Chapter 7 - The party

The chilly wind hit my face harshly, but this time I had a jacket.

Walking through the glass double doors, I was drowned in the smell of freshly baked sweets and pastries, and a smile found its way to my face.

"Good morning," I beam and lay James's jacket on his lap as soon as I walk in, taking my place by his side.

"Hey," he says absentmindedly. He's looking at some papers on the counter in deep concentration.

I was used to seeing him like that sometimes, too caught up in his things. I don't mind it because when he pays attention to me; it is as if no one else is around.

James is really cute when he is focused. It is an adorable sight, from the eyebrows scrunched up to the parted lips. Once, I pushed the arm his head was resting on out of annoyance and he almost hit his forehead on the counter. That was the first and only time he was vexed at me.

At the beginning of the school year, the first time we met, I just sat on one of these stools, drinking a blueberry milkshake. Sitting two stools away was him, drinking coffee and reading a book, one of those enormous books that seems boring no matter what. For all the time I've known him, he was always quiet, minding his own business.

We started with stolen glances that turned into greetings, small talk, and finally, heart to heart conversations. We got to know each other slowly, yet it felt like yesterday.

Besides whatever he's reading, laid a half-empty plate with golden, fluffy waffles with ice cream on top that looked delicious and I consider ordering some, but I end up wanting only my milkshake.

He must've noticed my stare, because he turns the fork in my direction when he is about to take a bite. I smirk and, without ever taking my eyes off James', I close my mouth around the tip of the fork, stealing the waffle and licking my lips full of ice cream.

He smiles and pushes the papers to the side, setting the fork by the plate once more.

Looking at me with those dark blue eyes, he jokes, "You always have a thing for my food."

My mind travelled to those two or three times I stole what he was eating.

"Two words, love: Petit gateau," I say, shutting him up, a smile on my face.

"Okay, but that was the only time! You order nothing besides those extra-sweet milkshakes," he argues.

What did my milkshakes ever do to him?

"Oh yeah, because that waffle doesn't have three times more sugar," I mock.

He takes another piece of waffle and uses the fork to point at me.

"You, miss..." but he doesn't get the chance to end the sentence because he is speechless when I once again eat his waffle. He glances at the fork as if waiting for the waffle to come back.

I laugh at him and soon so does he.

I miss this. Me and James, James and me, laughing and teasing each other.

"Stop stealing my food!" he demands, but the grin on his face betrays him.

Gema interrupts us with a frown. "It's late, Avery. Shouldn't you be in school by now?"

Shit! I'm late! Well, I could just skip class... but then Courtney will yell at me, and then mom will yell at me, and then she's going to make sure I go to school in time. That means driving me there, that means no more going to WOTT, that means no more blueberry milkshakes! And James, yeah. Of course, James is more important than blueberry milkshakes.

I get up in a rush, dressing my denim jacket and throwing my bag over my shoulder.

"Wait, Ave..."

My heart stops for a moment. James's face looks pleading. It was not the first time he said my name out loud, but the nickname and the way he said it made my stomach twist.

How could my name make me feel like I was melting inside? I don't know, I just know it did, and boy, did it feel good.

I hug him goodbye, his arms holding me close and my face buried on his shoulder. I don't want to leave...

"Bye!" I wave at him and walk/jog towards the school, and let me tell you, it's difficult in these shoes. What? I like heels.

I knock on the classroom's door as soon as I get there, only to be greeted by arms crossed, scowling Miss Thomas.

"Miss di Laurentis, would you like to enlighten us on your sudden tardiness?"

She hates me; I told you in the beginning, she absolutely hates me.

Okay, I might have got late a few times before, but why do I have to make up an excuse right now.

