Exquisite

Chapter 15

"Do I look okay?" I asked Jen, fiddling with my hair in the mirror. We were going to a party that night in one of the other blocks- a much bigger one than the small get togethers in Ethan's dorm.
"You look perfect," She appeared behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist, "As always."
She craned her neck round to plant a kiss on my cheek, and let the kisses drift down to the side of my neck.
"I'm almost tempted to make us very late for this party," she murmured, letting her hands run over my body. One found my breast and squeezed it while the other crept up under the hemline of my skirt.
I giggled, "Don't tempt me, that's not fair."
"In fact," she said teasingly, her hand moving higher up under my skirt, "I'd love nothing more than skip the damn party and make our own fun right here." She fingered the elastic of my panties, still softly kissing my neck.
"It was your idea to go!" I laughed.
"Okay, I do wanna go... but I think we could spare five minutes."
"What good is five minutes?" I snorted.
"That sounds like a challenge."
She slowly edged her hand inside my panties, feeling me gently. I gasped as I felt her fingers teasing me. She rubbed my clit, gently at first, then a bit firmer. Her free hand pulled my top up and played with my tits, squeezing and pulling on my nipples. I blushed at the sight of myself in the mirror, looking away.
"Nuh uh," she used her head to nudge mine back towards the mirror, "Look how perfect you are."
I blushed deeper, gasping and moaning as she worked her fingers between my legs.
"Fuck," I breathed, "Don't stop."
"I wasn't planning on it," she chuckled, "Why? Does it feel good?"
"Uh huh," I moaned. My legs started to buckle, wobbling, but she kept me on my feet.
"Oops," she laughed, kissing my cheek gently, "I've got you."
She moved her fingers faster. I squirmed at the intense sensations, my hips grinding all by themselves.
"Hold still," she scolded lightly, giving my nipple a hard pinch.
"I can't," I whimpered.
"You can," she crooned, "Keep those little hips still so I can do my job properly. Or I won't be happy. Bad girls don't get nice things."
I tensed my legs up, trying to keep still.
"What a good girl," she kissed my head, moving her free hand up to stroke my hair.
Just as I was about to reach a climax, I let myself grind into her hand.
She suddenly stopped and pulled her hand away. I gasped furiously, shocked at the sudden anti-climactic emptiness between my legs. I looked at her reproachfully.
"I told you," she shrugged, smirking.
I pouted.
"Don't pout at me," she chuckled, pulling my skirt down to cover my panties, "I was very clear."
"B-But..."
"Shhh."
"You're so mean," I whined.
"And you love it," she raised her eyebrows, "Come on, time to go." She gave my ass a quick slap.
I sighed, moving to grab my bag.
"And seriously, stop the pouting," she said, "If you're good, I'll make it up to you later."
I smiled to myself. God, I loved her.
"Much better," she caught my smile and smiled back, winking.
I shook my head, "How do you...?"
"How do I what?"
"How do you always know just how to make me weak at the knees?"
"Literally, apparently," she snorted.
I gave her a gentle shove, "Oh, shut up!"
"Hey, watch it," she chuckled, catching my arms and pulling me in towards her, "Come here."
She put one hand on the back of my head and leaned in to place a long, lingering kiss on my lips.
"I love you," she stroked my hair.
"I love you too."
When we got to the party, I felt kind of nervous- it felt like there was a lot of people there. I awkwardly followed Jen in, gripping on to her hand.
"You okay?" She frowned.
I nodded and she squeezed my hand. I felt better when she put a drink in my hand from her bag- less awkward.
I could barely hear anything over the loud music. It was some crappy dubstep stuff.
"Shit music!" I shouted over it into Jen's ear.
She laughed at me, nodding in agreement.
"Let's try and find Ethan and Lara and Becca," she suggested.
We found them sitting in a corner, laughing hysterically over something and passing round a bag of Doritos.
"Having a nice time?" Jen chuckled.
"Yup!" Said Becca.
