Flowers and Pop Rocks

25

p o p p y

It was way past midnight, and Caleb had left about an hour ago. He said he still had something to do in the morning.

I'd completely abandoned all alcohol for the night and was instead enjoying a nice cold bottle of Snapple from Sofia's mini fridge. She offered it when we passed each other, and I couldn't resist.

The sugar was keeping me awake—and sober for the most part—as I continued to watch the party going on. It didn't seem like it was ending anytime soon.

Levi was still nowhere to be found, which I wasn't really surprised by. Knowing him, he either fell asleep while watching Angel or he took some girl to his room.

Kayley and her friends had gone too, just a little after Sofia had given me the Snapple.

Basically, that meant I was alone.

I was pretty zoned out, just watching Blake talk to the group around him.

It was getting kinda boring because they hadn't moved from their spot in hours and I couldn't even hear what they were talking about, but I promised Levi I wouldn't let Blake do anything stupid, so here I was, watching him like a weirdo.

"Hey."

I turned my head slowly to my right and saw a boy standing beside me. I could smell a hint of beer in his breath. I think his name was Jake or Johnny or something, not sure.

"Uh, hi."

"Why you standing here all alone?" he asked. "Wanna join me upstairs instead?"

And that is the reason I don't like staying late at these parties.

"No thanks. I'm good here," I took a small step to my left, increasing the space between us.

"I thought angels were supposed to grant wishes," he alluded to my costume. "Why don't you grant mine?"

"Because it's genies that grant wishes?" I replied, somewhat confused as to what I was supposed to say. "Do I look like a genie to you?"

He scrunched his eyebrows together. "Nah, I'm pretty sure it's angels."

"I don't know where you learned about angels, but as far as I know, they don't grant wishes," I reiterated.

I think he needed to go home. He was way too intoxicated to reason with.

"Come on, angel. Let's just go upstairs. It'll be quick," he reached out towards me, and I backed up quickly, not wanting him to get close to me. His words were making me very uncomfortable.

"You aren't even allowed upstairs," I swatted his arm away.

"Then we can go to my place instead," he offered.

His place? Did he live alone?

Snap out of it, Poppy. Just say no before you get distracted and things start to get out of hand.

"No thank you," I declined.

He should be happy I was the one he was talking to and not Angel. She definitely would have already strangled him.

"Why not?"

"She said no, dude, just give it up already."

I had no idea where Blake came from or how I didn't notice him walking towards me, but here he was, pushing this random guy away.

"Ey, Nixon," the guy laughed. "We were actually just about to leave. Tell Levi his party's great as always. Come on, angel, let's go."

Someone needs to teach him the meaning of the word no.