Smiling sheepishly, I explained, "Well, I stopped in this coffee place to drink a delicious and nutritive blueberry milkshake when, out of nowhere, I find the hottest guy this Earth has ever seen. I swear he is just gorgeous! Extra points because he has freckles and dimples when he smiles. Anyway, I kind of start talking to him and he is so funny, for real. Hot, funny and not a jerk, there are not that guys nowadays. So, yeah, I lost track of time because he was really interesting. And hot! Did I mention before how gorgeous he is?"

She stares at me, taken aback. She was not waiting for me to say something like that. I assume she was waiting for one of the usual excuses: 'I got lost', 'The car died', 'My dad had a stroke'.

Ignoring her catatonic state, I walk to the back and take my seat.

Courtney is restraining herself from smiling, and Jessica seems pissed. Honestly, what the fuck does she have against me?

Miss Thomas wasn't one to mess with, but she just let it go away this time, continuing today's lesson. Maybe I'm growing on her. Who knows?

Courtney immediately starts whispering to me as I get my stuff on the table.

"Were you with Table Guy again? Did you guys make peace? Is he all that hot? I couldn't see him well last time."

I nodded at all of them. "I think we sort of made peace. He is just so..." I sighed. Why the hell am I so lovesick? "He's great"

She spent the rest of class questioning me about James.

When it finally ends and I make my way to my next class, Maths with the Vulture (no, not Spiderman's Vulture, just a lady that doesn't know how to put on makeup).

Mathew, being in that one too, catches me in the hallway, his signature smirk plastered on his face. He rests his palm against the wall, trapping me against it when I was walking. This could've been hot if we were in a film.

"You better take that arm off my way or I'll kick you where the sun never shines," I say in my sweetest voice. He doesn't comply. Typical. I know I'm short, but I can do it!

"Who's Table Guy?"

Great Court, congratulations on your whispering skills.

He wasn't even in that class. How does he know?

"Honestly, I wouldn't exactly call him Table Guy, more like Coffee-Mate, Before School Buddy, Drinking Partner..." I list.

"Really suitable names, all of them. Your creativity amazes me," he interrupts me with an eye roll, "But who is he?"

"Why? Does it matter to you?"

"You know, di Laurentis, bets have been made for tonight's party and you're one of the many names on the list. Word has spread that you're seeing someone and that ruins all the fun of the game."

I frown. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. I've made my choices for this party. I'd prefer if I didn't see your name on a list."

The party tonight. Right.

Once a year, to celebrate the end of sixth form and the start of university, someone hosts a party in which is a tradition for the boys to bet on who were they sleeping with. Quite sexist, in my opinion, and truly stupid.

Of course, Mathew and his friends are excited. They finally get to take part in this. I intend to keep myself out of any list.

I am in a good mood and I will not let it be ruined because of horny boys.

"Did you bet on me?"

He looks away and licks his lips before answering, "Maybe."

I roll my eyes "Well, I hope you have backups because I'm only going to the party for the free booze."

I could also not go. I have no interest in a stupid sex party, but I always had a certain curiosity about it since I first heard of it. The next day, girls would always giggle and talking about it and I, as a very virgin fifteen-year-old, heard them mesmerised. Now I know better.

"I'm just saying that I'm not the only one who bet on you"

"How many guys?" I ask.

I sigh. "Almost them all. I shouldn't even be telling you this, it's supposed to be a secret."

Almost them all? That's a record. How is that even possible?

"How many points am I worth?" I press. I'm completely scandalised.

He looks away. "I can't tell you"

"Mathew!"

His eyes met mine, but he kept his lips sealed shut. I knew he wouldn't tell me and I could only imagine I must be high up.

"Why me? The top girls should be the quiet ones. Isn't it more thrilling to get a virgin in your bed?"

He shrugs. "I don't make the rules"

I clench my teeth and push him out of my way, furious at the situation. I seat in the back and I see him walking towards his place, away from me. He averts his eyes, but that doesn't calm me down.

Class seems to pass away slow, perhaps because I just wanted to get out of there and get away from Mathew.

When I went to the cafeteria to get my lunch, everyone was talking about Harry's party tonight.

