Interdependent (Book 2 in EBTWOG series)

Chapter 17

Oh, how I've missed you all, and this book! Writing these characters again has been so amazing! I already had the start to this chapter written, so it was really easy coming back to it.

Hi guys! Long time no see! I am so sorry for the extremely long wait. I won't explain it all here, if you want to read about that you can go to my profile and read my announcements there about it. I have really missed writing for my books, but I'm back with a new schedule, so if you read any of my other books, you can also find the schedule for that on my page. I hope you enjoy!

My hands feel cold, and although Ashton turning the temperature dial up after I shiver, my hands don't get any warmer. I know it's due to the nerves of how Ryder and Trystan's parents will react to seeing me at the party. Hopefully, by how they were talking about their parents and parties earlier, Ryder and Trystan's parents won't notice that I'm there.

I didn't have many options as to what I wear. The least casual thing I have is more suitable for work than a party. Ashton's mom had offered up some of her clothes, but it didn't feel right to wear something of hers even with her approval, so I fudged the most party suitable outfit from the clothes I had. I instantly regretted it when I saw Ashton accompanied by Jesse and Storm, all in collared shirts of varying designs, and chinos. They had all lied or at least extended the truth when they said that I looked great, but compared to them I might as well have been dressed in a trash bag. I was not only casual but cheap.  I had to try and make up for it with my hair and makeup, but that wasn't even enough to drastically change it. It was only jeans and a vest at the end of the day.

My knee jiggles up and down, and after trying to stop it, it only gets worse. I stare out of the window at the dark streets. I don't want to admit to myself the other reasons for my nerves, that the last time I attended a party I was given Sophie. Would they be the same as I remembered? Had they drastically changed in the three years I hadn't attended one? Were LA parties different from British ones?

Will it be like the twisted, monstrous version that I go to in my nightmares? I couldn't tell whether my brain had changed the memory with time, or if that's how it was. I understood deep down that it was the first, but with every nightmare, it felt even more real and closer to the truth of that night.

Music is playing subtly through the speakers of the car, it being the only sound between the four of us.

I watch out the window, looking for signs that I recognise as being close to Ryder and Trystan's so I can count down the seconds until we arrive.

I should be excited about their birthday party, I know that, but when the other boys are just as hesitant about it, it doesn't help.

I hadn't bought them a present in all the stress over the last week, so it doesn't help that, too, is gnawing at my insides. Arriving empty-handed will probably only cause their parents to dislike me more.

It's too late for shops to be open, but all the same, I watch out for any that could still have a light on, on our journey.

We pull down their street with no luck of finding a shop. My anxiety gets worse when I notice that there are no spaces. Parties aren't important to be on time too, but it does show willing, to arrive around the right time. It also would be another excuse for their parents. At the thought, my breathing gets shallower and faster. This is a stupid idea. It's been three years, but I'm still not ready to go back to a party, especially with the first one being somewhere where I will already feel uncomfortable. Everything in me says to get Ashton to turn the car around, but Trystan and Ryder need us, and I can go through short-term discomfort for them. It might do me good to see that parties aren't as monstrous as I think them to be.