Part of the Plan (Book 2 in the 'part of' series)

Chapter 13 An invitation

Chapter 13 An Invitation

Emi was late again the next day. I paced in front of the school gates for about five minutes before standing still and crossing my arms. I had an annoyed expression on my face and a sigh escaped my lips every few minutes. I felt rather silly doing this, it wasn't common for people to hang around here. Cars passed me by on the main road, students walked past me and through the gate. I felt like I was the centre of attention.

"How low can you go?!" I heard a shout from my right. I didn't even have to turn to see who it was, I just raised an eyebrow. "Sorry I'm late, I've got a lot to tell you." She bounced on her feet excitedly. I felt twinges of jealousy hit me. She seemed like she found some really good news, I found out that my brother was burgled. "Are you coming?"

I snapped out of my thoughts with a shake of my head and a chuckle. "Of course." The pavement was a little wet and there was puddles every few feet before we entered the suffocating walls of the school. We were slow, giving us plenty of time to talk. "What's got you so excited?" Her eyes lit up and a skip came to her step.

"They're having the party tomorrow." I looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. "You know? Our parent's business?" She moved her hand as though to jog my memory manually. I took a sharp inhale of breath and nodded. "Don't tell me you're too shy to go." She nudged me lightly. That wasn't why I didn't want to go.

"No, I'll go." I shook my head as we arrived at the door to our tutor. "I've got to. Dad wants me to follow in his footsteps." I said mockingly. "Honestly, I'd rather not but if it's necessary I'd do it." It was starting to become rather necessary at the moment. I needed those answers.

"Good." She nodded and we entered the classroom. "Or else I'd make you my date." I huffed lightly and rolled my eyes. That's something that would never change. Neither of us were into the other person romantically. Emi was anything but into boys, yet she was in the closet, so I was the perfect fake boyfriend for whenever she needed it.

"I make a wonderful boyfriend." I joked as we sat down, we had a few minutes before we were supposed to be quiet. "Anyone would be lucky to have me." It was obvious that I didn't believe in my words. Emi had given me a playful glare and a nudge. I gave another chuckle at her actions and shook my head.

"Yes, that is correct and you better believe it." Her tone was scolding. I had been expecting it, I couldn't really joke about things which made it seem as though I was being self-deprecating, she didn't allow that the majority of the time. "Speaking of, found anyone yet?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, I haven't exactly been anywhere to meet anyone." It wasn't a lie, I hadn't met anyone new in ages. There was nobody I had been interested in at all, it got to the point where I wondered if relationships just weren't for me. I had told my mam this, one time long ago. She had told me that I was being silly and that I would find someone. The advice made me wonder if I actually wanted someone, the debate with myself didn't last long as I concluded that I did want to be in a relationship.

"Well then that's one aim for the party." I put my head in my hands as she talked eagerly. This was yet another reason why I don't want to attend the party. "You'll have to get out there sometime. Don't mind me using a leash." I looked at her strangely as a laugh tried to make its way out of her lips.

"Woof." The teacher then walked in, prompting us to change the topic of conversation to something surrounding school. I hoped that today would go by quickly. I had a list of things which I had to do during the weekend and I'd rather get them done sooner rather than later.

The morning went by speedily. Lunchtime was a bit of a drag as I was forced to listen to Emi talk about the party. It was going to disturb my rhythm and routine which I had tried rather hard to keep. "What will you be wearing?" The question caught me off guard as I sat on the hill.

I looked down at my uniform and pointed to it. "Black tie?" I questioned with a tilted head. I didn't have anything else. "I don't have a lot." Emi shook her head a little but then nodded. I guess that was a satisfactory answer for now. "What about you?" Her expression immediately soured.

"I don't know yet, mother hasn't told me." She huffed lightly as she started to pick at the grass. "Did you talk to your dad last night?" She tilted her head to the side curiously. I raised my eyebrow for a momentarily in response. I had forgotten what we had talked about the day before.

"No, I haven't had the chance to talk to him." I shrugged. "He was a little enraged last night, for lack of a better word." She hummed lightly, a frown present. "I'm not sure what about though." Her eyes rose to meet mine, I could see some trouble in them. She bit her lip and sighed.

"Actually, my parents were a bit off last night." She dropped the blades of grass which she had in her hands. "They just kept talking about things going wrong. My cousin and I hid in my room for the night." I frowned even deeper. I didn't know a lot about Emi's family.

"Maybe it's something to do with the business?" We couldn't dwell on it for much longer as the teachers started to usher us in. I stood up and held a hand out for her, which she accepted. "We'll find out soon." I tried to reassure her, my voice was not giving away all the emotions that I wanted it to. She looked up to the sky for a moment before shaking her head and putting her arm around my shoulder.

"Glad one of us is confident."