Little Miss Nosy

Chapter Sixteen: House Party of Horrors

- Edited -

Trevor's Halloween party is in full swing by the time Logan and I arrive. There aren't many cars lining the streets in front of his home, which I'm grateful for. Less cars mean less people, and less people mean less drama.

Logan and I walk hand-in-hand to the front door. We've been doing well since our reconciliation thanks to a few movie nights and dinner dates. I've done my part in not mentioning Ashton. Even going as far as to keep a little distance between us at school out of respect for him. But there are moments when that's not possible, like when Ms. Parker paired us up to identify different themes in Jane Eyre. Or like thirty minutes ago, when Ashton and his plus one—Sabrina, who I recognized from the arcade—arrived at the same time as us.

There was a slight tick in Logan's jaw, that being the only sign he acknowledged Ashton's presence as he held the door open for me to step inside.

Bella and her crew—whom I gladly bypassed on the way in—occupied the living room, where the furniture was pushed to the side to make space for a makeshift dance floor. The athletes set up camp in the spacious kitchen, using the island counter as a surface for their beer pong tournament. Everyone else was passed out or playing video games in the basement, the entire floor smelling strongly of weed and laundry detergent.

Carmen, Trevor, Ashton, Sabrina, Logan and I break out card games on the backyard patio. I'd take the crickets and wind blowing outside over the hyperactivity in the house any day.

"Draw four."

"Ugh! You ass. I was almost out." Sabrina pushes Ashton off the arm of the chair he's perched on and reluctantly adds four extra cards to her hand. If I didn't know of their situationship before watching how they interact, I would've thought them to be a couple from the way he thoughtlessly rests his hand on her thigh, or how she lays her head on his arm every so often.

Sabrina catches me staring for the third time. I don't mean too, honestly, but the way she so effortlessly exudes not only confidence and bad-ass energy, but also warmth is a combination I'm not used to. Her glossy lips perk into a gentle smile seconds before I glance away in embarrassment.

"Reverse back to me," Logan says before dropping a color changing card. "Uno." With everyone out, Logan and Ashton have been battling for fifth and last place for about five minutes now. No one's been paying too much attention, but we all sit up slightly with anticipation of the end drawing near.

"What's the color?"

"Green."

Ashton shrugs. Then, with a contained smile, places two cards down one after the other. "Uno and uno out."

"Dude," Trevor emphasizes. "Two draw fours and a draw two all in one game is insane."

"Well, when you're constantly picking up cards you're bound to find something good at the bottom of the deck."

"Wait." Logan's voice switches from competitive-serious to serious-series with him staring between Ashton and the cards he just played. Oh, boy. "You can't stack a draw four on top of a draw two."

"Says who?"

"Says the rules!"

"I'm on the whiny one's side," Carmen slurs, blinking slowly in an attempt to stay awake. Trevor had to confiscate her drink halfway through the game. "You can't stack those diff...erent cards."

"I've done it," Trevor shrugs.

"Same," Sabrina throws in.

All heads turn to me to either tie the vote or give the game to Ashton. I could lie for my boyfriend's sake, which would benefit my relationship...and peace of mind, or I could say what I think is true, which would take everything two steps back. This wouldn't be happening if I stayed home, is all I'll say.