You Never Walk Alone

12

It had been exactly 2 weeks and 4 days since Jake started ignoring me. Of course nobody was counting, but if they were, that's be the exact duration. I tried talking to him a total of 4 times. All times I was ignored. Once, it was in the cafeteria. All the headless girls started caclking. It wasn't funny. Even Vanessa was getting close to him without my help. So much for a reward.

The school day was over and I didn't have any practice so I was on my way home. Home wasn't exciting and since school wasn't either, I was picking my poison. I had made it out of the gate when Jake's big ass truck stopped in front of me. I ignored it and continued my way.

“Get in. We don't have all day."

I looked around before pointing at myself. “Me? Why are you talking to me?"

“I have to be ready by 7. Don't make me drag you myself."

Yes, I was stubborn. So stubborn that I refused to listen to myself and stay back. Instead, I got into the car.

“Hi. How is life without me?"

I was ignored! “Are you with your phone?"

“Uh yes. Why? Incase you're about to say something stupid, you didn't send me any message on any social media account I have."

“Search something for me would you? Things needed for a party."

“You're throwing a party?"

“Yes. You'd have heard if you even bothered to stay back and socialize with humans. Are you a hermit crab?"

That stupid question earned him an eye roll. “Well the one person I normally talk to has been ignoring me."

“Can you let it go?"

I gasped. Loud and annoyed. “You're still a jerk! Stop the car . I'm getting out. Go plan your party by yourself. “

He stopped the car and looked at me as if daring me to go out. I undid my seatbelt, opened the door ready to leave when he held my hand.

“Fine. I didn't talk to you because I didn't want your boyfriend to be angry at either of us. I was giving you space."

“B-boyfriend?", I stuttered. “I don't have a boyfriend. What gave you that idea. Hanson and I just happened to run into each other so we came together. “

He nodded but didn't respond." So what and what do I need? “ So f*****g much for a conversation.

***

" Red or transparent? “ Jake asked holding both cups on either hands. We were at a party supplies shop picking things for his apparent party.

" Red. It gives off highschool party vibes. “

He scoffed." And what exactly are high school party vibes?“

" You know. Excitement,the feels of recklessness. How don't you know what I'm talking about?“

" The question is how do you know what you're talking about? You're a hermit crab."

“Haha. That's so hilarious. Get the red cups. 3 dozens of them will do.“

He tossed the cups into the cart along with paper plates, napkins and ribbons for 'special effects'.

“That's all right?" I asked looking at the cart again.

“Nope. The alcohol I have in the house is nowhere near enough. We need more."

“You're having alcohol in a party? Won't that get you into trouble or something? You know underage drinking and all?"

“Do I look 15 to you? Nobody there is underaged. Maybe you. Fetus." Second insult of the day. Hopefully the last one. My eyes were tired of me constantly rolling them.

I stood outside at the liquor store just Incase someone asked for my ID. Jake got so much of everything I had goosebumps when I checked the receipt. I restrained making a comment to avoid more insults.

But, he got to it already. “It's just that little. I could've spent more."

“More on what? And I'm sure it didn't even dent your account?"

“If I say it didn't, would it make you feel better?"

“That's a lie isn't it."

“A complete total one. I'm a Demidov okay? We're known for our wealth amongst other things."

“Yes. Like your involvement in the mafia." My comment made him chuckle. Yippee.

We got to his house and there were cleaners there. The house looked spotless and the glass furniture was replaced with sofas and bean bags. I waved to them and then it dawned on me. “You have cleaners?! Why did you make me clean your room then?"

“Needed a task for you to do. It was either that or my laundry but you have a history of ruining clothes. “

“That's not funny. I was just being irrational."

I dragged the bags to the kitchen. Even after all they stuff we bought, Jake still insisted we bought snacks and candy. That was more money out of his never diminishing bank account. There was a drink mix I learnt when Mabel's brother came to live with us for a while. I did it into the biggest bowl I could find, then pour them into cups and martini glasses. The chips and readymade popcorn were poured into bowls while the cheese balls and cookies were still in their wrap.

Jake disappeared upstairs when the cleaners had left so I was left to decorate on my own. I tied the ribbons on and around the three pillars in the living room. The kitchen was left bare because I wasn't planning a preschoolers party. I had learned the light could be dimmed so I did that. By the time I was done, Jake's home looked like a 21+ party.

“Did you set up in the pool?" Jake said coming up behind me. He was dressed in shorts and had a towel round his neck.

“You're dripping down on the floor. The marble will get slippery."

“Then get a mop. As I was saying, I think I have coolers in the pantry. You know where the ice is. Just put random Bottles in there. “

Won't it get cold? Who'd want to swim in November? “

Jake used the towel to ruffle his hair. The water touched me and I grimaced. He stuck his tongue out like the animal he was. "Not the outdoor pool fetus. The indoor one. It has a heating system and everything.“

Why was I even surprised? "I hope that name doesn't become a staple in our relationship. I might just drown you. “

Another chuckle. God, goals! I went to the pantry to get just a cooler, but somehow, a few crackers and chips and cookies and chocolate fell into my mouth. How strange. Jake was at the pool when I got there. Touching a few wires and contraptions. Apparently that was the heater.

“I'm making the water hot. Jacuzzi vibes you get? “ My eyebrow was raised. Why was Jake talking like that. It wasn't until I turned that I realized there was aready a cup in his hands.

" You're drinking? “

" Trying to make the night bearable."

I didn't know what that meant and I couldn't care enough to ask. He offered me a sip but I declined politely. The few times I did try alcohol, I regretted it so much I swore I wouldn't put it in my mouth. They were so true about what they said about hangovers.

“Okay okay. Go shower. Guests will be coming any moment soon. Don't want you to be smelling like that do you?“

I scoffed." What does that even mean? That's an insult isn't it? “

He shrugged. Before I could say anything else, the doorbell rang. Who on earth rang the doorbell at a party? Jake signalled me to get the door while he played the music. My lips formed a smile when the remaining members of H4 were on the other side of the door.

" Hi.“ Hanson looked surprised to say the least and then I remembered. I hadn't showered.