The four of us had grown close over the last couple of days. We exchanged numbers and Frost created a group chat. I admit that I was liking it too much and it was indeed going to my head. I hoped my mom wasn't thinking about moving again. Our situation was still a bit difficult with her working in the city and with me going to school in White Lake. There was also the fact that we rarely saw each other and our relationship was slowly going down a slippery slope.
I sighed and started walking up the staircase, avoiding the teens showing public display of affection. The hallways was just as crowded as the living room. It seemed like an entire school's population was in attendance. It was very strange to see rivaling factions dancing and talking and other means of socialization.
I entered a crowded hallway as I stepped of the last steps. I was instructed to take the second flight of stairs up to the third floor, which was basically empty. I glanced up from my phone to see two girls coming down. They stared at me strangely and naturally I stared back. There was another hall which led to a room with a pool.
There was low music playing. The room had a blue light in the center of the ceiling casting a blue hue over everything. There was a bar in one corner with bartender behind it making drinks. I noticed a few people soaking their feet in the pool and a few others chatting on the couch that was pushed towards the side. I did not see Henry but I did spot the bartender making something fancy.
I had mentally made the decision to intrude and demand that the man make one for me, when an arm snaked its way around my waist and pulled me towards a hard body. Soft lips were pressed against my cheek before I could speak.
"Found you," Henry huskily whispered into my ears. A shiver fell down my spine as I almost melted into his arms.
"What are you doing," I said with a giddy giggle as I placed my hand on his bicep. I shyly glanced up into his eyes green eyes.
"Well, I wish I was kissing you," he flirted, sending the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy.
"Your lucky I didn't kick your ass. Grabbing me like that…," I muttered under my breathe, glancing briefly at his lips.
"I know, I know thats why I thought that I'd ask for permission. In all honesty, the guys have been asking questions," he explained softly into my ears. "And if you kiss me, it'll make all my problems go away," he added in that same soft, seductive tone.
How did he do that? Break through my walls with just a look and a gentle touch. He was just so perfect, he was better than a dream. Did I really want to give this guy my first kiss? Yes, heck, he could have all my firsts if he kept looking at me the way he did. If his touch was always gentle yet and stimulating. If he kept talking like this and saying words like that. Damn, was I falling.
I stared into his eyes and say I do. I'm kidding, I just kissed him. I shifted closer to his body and placed one hand on his chest and another at the back of his neck. Our height difference wasn't very much, since I inherited my height from dad, who was over 6ft. Why am I talking about my dad again? Anyways, I smashed my lips against his very amateur-like. Well I had never done this before so stop judging.
Henry made it all better though. Dios mio, he was perfect. Slowly our lips molded together in perfect synchronisation and I genuinely appreciated the fact that he didn't stick his tongue into my mouth on our first go but he was welcome to stick it somewhere else when we got together a second time, if you know what I mean. Uh, I'm cringe.
Henry slowly parted from me. I wasn't done yet but I had to respect his boundaries just as he had respected mine. Somewhere in the room, I heard a wolf whistle and hooting. I stepped away from Henry. My heart was pounding in my chest and if I was white, I'd be red right now. Thank God for my mama!
"Um…where-where-where is Frost," I found myself stuttering, my brain refusing to function.
Henry kissed my forehead softly, sending my hormones into a frenzy. He proceeded to guide me to one of the sofas. At the sight of several glaring blondes, I wanted to run away but then I spotted my cold brunette laying on the couch with her heels hung over the back of the couch.
"Kimmy," she yelled excitedly, struggling not to fall off the couch as she stood to her feet and stood, dramatically flipping her hair into place. With open arms she waddled towards me struggling to walk properly in heels that weren't strapped up.
"Frosty," I said with hesitant enthusiasm, opening up my arms to receive her. She pushed Henry away from me with a frown and then hugged me tightly.
"This is nice," she said gleefully, no doubt with a smile, as she released a happy sigh.
"Are you drunk," I whispered into her ear, a little worried. My girl friend instincts were starting to kick in.
"Ooh, we should definitely get drinks downstairs," she responded, pulling away from me to look me in the eyes. She had that 'let's go' stare and I knew that it was a 'let's go' stare because she told me so on several occasions. We were texting about clubs and stuff.
"Oh, yes," I said with a robotic nod, letting her pull me in the direction of the hallway. "Talk later," I said to Henry.
"Text me," he replied, earning a series of gasps that annoyed me but I kinda liked it. Let the haters hate, right.
As we arrived on the spiral staircase, Frost stopped to lean against the railing. From where we stood, we had a perfect view of the ground floor. The design of the staircase gave a rectangular view of the dancing bodies on the first floor and the few tongue twisting teens on the stairs.
"Okay, I'm ready to move again," Frost said, squeezing her eyes shut and reopening them. She held onto the railings and we slowly began to descend the stairs.
"What did you take," I asked but was ignored. I discovered that there were two staircases to the third floor. A less crowded one and another with arrogant puta, who bumped into people nearly pushing them to their deaths and walking off without apologising.
If my heart wasn't threatening to fail me when I kissed Henry then, it was going to fail me now.
"Hey, watch it! Are you trying to kill us," I yelled at the hooded figure. The person glanced at me briefly but didn't stop.
I released a sound of discussion and shook my head. After a few more stops, we finally reached the party floor. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when Frost dragged me to the liquor table and poured two shots.
"Frost, I'm not drinking that. I have a strict nutrition regimen and alcohol is not a part of it," I told her before she could ask. She rolled her eyes and threw back the first shot, cringing as she swallowed it.
"Henry likes you," she told me.
I mean like, what's not to like. I was a secret sometimes–Insta–model but I was legally a professional, who has done a variety of popular brand photoshoots but that's not what was important.
"Oh, uh, huh, yeah," I was a mumbling idiot, who couldn't play it cool.
Frost rolled her eyes. I swear she was about to push them out of her head.
"Henry hasn't dated a girl in like forever and there is still that ex that isn't over him and there is also the female population of Black Pond High and let's face it, a good majority of White Lake too. I don't want to sabotage our friendship because he can't control himself. I saw you first," Frost rambled, making my heart swell.
"Okay then," I said with a smile, refilling her glass. I handed it to her and grabbed the other one. "I promise that I'll always choose you first, over any guy. I will put our friendship before any of my future relationships," I told her, staring into her eyes intently. Only glancing away when I heard the potential loophole in my words.
Frost huffed but didn't seem to notice. I'll tell her later. She nodded and raised her glass.
"I promise to be honest with you, which means calling you out on your shit and criticising your fashion sense," she said, eyeing my dress.
I bet if I told her they were designer her opinion would change. "Whatever!"
"I'll put you first too," she said with a smile, placing her drink against mine.
"Cheers!"
I had taken my first drink of vodka that night and it was not my best choice. Just as it was not my best choice to ever do anything fun in my life. I just know that I walked into that party uncomfortable with a bad feeling in my stomach and walked out emotionally scared because of the sudden scream that echoed through the large room and over the music.
Frost had screamed. She was staring wide eyed at something that had landed with a sickening crunch and a hard tud. I didn't want to know what it was but when I looked I wished that I hadn't. It was Henry laying in a strange position with his head twisted in an unnatural way.