Bad Moon

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I woke to my skin itching and burning.  I rushed into the shower, clothes and all, turning only the cold water on. The cold water felt wonderful. I stripped out of my wet clothes, hanging them on the shower rod, as I stayed under the cold water awhile longer. When I felt myself shivering I finally got out. Wrapping a towel around me I walk into my room and sit on my bed. Looking at the time I realize I need to get ready for my party. As if reading my mind there’s a knock on the door and my mom pokes her head in. 

“Hey birthday girl, may I come in?” she asks. I nod, noticing something odd about her voice. I look at her closer. “Are you feeling ok sweetie? You slept all day.” She walks over and feels my forehead before I can reply. “You're burning up!” she says, sitting down beside me sighing. 

“I’m fine mom I just got out of the shower, that’s all it is.” I tell her, forcing a smile. She looks at me sadly. She must think I’m not going to my own party. “I’m fine and I’m NOT missing my surprise.” I reassure her. 

“We can cancel if you're not feeling up to it. We can have it another day sweetie.` She looks at me but I can’t read her expression.

“No mom, we are not changing a thing! I’m getting dressed now and I’ll be down soon. Don’t worry. It's ok and I’m fine.” I try to shoo her out so I can dress giving her a kiss on the cheek. 

“Um, ok sweetie. We’ll talk later.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I feel something is up but I can’t figure out what it is. I shake my head. It’s probably nothing but my fever making me paranoid or something. I didn’t want to tell her my head is pounding and I’m itching and burning, she worked so hard to put this all together and I won’t let anything ruin my night. No matter how I feel I’m going to have a great time if it kills me. I got dressed and walked down the stairs. 

Guests have already started to arrive so I plastered on the best smile I could. I made my way to the back yard where my parents have gone all out. 

They have several tables full of snacks and different kinds of foods. Other tables covered in any drink you could think too want, even a section for the adults that I can bet more than one of the teenager's will try to sneak a drink or two from. 

Streamers and lanterns hung from posts and tree limbs. It looked amazing! In the middle a dance floor was set up. The DJ area was set up in the middle of it and The squares of the floor are set to change colors and follow the beat of the music. No one was really dancing yet. 

A few "Happy birthday June!" Ring out here and there as I finally make my way to the chairs at the far end of the yard and sit down. I feel like scratching my skin off and jumping into an ice filled pool. I spot my mom eyeing me so I wave and smile trying not to let her see how uncomfortable I am. 

"June!" I hear my best friend Jazz scream out across the yard as she makes her way to me. She seems more excited than she should be just for my birthday party. "June, guess who is coming to your party?" She asks me breathlessly. 

"Um.. Everyone?" I ask, not really in the mood for a guessing game. 

"Well yeah, but this is one person you will really enjoy having here." She waves her hands dramatically, shooing away my words like you would a fly. 

"I give up. Who?"

"Girl it's only your life time crush, Mike Shaw!" 

"Mike? Really?" Shocked, I just stare at Jazz. My heart begins to race just at the mention of his name. She nods emphatically. 

"Yes! Mike-Freaking-Shaw!"

I have had a crush on him since he first moved here and I've invited Mike to every party I've ever had since 1st grade. He never came to any of them. Why would he come now? I wondered, looking around skeptical.

"Um, ok. How do you know? He's never come to any of my parties." I reminded her. 

"Susan found out from her brother, who found out from his girlfriend who's sister runs in the same circle of friends as Mike. They will probably show up, you know, 'fashionably late.'" She air quotes the last part rolling her eyes. 

Mike's group of friends always acted as though they were the elites of the town, even though most of them came from the low to middle class families like the rest of us. We always wondered how  Mike came to be in that particular circle he didn't exactly fit since he didn't come off as snobby or have an 'I'm holier than thou' attitude like much of the group, but at the same time it was like it was just natural for that to be his circle. Of course June thought he could fit in anywhere comfortably. 

"Sorry Jazz but I'll believe it when I see it." I tell her with a sigh, secretly hoping it's true. "You know you can't always believe what Susan says. You know how much of what she tells people ends up being wrong." I add. 

"Yeah, I guess I'm just hoping she is right this time because it would make this your best birthday ever!" I laugh at her excitement. 

"We'll just have to see. Maybe she is right this time."  Grinning, I grab her hand. "Let's get this party started!" I yell out dragging my best friend to the dance floor. 

Once we started dancing everyone else joined in. Despite the itch and burning I was having a great time. After several dances I was dying of thirst so me and Jazz headed for the drink tables. I grabbed a Dew and Jazz a Dr. We sat down to rest and cool off. 

We start talking about how much fun we are having and about what everyone is wearing, typical girl talk some would say, when suddenly HE walked around the house with a few of his friends. 

Oh. My. God. He actually showed. For once Susan was right. He's here at MY party! The shock must have been clear on my face because Jazzed turned following my gaze. 

"I told you he would be here!" She says with a satisfied grin. Of course Jazz is going to be giving me the ol' I told ya so's for days now, but since it isn't too often I'll let her have her fun. 

My shock grew, as did my heart beat, as I watched him walk my way. His dark hair gleaming in the lights hung around the trees. He wore jeans and a Def Lepard tee. I sighed. My favorite band on my crush? This night was perfect. 

"Happy birthday June."  He tells me, as he walks up to me and hands me a small box. 

"Thank you." I whisper, unsure of what else to say. My heart is about to race out of my chest. 

"Would you like to dance?" Mike looks at me with his hand out. I hand the small box to Jazz, not taking my eyes off of Mike. Slowly I reach up and take his offered hand. I'm sure I must still be in bed asleep. This has to be a dream, but the firm hold and the warmth of his hand tells me it must be true. 

We walk out on the dance floor just as a slow song comes on. I'm so nervous my hands are shaking. I look over at Jazz who is grinning ear to ear. He places his hands on my hips as I put my arms on his shoulders. 

"Do I make you nervous?" He leans in enough to whisper in my ear. I look at him and just nod. He's got a mischievous grin playing on his lips and a glint in his eyes. 

"Why is that beautiful lady?" I look down the blush I feel reaching my toes as I just shrug a shoulder, not really knowing how to reply. He chuckles lightly as we continue to sway to the music. He pulls me in tighter, his hard body pressing into mine. I'm almost positive he can feel my heart hammering. I take a deep breath trying to slow it down. 

Suddenly the heat of my body increases and the itching begins to go crazy. I hear a voice repeating the same words over and over. 'No, Not mate. Run.' 

I try to shake it off.. My fever must be up again. I refuse to let the best night of my life be ruined by some kind of bug. Ignoring everything as best I can, I lay my head on Mike's shoulder. Letting him and the music sway me. 

"Would you like to go somewhere quite for a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about… umm… privately." I look at him and nod. 

"Yes, I'd like that." I smile shyly at him. "Um, follow me, I know just the place." I sent a look towards Jazz and nodded in the direction of where we were going. She nodded back knowing exactly what I was saying. The great thing about best friends is their ability to read and understand each other so clearly that words weren't always necessary. 

The very back of our yard led into woods that went a few miles behind our house. There is a small path leading to a small open area that wasn't too deep into the woods but far enough away that we shouldn't be disturbed.

 That was a mistake, but it was too late by the time I realized it.