"It's nice not to be hosting for once," Ethan nodded.
He had on a fabulously bright pink shirt, half buttoned, his platinum hair sitting in perfect waves.
"I like the shirt," I told him.
"What? I can't hear you!" He yelled, beckoning me closer.
"I like your shirt!" I shouted.
"You're looking particularly fabulous yourself!"
I had recently thrifted a pair of black cowboy boots, since I liked the tan sunflower ones so much. I paired them with a short black denim skirt and a black tank, with a chunky belt.
Jen looked sort of proud when Ethan complimented me, her arm around my waist- I thought that was cute.
The more I drank, the less jarring the atmosphere of the party was. Whoever's playlist was on thankfully was populated with more than just dubstep and house music, so we did get a good song every so often.
After a while, Lara went out to smoke and I joined her. My ears were ringing from the music, the quiet outside soothing them somewhat.
"It's good to get out of there for a bit," Lara sighed, lighting up.
"Yeah," I took a drag, "My ears hurt."
"Are you enjoying it though?" She asked, "I thought it might not be your scene. I remember Jen was really specific when we did your birthday surprise that it had to be just us."
"Oh, yeah," I nodded, "I mean... I haven't been to a big party like this before, so I was kind of nervous. But it's fine now I'm here. And now that I've had a few drinks."
She paused, "I get it, you know. I mean, kind of. I've always been the quiet one. You know, Jen's just always comfortable, she's so sure of herself. And Becca's all bubbly and cute. And well Ethan is... Ethan! It's looks so easy for them."
"I bet it's not," I mused, "I bet they're just better at hiding it... you're better at hiding it than you think. I don't think I'm good at hiding anything. I put all this effort into looking different and I'm still just... awkward." I laughed slightly.
"But you're not," she said seriously, "You've changed so much, even since Jen brought you to that first little party at Ethan's. You're cool."
I spluttered, "Cool?"
"Yeah! Seriously."
"Thanks," I chuckled.
The door to the block opened and a small group of girls came out, sucking on elf bars.
"Oh, god," Lara groaned quietly, "Look who it is."
I glanced at the girls and realised one of them was Carly.
"Oh, I don't think she'll talk to us," I shrugged, "I think she's over it all now."
Lara frowned slightly.
"What?" I prompted, confused.
"I... nothing. It's fine. You're probably right."
"Lara, what is it?" I was getting worried.
"I..." she looked sort of nervous, "Well, it's just..."
"Oh, look who it is!" Carly's voice rang over.
Lara cringed visibly.
I glanced around, giving a polite smile.
"Got a light?" She asked.
I nodded, getting my lighter out and handing it over. She lit up a cigarette and tossed it back to me.
"Don't you look cute, cowgirl," she looked me up and down.
"... Thanks," I said quietly.
"Sooo, how are things?" She said, taking a puff.
"Uh... good," I nodded, "How are things with you?"
"So so," she shrugged, "Are you here with Jen?"
"Yup. She's inside."
"Still going strong?"
I nodded slowly.
"Hmm... really?"
"... Yes," I said firmly.
"Oh," she shrugged, "Right."
I glanced at Lara. She looked weirdly anxious.
I turned back to Carly.
"What?" I frowned.
"Nothing!" She smiled, "It's just..."
"Just what?" I persisted.
"Well... it didn't exactly seem like everything was peachy from Jen's messages."
There was a glint in her eye.
"What messages?" I tried to ask it casually, but inside I was starting to feel as anxious as Lara looked.
"Oh, she didn't tell you? We've been messaging a little. We made friends again. Didn't she tell you?"
Lara butt in, "Actually, that's not entirely-"
"No one asked you, Lara," Carly snapped.
Lara bit her lip, then shook her head, turned, and walked back inside.
"Okay," I looked at Carly, "What did Jen say that made it sound like we weren't okay?"
"Nothing much," she shrugged, "Just that things were a little weird with you."
"Weird?"
"She said that something happened over thanksgiving and things were a little weird. That's all."
