Craft | kraft | noun; an activity involving skill in making things by hand: the craft of bookbinding| pewter craft. – New Oxford American Dictionary.

Chapter sixteen; craft

I'm not really positive how long Arthur's been at my house today. An hour? Three hours? Is it even the same day?

            Being sick messes with your head in that way. You're asleep almost every second of every day and when you actually find the energy to keep your eyes open, you have no clue how long you've been out and tire yourself all over again trying to figure it out.

            You also look like fifty shades of crap.

            But if my "my hair just fought with a rabid animal and lost" look is bothering Arthur it doesn't show. To be perfectly honest, he looks as bad as I feel.

            "Why don't you go home, Art? Try and get some sleep. You've been here all day. What time is it?" I ask, and I cringe at the sound of my own voice. Nails in a blender would sound better right now.

            He shrugs. "I'm not sure. A little after twelve I think. But don't worry about me. It's you I should be convincing to rest. You look awful."

            I try not to take that comment to personally.

            "Have you seen the bags under your eyes? I feel bad just laying here while you're at my house taking care of me. Go home."

            "But –"

            "Go home." I press flicking my wrist towards my bedroom door.

            He looks like he wants to protest but even he can't deny that he's been here way longer than necessary.

            After sighing and giving me one last pleading look I give him a small smile. "Go on. I'll be fine, I promise."

            He nods, standing slowly and stretching, his shirt raising slightly to reveal a small birthmark above his hip. I avert my eyes, feeling like a creep for pretty much no reason.

            "Oh and Arthur?" I croak as he places his hand on the doorknob. He turns to look at me, the shadow from my lamp casting a shadow across his face.

            "Yeah?"

            "You're a great friend." I smile, meaning it with all my heart.

            He frowns slightly but it disappears just as quickly as it came and is replaced with a soft smile. I question whether it were ever there in the first place.

            As soon as I know he's gone I settle under my blankets. My eyes close. Arthur face appears behind my eyelids and I find myself recounting the freckles across his nose and cheeks. I'm too tired to question it and it's far better than counting sheep.

            One, two, three, four five, six, sev –

                                                *             *             *             *

            The following Monday is spent recovering and recuperating.

            I awaken to a text from my mom informing me that she feels a lot better and has decided to go into work. She also wants me to thank Arthur for her for taking such good care of her yesterday.

            I smile at my phone for a moment before setting it down and attempting to get up and possibly get ready to my day. But as soon as I'm on my feet, my head feels like it's in a whirlpool and I can't see straight. I hold my arms out to steady myself and soon it passes. I must have been down too long.

            I use my remaining energy to take a nice hot shower and check on Ray. I'd feel awful if he got this stupid bug as well.

            But he's nowhere to be found. Which isn't exactly unlike him but I'd prefer if he would tell me where he's going before he's gone.

            I make my way back to my bed, the idea of lying there all day not seeming at all appealing to me.

            Nonetheless, I'm in a hurry to get better so I'll make the best of it I suppose.  I grab my laptop from my desk and pull up my most recent story I'm writing. I've decided to take my past teacher's advice and step out of my literary comfort zone and take a new approach.

            So the idea I've come up with for this book is more of a fiction slash sort of science fiction slash a dash of pretty much every movie you watch.

            So pretty much so far all I have is a simple plot in my head but I have no clue how to put in into letters and words...much less make it sound legit.

            After spending the day eating pretty much nothing and drink a lot of water and liquids, I feel almost back to my usual self. By six o'clock I'm able to walk around and straighten up the house without feeling like I'm going to pass out.

            "Hey. I heard you and mom were sick as dogs yesterday. You feel any better?" Ray voice causes me to pause what I'm doing.

            "Yeah, thanks..." I stare at him. To be honest, it's going to take me a long time to get used to Ray being how he was before...

            My eyes go to the picture hanging on the wall, memories of my father invading my mind and I find myself tearing up. I clear my throat and blink several times.

            "No problem. Is mom okay?"

            "Yeah she's fine. She got back from work a couple hours ago if you want to talk to her." I nod toward her room.

            Ray shakes his head and brings his left hand up to brush his thick brown locks up and off his forehead. It still astounds me at how he got all the good genes and I'm stuck like...this.

            Thanks mom and dad.

            "Nah I just dropped by here to see if you were feeling a bit better because Lila invited to a party at her friend Jonathan's house."

