Selena's POV:
Two words. Pity. Party. That's what's been going on for the past three days. I'll give you the run-down; I've been locked up in my room for the past three days since the party, watching Disney re-runs and feeling incredibly sorry for myself. Not crying. Selena Gomez does not cry, especially not for a boy, it defeats all my morals. And I'm serious when I said I haven't left my room, Nick tried to get me out but failed miserably and decided that I must need some alone time and to back off. Renee and Marie? They tried too. They called, texted, begged, they even came as far as marching up to my house and saying that they'd haul my ass out themselves if I didn't get up. Which, obviously, they never ended up doing. I hate doing to this to them but I really can't deal with Justin right now, but honestly, can you blame me? My suspension's over so I should be going back to school but I won't. I've had enough. School would mean facing Justin. I'm not completely oblivious, I know what's going to happen if I go back. Word's probably spread about the whole party disaster thing. Gossip spreads fast in Crosswell, it was the way our school worked. And me, being the coward that I am, can't go back to face them. Who am I kidding? I have to be going anyway, my parents will probably see the amount of days and demand to know why I wasn't at school. Then one thing would lead to another and well.. at the very least, the whole party thing would come out. That's for sure. And the reaction to that is one I'd rather not experience.
Tap, tap, tap. A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my reverie. "Come in." I called. The door swung open with a croak and my brother's face, framed with dishevelled blond hair, showed up. His face had taken on a determined stance and I sent him a look that clearly stated for him to tell me what was on his mind. "Look, Sel.." and so began the start of his rant. "I know you're probably upset, scratch that, you are upset. As a teenage girl, your hormones are most likely messed up-" my face contorted into one between embarrassment and disgust. "-but its part of life. If you need it, I'll even go out and get you ice-cream or something. That helps right? I'm already planning to go kick the douche's ass so don't worry about that but you need to start moving on. Like I said, your hormones-" I held up a hand to stop him from talking. "Stop." I shook my head. "Please, just stop. I'm coming, just please, never ever talk to me about hormones ever again. Please." Nick looked somewhat surprised at my sudden agreement but let me tell you something, when your college-aged brother decides to give you a lecture about hormones, you will do anything to make him stop. "Good." he said, looking relieved. "I thought I was going to have to stand here forever and tell you about it. It would have been extremely awkward." Tell me about it. "Now get your ass out of bed and downstairs for some breakfast, you could still get to school." I glanced at my brother incredulously. "It's ten in the morning." I pointed out. Nick shrugged. "I'll make up some excuse but haul your ass up and down the stairs." Hm, I considered. I don't think I've ever seen my brother so anxious to get me out of the house. Sighing, I heaved myself up and into the shower, where I thought what the hell was going to happen when I got back to school. But I honestly don't think that there's anything I could do about it. I changed quickly into my favourite dark purple, lucky tee and black jeans and hoped that it would be enough to get me through the day. It's stupid I know, but I'm going to need all the luck I can get. Trudging downstairs, the smell of eggs and bacon drifted through and up the stairs. "Made eggs and bacon, want some?" Nick tossed the treats on a plate. I grinned and rolled my eyes playfully. "One simply does not ask if someone wants eggs and bacon." I said dramatically. "Of course I want them." Nick laughed and shoved a plate in my direction. I began gobbling the food up like a gorilla. "It's good to see you back into your old self." Nick smiled. "You need to move on, one bad party, big whoop but you're better than that." I forced a smile. It would all be better eventually but, you know, it doesn't mean it won't hurt. But then again, Nick was right. It wasn't the end of the world. "I know." I replied. "It'll all get better." he said, and I really, really hoped that was true.
