SPIN THE BOTTLE

2: PARTY

"Noah. Why can't we just stay here at your place instead of go to the party?" I asked, dreading the fact that I broke and told him.

"Ugh! Emma. We've been over this a thousand times! You're not getting out of it. Besides, you can't hide from everyone and everything your whole life." I furrowed my brows at him, wondering why he felt the need to drag me along.

I hate parties. Not that I've ever been to one, and really they don't seem like such a big deal to me. I'd rather just stay home and eat food that's not good for you, and read books.

"But I'm really not. It’s such a short notice. I have nothing to wear, my hair doesn't do anything but stay in a ponytail and if I try and do anything to it it won't stay." I tried to reason with him, to make him see all the cons to me going, but he refused to listen. I guess he thinks his pros are better.

"All you have to do is let your hair down and brush it. It looks great that way." I sighed and hung my head. I don't want to go. But I guess I have no choice.

I have a really bad feeling about this. Stuff like this never suited well with me, and Ashlyn is just up to no good. Yet and still, this is what I get for having a guy best friend.

"Emma, stop biting your nails." I looked at him and he shook his head at me.

"Why?" I asked.

"It's stupid." He said simply, shrugging.

"Fine... Can I ask a favor?" He nodded absentmindedly while lying down on the floor beside me.

"If Ashlyn asks... You're going to tell her you're my boyfriend right?" He grinned, then reached over to ruffle my hair.

See, ever since me and Noah was little, we always called each other boyfriend and girlfriend, even though we're not.

I guess we sort of used to act like it, and everywhere we went together, everyone always asked us if we were. After a while, Noah just started saying yes, and it's been like that ever since.

"I am your boyfriend! Why wouldn't I tell her that?" He was only being himself, but inside I was bursting with joy! He always did or said the smallest thing to make me melt and he didn't even know it. Yet and still... This is what I get for having a guy best friend.

~*~

Friday came sooner than needed and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. I slumped down on the floor and looked at everything that was once hung nicely in my closet.

I sighed and picked up this beige skirt with black ruffles underneath it. My mom never let me wear anything that made me look sexy and I hated her guts for it.

I looked like a ten year old and she made it worse. She wouldn't let me wear contacts either so I walked around with glasses that made me look more like a dork then I already was.

Nobody ever picked on me. They just made stupid comments here and there and called me Tiny and only because I let them.

There are no real nasty people at my school and to be honest Ashlyn isn't that mean. I just don't like the way she looks at my boyfriend.

I have to say, for her age she is really pretty I mean she looks about 19 with her porn star boobs, her tight miniskirts, her constant craving for all the jocks on every team and I mean every one of them!

The football team, the basketball team, the lacrosse team, I mean all you have to do is be on a team and she'll want you!

I stood up and walked over to the mirror. My hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and I had a few blemishes here and there. I guess some people aren't lucky enough to be pretty; people like me.

I always asked Noah what he thought of them and he always said they made me prettier. Of course I never believe anything he says because he likes to lie, but it was pretty comforting.

I sighed and threw myself on the bed. My door opened and I looked up at my mom. "What?" I asked annoyed.

She smiled and looked around my room. "What happened in here?" She asked, slightly amused.

"Nothing, I'm trying to find something to wear." I sighed, sitting up on my bed.

"For what?" She asked, still scoping.

"A party," I said simply, causing her eyes to reach mine in a wide eyed stare.

"What party? When was I going to be informed about this party?" I groaned and crossed my legs.

"Mom! Why are you doing this?" I whined.

"Because you're my daughter and I'm not just going to let you run the town like some orphan." I sighed, lying back down on the bed.

"Mom, don't worry. It’s a sleepover with all girls." I lied. She grinned.

"You made friends? I am so happy! You have to tell me their names!" I internally rolled my eyes and sat up again, my feet dangling over the bed.

"Mom. Please." She stopped smiling and threw her hands up in mock defense.

"Fine then! Have fun." With that she was out of my room and I was left there. That lie was easy because all I had to do was stay over Noah's.

My mom was pretty easy and I got away with a lot. I stood up and just put on a pair of jeans and a blue V-neck shirt, like Noah told me to do from the beginning, and then let my hair free.