            I remember Jonathan as the guy Lila met at that boring get together but I've never met him and I make sure to know all of her "friends" just to make sure they're safe people if you know what I mean.

            "What kind of party?" I ask, removing a pair of dishwashing gloves from my hands and laying them on the counter.

            He rolls his eyes. "Not the kind you're thinking of. At least I'm pretty sure."

            I hate to always be the "party pooper" but Ray is going to be sixteen in two weeks and I make it my business to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.

            "And it's tonight?"

            "In like, two hours." He gives me a look that says "I know it's last minute but I don't have my license and I really want to go".

            I give him a flat look and sigh heavily. "Ray...you so owe me."

            "Yes." He hisses, "You won't regret this, Love. It'll be fun I promise."

            "Don't make promises you can't keep. I'll be down when I'm ready and no sooner." I grumble, dragging myself up the stairs and to my bedroom.

            I never really go to parties even if they aren't rager teen parties. It's not that I haven't been invited. It's more of a me thing. Lila calls it "The Fun Hating Disease" but I call it "I Want to Stay Home."

            I've always been a homebody so it came to no surprise to me when, in freshman year, I got invited to the first party of the year and would have rather stuck pins in my eyes than go to Steven Lloyd's "epic" party.

            Yet here I am, putting on makeup and curling my hair like some Barbie doll.

            Okay, I have to admit that I enjoy wearing makeup and looking good. What girl doesn't? But I only truly enjoy it if I have someone to impress. When there's no one to look good for, there's really no motivation.

            At the back of my mind I can't help but hoe that maybe I can make the best of it and actually have fun. Who knows, maybe I'll have a good time.

            I took my time finishing up and picking out an outfit. Ray can wait a little while longer. Plus, technically we don't have to leave for another half an hour.

            As I skim through my closet, I pull half of my hair up and knot it into a small bun, pulling the strands of hair out to frame my face. I step forward and pull out a pair of mom skinny jeans and throw them on, rolling up the ends once or twice.

            I then grab a random comfy snug fitting baby blue cropped T-shirt and pair it with a pair of small crescent moon shaped earrings and a plain black choker with a single jewel dangling from the center.

            I pull on a pair of half socks and my Adidas Superstars and grab my phone, a ten dollar bill, and some sugar cookie scented chap-stick. I shove all three into my back pocket and walk slowly downstairs.

            "Good news." Ray starts as soon as he sees me on the stairs, "Mom says we can use her car. So we're all set. Ready?" He asks, tossing me the keys which miss me completely and land at the bottom of the staircase. I grunt as I bend down to retrieve them and take my time straightening back up.

            "As ready as I'll ever be." How cliché yet so true.

            But Ray is already out the door and in the car and way too invested in his excitement to listen to me belly-ache.

                                                                      *

            It takes us almost thirty minutes to get there but Ray doesn't seem to mind.  As soon as I put the car in park he shoots out of the car and into the house before I can stop him.

            As if I'm not awkward enough. Now I have to walk into some random guy's house I don't know.

            "It's fine, Lovely. It's just a party. Nothing to worry about. Just a small get together."

            Yeah it's not small.

            As soon as I walk through the door my senses are taken over completely.

            See: people dancing. A lot of people dancing. And there's also what looks to be root beer spilled on the floor over there.

            Hear: Sounds like Closer by Chainsmokers but there's so many voices laughing, talking and yelling so who really knows.

            Smell: Gross. Sweat...and perfume. I think there's even a hint of bean dip.

            Taste: Knock of Sprite in a red solo cup (so cliché. Why not blue?)

            Feel: A hand on my back and it seems it's making a detour.

            Wait.

            I stiffen and let out a squeak, pushing the hand away and running as fast as I can to the kitchen.

            "Why am I here?" I groan to myself, setting my cup down on the counter and making a mental note to not pick that up again if I don't watch it every second.

            "Hey."  A voice brings my eyes away from my drink and I mentally slap myself when someone snatches it from its place on the counter, chugs it, and goes back to dancing. Not even so much as a thank you.

            "Thanks. Now I have to get a new drink." I sigh, glancing up at the person talking to me.

            "Sorry. I can get you one...what were you drinking?" He turns to go and get me a drink but I stop him.

            "No, it's fine. I wasn't thirsty anyway. I just wanted something to do with myself. I don't usually come to these sorts of things." I confess.

