Her Guardian Angel- Gabriel's Story

Chapter 5- Truth

Birthday Party Continued…

“What the birthday girl wants…she gets!” Damien said as he subtly ran his hand along my lower back. I know he is older than me, but how is he so smooth already? Do they take boys aside and teach them how to flirt with girls? Seriously, I don’t know anyone who can do what Damien is doing to me right now. Maybe it’s just him? Still feeling Damien’s hand touching my back, I looked around for Tana, hoping she wasn’t noticing my betrayal. She was already sitting at the table, ready to play but looking a little pale and nervous.

“You ok to play Tana?” I tried to ask quietly, but before she could respond Adam sat right next to her and replied for her “Of course she is, I’ll be right here to keep her company.” Adam seemed to coo into her ear, while she sat stiff as a board. Riley also looked a little nervous to be playing with Theo, I don’t think she wanted anyone touching her man.

I decided there needed to be one more break down of the rules. “Alright everyone! One more rule, ok maybe two: Boyfriend/girlfriend status doesn’t count, and if you chicken out, you have to leave the game. All else is fair in the game.” I said hoping Tana caught my drift.

“But I don’t want to kiss anyone other than Theo!” Riley pouted. “Well then, pick truth, or you just better hope it lands on me.” Theo wrapped his arm around Riley sweetly. I felt a little jealous of how cute they were!

“I’m ready, but does anyone have any chap stick?” Ryan pipped up, he was friends with Theo, and usually was the comedian of our little group. It got us laughing and soon the chap stick was being passed around. I tried to keep a brave face as I realized my first kiss could be tonight. My stomach seemed to keep doing back flips as we set the table up. We found an empty wine bottle in the recycling to use, and thanks to the power being out, my mom didn’t even notice. Everyone took their seats, and of course, Damien sat right next to me, keeping at least one of his hands touching me at all times.

First up was Ashley, as she volunteered. “Let’s get this started!” With a very fast spin, the bottle was in motion. You could probably hear a pin drop as everyone held their breaths until it stopped. It was right between Damien and me. “What do we do now?” I asked. I guess we didn’t think of what to do in a tie situation. “I can just kiss Damien…” Ashley suggested. “No, no, no…Better re-spin.” Claire saved the day, although I’m not sure why as she seemed to give me a little wink at the same time. Did she see Damien touching me? Was it that obvious? I quietly guided his roaming hand off my leg, just in case she had noticed. That’s the last thing I needed.

“Alright, I’ll re-spin….” The bottle didn’t go as fast this time and landed on Ellie. We all began laughing out loud and Ashley quickly said “Dare!”

Megan leaned over and whispered an idea into Ellie’s ear. “Oh, that’s a good one! Ashley, give a foot massage to the person on your right. Until the next turn is over.”

“Oh gross! Ryan? Seriously?” Ashley didn’t like this at all.

“You can forfeit if you really want, but then you aren’t in the game anymore.” Megan clarified.

“I’m no quitter! Ryan, leave your socks on. And Megan, it’s your turn hurry up!” Ashley groaned as she grabbed Ryan’s feet. He seemed to really be enjoying himself, and even leaned back in his chair to relax, asking Ashley to go a little harder. I knew inviting Ryan was a good idea, always bringing more laughter to everyone.

Megan was next, and boy did she take her time spinning. Just as she was about to grab the bottle, Ryan let out another moan, “Please don’t go yet! This is the best massage I’ve ever had! Ashley, what else can you do with your hands?” He joked. Ashley turned bright red and I thought she might strangle Ryan when she was done. Surprisingly, she didn’t stop the massage though and I swear I might have seen a little smirk under all that blushing. Maybe it wasn’t the worst dare after all?

Megan was done waiting and spun the bottle. We all drew in a huge breath and waited. Robin. It landed on another girl. Ugh, this was a very disappointing spin the bottle so far. “What’s it going to be lover?” Riley joked while licking her lips.

“Truth, I don’t want to rub anyone's feet.” Megan laughed.

“Alright, give me a minute…” Riley consulted with Theo for a brief moment.

“Hurry up, these feet do not smell good over here!” Ashley whined.

“Ok, Megan. Have you ever gotten drunk?” I was shocked at this question. We were all way too young to drink…

“Yes, a few times.” Megan quickly answered.

“What? How? When? Did you get caught?” All the questions came blurting out of my mouth at once. I had no idea anyone our age ever drank alcohol. Maybe I am more innocent than I ever knew?

Damien leaned over to me, “If you ever want to get drunk with me, I can hook you up.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Would I like to get drunk with Damien? Maybe? What?! I’m a good girl, how could maybe be my gut response. I decided to ignore him and get Ellie to spin the bottle faster.