I don't understand why the hell would he throw the party on a Thursday when he could wait one day, but they needed to compare lists after.

I hate almost everyone here and felt no need to talk to them (we've been through this, guys, come on), yet I love parties. Socialising with them wasn't so bad when I was drunk.

My mother disapproves that I go to a party during the week, though she usually lets me go on the weekend. She always says it's better knowing where I am than having me sneaking out and I'm all for it. I'm sure I can convince her to let me go.

"Hey!" Courtney's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Hey!" I look at her, standing behind me on the line. "So, party tonight or what?"

I grab my tray and leave the line, followed by her. "I have to. Someone needs to make sure you don't embarrass yourself."

"That's the spirit!"

Half an hour before the party, I went to her house. She needs all the help she can get to pick a decent outfit.

I am wearing a strapless black dress and high heels, my makeup in dark golden shades.

Courtney is throwing all the content from her wardrobe out. Her bedroom looks like a war zone. Clothes everywhere, flying shoes almost hitting me as I step in and her stress is more than obvious.

"What should I dress?" she groans for the hundredth time.

I sit in her bed and grab the clothes that are on the floor.

She rambles, "It's cold outside, how do I look pretty and keep warm?", then she turns to me and her eyes widen "Jesus Christ, woman! You're going to catch a cold! Where's the rest of your dress?"

I don't think I'm that undressed. The dress is long enough to cover a good portion of my legs, doesn't show that much cleavage, and I have a coat, anyway.

"It's not that cold," I argue and grab a light pink dress hanging on the lamp. "You would look cute in this one. It has long sleeves, see?"

She catches the dress with a frown. "What if I go with a blouse and jeans?"

"Then you'll be underdressed, but do as you wish," I shrug and she ends up putting on the dress.

I just sit there, watching her struggle to do her eyeliner. I know she needs help, but if I offer, she'll say no. She's that kind of person.

Courtney huffs and after several tries, finally gives in and asks for my help.

She drives us there, complaining the entire time about my nonexistent driver's license.

"Seriously, you're eighteen, don't want to know how to drive a car. You can't spend your whole life depending on someone else."

"I know how to drive," I say.

It's true, I know how to do it. I just don't have a license and I don't need one because I won't drive. I don't want to drive.

The music is so loud we hear it from the other side of the neighbourhood. Oh yeah, I can already sense the old ladies calling the police.

Courtney parks a few houses away, the entire street full of cars. Harry's house is easy to spot because 1. It's where the music is coming from, 2. The crazy coloured lights and 3. The very drunk teenagers in the garden and rooftop.

"Hey, Avery!" yells a guy from the top of the roof.

"Hi, Jonathan!" I shout back with a smile.

He laughs stupidly, "You're on my list"

My smile falls and I keep on walking. Some eyes stare at me but I made my decision to be unapproachable.

Everyone is already drunk, and I have some catching up to do. Court and I grab some drinks and wander through Harry's house.

The mansion has the entire ground floor open for people to go around. The living room has stuff pushed to the corners and has been turned into a dance floor, the white walls flashing bright colours.

We ended up dancing in the middle of others after getting drinks.

I feel someone grab my waist from behind and I'm about to elbow that someone in the gut when he spoke. "Do you mind if I steal your partner, Courtney?"

She shrugs and disappears from my sight, probably to grab another drink. I was already tipsy myself, but that didn't stop me from grabbing Mathew's cup and chugging it down. I'm trusting he drinks nothing spiked.

"I looked all around for you. I thought you ditched" Mathew took a hold of my hands, dancing with me. Dancing with a partner always made me feel weird, so I let go of him.

"Would you be sad if I did?"

"No, but it's sadder than you didn't even care to look for me"

My lips turn into a mock pout at his choice of words. "I was just waiting for you to become the centre of attention. I was hoping for another monument cosplay"

He bites his cheek. "That was ONE time and in my defence, I was completely wasted."

