❀𓅰❀

❀𓅰❀

"Can you pick up the pizzas on your way over?" Wes asked through the phone. 

"I'm doing you a favor and you just keep asking for more."

"Come on, Val. I'm coming from the opposite direction."

"Maybe if you say please," I said as I climbed off my bed.

"Please?" He asked, hopefully. "It's just the little pizza parlor on Wickminster-"

"The one that serves ice cream?" I asked excitedly, slipping on my flip flops and grabbing my keys off my dresser. I was going to leave in twenty minutes but if I had to pick up the pizza, I wanted to leave a little early.

Wes hummed in response as I grabbed my purse and umbrella. It was probably raining outside again.

"I know where it is," I told him as I walked out of my dorm to my car.

"The order is under Flynn's name. We'll pay you when you get to Belinda's," he assured me.

"Whose house is this exactly?"

"Belinda's."

"And that's Aidan's girlfriend?" I asked for confirmation.

"Sorta girlfriend," Wes said unsurely, obviously not knowing how to describe their relationship.

"Alright, whatever that means," I laughed, not pushing the subject.

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit," Wes said before we said our goodbyes and hung up.

I shoved my phone back in my purse before making my way out of the building. Walking into the rain, I rushed through the cold to my car. It was so cold I had to turn the heat on high but in this weather, I knew it would take my car at least 15 minutes to warm up. Weather should have probably been taken into consideration before I decided this is where I'd be living and going to school but I was overwhelmed with the news I'd been accepted to so many schools so far from home, I didn't think twice. Out of the schools I was accepted to, I picked out the furthest, small town one. I should have thought about the weather a bit more before I made my life altering decision but the excitement of leaving got the better of me. It was tolerable, though.

Aside from the pizza, I had no reason to be leaving my dorm. I didn't owe Wes any time so I wasn't sure what I was doing sitting in my car about to have dinner with Wes and his friends. I had to give myself about 12 pep-talks, telling myself to not back out, before I was able to drive and I start towards the pizza parlor. 

The pizza parlor was another small, mom-and-pop establishment I loved. They made thin pizza but the crust on the ends was thick, so they sent you with honey to dip the leftover crust in. It was heavenly.

I was a quick ride to the pizza parlor. I rushed in and walked out with four boxes of pizzas.

I thought there's only going to be six people total, how big of a group need four pizzas?

What did you get yourself into, Vienna?

Well, you can't back out now, you have their pizzas.

I sighed as I slid the pizza boxes onto the floor of the passenger seat. I didn't need them sliding all over the place as I drove. I put the address Wes gave me into the navigation on my phone and headed over to them. Belinda lived about a half hour away, in Massachusetts.

I pulled out of the pizza parlors driveway, before making my way towards her apartment.

❀𓅰❀ 

Before I got out of my car in the parking lot of the apartment complex Wes sent me to, I sent him a text letting him know I was there with the pizzas. I pulled the hood of my dark pink parka over my head before opening my car door and opening my umbrella. As I held my car door open, I struggled to grab and hold my purse, the bag of condiments, and the four boxes of pizza.

I walked into the apartment building and headed for the elevator. I felt a little dorky walking around the lobby and standing in the elevator with my umbrella still open, but there was no way I could close it, not when I was holding everything else. I had to use my knee to press the button for the fourth floor when I was in the elevator but ended up stopping on the third as well.

When the doors slid open on the fourth floor, I stepped out and saw Wes sitting on a chair in the hall waiting for me. He stood up and walked over with a smile.

"Hey," he laughed, carefully taking my umbrella from me and closing it before taking the pizzas from me.

"Hey," I smiled, shyly, taking my umbrella back. Now, I could wear my cross bag correctly and walk normally because I was only carrying the umbrella and condiments bag.

I followed him down the hall to a door cracked open for us. He motioned for me to go in first, so I stepped inside and held the door open for him.

"Go ahead and hang your stuff there if you want," he said pointing a finger at the hooks on the wall.

I slipped off my bag and parka, and hung them, along with my umbrella, on the hooks of the wall. It was warm enough in the plain apartment that the beige and white striped sweater and jeans I was wearing were enough to keep me comfortable.

"Okay, come on," Wes said, heading down the hall. I paced after him to a small kitchen area where I set the takeout bag on the counter after Wes. He took a stack of paper plates out of the cupboard.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, leaning against the counter, trying to mask my discomfort.

"In the living room," he told me, turning back around. "Guys! Val brought us pizza!" 

I flinched back from his voice. He smiled apologetically at me handing me a plate from the stack on the counter.

"What kind of pizza did you order?" I asked. I had paid for the fifty dollars worth of pizza but I didn't look at the receipt when I paid, I just knew it smelled good on the drive over.

"Pesto and goat cheese, grilled honey sriracha chicken, and balsamic strawberry bacon," Wes said, opening each box to show me.

