This Could Get Ugly / Conrad Fisher

PERFECT PARTY PERFECT PARTY

The music could be heard from the front of the house even though the sounds were coming from the beach. We walked around the few teens scattered in front and headed to the beach.

Well, I walked and dragged Jere with me.

"What is with you? You love to party!"

"Not when the other Caroline is involved."

"Get over yourself." I was a little bothered by his actions. Why was he so bothered with her?

"No."

I huffed and spun around to him. "Now you listen here, buddy. You are going to put a smile on for me tonight because I've done it for you many times for your stupid sports team parties. Please."

I could tell it was the wrong speech based on how his face morphed into such distaste. "You think those parties are stupid?"

"Obviously, I hate those parties."

"Have you started drinking already?"

"Maybe a little bit." I pinch my fingers close together to show how little I've had.

Now it's his turn to sigh and shake his head. "Whatever. Let's just go."

"To the party?"

"Yes to the party," he states irritated.

"Great!"

We walk in uncomfortable silence.

The bonfire is huge, surrounded by pockets of teenagers standing near but not too close to it. The night is mild for autumn weather and it surprises me by how nice it feels outside. Despite myself and Jeremiah's rotten mood, I take a deep inhale and look up at the starless sky, contempt for a short period of time.

"Care!" I instantly look to the left where the sound came from to find other Caroline speeding towards us.

She brings me in for a sloppy hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad you made it!" She squeezes my cheeks in emphasis.

"Me too!" I swat her hand away.

"Rude," she cries. Then, she turns to my boyfriend. "Hey Jere, I'm glad you're here." Although, her tone makes it seem like she's anything but.

"Yeah, me too." He smiles at her and acts like what she said was the best thing he's ever heard. "I'm just here for Lina."

"Then I guess we both have that in common." A look passes between the two of them and I become extremely uncomfortable.

"Anyways, what's there to drink?"

"Right this way people!" Caroline leads us to the drink table near the base of the beach house.

"What do you want," Jere inquires. Even when he's mad he'll still make me a drink. What a man.

"Vodka soda." He nods and starts to make us drinks.

"You've got him trained real good," Caroline snorts.

In hindsight, I'm not sure what the first act of the downfall of the party was. Maybe it was right when we were walking in. Or even before that, perhaps it was when I made Jeremiah come here in the first place when he so obviously just wanted to spend the night with the two of us. Which was so unlike him to begin with. Or it could have been right now, when I mess with him because I maybe am still a little pissed at him.

"Isn't he?" I pat his head to let him know I'm joking.

"I can never be tamed, ladies." He winks.

"Really? You seem pretty tamed to me."