It was evening already. The girls were at my place getting ready. We were all very excited about the party. Lue had her PA, Lovely meet us at school with a few pieces. Turns out, one of Lue's many hobbies is fashion design. She said she had no interest in perusing it as a career since she had the family business to take over. She sounded certain so I didn't push it. The clothes were to die for. Lue was talented. My tryout went great. The moves were pretty basic which made me think if Nova took me seriously. Avery couldn't help it with the snide comments and she had Lue for support. I thought it was funny but said nothing. I wanted to know why they didn't like her. I still hadn't told them about Parker's offer. I was gonna say yes though. I needed the extra boost. I didn't want them to think differently from what actually was. All Avery wanted to do was drink. I told her there was no alcohol and she went all dramatic as though her life depended on it. Luckily, Martha brought us some cookies which we were much grateful for. She kept giving googly eyes and smiled all the time.
"The party does not start until 9. So... Spill, what's the deal with Nate? " Avery asked out of nowhere. She was still putting on eye shadow. I stopped what I was doing. Did she not believe me back then? "Seriously Avery?" Lue retorted not looking too pleased. Probably had the same thought as I. "there's nothing." I stepped in giving her the truth. "You like him?" She asked seeming unbothered about how uncomfortable the topic was. "He's cute." I simply said in hopes of diverting the whole thing. But did I like Nate? I didn't know. "You got anyone else on your mind." Avery continued with the questions. I thought I was under investigation or something. "No." I gave a short reply then heard Lue ask, "Avery, are you jealous?" Lue started giggling and nodding her head and I joined her because I didn't picture Avery as the jealous type. "Do you hear yourself? I'm a cougar on the run, I dropped him after he served his purpose." I stopped teasing and continued getting ready. I tried wrapping my head around the fact that Nate and Avery used to be an item. He didn't tell me. No one did. "So you and him use to date?" I blurted out the question, came out more as a whisper. But did I care? "Yeah. Last sem. Enough talk. Where's the booze?! You gotta have some good stuff here." Avery started walking around the parlor trying to find the cellaret. I put myself back in composure trying not to seem off.
"No Avery. The guys are not here! You're not getting a sip until we get to the party!" Lue started yelling at her. She looked anxious. She seemed too eager to keep Avery away from drinking.
"Uhm...no, you won't find any.. I don't drink without Arthur."
"uuh... Name Sounds fancy." Avery sounded excited about it. She continuously wiggled her eyebrows at me and I couldn't help but laugh. "her guy-best friend since they were kids." Lue couldn't resist gushing out. "So you guys...together? " yeah, Avery wouldn't let that go. "we're not."
"Were?" "Nope."
"Ever Gonna?" Does she know when to stop. "Stop" Lue came to my rescue. I wasn't angry it just felt embarrassing because it reminded me of our little incident in DC. I was glad I kept that little detail to myself. "Is he hot?" Oh my crust Avery! Yes he damn well was but I wasn't going to tell her that. "I'll send you a pic."
Lue opened her big mouth. I shouldn't have told her about Art.
"Parker asked me to be his TA!" I stood looking at them waiting to hear something. I couldn't decipher their looks. "for real? You gonna?" Lue asked sounding excited. I was glad she was. I wasn't sure why though. I just thought it was a bit too much, it was still schoolwork. "I don't know." I replied in my honest thoughts. "Just say yes." Lue insisted. Her eyes looked glistening and I felt the need to say yes. I hadn't taken it to mind when Avery interrupted breaking the silence. "You have cheer and that UN thing. I think those two are just fine." Avery mumbled and the look she gave like she was pleading with her eyes.
"But Asia do you want to get into college or get into college? Trust me, this is going to be great for your portfolio." Lue sounded so convincing. She was right, but it would be stressful. The only reasonable thing was to decline. "Avery is right. Leave some for the others." I tried to look unfazed to not give Lue the satisfaction of being right. I would never hear the end of it. She was the type of person which I found irritating most of the time but it was fun when she was doing it to others.
