The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 21: Spin the Bottle, Anyone?

You're standing in between Alex and Nathan, staring at Cole's station wagon as he pulls up to the porch. The rain has lightened up immensely, enough so that it's safe to drive the roads.

"Alright, pile on. Any arguments over seating immediately sends you to the far back." Cole instructs and addresses each and every one of you on the porch. You glance around.

All of you are going, it turns out. Isaac, Lee, Nathan, Alex, you, Jackie, and Cole. With Jordan, Parker, and Benny being as young as each of them are, George and Katherine prohibit them to go to a high schooler party. There's no arguments on any sides for that.

It ends up being a breeze in choosing seats. Jackie, of course, is sat in the passenger seat next to Cole. His orders, so there was no room for discussion.

Isaac, Lee, and Nathan have taken to the middle row. You and Alex are the leftovers and get pushed to the third row. You can't find a complaint. It's as far back from Jackie and Cole as possible. While you appreciate the advances each are making to fix things with Alex, you still need some space.

Especially with Jackie having found your personal diary. It's humiliating to know she is more than likely observing every moment you have with Alex now. God, does everyone in this car besides Alex know you are in love with him by this point? You have got to get better at hiding your emotions - someday, he may just piece the evidence together himself.

"Do you really think going to Dylan's party is a good call right now?" Isaac twists over his seat, peering at you and Alex. He has resorted to going on his phone, being the one to text Kylie to see if she will be there.

"Sure. Why wouldn't it be?" He questions his cousin back.

"Well, you and Cole-"

"We're all good." Cole speaks up, eyes gleaming in the rear view mirror at the lot of you. "This is the perfect way to celebrate Alex and I making up."

"Couldn't agree more." Alex agrees, lips tugging into a grin. You eye him up and down precariously.

"I almost miss them fighting," Lee huffs, "this is too civil for my taste."

"Careful what you wish for." Nathan shoots the youngest of the group a warning glare. You can't help but sit with those words the rest of the drive into town.

~~~~~

The drive was only ten minutes. Now, you're all standing outside the rather large home on the north side of town. Cole has taken charge at the front of the pack, hand in hand with Jackie as they approach the front door.

You dart your attention between their hands and Alex's face. Sure enough, he's watching them. It's difficult to read what he's thinking about the ordeal. Maybe coming to this party was a bad idea. You two could have stayed home, gaming in his room while the others went out. He wouldn't know what his brother and Jackie were up too. Maybe that was why he wanted to come though.

"Hey," you bump your shoulder against his own, "let's have fun tonight. Yeah?"

His eyes never leave their target. But he tilts his head opposite of your direction.

"Yeah." He makes an effort to answer.

Cole's finger collides with the doorbell, a melodious chime ringing inside the house as you all stand and wait.

You take to fussing with your shorts, glancing down at them. After getting drenched in the rain, you had to hand over your laundry for Katherine to do with hers and Jackie's. Due to you prolonging doing your laundry too long, you were low on options. That resulted in the choice of your high-waisted, pitch black shorts and a deep blue crop top. The top is loose, flowing down and overlapping the waistline of your shorts to cover all skin, only leaving your legs and arms to be bare. Finishing off the look, your hair has been let loose over your shoulder, the rain giving your strands a faint curl.