“You’re up Ellie, the smell from Ryan’s socks is drifting this way.” I called out, and Ashley let out a heavy sigh. Although, I think Ryan thoroughly enjoyed himself, so it wasn’t all for nothing.

Ellie, wasn’t much for show. She spun the bottle. It stopped on Theo. We all gasped. She calmly walked over to him. Riley was sitting on his lap. “Sorry Riley, nothing personal. I’m kissing Theo.” Without another word Ellie kissed Theo on the lips. It wasn’t just a peck either, but as quickly as she kissed him, she was back in her seat without another word. The things I was learning about my friends was blowing my mind.

Adam was next. I was nervous at first then I looked at Tana, and I swear she was sweating bullets. Adam must have noticed my gaze lingered between the two of them, “Don’t worry birthday girl, I’ll aim for you.” He said with a wink and his smirk as he spun. Damien reached for my hand under the table, but I couldn’t take it, because the bottle stopped at me.

It was like the whole party stopped and was going in slow motion. This is how I pictured this party going. This game. It was perfect. But not at the same time. Damien’s hand was on my knee, and Tana was looking longingly at Adam. What was he going to pick? Adam looked at my face, leaned over the table, and calmly said “Truth.”

I let the breath I was holding go, and I knew my question. “Do you have a crush on anyone here?” It could have been just Adam and me. All the tension I had been holding inside with my crush on him, our history in the neighborhood, this night, and seeing him flirting with Tana. “Yes” was all he said and he sat back down. Never breaking eye contact with me. No one said a word, but I could almost hear Damien grinding his teeth.

I think it was that moment that I decided I didn’t like Adam anymore. He was too cocky, and has clearly been flirting with Tana all night, why did he find it necessary to drive me absolutely crazy! I wanted to take a break, and talk with Tana. I needed to know how she was feeling about this whole night. The boys we were crushing on earlier today were clearly flirting with the opposite girl, and we didn’t seem to be objecting. If Tana wanted Adam, and was ok with me being with Damien…. Well, that would sure make me feel like a much better friend than I do right now. But the show must go on, and before I could process anymore, Tana spun the bottle.

Damien. It landed on Damien. Her crush, and the boy whose hand has been living on my skin for most of the night. I felt the blood drain from my face, and tried to keep smiling. Did she realize what was going on tonight? Had she seen our connection? I didn’t have to wait long for the answer. “I’ll kiss you!” She giggled and ran to the seat next to me. Luckily, Damien had removed his hand from my knee, and had scooted his chair back to make room for her. “It’s just a game, I won’t bite!” Tana reassured Damien as he looked uneasy. The kiss wasn’t quick, and I swear I saw her trying to slip her tongue in, but Damien didn’t let her. It was awkward to say the least, and it was lasting way too long. I suddenly got up, “I need a drink refill, anyone else?”

The move broke their kiss and things parted quickly. I played my hostess roll well and delivered more drinks and snacks all around. Who knows if I actually held back my feelings or not? Probably not. I’m not known for my poker face.

Riley magically landed right back on herself, or rather Theo as she was still sitting on his lap. The kiss was a little deeper than we all expected, but nothing new for us as PDA has never been their phobia.

I was next, and I found myself trying my best to work up the courage to spin that damn bottle! “I think someone is nervous!” Ryan joked.

“Shut up! Or maybe I’ll have to kiss you next!” I jested back to him as I took my turn. Ashley. It landed on Ashley. I was simultaneously relieved and disappointed. I’m not quite sure what I was hoping for, but this wasn’t it. “Truth.” I was feeling self-righteous and didn’t think I had anything to hide from tonight.

“Do you have a crush on anyone here tonight?”

I was wrong. I did have things to hide.

WTF was I thinking saying truth? “Yes” I quietly admitted. Several whistles could be heard around the table. I looked down and was so happy to see Damien reach over and grab my hand again, and that was all I needed. That boy had way more of an influence on me than I ever dreamed. He quickly broke our moment to spin the bottle himself. I couldn’t even watch. Tana’s gasp made me look up. Me. It was pointed at me. I looked at Tana who actually showed way more sadness than I expected. Adam was all over her tonight, now she’s jealous of me and Damien? I looked over to Damien, and he didn’t even hesitate.

“I think I better kiss the birthday girl!” his smile was so genuine, and happy. I forgot all about Tana as I was captured in a very close embrace and my very first kiss. If it weren’t for the game, I’m sure I could have kissed that boy all night long. His hands grabbed my back and maybe even my butt with passion and his lips devoured mine. When we came up for air, the lights came back on, and the whole room had gone quiet watching us. Tana had to most evil glare on her face. I had never seen her like that before. What had I just done?