"You gonna regret it." Lue seemed so sure about it. She stared for another second, shook her head then looked away. "Hope not." Lue just shrugged and I thought she was done pushing it.
"the skirt looks good on you though." I complimented Avery trying to change the subject. I failed to see how they failed to see how they can cause awkwardness in seconds. The worst part was they could sit through it, I couldn't!
"You sure? because I don't think it's short enough." we both burst out laughing. The skirt was alright.
"We could always alter." I was thinking of the humor in wanting to make short an already short skirt. She probably meant it as a joke but Lue thought it wasn't funny. "No. This is one of the pieces I made this month and we're highly reputable ladies of society. We need to be decent."
"Haha, you said decent. She said decent! " Lue sighed looking drained. Trying to keep up with Avery can do that to you.
"Does Keke know you're back?" Lue's question did nothing to shake Avery. She carried on with what she was doing and answered looking as nonchalant as ever. "No. And I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible" Who is keke? And why shouldn't they know you're back? I thought I was the mysterious new girl but no, Avery was hiding a full closet. My rational human senses told me to stay away from these two. Stay away from their whole friend group. Damien and Saint should have been my first red flag but I stayed and had lunch with them. I had Nate right?
"Martha! we're leaving!" I was eager but Martha was even more so. She was squealing when I called to tell her the girls were coming over.
"Miss Alvarez." we passed by Sam as he handed Avery the keys (more like Avery grabbed)and nodded at us. He didn't have to be so formal. Then again we weren't really on speaking terms. Lue and Avery kept staring even when he was out of sight. "Who is he?"
"That's Sam."
"The driver?! You and him..."
I knew what Avery was implying. Everybody knew what she was implying! Why was it always 'that' with her?
"no!" I yelled a little too loud as I thought later on. Did they think I was guilty? But then again, what was I guilty of?
"I call dips." Avery declared so loudly. I feared a little someone might have heard. "You can't call dips on a person!" Lue whispered looking annoyed. She kept huffing as we walked out of the house. I get how she felt. It's frustrating to get to Avery when she acts like a kid.
"Why not?" she countered back as though she was winning the national debate. "you two are weird. Oh! And I'm driving." Avery kept laughing and waving the keys in the air while lue and I followed like two defeated losers. Lue didn't like that idea but didn't protest. I couldn't say much, I met the girl today!
"The very least, get me there so they know where my body is! Specifically the party!" Lue shouted in Avery's ear as she hit the ignition.
The drive was loud. We sang along to everything Avery played. I had never experienced that. Never had girlfriends before. It had always been me and Arthur. "oh we're here. Damien really got another pool done huh?" "His parties are always sick." Lue announced as her voice soared with excitement. Damien? Damien's house?! It was big. Of course he was rich. 'Douche bag acts as an A class jerk and gets away with it because he's rich.' The classic privileged boy story. I really didn't think he wanted me there. "wait, he didn't invite me." I tried to sound neutral so they don't notice how worried I was. "no worries hun, I think he'll be more than glad to see you." Avery seemed sure . If only she knew. It was probably how pumped up she was for the party.
"I highly doubt it" Then again, he didn't tell me not to come. And again, he didn't know I was coming. I wouldn't bump into him. I was there to wash the week away. All the stress. "We're getting wasted." Avery sqeauled. She had been going on about this party from when we were in school and now we were finally there. we strode through the big double doors and everywhere was quiet. Except for the clacking and shifting of feet. Lue grabbed us a few headsets and I couldn't wait to get started. it was a silent rave party and people seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Hey Lucas. where's everyone?" Lue asked.
"Upstairs." He looked really good.
