to play. I have never even kissed a boy, let alone had sex with one.
"No," She laughed like it was a stupid question.
Next it was the boy who said I didn't look completely hideous's turn to ask, "Danielle, truth or dare?" He said looking towards the slutty girl next to Calum on the couch.
"Dare," She replied confidently. She had the most nasal voice I had ever heard, and it was annoying as fuck.
"I dare you to go into that closet with Cal for 7 minutes." The boy who asked her the question directed as he pointed to a closet on the opposite end of the room.
A cheeky grin spread across her face as she grabbed Calum's hand and pulled him across the room to the closet.
My face was bright red. The last thing I wanted was to come to a party just to know that Calum is probably in that closet making out with another girl. Or they could be doing something even more serious than that. The thought gave me a headache, as I tried to focus on the game going on around me. A couple other people went until the timer finally rang for Calum and Danielle to come out of the closet.
The guy next to me screamed at them telling them that time was up. I gulped as the door opened and I saw a purplish, redish mark on Danielle's neck. Of course he gave her a hickey. She probably gets a bunch every weekend and shows them off in school the next week. I can just imagine her talking to all her friends:
"Oh yeah I got this one from Calum Hood, and I got this one from blah blah blah"
The thought disgusted me.
"Hey Victor, truth or dare?" Some guy on the other side of the room spoke.
"What?"
"I said truth or dare?" He slurred as he took a sip from his red cup.
"Oh uh..." I began trying to think of what to reply.
"Say dare Victor." The guy next to me whispered.
"uhh...dare," I hesitated.
"I dare you to....strip for us."
My eyes widened at the remark. Getting involved in this game was a bad idea. As soon as I heard them say 'Victor' the first time I should have just walked away.
"Dude, I think that's a little too extreme." Calum mumbled
"Fine if Cal's got such a problem with it then why don't you two go upstairs and you strip for just Cal." The guy said.
I blushed at the statement. The idea of being alone with Calum was thrilling but I don't want to strip for anyone and I don't think he wants me too strip for him either.
I sat there a moments in silence and before I knew it Calum had gotten up off the couch and I was soon following him up the stairs unsure of what was going to happen next.