XI
1082 Words
"... and then he finally asked me out and I tried to be indifferent about it, but of course I said yes."
Stacey was something else. She was a sweetheart, but she talked a lot. Most of the time about things Indy really didn't care about. But she put up with it, because she actually liked Stacey. She was the closest thing to a friend Indy had. Stacey had moved here over the summer and started working the same shifts at the diner as Indy. The customers loved her, which was also something Indy liked about Stacey, because it meant the attention wasn't on her. Her shiny, blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and cute freckles made Stacey every bit the California girl Indy was not.
"... and then we rode off on a unicorn together."
"Huh, what?" Indy stopped mopping the floor to look at Stacey, who had crossed her arms over her chest.
"You're not even listening to what I just said," she sighed, but she didn't sound upset. Stacey was never upset with her.
"Of course I am! Ted finally asked you out," Indy tried to save herself.
"It's Todd," Stacey said with a roll of her eyes.
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Stacey shook her head laughing.
"So what's been up with you, then?" she asked, while picking up where she left off with counting the register.
"Not much, really," Indy shrugged. There's a new guy living next to me and he's kind of attractive but also very dangerous, and he's planning shady s**t with his friends when they hang out in his room and I eavesdrop on them.
"Are you coming to the party tonight?" She asked.
"What party?"
"The one your classmates are throwing. How come I was invited and you didn't even hear of it? I'm not even going to your school," Stacey wondered.
"I've been busy," Indy lied. The truth was, Coop had invited her, but she wasn't really interested in going. Parties and socializing weren't her thing anymore. She had no ties to anyone here.
"You really need to get a life, Indy," Stacey exclaimed.
"I need to get out of here," she mumbled in return.
"Okay, that's it." Stacey walked over to her.
"You're coming to the party with me. I'm picking you up at nine and there's nothing you can do about it."
Indy sighed.
"Stace, please, I already made plans."
Stacey arched an eyebrow.
"With?"
Indy looked at the floor.
"JJ and Pope?"
Stacey huffed.
"You're not ditching me so you can binge watch Outerbanks on your Saturday night. You're coming with me and that's final."
Indy groaned in defeat.
"Fine. But then you're not ditching me for Ted," she bargained.
"Not before midnight," she promised.
"Then I get to go home by midnight," Indy countered.
Stacey rolled her eyes.
"Fine, you buzz kill."
*^*^*
Indy looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her dark hair was loose, falling down to her waist. She wore a black crop top with high-waisted, grey denim shorts, an oversized plaid shirt and a pair of black Chuck Taylors. She applied a little eyeliner and mascara, and wore some of her favorite silver rings. She nodded in approval. She looked nice. Usually, she wouldn't put in the effort, but she was going to a party with Stacey, who would naturally steal the spotlight because she was just that gorgeous. So Indy decided she could look nice as well, because no one would notice as long as she was standing next to her.
Indy opened her bedside drawer and pulled out a small, satin jewelry box. She clicked it open and a sad smile spread across her face. It was her mom's pendant necklace, one of the few things Indy had left of her. It was a round pendant, partly made of silver and a crescent of labradorite, making it look like a waxing moon. The necklace wasn't really Indy's style, but sometimes she put it on to keep her close. Tonight, Indy felt especially alone and so she decided to put it on. She knew Stacey was a social butterfly and only talked to Indy because they worked together, so she'd most likely be by herself as soon as they walked through the door. There'd be enough people there to talk to, but none of them were friends with Indy. Nobody knew her and nobody cared. Usually, Indy didn't care either, but the thought of being alone at a party was daunting, even to her.
She heard a knocking on the door. Taking one last, deep breath in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and opened the door.
"You're early," she told Stacey as she locked the door behind her.
"And you actually look nice," Stacey said in wonder.
Indy rolled her eyes.
"That sounded more like an insult than a compliment."
"No, I'm being for real," Stacey laughed.
"How come I've never seen those killer legs," she said in awe.
"Several boys will lose their dignity tonight."
Indy coughed awkwardly.
"You're an idi-"
Indy stopped talking as Ares' door swung open. He walked out, looking at her with an especially dark expression on his face. She found his eyes travel down her body, pausing at her chest. Was he checking her out?
"Oh, hello," Stacey said surprised, eyeing Ares in turn.
"I'm Stacey."
He didn't spare the beautiful girl a glance as he walked towards them, his eyes glued to Indy. He stopped in front of her and looked as if he wanted to say something, his eyes piercing hers and a frown forming between his eyebrows. He was in a good mood as always. Indy couldn't help but feel her skin heat up under his scrutinizing stare.
"Stacey, this is Ares," Indy managed to get out. "The sunshine in my life."
Ares glared a few more daggers at her before walking past her, brushing his arm against hers. Indy shivered. Why did she find that so hot? Why did he turn her into a hormonal mess?
"Wow," Stacey stated. "He is something else."
Indy felt a flicker of irritation.
"Don't you have to drool over Ted or something?" she remarked.
Stacey laughed.
"Oooh, now I see." She wiggled her eyebrows.
"He's spoken for."
Indy looked at her in shock.
"What? No! He's all yours if you want, I just he but Ted?" She stammered.
Stacey wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll stick with Todd," she reassured her.
"For now."
- Writer