Nate came up from behind him and I couldn't help but smile. He looked extra charming. "Hi" I quickly said hi back feeling a bit shy. "You look amazing." I know I looked good but it was nice having someone compliment me. "Trying to impress you." I smiled at him. I meant it as an inside joke not anything cringey. But Lucas gave a 'what the fuck face' and Avery sighed "I need a shot." she made a disgusted face then shoved her purse in my hands. "Yo man take it slow." Lucas pleaded with Avery which came out more as a murmur. But She didn't think so. Her whole mood changed and she looked mad. "You don't have to fucking treat me like a child." I thought that was uncalled for. "Avery you know he didn't mean it like that. I know it is a party." Lue chipped in.
"Right? I've been to funerals way better." Avery quickly cut in. "I'll take care of her" Lucas nodded at us signaling as we could go. "Let's play pong." Nate suggested it sounded better than whatever was happening. "Well, I'm gonna go get my drink, you guys exhaust me." Lucas left with Avery, and Nate, Lue and I went to find the the pong table. We decided against it seeing how crowded it was. Lue went off to find someone leaving just Nate and I. Great! just great!
I sat at the bar with Nate making small talk.
He gulped down his remaining drink in one goal and looked serious all of a sudden.
"I want to tell you something." "Can we go talk someplace else?" The music was loud and people were dancing everywhere I simply nodded and We made our way through the sweaty bunch of teens with ranging hormones. He took me upstairs to a room. He shut the door and led me to the bed to sit. I was anxious. I hoped he wasn't going to say what I thought he was going to. I wasn't prepared. My breathing got a bit uneven. I think he noticed how nervous I was.
"Well you already know this, but Asia I really like you." he paused and took my hand. I really wished he would stop but it got much worse. I did like Nate, but not enough for me to want to be in a relationship with him. "I really do. I wanna do right." wished the earth would swallow me whole when he said that. Was he asking me to marry him? "I know you like me too." his beautiful brown eyes looked full of hope. "Nate..." why was he bring this up now. I just wasn't ready to have this kind of talk. "You can't tell me you don't feel it too." He rubbed small circles on the back of my hands with his thumbs as he said this. Feel what? oh brother!
"so do you like me too?"
It was so embarrassing. But I just couldn't bring myself to break his heart. "Yes, I do."
"Ohuhh." I quickly took my hands out of Nate and turned to door. Saint stood there with a sinister smile like he just caught us doing the 'dirty-dirty'.
"Ah, So here you are?" He sized me up and down not taking his eyes off of me. "Nate, Damien wants to see you." he still stared as he said that. The creeps sure do stick together! "We'll talk more later." even his goodbye was charming. I just turned to face him giving him a reassuring smile "Sure." Nate stood from the bed and started walking out, but saint spoke up again tilting his head before Nate walked out the door. "He's not gonna be happy." Nate said nothing and just left. "And you, Sneaky little nix." Did he just insult me? There was nothing sneaky about what we were doing "I don't care what you and your friend want. I live my life as I see fit. You can both go fuck yourself!" I yelled at him to make sure he got it. "I'm telling him word for word." That was suppose to shake me up? "What do you two think your doing huh? " "Playing with me? He thinks he has a certain hold on me." it was so annoying. He was acting like a morality police. "Not just that, also a claim." I simply chuckled at how absurd that was. "fuck him" it seemed to be the only thing I could say to them. I sounded pathetic, but it wasn't like I had cold punch lines ready at the back of my head to drop on psychotic maniacs. "maybe" he raised an eyebrow looking like he was thinking about it. Despicable! "fuck you too!"
"Lue and Avery are looking for you though." That was why he came? Why couldn't he start with that? Freak syndrome. I stormed out of the room and went to find the girls.
"Let's go get some pizza." lue said, which I was grateful for because I was starving. "I'm gonna do pot with the guys." Avery didn't think so and ditched us for drugs and guys.
Yeah so I found Lue and Avery but Avery wanted to hang out with the guys. She did get along well with them.