-
"You're back!" Renee squeezed me tightly and I could feel my lungs about to explode from the lack of air inside them. "Renee.. I.. cannot.. breathe." I choked out. She stepped back and grinned sheepishly at me but didn't let go of my arms. "I thought you were never coming out!" Marie exclaimed, pushing Renee to the side to give me a hug of her own, although, this one didn't come near to cracking my bones. I laughed through my nose. "I'm not a hermit, you know." I managed to joke. Marie laughed. "But you were dangerously close to becoming one." Her expression went serious. "And if you do it again, I'll kill you." Well that was reassuring. "Right.." I said slowly. Marie glanced at Renee for a split second, as if urging her to tell me something. "You know how close battle of the bands is getting, right?" Renee asked tentatively. I nodded, wondering where this was going. "Well, we sort of have to practice today and the whole band will be there, obviously.." she started. "That's fine." I forced a smile. "The band comes first." I said. Renee looked slightly taken aback and Marie was surveying me curiously. "You sure?" she asked. "You know that means you'll have to face-" she started. "I'm sure." I cut her off. "Have you guys booked a practice room yet?" I asked. Marie looked like she wanted to continue pursuing the previous topic but she let it drop. "We're playing at Julie's." Renee piped up. "James asked Maggie and she said yes." Now that really was a surprise. Since when did my friends talk to James? Almost as if they read my thoughts, Renee's eyes snapped up to mine. "James gave us his number a little while before we left." she explained. I lifted my brow and my mouth turned to an 'o'. Marie's eyes took on a dreamy look. "James is so hot." she drooled. Renee nodded, agreeing with her. My eyebrows rose. "You know he's gay, right?" I asked. Marie rolled her eyes. "I know that," she said, exasperated. "Doesn't mean that he isn't hot." I cocked my head to the side, considering the thought for a moment. "I guess you're right." I mused. Marie smiled victoriously. "I know I am." She assured me. Renee cleared her throat. "You forgetting that you have a boyfriend already?" Renee smirked and Marie flushed. I looked from Renee to Marie then back to Renee again. What the hell? "What?" I voiced my thoughts. Marie glared in Renee's direction before glancing apologetically at me. "Well.." she began. "while you were gone, I was kind of upset and Dylan walked me home. When we reached, I was just about to go inside and he grabbed my hand, turned me around and kissed me." I gasped, so Dylan finally grew the balls. Who would've thought? "Then he asked me to be his girlfriend and," she bit her lip. "well, I said yes." I grinned and slapped Marie's back. "Finally!" I exclaimed. "That took forever!" I said. "You're not upset?" Marie asked unsurely, looking the slightest bit shocked. I sent her a confused look. "Why would I be upset?" I frowned. "You were upset after the party and well, Dylan kissed me and you and Justin have been-" I cut her off by shaking my head. "Relax Mar," I said. "I'm happy for you." I tell her. Marie looked hesitant and I rolled my eyes. "Do you want me to be upset?" she shook her head frantically. "Then stop acting like I'm going to attack you." She finally smiled. "So Marie, why don't you give us the details?" Renee grinned. Marie's eyes lit up as she talked about her newfound relationship with Dylan and I smiled.
-
"So Raise You Glass?" Renee confirmed. Julie's was full of its regular customers and I had already helped to set up the band instruments. Maggie had been really accommodating, helping us out as much as possible. James had been easy-going with everyone except Justin, apparently Renee and Marie told him what happened. "Yeah.." I agreed. "Let's go for it." Everyone scattered to get the music and whatever the hell else that they were doing. Cough, snogging, cough. Justin came up to me, looking like he thought I was going to slap him. Which, depending on how this conversation went, perhaps I would. "Can I talk to you?" he asked tentatively. "We are talking." I pointed out. He sighed. "You know what I mean." he said. "I'm afraid I don't." I shrugged and he made a noise of frustration. "Can't you just listen?" his hazel eyes were glowing and I crossed my arms over my chest. Who the hell did he think he was? "That's what I'm doing." he cursed under his breath. "I'll take what I can get." he muttered. "Look, about Saturday, I really didn't mean to ruin your party and I really didn't want to hurt you." he admitted. "Okay." I said. "Okay?" he looked taken aback. I shrugged. "I believe you." I said. He cocked his head to the side. "You do?" he asked. "I do." I confirmed. "But that doesn't mean I forgive you for what you did." he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm really fucking sorry." he apologised, his eyes pleading. I nodded. "Maybe you are.." I mused. "But sometimes, sorry isn't good enough." If he cared then he wouldn't have done it in the first place. Yeah, I was being a bitch. I know. I need time to let go and if he kept coming up like this, I don't think that I'll ever be able to move on. "No." he murmured. "It isn't, is it?" Huh? "What?" I asked. He shook his head and stepped away from me. "Nothing." he said. "We're ready!" Renee announced. I nodded, grasping the microphone as the guitar started playing.
