Miss Fake

Chapter 5: Nina's help

I cry for a good five minutes, while she pats my back.

In between my sobs, I explain to her what Bryan said, even though she was present.

“H-He doesn’t care about me… i-it didn’t both-ered him tha-t I kiss-ss someone else…” My sobs are getting stronger, and I can’t even talk.

“Shh, it’s going to be okay… He didn’t realize how amazing you are… And you are stronger than that, you are going to get over it and show him who is the best,” Nina says to comfort me.

“B-but… he even said sorry to that guy, like it was horrible to kiss me,” I say after I calm myself a bit.

“He didn’t mean it like that, it wasn’t horrible to kiss you,” someone behind us says.

We turn quickly, surprised, to see Ethan standing behind us, his hands in the pocket of his hoodie.

“Can I talk to you?” Ethan asks me, looking intensely at my cheeks, where my makeup must have flowed. I quickly dry my eyes, passing a finger under my eyes, and looking at them if they turned black from the mascara. Hopefully, Nina gave me her waterproof one, and nothing appears on my fingers, apart from my tears.

“No,” Nina answers for me.

“I was asking Skyler,” Ethan tells her, his gaze changing abruptly to annoyance as he stares at my friend.

“I’m sorry, I would prefer to have some alone time with Nina for a bit,” I answer with a faint smile.

He looks back at me concerned, with no trace of anger on his expression. He sighs and nods. “You can come to me whenever you want if you don’t feel good,” he adds with a smile before walking back to the house.

Before he leaves inside, I yell his name. He turns back to me, waiting for me to speak. “Can you not tell anyone that I cried?” I don’t want to break the image I created of myself, and when I will go back inside, I want to be again the cheerful person that they know.

“Whatever you want,” he replies with a sad smile and starts walking again.

“What’s his problem?” Nina asks with a disgusted face, looking at him going away. “That guy is trying too hard to get in your pants.”

I chuckle at the crudeness of my friend, and she turns back to me and smiles.

“I prefer that expression on your face,” she adds, seeing me smile from her jokes.

“Thank you, Nina,” I tell her, getting closer to her, and she tightens our hug.

“What would you do without me?”

“Not much, honestly,” I answer with a chuckle, and she laughs with me.

“You know what, I don’t want that guy anymore, I want Jake tonight. Will you be my wing-woman?”

I laugh and of course I accept. Jake is one guy of the football team and a friend of Bryan. He is hot, and a fuckboy, so she doesn’t really need my help, as she can literally come to him and asks for s*x.

She gets up, putting her hands on her hips. “And the Skyler I know isn’t the kind of girl who hides and cry. It’s not one rejection, after three years of crushing on that guy, that will make a difference. Go back and get it, girl!”

Her sudden motivational speech makes me laugh and smile. I get back on my feet, feeling motivated again. She is right, it’s not one little joke that is going to make me abandoned my objective. I put back my shoes on, and she helps me put back my hair right and try to fix my makeup with the water of the pool. We laugh as it isn’t easy and when it looks okay enough, we go back inside to look for our bag and the makeup inside. We try to walk around the people, but there are so many people that we are constantly pushed from one side to another. At some point, Nina gets pissed enough, she sighs, put her heads up, and starts pushing people around to get through more easily. I laugh at the way she is creating a path for us. I keep holding her hand tightly, not wanting us to be separated. We, then, go upstairs, and even the stairs are full of people going up and down. We finally reach the first floor and start looking for the bathroom. She opens a door, leading to a bedroom occupied by a couple making out. We hear them cursing, and we close the door quickly, laughing. If they wanted privacy, they should have locked the door.

I thought we sobered up by talking by the pool, or when I was crying, but as soon as I looked into Nina’s eyes and we started to burst into a laugh, I knew that we weren’t that sober. We finally found the bathroom, which was also used by a couple kissing passionately. Shamelessly, Nina enters and orders them to kiss somewhere else, pushing them away. Too occupied by what they were doing, I honestly don’t think they even realized what was happening and continue kissing in the corridor. Nina closes the door behind us and locks it to not be bothered.

I look at myself in the mirror, and Nina made a good job covering up. I also didn’t rub my eyes while crying, just letting it flow, so my eyes aren’t puffy. The makeup stays still, but Nina insisted to lightly fix the eye shadow. Then, she puts out her own red lipstick. She applies it to herself since some of it was gone while drinking.

I look at her and then the lipstick. She gives me a cocky smile, and hand it to me once she is done. I’m done playing the good girl. He didn’t compliment my looks, while I dressed for him. I’ll put what I like, and what I know suits me. The red lipstick contrast with the white dress and the natural makeup, making my lips flash.

With our fresh lipstick, we kiss the mirror, leaving two perfect traces on it. We snicker, knowing that it will be a pain to remove it once it will be dry, but Bryan deserved it for what he did earlier.

We go out of the bathroom and go downstairs. Nina takes my hand, and I follow her there. Automatically, my eyes are looking around, searching for Bryan. I found him next to the Dj, with Ethan and Nathan. They turn to us, and, since they know that I saw them, I smile at them. I don't know how they knew we were here or why they looked at us, but I honestly don't really care right now. I am happy with my little effect. It’s crazy how a small detail like lipstick can totally change a look. I know I don’t have that 'innocent and pretty girl' look on, and Nathan's expression proves it.

I notice where Addi is, with a group of girls on the couch. I rush to her, as fast as the crowd lets me, and hug her from the back.

“Addi!”

She looks back at me and at my lips. “You look gorgeous! It really suits you.”

I thank her and ask her to accompany me to the kitchen so I can make a drink. She smiles and stands up. I prepare one, under the advice of Addi, our preferred barmaid. I take out another cup and put more alcohol than the first one. Addi looks at me and sighs, rolling her eyes, but still with a smile on.

I chuckle and drink from the second cup, emptying it halfway with one sip. I refill it, to make it looks like I haven’t touch it, and wink at Addi.

When we come back, I give the first cup to Nina and keeps the one that contains more alcohol. We chat together until Nina’s mouth opens exaggeratedly wide. Her expression changes to disgust and I follow her gaze to see Rachelle talking with Bryan. She looks tipsy and keeps touching his arm while giggling like an i***t.

I am getting immediately angry at this sight, and the alcohol is not helping. I want to grab her by the hair, and push her away, to the pool, and yelling at her to not get anywhere close to my man.

Nina gets up and walks to them. She starts to dance midway. At some point, she is turning, and she looks at me with satisfaction and mischief. She keeps getting closer to them and accidentally spills all her cup on Rachelle.

I put my hand in front of my mouth, to hide my smile. I so want to run there and hug Nina. Rachelle screams and stands up when she feels the cold liquid on her body.