Unknown Beginning

Part 7

Saturday night's game turned out much the same as the previous night's. James continued with her same tactics and Riley's skill managed to carry them to victory. Once back in their dorm, Kenny began primping to complete her costume. "What are you again?" Riley asked as she watched Kenny straighten her hair.

"I'm Ginger Spice!" Hellooo can't you see my British flag dress?" Kenny asked exasperated.

"Uh right. Yeah" Riley nodded. "And who are the other spices?"

"The three girls I was supposed to live with, remember?" Kenny replied as she applied mascara.

"Aren't there five Spice Girls?" Riley asked as she tried to remember anything she could about the Spice Girls.

"Well yeah but I told you that you could be Sporty Spice. The fifth girl might not make it to the party and I don't really know her anyways" Kenny tried again to convince Riley.

"Um no thanks, I'm good. Besides, shouldn't you be Baby Spice? Isn't Ginger known for her fiery spunk or something?" Riley questioned, trying to lead the conversation away from her lack of participation as Sporty Spice.

"Ummm yeah" Kenny agreed, "But I have the red hair so by default I had to be Ginger."

"That's dumb" Riley stated.

"Don't be such a party pooper, Riles. It's all just for fun" Kenny said cheerfully.

"Sure sure. We're all having fun here" she said in a tone that clearly contradicted her statement.

Kenny giggled and said "Ok I'm ready. Let's go, grumpy."

When the duo finally arrived at the party house, Riley was carrying Kenny piggy-back style. "I told you that you should have worn sneakers for the walk and put your heels in my backpack" Riley lectured.

Kenny slid from her back as they reached the front door "But then you wouldn't have given me a piggy-back ride!"

"Yes I would have. I just wouldn't have needed to give you one" Riley explained.

"Oh well, at least I look cute" Kenny beamed

Riley shook her head but half smiled, "Yeah yeah we all know you're cute".

Somehow smiling even bigger, Kenny reached to open Riley's chest pocket on her unbuttoned evergreen flannel "Put your teeth on so we can go in".

"Finneee" Riley conceded as she took out 2 fangs and placed them on her top incisor teeth. "Happy?"

"Very." Kenny said as she took Riley's hand, "Come on my grumpy little vampire."

As Kenny led Riley into the house, they made their way through the living room. Most of their teammates were already there as well as random other students they didn't know. Kenny continued pulling Riley to the kitchen where she had spotted her fellow Spice Girls. Kenny introduced Riley to each of them before diving into the conversation. Riley mostly listened without participating but this didn't bother her. She was here for Kenny and if Kenny was happy then so was she.

Silently Riley observed the ruckus of the party around her. People dancing, drinking, talking animatedly. Riley didn't usually drink because she didn't like the taste (and was unaffected by peer pressure) but tonight in particular she was prepared to be the designated sober friend. Which meant Riley was on high alert when she noticed a tall guy walk over, hug Kenny and hand her a beer. Kenny was smiling up at this guy as she sipped the drink and twirled her hair around a finger. Thinking this must be Greg, the guy Kenny had a class with and a major crush on, Riley settled into her role as chaperone for the night. She would make sure Kenny didn't drink too much and this guy didn't pull any funny business.

As Riley contemplated her role, she noticed James enter the front door and find Claire immediately. Claire was a fourth-year and James was a third-year which meant this was their third year playing together and both were captains. The other captain and fourth-year, Marissa, who lived here with Claire, joined them shortly after. Riley watched as they pulled their heads close to talk before all three glanced around and saw Riley. Not one to look away, Riley continued to watch them even after they each hurriedly turned their back to her.