“Warning! Adult coming downstairs!” My mom called out rather awkwardly. “Tali, your Dad just got home, the rain has stopped and he said the roads aren’t as bad as they were earlier. He can take some kids home if they need rides.”

“Great… thanks mom!” I was praying she couldn’t tell that I had just had my first kiss. My first kiss that all my friends watched! And with the guy who was also just Tana’s first kiss.

I may be the world’s worst friend.

Most everybody gathered their things and were either catching a ride with my dad, or in Adam and Damien’s case, walking home.

I looked back to all my friends and couldn’t find Tana. I tried to say goodbye to the others, but I needed to find Tana. We needed to figure this out. We couldn’t fight over boys! That just wasn’t us. Boys have never been that important, and I kind of really like Damien so I really, really, really don’t want to fight over him.

The back bedroom door was open a crack, and I know it was shut earlier. Hopefully she’ll talk to me.

“Tana? Are you in here? I think we need to talk…” I started rambling while I was walking into the room. “I’m sorry I kissed Damien. He just started flirting with me tonight, and Adam seemed way more interested in you, so I thought, you know, maybe we could just swap crushes instead of being mad at each other?... Tana?”

Tana slowly emerged from the closet, a few tears dripping down her cheek. “Did you say that Adam was flirting with me tonight? It’s not what it felt like. It felt like Adam was gushing to me about you all night, and he was hoping Damien was doing the same for him!”

Oooo, I clearly read the night wrong. Like all sorts of wrong. How am I going to fix this? “What do you mean? He was clearly flirting with you all night. He sat next to you at the movie, and for the game. He kept smiling at you, and I mean the dimple one that he does when he is flirting, not just a smile….”

I was really hoping I wasn’t dead wrong, but I was. “NO, he was not flirting with me! He wants you. And apparently so does Damien!” Tana cried out. “I don’t think I should stay the night anymore, I’m not even sure I want to be your friend!” She stormed upstairs. My dad had already left, so she asked my mom for a ride home.

“Are you sure Tana? I thought you were staying?” Mom asked, as if knowing something must have happened.

“Yes Maggie, I’m just a little scared from storm and want to go home.” Tana lied to my mom, but what did I expect? It’s not like she could say ‘Talia just kissed the boy I liked playing spin the bottle, and the other boy I spent the whole night with has a crush on Talia too.’

“Talia! I going to take Tana home, your dad is already out taking others home. We’ll be back later.” My mom’s voice carried downstairs so well, I wasn’t even sure she would be able to hear me downstairs.

“K, bye…” I yelled back, but didn’t bother to say anything to Tana, we weren’t ready to fix this yet.

The perfect birthday night was ruined. Maybe it was because of the storm, Friday the 13th, or maybe just because of me. I found myself staring at the storm out of the living room window. I could see the black clouds against the mountains with lightening striking every now and then. The thunder still in the distance. I didn’t realize I was crying, but the sleeve of my shirt started to get wet. “I could use some angel tingles about now,” I said aloud hoping Gabe would come and comfort me. I realized I hadn’t felt him much tonight, which is weird because I always feel him. This is just such an awful night! Stupid boys! Why didn’t I just ignore them like I used too? That would be so much easier. I wanted to escape; I didn’t want to be here anymore. I wanted to run and play outside without a care in the world.

Yes. That was the answer. At least for tonight anyways. I was going outside to play in the storm! I needed to connect with nature, and maybe feel a little bit rebellious at the same time. I dressed a little warmer, threw on some shoes, and headed out the door. Just up the hill a little way was the edge of town and there are some open fields not far. I headed up. Adam lives at the very top of the hill, so I tried to avoid going by his house, but I did hear both boys inside the house, at least they made it home alright.

Once I left the houses, I started running to the fields. I wanted the air to whip past my hair and feel the sting of the cold night. I ran for what felt like a mile, but probably was only a few hundred feet, then fell to me knees letting the night catch me. I rolled over in the wet grass till I was on my back. The electricity in the air still had me on edge. Thunder still in the distance, but I couldn’t see the lightening from here. Black and Grey clouds still dominated the sky. The glow from town lights made the clouds look like they were dancing as they were moving so fast. It started to rain again, so I quickly headed home, hoping to avoid another down pour. Just as I got to the houses, the buckets dumped. Buckets and buckets of rain started coming down, I was nearly instantly soaked and couldn’t get home fast enough.

My dad was already home, so I tried to sneak back in without him seeing me, but that was impossible. I was so wet everything squished and squashed. It would have been comical if I wasn’t going to get in trouble.

“Talia? Is that you?” My dad called from the living room. “There’s been an accident... it’s your mother.” The panic in his voice let me know I wasn’t in trouble for sneaking out, but that something else was really wrong...