Go Up in Ashes

Don't Freak Out

"Her house is huge!" I exclaim as we get out of the car and start walking up to the front door.
"It is," Chase agrees.
As we get to the front door, he wraps his arm around my shoulders and whispers, "you ready for this?"
I take a deep breath, "as ready as I'll ever be."
He knocks on the door and seconds later Charli greets us, "hey guys!! So glad you could make it! Come on in."
We follow her into the house and are greeted by a bunch of other people from school standing around talking, dancing, and even drinking.
"Don't worry, nothing is alcoholic," Charli says when she notices me eyeing the red solo cups scattered everywhere. "Drinks and snacks are in the kitchen," she points to the left side of the house, "the dance floor is in the living room and there are plenty of seats to go around, so help yourself."
"Thanks," Chase says before leading me off towards the kitchen.
"Would you like some punch, m'lady?" He asks as he grabs a solo cup for each of us. The kitchen floor is littered with cups, napkins, and crumbs, but people pay no attention to any of it as they glide in and out of the kitchen.
"I think I'm gonna need something stronger than that," I joke. I've never been to a party before, an so far, it's overwhelming.
He laughs, "you're doing just fine." He hands me a cup of punch.
I take a small sip, "somehow, I doubt that."
He grabs my hand and leads me into the living room where there is only one chair empty.
"You can sit," I whisper, nodding towards the chair.
"Don't be silly," he whispers before plopping down on the chair and pulling me onto his lap.
"Um, what the fuck?" I ask in a whisper, trying to ignore the fact that I'm sitting across his lap with a bunch of other people around.
"Just relax, couples do this all the time," he wraps an arm around my lower back to keep me from falling off of him.
"Right," I sigh. I loop my arm behind his neck, trying to act casual.
"You're stiff, just try to relax." He kisses my cheek real quick with a small smile.
"Not helping," I say through gritted teeth.
He rubs small circles on my hip and I slowly start to relax into him.
"How is this so easy for you?" I whisper-ask him as we watch a few people dancing on the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the room.
"It's not, I'm just good at faking confidence."
I sigh, knowing I wouldn't get a better answer from him if I tried.
"Who wants to play a game?" Charli shouts over the music. A lot of people cheer in response. "Okay, everyone gather around. We're going to play..." her eyes land on Chase and I, "truth or dare." She ends with a sly smirk on her face.
She turns the music down with a remote and asks, "who wants to go first?"
No one speaks up.
"Okay then, y/n, you're up first. Truth or dare?" There was a wicked look in her eyes.
"Truth," I say, not wanting to know what dare was going to be.
She takes a moment to think, clearly upset that I didn't pick dare, "how long have you and Chase been dating?"
"Since summer break." I lie easily. Thankfully she didn't come up with a worse question. "Okay," I scan the crowd until I find Gwen sitting across from me on the floor, "Gwen, truth or dare?"
"Truth," she shrugs innocently.
"Do you have a crush on anyone?" I ask lamely.
"Yes," she says. "Charli, truth or dare?"
"Dare," Charli smirks.
"I dare you to... kiss Payton."
Charli laughs before leaning over to give Payton a quick kiss on the cheek. "Chase, truth or dare?"
"Dare," Chase says with no hesitation.
"I dare you to make out with y/n for one full minute."
"I - what?" I gasp.
"You heard me," she smirks at my reaction, "or have you guys not kissed yet?"
"We've kissed," Chase speaks up. I give him the are you crazy? look.
"Just relax, follow my lead," he whispers so only I can hear it. I nod in response.
"Start the timer," he says before pressing his lips to mine. We kiss slowly, unsure of what exactly we should do.
He pulls me closer to him and threads his fingers through my hair. I wrap my fingers in his hair and lean into him.
His kisses become stronger and more heated, and he licks my bottom lip, asking for entry.
I let him slide his tongue into mouth and explore as the kiss gets deeper. He pulls me closer to him until we're molded together and he kisses me passionately.
"Times up," Charli says and we pull apart almost immediately.
I try to catch my breath as I think to myself, I seriously need to tell him how I feel.