Better Off Alone (BOOK 1)(Wattys 2016)

Woohoo...A Party

The next day at school I'm more aware of the people around me. Perhaps, it's because of what the gossip is and that's what scares me most. Everyone everywhere seems to have one person on their minds for today:

Larkin Knight.

In every room I go I hear his name snaking through the gossip, always accompanied with questions. Who is he? Where did he come from? Why is he so attractive? I knew it would only be time before rumors started spreading. No doubt, by the end of the day they'll be saying he wrangles snakes in his free time and swoons the neighbor's daughter by night.

As I sit down for fifth period advanced biology I let out a long held-in groan. Macey, who's my lab partner, looks at me concerned. "Are you okay, Gem?"

I roll my eyes. "It's Larkin."

Her eyes widen and her mouth forms a little 'o'. "I see. And what about the mysterious teenage boy who's swarming the lines of gossip on this fine morning?"

I roll my eyes again, even more dramatically, before tilting my head to the girls in front of us. "Just listen, Mace, just listen to them."

The girl on the right is giggling. "But that lip ring... I'll bet he's got a motorcycle. That would be so hot."

The other girl nods enthusiastically, agreeing. "So hot."

I turn back to Macey. "See, everywhere."

She makes a face and drops her voice, smirking. "Hey... you're the one who made out with him."

I scowl at her. "I was drunk! How many times do I have to tell you that? God, I really hate being in High School."

"Be that as it may, Ms. Lawrence, you're still expected to attend." My face reddens as Mr. Lewis calls the classroom to attention. I hadn't realized that it had gotten silent before I made my previous remark.

"Sorry, Mr. Lewis." I sit down next to Macey who's smirking and trying not to laugh.

***

"Gemma!" Laurene embraces me as I enter the art room.

I hug back, trying to forget the previous period. Larkin had been such a pain in the ass. An attractive one, yes, but a pain nonetheless. Ms. Smith had told us we were beginning our poetry reading today and I had been chosen to recite a quite lengthy ballad. The entire time, Larkin would whisper snide or inappropriate comments to me. It took everything in me not to smack the boy.

Laurene pulls back, her face concerned. "Gem, sweet pea, what's bothering you?"

I sigh. "Well, there's this boy."

Laurene's eyes widen. "No!"

I roll my eyes. "What's so strange about that?" I feel like I should defend myself. True, I'd never had a boyfriend, but I wasn't a nun.

"Well, you're not a typical teenager, Gemma."

"What do you mean? I'm typical." I cross my arms, wrinkling my nose at her.

Laurene rolls her eyes. "Gemma, how many parties have you been to?"

I begin to answer, but then pause... I have only been to four parties, all of which were during the summertime and in separate years. I only even enjoyed two of them. I'm not a nun, but I sure am heading towards being one. God, I need to live more.

Laurene gives me an I-told-you-so look. "Gemma, live a little. There's a boy? Kiss him. It's simple."

I feel my face redden. "Well, that's the thing, Laur..."

***

Lauren shakes her head, stirring her cup of tea again. "Wow that really is unlucky."

I trace a paint stain on the table we're sitting at. I've just finished telling Laurene the whole sordid tale of how I know Larkin. I'm not even working on my art, we're just talking. To be honest though, I get the same kind of therapy from painting as I do from talking with Laurene.

"I know and he's so obnoxious now." I roll my eyes.

Laurene laughs. "What was he like at the wedding?"

I sigh, embarrassed. "Well, I don't remember. I was too drunk to remember anything but what he looked like and what we did."

"And all you did was dance and kiss?" Laurene sips her tea.

I nod. "Yeah, but I think he was a little more sober than me at the time. I don't know. I just wish I could let him know I'm not interested. You know?"

Laurene chuckles. "Well, Gemma... is that what you really want? Are you positive because you could date, you know."

I shrug. "But, Laur, dating is so overrated. I'm better off alone. I work better by myself."

"How do you know if you've never tried, Gem? I'm not saying you should try dating with Larkin, but maybe give it a try with someone else. You're a senior and you have more time to live life. You're already excelling. I think it's time you live a little, okay?"

I shrug again. I've always been the responsible one. I left the partying and fun times to Clive.

"Promise me you'll try to live a little this year, yeah?"

My voice is small, but within me I feel something swell at the idea. "Okay."

***

Clive drums his thumbs against the steering wheel and waits for the light to turn green. "When do you work again?" He asks.

"I don't know. Dorothea wants me to have a week or so off to adjust to school starting. How about you?" I ask.

The light changes and he starts the jeep forward. "I work tomorrow."

I nod. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering..." He looks out the left of the car, away from me.

"Clive... why did you want to know?"
He clears his throat, obviously stalling for time. "Well... Wes is having a party Friday night... And I mean... you should go."

"What? Why?"

"He wanted me to tell you. Wes did." He shrugs some and pulls the jeep into our driveway, but neither of us moves to get out.

Wes wants me to go to his party? Why on earth? We rarely talk outside of a 'hi' or 'what's up'. "Why does Wes want me to come to his party?"

Clive looks at me, an eyebrow arched and an are-you-serious look on his face. "Gemma."

"Cliiiiiive I don't like parties. You know that. They're so... social." I whine, pouting my lips at him.

He laughs. "Gemma, live a little. It's senior year. Who knows if we'll be together next year? I want to have fun, but I want to have fun with you."

I wrinkle my nose. He and Laurene both tell me to have fun, goodness. Why can't I just binge on Netflix and candy? Why must one be social? Oh, how I long for solitary confinement. At least then I wouldn't have to care about anything and I could just paint.

"Fine, I'll go, but only if Olive and Macey can come."

Clive rolls his eyes. "Gemma, they're already invited."

Woohoo... a party.

~~~

A/N:

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-- Love always, Samantha <3