My mouth was already watering. I had tried the pizza parlor before but I'm too small to order a whole pizza for myself, so I was never able to try all the amazing combinations they had. "What about the fourth one?" I asked excitedly, grabbing the last box as voices could be heard bounding down the hall. My face dropped when I opened the box to find a plain cheese pizza. I look up to Wes. "This is your pizza isn't it?" I deadpanned in disappointment.

He snatched the box from me. "Stop complaining. That just means I won't eat any of the pizzas you like. Can't say the same for them," he pointed behind me. "You'll probably have to fight them for slices."

I rolled my eyes at the bland boy who stood in front of me.

"Hey! Valley made it!" A voice said from behind me. I turned around to see Aidan with a beautiful red head as he smiled happily at me. Stood next to them was Flynn and presumably his girlfriend, with her hand attached to his bicep.

"And you brought pizza," Aidan continued excitedly. I chuckled, stepping off to the side so he could get pizza, but instead he came up to me and hugged me. The smile on my face dropped and I froze. It was quick so I had an excuse as to why I didn't hug him back. "Thanks," he said as he pulled away to grab a plate, unaffected by my lack of response.

After I regained my composure, I smiled lightly. "No problem. Happy birthday."

Thanks for the introduction, guys.

I turned to introduce myself to the girl who I presumed was Belinda. I gave a small wave to her and the girl at Flynn's side. "Hey, I'm Valley."

"Belinda," the red head said with what sounded like a slight southern accent, curiosity and confusion lacing her voice. "And you are?"

"Oh, um," I stumbled.

What are you?

"Just a friend," I said.

Belinda nodded her head.

"Bee, what kind of pizza you want?" Aidan asked from over my shoulder. Belinda gave me a smile before stepping behind me to serve herself a plate as Wes came up to me. I noticed they bumped shoulders. Wes sent her a glare and Belinda completely ignored him, even though she stumbled a little, using Aidan's waist to steady herself.

I turned back to Flynn and the girl, ignoring the small interaction between Wes and Belinda. "Hi," I smiled at her.

She smiled, stepping away from Flynn and extending her arm. "I'm Apple."

"I like that name," I laughed.

"Me too," Flynn said, stepping up behind her and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Pizza?" He asked her.

I turned back to the counter to put some pizza on my plate. I grabbed one of each kind- not including the plain cheese- and a side of honey from the bag.

"Everyone owes Val ten bucks," Wes said with a mouth full of pizza.

"No, less than that. It was only fifty and there are six of us."

"Aidan doesn't pay tonight," Apple said.

"Ah," I said in understanding. "Then yeah, you owe me ten each."

"It's on me." Belinda reached over the counter grabbing a small stack of bills and handing them to me with a smile before she followed Aidan out of the kitchen. Wes grabbed another slice of cheese pizza and flowed them, nodding for me to do the same. So I followed them into the living room, taking a seat on the floor next to the coffee table like the rest of them, and Wes scooted towards me taking the spot to my right.

I crinkled my nose at him. "Ew, get away from me with your vanilla pizza."

He chuckled, waving the pizza in my face before taking a big bite from it and grinning at me, mouth filled with food.

"Do that again, Artwood, and I'll make you take a bite from each of those pizzas," I warned him, reminding him of his experience with sushi.

"Valley, do you want a drink?" Belinda asked picking up two bottles from the table. One was a hard lemonade, the other was a beer, and a bottle of whiskey stood closest to her.

"No, thank you. I have to drive home tonight," I explained.

"I don't," Aidan says taking the bottle of hard lemonade.

"Aw," Belinda pouted. "How are you going to play the games then?"

"I'll drink for her," Wes offered.

I laughed, remembering when I had played drinking games with my family. If there was a minor playing, whoever their parent had to drink for them.

I shrugged, taking a bite of my pizza, savoring the sweet balsamic flavor in my mouth. "What are you playing?" I asked after I had swallowed my food and everyone had come and found a seat.

"Truth or Shot," Aidan said before taking a bite of the pesto and goat cheese pizza.

I froze, unsure if I was comfortable playing.

Of course, you're not comfortable playing.

That depends on what kind of questions they will ask, I tried reasoning with myself.

"Oh," I said, shoving a slice of pizza in my mouth.

"I was next," Apple exclaimed excitedly, wiping off her hands on a napkin before clapping them together, and looking around the circle.

Even though reason told me no one here was going to ask me personal questions without context, I couldn't help but be nervous as she scanned the group for her target.

Her eyes landed on Wes, though, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Wes," Apple grinned at him. "Truth or shot?"

Wes didn't look uncomfortable, he looked like he was ready for anything she threw his way. "Truth," he said confidently.

"Okay." Apple's grin only grew larger at his response. "Have you ever stripteased for someone?"

I immediately saw Wes tense up at her question. He hung his head, groaning, "That's not fair, Apple."