'Right, right turn off the light,
We gonna lose our minds tonight,
What's the deal yo?
I love when it's all too much,
5AM, turn the radio up,
Where's the rock and roll?
Marie and Renee clapped their hands to the beat, encouraging the other people at Julie's to do the same. Thankfully, James and Maggie were doing just that.
'Party crasher,
Panty snatcher,
Call me up if you a gangster,
Don't be fancy, just get dancey,
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks.
My hair was free from its ponytail and my foot was tapping along with the beat. James whistled from the crowd and winked at me and I couldn't resist rolling my eyes.
'Won't you come on and come on, and,
Raise your glass,
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass,
Slam, slam, oh hot damn,
What part of party don't you understand? Wish you'd just freak out.
Renee and Marie sang and I took over the clapping. By that time, half of Julie's had whipped out their phones out and were videoing us. I stepped off the stage and started dancing around with the customers, encouraging them to sing along.
'Can't stop coming in hot,
I should be locked up right on the spot,
It's so on right now, (It's so fucking on right now),
Party crasher, panty snatcher,
Call me up if you a gangster,
Don't be fancy, just get dancey,
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks.
It was amazing, everyone, and I mean everyone was singing along now. I occasionally held the microphone close to some other random customer and sang along with them.
'Won't you come on and come on, and,
Raise your glass,
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass,
Won't you come on and come on, and,
Raise your glass,
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass.
The music toned down for a moment, letting Marie to say the next line.
'Oh shit, my glass is empty,
That sucks,
So if you're too school for cool,
And you're treated like a fool,
You could choose to let it go,
We can always, we can always party on our own,
So raise your, so raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks,
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud and nitty gritty, dirty little freak.
I began singing once more.
'Won't you come on and come on and,
Raise your glass,
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass,
Won't you come on and come on and,
Raise your glass for me,
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass for me.
The song came to an end and for a moment, there was silence before a burst of cheering erupted from the crowd. I grinned, slightly breathless. That was awesome. "Selena!" a woman's figure pushed through the crowd. "What're you doing here?" I asked. Her blue eyes sparkled. "I came to get Justin and Brandon said he was here." Delia explained. "I didn't know you could sing! Your voice is fantastic!" I blushed. "Thank you." I smiled. "Do you have to go now?" she glanced at her watch. "Yes, actually." She frowned before her eyes lit up. "I was going to get the clothes fitted for the wedding. Since you're a bridesmaid, would you mind coming now?" It took a moment to process what she said. I didn't feel like getting into a fight with Justin but I was a bridesmaid and I have to honour that. "Sure." I agreed and Delia grinned. "Perfect." she clapped her hands together. "We'd better get Justin and get going." what did I just agree to? -
"This is Rebecca and Ryder." Delia introduced. "They're Justin's cousins." I smiled politely at both of them. They both had eyes like Justin's, a bright hazel."Nice to meet you." I held a hand out, which Ryder shook, grinning. Rebecca scrutinised me for a moment before doing the same. "Likewise." Ryder winked and Rebecca rolled her eyes at her brother's flirting. "Stop it, Ryder." she ordered and turned to me. "He's gay." She informed me, bluntly. Ryder's smile dropped and he glared at his sister. "You ruin all my fun." he grumbled, making me laugh. "That's good to know." I smiled. Rebecca snorted. "Damn straight." she looked me over one more time. "You seem okay." I cocked my head to the side. "Thanks?" It came out more like a question. Ryder laughed. "It's a compliment." he assured me. "Rebecca's very hard to please so you're lucky." I glanced at Rebecca and she raised an eyebrow. "Great." I chirped. "So what are we supposed to do?" Ryder looked amused while Rebecca looked approving. "You're very