            He laughs and takes a swig of his own drink, the corners of his hazel eyes wrinkling as he does so. His fair skin compliments his red hair and makes the freckles across his skin even more visible. "Same here. I came with a friend. His family knows the guy who's throwing this shindig and he somehow convinced me to come along. I'm Peter." He extends his hand and I politely do the same, shaking it once.

            "Lovely." I introduce myself.

            "Why thank you?" He raises an eyebrow.

            I laugh at his expression. "No that's my name. Lovely Grace Bates."

            He laughs at himself and nods. "Ah, I see. Well, pleased to make your acquaintance. I must say the same suits you well."

            I blush and laugh awkwardly. "Thanks I guess."

            "You're quite welcome. Now, what do I say to get you to dance with me?" He asks, a mischievous grin playing on his features.

            "That'll do." I shrug, following him into the largest living room I've ever seen. Jonathan moved all the furniture to the walls in order to make a dance floor and everyone is taking full advantage. Of that and the surround sound speakers hanging all around the room.

            I loosen up for the first time today, laughing as Peter does the robot to Toothbrush by DNCE.  He grins at me and bobs his head, "I hate this song!" He yells as we continue to dance to it.

            We dance (if you can even call what we're doing dancing) for several more songs before we're both panting and dying of thirst.

            We stumble into the kitchen laughing hysterically at a girl we saw on the dance floor who had been trying way too hard.

            "I'm just going to get a water. What do you want?" He asks, his hair sticking to his forehead slightly.

            "Lemonade would be great thanks." I smile, still trying to catch my breath.

            "Don't miss me too much." He winks jokingly and I can't help but laugh at how goofy he is.

           
             "Just go get the drinks." I reply.

            "Oh. You savage. Getting your sass on. Dang, Lovely." He teases before I stick my tongue out at him and he's gone.

            Literally two seconds later he walks back in empty handed and looking bored.

            "Where are the drinks?" I ask, confused.

            He looks behind him and around him before pointing at himself. "You talking to me?"

            I furrow my eyebrows. "Quit playing around, Peter."

            Understanding comes upon his face and he chuckles. "Oh I get it. I'm not Peter."

            "Uh...yeah you are."

            "No, I'm really not."

            "What?" I mutter under my breath, completely confused.

            He chuckles and is about to say something when Peter comes in behind him humming what sounds like Me Too by Meghan Trainor.

            I blink several times to make sure I'm not crossing my eyes.

            "What is going on? You didn't tell me you had a twin. That's so cool." I gawk.

            Peter look confused until he looks over and sees his brother who looks quite amused.

            "Peter, just who is this Lovely lady?" Peter number two asks...or is that Peter number one?

            "Lovely." He other Peter replies.

            "Yeah. That's what I just said. Stop trying to embarrass me."

            "No. She's Lovely." He presses. I don't say anything.

            "Peter, shut up. You're going to embarrass her."

            "Xander, you're literally the biggest idiot ever. Her name is Lovely." Peter explains, pointing at me before handing me my bottle of lemonade and taking a drinking of his water.

            Xander blushes. "Oh. You could have said that sooner."

            "I did."

            "Whatever. I'm going to find Carmen." He sighs, looking traumatized.

            Once he's gone I snort a little. "I wish that was the first time that's happened."

            Peter just smiles and nods to the living room slash dance floor. "Want to dance again?"

            "Of course. Who would pass up the chance to watch you nail the robot?"

            I follow him into the room and soon we're back to where we were. Until the music slows down to the pace of Ruin by Shawn Mendes.

            He just shrugs and places his hands around my waist, my arms instinctively go around his neck as we dramatically sway to the music. I laugh as he spins us around in a fast circle and dips me crazily and brings me back up.

            The chorus is about to start when arms snake between Peter and I, closing in and around my waist. My eyes widen as Peter shrugs, looking as surprised as I am.

            "What..." My eyes travel from the white V-neck clad chest up to the face of the stranger.

            Only now I know he's not a stranger at all.

            "Arthur? What are you doing here?" I ask, silently observing his strange attitude. His head is turned, staring at Peter without blinking. Peter just shrugs and goes off to who knows where.

            "My family knows Jonathan and I got guilt tripped into coming. So I made my friends Peter and Xander come with me....you've obviously already met Peter." His tone caught me off guard. Almost as if he's mad.

