Autumn Showers

10- The one with the party

I zoned out for the majority of the car journey; my mind was too fixated on the anxiety that was currently gnawing away at my chest. My knee bounces up and down as I chew on my fingernails, disgusting habit, I know.

Lucas' eyes catch me in the rear-view mirror, 'Didn't take you as a nail-biter, princess.'

I narrow my eyes, 'Shouldn't you be focusing on the road?'

'I'm trying but your big head keeps blocking up the window.'

I gasp loudly, 'I don't have a big head, how dare you?!'

'It's pretty big, princess.'

I narrow my eyes further, 'You are such a dick!'

I was expecting some smartass reply but it never comes because he's too busy trying to parallel park on what I presume is Toby's street. I snort as he tries for the fourth time but fails miserably, he whips his head around and send me a glare. After another few minutes of him trying, we finally manage to park.

I clap my hands sarcastically, 'Well done, I'm so proud of you.'

He scoffs, 'Shut up.'

Scarlett watches us with amusement before she climbs out of the car, I follow behind her. I hesitantly grab onto her wrist, she looks up at me with shock, but she quickly tries to mask it, I mostly think for my benefit.

'C-Can we stick together?'

'Yes of course, we can!'

I watch as Lucas' strides pasts us and walks into the party, his entire aura asserted confidence and dominance, it was almost admirable in a way, the way he carried himself as if he didn't have any fucks in the world.

My body tenses as we walk inside, loud music was blasting through the speakers. Numerous people where darted around the kitchen and living room, Toby was right, he really didn't invite anyone from school here. I didn't recognise anyone. I couldn't tell if that was comforting or scary.

'Do you drink?'

I turn my head towards Scarlett, 'N-No, not anymore.'

I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to touch a drop of alcohol again, and that was completely okay with me.

'Do you mind if I drink?'

I blink slightly at her reaction, if I would have told my old friends, I wasn't drinking they would have turned their noses up at me and pressured me into it. And here, Scarlett was making sure, I was comfortable with her drinking. She didn't even try to pry and ask why I don't.

'Y-Yeah of course, I want you to have fun.'

We walk into the kitchen standing side by side with one another, I watch in amusement at the amount of wine she pours into her cup. I look around the kitchen island before grabbing a can of sprite.

'Scar! Autumn!' Sammy calls out as he races into the kitchen, I notice the way his smile widens as his eyes connect with Scarlett's.

'Sam!' She cries out before flinging her arms around his neck, 'You look so handsome!'

The brown-haired boy's ears turn pink, 'T-Thanks! You look pretty! And so do you, Autumn! Both of you do.'

I nearly laugh at how flustered he was, I couldn't tell if it was due to the alcohol.

Once they pull away from their hug, Sammy quizzically eyes up Scarlett, he frowns slightly before he recovers it.

'Your hair? It's blonde.'

She nods before taking a large sip of her drink, 'Yeah, fancied a change.'

A loud snort from behind, startles me, 'You mean Rick fancied a change.'