straightforward aren't you?" he asked. I shrugged. "I like to get to the point." I grinned and Rebecca nodded in approval. "I like that." Rebecca stated. Ryder nudged his sister. "Wow." he commented. "You're on fire today." Rebecca smacked her brother's arm and shifted away to stand next to me. "Shut up." she snapped. Her eyes settled on me. "We're supposed to be getting in our dresses and shit." I nodded and looked around. "And those are.." I trailed off and Rebecca snorted. "I don't fucking know." she shrugged and I sighed, collapsing on a nearby chair. "Ryder." Justin's voice greeted. "Good to see you man." Both boys did a weird sort of handshake and stepped back grinning. "Becca." he greeted. Rebecca spared him a nonchalant nod. His eyes snapped to me. "Sel." he said. "Justin." I responded coolly. Just then, both Brandon and Sophie bounded into the room. "Sophie! Give me a hug!" Ryder bent down but she ignored him, running to me. "Selly!" she hugged my leg. "I missed you." I chuckled and lent down to hug her back. "Missed you too, Soph." I said. "Where's my hug?" Brandon demanded, finishing greeting his cousins. I laughed and opened up my arms which he took and wrapped his own around me. "Where the hell have you been?" he asked as we pulled away. My eyes flickered to Justin for a moment. "I've been.. busy." I answered vaguely and Brandon snorted. "Just because Justin is an asshole, doesn't mean you ignore the rest of us." he said, sternly. "That's not allowed." swerving to avoid the topic. "Brandon!" I hissed, looking down at Sophie."Not in front of your sister!" Brandon rolled his eyes and muttered a faint sorry. I could feel Justin's eyes on me and suddenly, I was feeling claustrophobic. I cleared my throat awkwardly. "So, Sel.." Ryder paused to look at me. "Can I call you Sel?" I nodded. "How do you know my cousins?" he asked. "Justin goes to my school and I met Brandon and Sophie a while later." I answered, avoiding eye-contact. "That's funny.." Ryder mused. "Justin never mentioned a Sel." I kept my eyes down. "That's because I only met her about four months ago." Justin finally spoke up. "And that was because she went batshit when I told her to get the shirt she spilled juice on cleaned." My head snapped up. "I was going to apologise!" I protested. "You're the one who decided to throw a big hissy fit about it!" Justin looked offended. "I didn't throw a fit!" I snorted and looked away. "Are you guys going to come try on the dresses now?" Delia appeared. Oh, the timing she has.
-
"You girls look beautiful!" Delia gushed as she yanked open the curtains. "I knew this colour would do." I glanced at myself in the mirror again. A long green dress, just the colour of Daniel's eyes. What a coincidence. "Step outside so we can let the boys see." I hesitantly stepped outside of the changing room with Rebecca and a few of the other bridesmaids from Delia's side. "Just what we need." Rebecca drawled. "A bunch of hormonal men scrutinising us." I stifled a snicker. Rebecca looked amazing in her dress; the shade of green brought out her eyes and matched her tanned skin perfectly. Stepping outside, Delia called the boys to attention and their eyes raked appreciatively over all of our bodies. I looked up and met Justin's eyes, he refused to let go of his gaze so I awkwardly dropped mine. "Well." Delia announced. "The dresses fit so we have to take the pictures next time. That's enough for today." Everyone scattered back to their places and I turned to Ryder and Rebecca who were bickering again and went over to say goodbye. In the middle of exchanging goodbyes, I paused. "Hey, Ryder?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you single?" Rebecca looked slightly taken aback. "I did tell you he was gay right?" she asked, eyes-wide. I laughed. "I'm not asking for me." I rolled my eyes. "I'm asking for a friend of mine." Ryder's eyes held a spark of interest. "How old is he?" he asked. "Is he hot?" I cocked my head to the side. This conversation is getting a little weird for me but then again, I did start it. "Eighteen and yeah, he is." I answered, feeling the slightest bit awkward. Ryder grinned and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, quickly scribbled on it and tossed it to me. "Give that to him." be nodded and I smiled. "Will do." I waved one last time then turned to walk away. I should totally be a matchmaker.