It dropped down, falling over past my breast gracefully, my pathetic excuse for curls flying everywhere. I shook my head and then grabbed my brush. I guess it was going to be okay. It had to be.

I headed down stairs and said a quick 'bye' to my mom. The plan was to meet up at Noah's and then go, I think. He lived, approximately five houses down which was really convenient.

Walking down the street I was getting really restless because I wanted to go, but I didn't. I didn't know what to think. Noah was excited, and he completely ignored all of my protesting so I had to let it go.

I walked in the house, not bothering to knock. Ms. Avery started considering me as family a long time ago, so I was granted the access.

I turned to close the door, and as soon as I turned around, I saw Jake coming down the steps. His eyes fell on me as soon as he reached the ground level, and I started to twirl a lock of my hair.

"What you doing here?" He asked, a little surprised to see me I think, and I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm waiting for Noah." I replied simply. He blinked once before shoving a hand in his jeans pocket.

"Might I ask why?" He said, raising a brow. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, starting to get a little uncomfortable.

"Because, we're going to a party! Don't you know?" He looked at me oblivious for two minutes and then he finally remembered.

"Oh! Now I know what you’re talking about! Sorry. My mistake," I smiled and then we fell into an awkward silence.

At that moment, I didn't know what to do or think. He just stared at me, and that wretched beast insecurity started to creep up on me.

I hung my head, letting my crazy hair fall in my face, hiding me; protecting me. He then started to play with my fingers, in the hopes of making things less awkward.

I looked up at him shyly, through my thick lashes, and then saw a hint of a smile on his face. But it went away fast.

"Hey, you know Noah's not up stairs, right?" He says suddenly, breaking through our weird moment.

"No," I said dryly. "I didn't know that." I gave him a flat look and he chuckled softly, and then shook his head.

"Well, I don't know where he is but he's not up there." I smiled. This confrontation was about as pointless and time wasting as the Spanish Inquisition.

"Thank you. Jake. I'll find him." With that I was out of his heir and on my way to the back yard where I know Noah would be, if anywhere.

In the back, there stood our own little tree house. Noah and I spent most of our childhood in it and it was the only place he would ever be. Nice to know some things never change.

I climbed the ladder, walking onto the little balcony and then knocked on the door. I heard a small sigh but no answer and my mouth dropped.

I tried to open the door but it was locked. I knocked again, this time louder and more persistent, but he still didn't answer.

That little skank! He knows exactly who it is and yet and still he refuses to open the door? I banged harder and then finally heard a groan and footsteps. I folded my arms across my chest, and had a wicked glare going on as he opened the door.

"What?" He snapped, slinging the door open. Mr. Grumpy pants, are we?

"I thought we were going to the party!" I asked, exasperated.

"I know that!" He answered, just as annoyed with me as I am with him. "I told you I was going to come and get you!" I shook my head in denial, and he scoffed.

"Come in!" It sounded more like a demand, than a welcome, but I came in anyways. He closed the door and locked it behind us, and then I sat down on the floor and sighed.

"Can't you see I'm not ready?" I rolled my eyes, and then turned my head to the right, facing him.

"Actually," I started, my eyes following him as he walked. "I didn't see that. But maybe if you would have opened the door the FIRST ten times I knocked I-" I stopped abruptly, finally really looked at him and then saw that he was not kidding. I can't believe I didn't notice this before but, man he has abs!

"....so when you're done checking me out maybe you'll listen to me." My eyes widened, and I shook my head vigorously.

"I-I wasn't! I swear!" He laughed and then sat down cross legged in front of me.

"Calm down Emma. I'm only kidding." He grinned. "So! Shall we go now?" He asked hopefully, and I stared at him dumbfounded.

"Huh?" It took me one minute to process the fact that in the time I was, in fact, checking him out, he had put his shoes and shirt on and was ready to go.

"Oh. I guess." I sighed, unsurely. He stood up and then reached out for my hand.

"Come on. Don't be scared. Noah will protect you." He smiled a dazzling reassuring smile, and I gave him a doubtful look. Grabbing his hand, I let him help me to my feet.

"I hope so." I mumbled grumpily, and he smiled. But that wasn't meant for him to hear so you can guess; I wasn't smiling back.