"Oh, my god," Belinda said between fits of laughter with Aidan.

Wes sent them a glare before turning to Apple. "Can I take a shot?"

"No, you already agreed," she laughed.

"But you know the answer; that's cheating," Wes argued.

"Come on, answer," Apple waved her hand.

Wes let out a deep sigh before saying, "Yes, I have. It was a dare in truth or dare."

"Explain," Apple encouraged.

"It was senior year of high school and we were in the basement of some party playing truth or dare. My crush was the one who dared me to. It was for one of the football jocks and it was so embarrassing because the second I had my pants unzipped he blew chunks all over me," Wes finished regretfully. I think he was even shivering at the memory.

"That so gross," I said, shaking my head and setting down my pizza.

"That's amazing," Aidan howled next to Belinda who was laughing hysterically.

"Whatever," Wes scowled at Belinda.

"Your turn, Wes," Apple announced, still laughing.

Ah, damn it.

Wes' eyes scanned the small group surrounding the table, but they all too quickly landed on me so I knew he was only trying to make it look like he gave it some thought.

Internally groaning at his awfully smug smile, I turned to him. "Just ask," I told him.

"Truth or shot?" He asked, leaning back on his arms.

I looked over at the table where a bottle of whiskey and tequila stood next to a couple shot glasses.

You could avoid it with one shot, Vienna.

But you have to get home tonight.

But then you have to answer any question.

The question most likely isn't even very personal.

But what if it is?

They can always call on you again so might as well answer the question, because there is no use in getting drunk off your ass and spilling everything anyway. If you have to, lie.

I took in a deep breath. "Truth."

"What's the meanest thing you've ever done?" Wes asked curiously.

I scrunched my eyebrows together. "Just because you think I'm a bitch, Wes, doesn't mean I'm an awful person. What do you expect me to say?Something like I killed my best friend's dog and wear the tail as a scarf,"

"That was graphic," Aidan murmured.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine." I leaned back on my extended arms to think.

You've done some mean things, Vienna, but what is a good one to share?

"Okay, so in high school, this boy had a crush on me-"

"Wow!" Aidan gasped.

"It may be your birthday but I will knee you," I said darkly.

"He deserves it," Belinda shrugged.

"Will you kiss me better when everyone leaves," Aidan said, snuggling his head into Belinda's neck. She shoved him away with her hand in his face.

"No! No, you may not," Flynn said, wrapping an arm around Apple. "We are staying the night, remember so we don't need gross sounds coming from the bedroom."

Apple leaned over and whispered something in his ear that made his eyes grow bright with excitement and a blush creep up his neck. I was sure I didn't want to know what it was they were thinking.

"Val, just talk," Wes groaned. "They'll get the hint."

Everyone hushed and turned to me at the sound of Wes' voice so I took a deep breath. "So I hardly knew him. I think I had, like, one class with him, maybe; I'm not really sure because I didn't remember him when he found me online."

"He found you online?" Belinda asked worriedly.

"Yeah, and I didn't think he had friends so I tried to be polite, but he was so clingy and annoying. Eventually, he started talking to me in person but he was even more awkward than he was over the messenger thing. I didn't know how to tell him I didn't like him- at all- so when he came up to me at lunch one day, he pulled out an anthology of one of my favorite poets."

"That's sweet," Apple cooed.

"No, it's not," I growled. "I never told him I like poetry."

"Like," Flynn snorted.

"Shut up," I grumbled, pointing a finger at him. "So yeah, I took it reluctantly, but as soon as I turned around, I dropped it in the trash."

"What, why?" Wes asked.

"Because I wanted him to take a hint," I hissed.

"Oh, my god. He watched you throw it away?" Apple gasped.

"Yeah," I mumbled glancing at the tantalizing bottles one the coffee table.

That shot's looking real nice right now, isn't it?

It wasn't that bad.

"Val, that's kinda cold," Wes laughed.

"He found me online, somehow got my number, started talking to me even after multiple hints to get him to back off, and then found one of my favorite anthologies! He was creeping me the fuck out."

"Do you feel kinda bad?" Flynn smiled.

I shrugged. "Not really. I did at the time but now it's no big deal anymore. He left me alone after that."

"Cold," Wes snickered again.

"Shut up." I whacked his arm. "It's not bad really. I mean, it is a mean thing to do to an awkward high school boy and maybe scared him a little but," I trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Yeah, that was mean," I mumbled in defeat. I reached over and grabbed my cold pizza.

"Ask someone a question," Wes, nudged my arm.

I wasn't prepared to be asking questions so I thought of one as I finished chewing my pizza. "Aidan, what's the most embarrassing thing your parents have ever caught you doing?" I finally asked.

Everyone in the room groaned at the stupid question but if they didn't like my questions, maybe they wouldn't pick me anymore.

"My parents caught me shaving my legs when I was 13."

❀𓅰❀