Last year, he wore a sheet all around him and claimed to be the Statue of Liberty, posing on top of a table for an entire hour until someone threw up on his feet.

He led me outside, hoping Mathew's company would keep the other boys away, and I grabbed another drink on our way. Maybe I am already exaggerating.

The enlightened swimming pool, a large zone of deep blue water in the middle of the garden, had some people swimming in their underwear. I want to go too.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks, watching my focused expression.

"I'm trying to remember my underwear colour"

He blinks "Why?"

I roll my eyes at him. "Cause if it's white I'm not going, duh."

He stared at me without understanding, but I was way ahead of him. Approaching the corner of the garden, I watch a bunch of idiots helping someone keg stand.

"You're not going there, are you?" Mathew looks worried. "You've drunk too much"

I laugh at him. "Pfft, look who's talking! You almost tripped on your own feet on your way here"

Ten years of gymnastics and hand standings are more than a piece of cake for me, but for them, not so much.

"Okay guys, step aside, I don't need help," I say, shooing them away so I could show them how it is properly done.

Mathew talks about the fact that I'm wearing a dress, but I don't care. It's glued to my body. It ain't falling.

I could hear someone counting the seconds as the world went upside down. The blood rushes to my face and I now know that Mathew was right. I'm way too drunk. However, I'm not turning down until I hit a long time.

Suddenly, I remember my underwear is black.

Standing up and bowing to everyone watching, I almost fall and Mathew catches me before I hit the ground and I giggle against his chest.

"Why are you laughing?" he smiles too as he tries to put me back on my feet.

"Why are you not laughing?"

I drag Mathew to one lounger and turn my back to him, holding my hair up. "Unzip me"

"What?" he asks, obviously not understanding what I meant.

"I want to swim, unzip me," I repeat. I could sense him swallow hard with the idea "Please"

His left hand presses the upper edge of the dress and the other one grabs the zip and pushes it down slowly, his knuckles brushing against my skin, making me tremble. He misunderstands my shiver.

"You're already getting cold, you shouldn't do this."

Too late! I strip off the dress, lay it on the lounger and dive into the warm water. I came to the surface with a huge grin and yell at him, telling him to join me.

"I can't"

"Come on!" I encourage and after a few minutes he gives in and takes off his clothes.

I may or may not observe him.

He jumps and I swim the other way, to the middle of people. He follows me and we get in this sort of chase where he almost can't catch me.

I am out of breath quickly. A small group of girls that are swimming close to the side of the pool and I hide behind them. I don't blend in very well 'cause as I am looking for him where I was a second ago, I feel him grab me from behind. I let out a whimper and start giggling.

I turn around, facing him, but he doesn't let go. I was feeling him against my leg.

"The cold water didn't fix that?" I ask with a laugh.

"No, you're pressed against me in only your undies. What were you waiting for?" he tells me and I try to release myself from his grip, yet he doesn't let me go.

"You're enjoying this more than you should!"

He doesn't answer, panting, just like me. Suddenly, it feels like there are only us inside the pool. Everyone else disappears in the air. His eyes meet mine and my breath is caught up in my throat.

He crashes his lips against mine and we engage in this very intense lip-lock. I didn't think I'd be kissing anyone but James so soon. I broke up with my ex at the beginning of the school year and since then, the only person I care about is James.

I wasn't sure what was I feeling as I clung to him, but I wasn't in the mood to stop. I promised myself I would be on no one's list, but I let him lead me upstairs and I didn't deny him the glorious victory.

At some point in our passionate night, he pulled apart with a frown.

"Who's James?"

"What?" where the hell did that come from?

"You just said, James!"

☕☕☕

Huge 'Oh shit!'

Yupe, I made a chapter with a cliffhanger. I can't believe I just made a cliffhanger, I could be a professional writer right now, the next Rick Riordan with fewer teens falling in the pits of Tartarus.

You guys Team James or Team Mathew? Or some other team I didn't know was playing?

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