Olive Green [GxG]

CHAPTER 12

THE FIRST TWO weeks of December went by pretty fast. The school was over, and the new year and holidays were right here. It was just a comfortable time with our families and those closest to us. Supposedly.

  We exchanged Christmas presents in our school friend group earlier, while on break today before going home, so we could prepare for the party—well, what could we prepare for that? Those who could were supposed to bring alcohol or some snacks. Everyone was simply free to bring something.

  Jade and the others agreed on going there together, and I could only guess they went there as a group every previous year—was better than coming alone with nothing to do in the beginning. That would be such a boring start, to tell the truth.

  It slightly surprised me that Amani was coming with us, too, as she couldn't drink. Although I, of course, knew that it was simply possible to party without drinking. But it still felt weird—to not drink at such an event. With that many teenagers around on top of that.

  Soon enough, our small group entered the Smiths' house. Even though we were in a city, I got slightly concerned for their neighbours. However, Henry assured me that the party was always held somewhere where the neighbours weren't at home at the time or... there just weren't any.

  Together, we entered the house that was slowly getting fuller. Thankfully, we didn't get in there among the first ones, so it was also pretty loud in there already as one tried to over-talk the other. I could only imagine how this all would look in about an hour or two.

  "Julia said that we can leave these in there," Leah told us, pointing towards a door, as we stood in the hallway.

  Nodding, we all walked into the room where some people had already left their coats and jackets. I was glad to take my own off because it was getting hotter, second by second. At that moment, I realised that Amani was already wearing the scarf she had gotten from me. I was glad she really liked it and didn't wear it just because.

  "I'm gettin' beer," Leah stated, to which I turned myself to face her.

  "Count me in."

  I could hear Jade chuckle behind us as we left them and found ourselves in the Smiths' kitchen. There were still many faces I didn't know, so I just stuck to one of my five friends. Now it was Leah's turn.

  "What now?" I asked as we both got our drinks and stood in the room with a couple of other people who were busy in their conversations. Or making out as I could see. Get a room, jeez.

  "Well," she breathed out, looking around us, "we could find the others."

  We both then understandably took our drinks with us as we made our way around the ground floor of the house. I got kind of concerned for the house even when I knew not everyone was coming, especially lower years. But there were still a lot of people.

  Leah put her arm around my shoulders as we dodged a few groups of people moving around us. I looked around even though there was almost no chance of me finding someone I would know. And so, all I could do was fix my gaze on the glass door that happened to lead into the garden. It seemed like some people were already outside. In the cold weather, in the fresh air. How nice.

  "Thank god it's not rainin' tonight," Leah laughed, glancing in the same direction as I did.

  "Yeah."

  My eyes turned back in the direction we were heading—the living room. I saw Amani sitting down with Jade while the boys were nowhere to be seen. I wasn't surprised—they obviously wanted to have some fun. At least Henry, I could guess.