            Is he mad at me? Is it because I didn't tell him I was going to this party? Because one, I didn't even know he was going to be here and two, I didn't even know I was coming until moments before leaving.

            Well, whatever's going on with him is making me uncomfortable.

            He adjusts his arms around my waist a little tighter as he looks around, his eyes landing on practically every guy in the room.

            "What's up with you? Are you mad at me?" I finally enquire.

            He doesn't answer me for several moments. Finally, he sighs and looks down at me as if he's finally come back from wherever he really was. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"

            I raise my eyebrows and pull away a little. "You're going to pretend that you didn't just cut in between me and Peter and then act all psycho?"

            He looks confused for a second, looking anywhere but at me as if he's just realized what he's done. I guess that's exactly what happened. His head was just somewhere else and didn't mean to act out. Nothing else.

            "Sorry I just...well, I guess it was kind of weird seeing two of my friends together. Maybe I was a little jealous. Since we're pretty good friends." He shrugs. It must be hot in here because his cheeks look a little flushed.

            "Yeah I get that." I nod with a sigh, readjusting my hands around his neck so that I have a better grip. "Lila and Ray have been really good friends lately and I get pretty jealous. Lila and I have been really good friends for a while and it's just...it's just something I need to get used to I guess. But I see how you'd get that way with Peter. He's your best friend, I understand." I finish with a smile.

            His eyebrows furrow before opening his mouth to say something then closing it again. "Actually –"

            "Hey! I didn't know you knew Lovely. Isn't she just lovely?" A voice drowns out Arthur's voice. I step away from him and laugh at Xander's play of words.

            Arthur chuckles as well, running a hand through his dirty blonde hair. I find myself watching.

            "Yeah she's a friend. I told you about her remember? She's helping me with my art pieces that are due." He smiles over at me like it was all my idea.

            I snort. "Uh yeah only because you blackmailed me with my journal. Which you haven't given back yet by the way."

            Xander watches us with a raised eyebrow as playfully glare at each other.

            "Oh? So...what piece are you on right now?" Arthur's friend asks.

            Arthur looks at him and they begin to talk about a bunch of art junkie stuff. I zone out and let my eyes wonder to a couch across the room.

            "Excuse me. I'll be right back." I tell the two boys. Xander only looks up almost smugly and nods once. Arthur gives me a nervous smile and goes back to talking to his friend.

            I shrug off Arthur's super weird behavior and walk straight ahead to where my brother is sitting. He seems to be engaged in a conversation with a pretty girl with blonde hair and round dark brown eyes. She shifts around in her dark green T-shirt dress, looking uncomfortable under Ray's gaze.

            He smiles as he talks, his hands moving in gestures and silent descriptions. She shakes her head with an embarrassed smile. He laughs and nudges her with his shoulder as if he were joking around with her.

            "Who's this?" I chirp with a smile.

            The girl jumps slightly before looking up at me, her blonde hair up in a bun with pieces falling out around her face. She's much prettier up close than I thought.

            "H-Hi I'm Mona. You must be Lovely, Ray's sister." She smiles and looks over at Ray as if he talks about me all the time.

            "Yep that's me. Nice to meet you, Mona. How do you two know each other?" I ask, trying to silently decipher their body language. Ray's seems mostly friendly, maybe a little flirty without meaning to be. But he's like that with everyone...or at least he used to be and now seeing him like this again makes me happy.

            "Mona's in my Math class. She's wicked smart. I was just giving her a hard time about it." Ray nudges her again like they're old pals. Her reaction takes me by surprise. She blushes and looks down at her lap before her eyes dart over to Ray, scanning his face, and then back down to her lap.

            It's strange to think that a pretty girl like Mona can like my brother that much and he doesn't even see it.

            "Well, have fun you two. We'll probably leave here pretty soon, Ray."

            "Okay, whatever." Some of the old Ray must still be there.

            I sigh and head back over to Arthur. Xander is nowhere to be seen.

            "Where are your buds? They already got tired of looking at you, huh?" I tease as he turns around.

            My smile fades when I see he isn't as alone as I thought.

            The girl is so gorgeous I almost do a double take to make sure it's not Kendall Jenner. Her skin practically glows and her blue eyes make me feel like she's looking into my soul. My ugly, crappy skinned soul.

            My mouth almost drops open at her endlessly long legs and perfect posture.

            "Hi, I'm Thalia. Kai's girlfriend."

            This time my mouth really does drop open.