Behind Closed Doors (Erik Menendez)

Four

***SORRY this chapter is so freakin long. Hope you don't get bored 😭***
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The following Friday, the whole senior class is buzzing about Grant's party the next night, even kids who weren't initially invited. Every now and then, a freshman would even show up and totally embarrass themselves. It was hilarious, and Grant was never a jerk about it. He just wanted everyone to have fun.

Erik and I had been getting closer over the last two weeks, as well. He had brought up the party to me in homeroom that day. "Are you going to Grant's tomorrow?"

"Yeah," I say, and notice his eyes shift to the floor. "You better say you are, too."

He shakes his head. "I don't know. I have a tennis lesson Sunday morning."

I immediately laugh. "Oh my god, fuck tennis! Live a little!"

"No, you don't understand! I showed up to a lesson one time hungover, and it did not go well. Threw up within 10 minutes. My dad threw me in the car and that was the end of that." A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he tells the story. I laugh picturing it all.

"Easy fix: don't drink," I say, knowing completely that if you ever say this to anyone, they will laugh at you. He does just that.

"But Joanne, I'm the life of the party. Wait till you see my dance moves." He playfully raises his eyebrows and a grin displays his sweet dimples, a grin so contagious I can't help myself. A loud laugh escapes me as I picture Erik dancing. He quickly turns around in embarrassment and we both notice Mrs. Lewis looking at us. He glances back at me covering my mouth, and tries not to laugh himself.

As we walk out of homeroom, I tug his arm. "Can't wait to see those dance moves tomorrow."

He winks at me and walks the opposite way down the hall. I keep watching him as I go to my locker, my heart feeling so full. I've never liked someone so fast, and so much. I become even happier when I see Grant hook his arm around Erik's neck, the two of them being buddy-buddy. Erik's in the group.

The next night, Di and Laur are over to get ready for Grant's. The three of us try to share two small hand mirrors, along with each other's makeup and clothes. A bottle of my parent's vodka sits at the foot of my bed, ready for us to take shots of it. Pregaming is essential.

As "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac plays on the radio, the three of us talk non-stop about how we think the party will be, hoping it will be crazy. We all know that the one at the end of the year, though, will be even crazier. I keep wanting to bring up Erik, but something stops me. I feel hesitant to tell them how much I like him, simply because once I do that, it becomes too real. They will probably embarrass me in one way or another, writing him letters telling him to ask me out or some bullshit. I don't want that. I just want to let things play out naturally.

I don't even have to bring up, Erik, though. To my surprise, Laur is the one who brings him up. "Grant said he invited Erik." Di and I just stop and look at her. She realizes, and puts down her lipstick to look at us. "What?"

"Do you have the hots for Erik?" Di asks exactly what I'm thinking. My palms grow sweaty.

Laur scoffs. "I mean, doesn't everyone? Every single girl is talking about him." She goes back to her lipstick. "He's in my art class, ya know. We've talked a few times. He seems to really like me."

I grit my teeth and try to ignore her. I fluff out my feathered hair and spray a little hairspray. "He's very nice to everyone," I say without thinking. I know I've just given myself away.

"I wouldn't just call it 'nice', Jo. He stares at my tits all the time," Laur says, clearly holding back some aggression. I know I've just gotten on her bad side, and Laur's bad side is a frightening place that nobody wants to go. Di senses the tension.