"Yo Damien, everyone is deep in. Raffa said he can go till morning." He didn't say anything or nod or acknowledge what Ivan said. Quite frankly, the only person I've seen him be civil with is Saint and occasionally Avery. Not even his girlfriend. The fact that these people still wanted to be around him was somewhat messed up and I can never understand. He opened his mouth and let the smoke come out. We made eye contact and I saw him in a whole new light. Like he wasn't a rude jerk. But I shook my head thinking of all the romance thrillers I've watched. the guys are always like this. And in the end, they do something selfish like: leave the country, tell you to love someone else or worse, commit suicide. giving some 'Uppity BS' about how 'he's not good for you' and the 'it's not you, it's me' speech.
"Wanna play sip? " I got out of my thoughts when I heard Lue's voice. "I think it's perfect! Some of us have been holding out. Time to spill! We're gonna get everything out." Avery said this all while staring at me which made everyone look at me too. she looked stoned. Gosh! this was embarrassing! I saw Ivan an Saint preparing the sip drink. they were mixing a bunch of stuff. They looked pretty disgusted by it too. The sip drink was just basically alcohol and lots of sugar, caffeine, weed and some other drugs and more alcohol. it's meant to be disgusting.
"There's nothing to spill." I playfully said to get them to look away and it worked. Well, almost everyone. "It's always these ones." Nova scoffed as she said that. It didn't make any sense. What did she even mean? "What's that suppose to mean?" I asked but she rudely replied. "However you want it to." was she for real? She switched up pretty fast. One look at my face and you'd know how confused I was. What came to my mind was she wanted to extent her fued with the girls to me, which I wouldn't appreciate. "I'm gonna ignore you now" I walked away from her and sat down with the others on the floor cushions. Nova was the worst. she deserved everything Lue and Avery did to her. I was glad no one heard us. "Let's do this. We're going in hot." Ivan sounded excited about the game. It Made me extra worried what I was getting into because if Ivan likes it, it can't be good.
"I made out with someone I'm not in a relationship with." Ivan started.
There was a chorus answer, everyone claimed guilty and they all drank from the sip cup as it went around. Just chuckled, amused at how everyone was 'guilty' except me. 'except me' cause my little 'erotic escapade' with Arthur definitely does not count. Or were they just trying to make the game more lively?
It was Lucas' turn "I accidentally murdered someone."
Guilty guilty. I heard the chorus answer again. Everyone stayed silent for while. I turned to nova whose facial expression bore a striking ressemblance to mine. What the what!
"Purposfully killed some" Lucas added. And everyone said 'guilty' again except Nova and I and she looked clearly confused as I Was. I turned to Lue and she didn't blink. She had a stupid smile plastered on her face. Avery started laughing looking between us.
"it's a joke." Nate said but I still couldn't shake it off. Nova gave a shy high pitch laugh. "of course!". The sip cup went around again and the game continued.
"I wanted someone I'm not suppose to." Avery's turn hit hard. "guilty, guilty" I joined in too. Lue turned to me shaking my shoulders and demanding I tell her who. But I definitely was not going to confess with a bunch of people staring at me. "Let's talk later." Lue nodded and turned away. Damien hadn't look my way much the whole evening.
"Ohuu, is it like 'dirty dirty'" Of course Avery was not going to let it go. "Ew no!, lets get back to the game." I laughed it of as I said.
" didn't I tell you guys it's always these pretentious bitches." Nova spat out which had everyone staring.
"what does that even mean?" I didn't understand why Nova was being this way.
"I don't know, you tell us Asia." she just threw the question back at me and sat there smiling. Everyone continued to remain quiet. I get that they didn't want to get involved. "I get you don't like me much, but you had better do something about your fat trap, else I'm gonna have to shut it for you. Just cause you got minions following you and a pretty boy on your arm does not mean I'm someone you can come for." "remember this, and let it ring in your head the next time you call me out."
I got up and grabbed my bag. I couldn't stay another second. "guys I'm leaving" I simply said and slipped out the door. I could hear Nate and Lue calling out for me but I ignored them.
I found an empty room to calm down. This was so very overwhelming. The night didn't go as planned.