I stared at her, my heart pounding.
"Did she tell you what happened?" I had thrown all hope of looking calm and collected out the window.
"Not exactly," she looked down at her manicure, as if the conversation was boring her, but I could see the glee in her smirk, "But given that you went home for thanksgiving... I'm guessing something to do with daddy dearest?"
I felt my fists clench. She knew exactly how to push my buttons- put doubts and worries in my mind.
Suddenly, the door opened again and Jen came marching out. She didn't look at Carly, she just grabbed my hand and started walking.
"Let's go," she said firmly.
I blinked at her.
"What's wrong, Jen?" Carly called after us, "Was I not meant to let on that you've been messaging another girl?!"
Jen dropped my hand and turned back to her, stone faced, fire in her eyes.
"You manipulative, scheming, twisted little..." She bit her tongue, "Whatever your little game is, it stops now. Leave me alone. And if you can't do that, for fuck's sake leave Grace out of it!"
"Oh that would suit you just great, wouldn't it?" Carly scoffed, "Leave Grace out of it, she doesn't have to know anything. Just keep her in the dark."
"There's nothing for her to know!" Jen fumed.
"She asked, Jen! You want me to lie to her?"
"I want you to stop whatever this is."
Carly rolled her eyes. Then she looked at me.
"And like always, you just stand there," she shook her head, "It's easier to just let Jen do the talking, right? God, girl, get a backbone... I guess this is how it's always been, huh? You let daddy do the talking and now he's not here you just hide behind Jen."
Jen clenched her fists, her jaw tight, and took a step towards Carly.
"Jen, no!" I panicked- I honestly thought she might hit her.
As if from nowhere, Ethan, like a knight in shining armour, appeared and stepped between them, his hands holding Jen firmly by the shoulders. He could have been there the whole time, because I looked over and realised Becca and Lara had also been spectating without me noticing.
"Cool it," he said firmly, "Calm down. She's not worth it."
Jen pressed her lips together, letting Ethan push her a step back.
"You have no idea what the fuck you're talking about," she pointed a finger at Carly, "If you did, you'd see how disgusting what you just said is."
Carly scoffed.
Jen opened her mouth, then shook her head.
"Babe," she took my hand again, "Let's go."
Lara, Becca and Ethan left too, walking back in the same direction as us. I offered Jen the rest of the cigarette I was on.
She chuckled in spite of her rage, "Nah, I think I need a full one after that."
She took out her own pack and lit up.
My heart fluttered at how protective she had been, how fiercely she had defended me. But I also really wanted to know what Carly had been talking about. It was clear they had messaged, and that worried me, even if I did trust Jen.
I waited til we were back in our room, then I hesitantly brought it up.
"Jen?"
"Uh huh?"
"... Why were you messaging her?"
She sighed.
"Look, I know. I know I shouldn't even think about it, but I can't help it. Why would you message her when you know what she's like?"
Jen stayed silent.
"And why wouldn't you tell me?"
She looked at me, "I wasn't messaging her in that way."
"Then why keep it a secret?"
"Cause I didn't want you to think I was messaging her in that way."
"And what did you tell her about thanksgiving?"
"Nothing," she said, "Seriously, nothing."
"She told me you did," I pressed.
"That bitch," Jen muttered.
"Can you just tell me exactly what happened?"
"Fine. She messaged me over thanksgiving apologising for how she acted, wanting to make up and just be friends again. I was stupid enough to take it at face value and I... went with it. And after what happened to you at home I was really worried about you and... I confided in her."
My eyes went wide, "You didn't tell her... Jen, tell me you didn't-"
"Of course I didn't! I just said that something had happened with your dad and I was worried about you. I promise I didn't give any more details than that."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"But after that, she started... well, chasing me again. And I shut her down, and I blocked her."
"Really? That's really it?" I frowned.
"Yes. That's it."
"... Can I see it?"
"Really?" She raised her eyebrows.
I felt guilty for not just trusting her... but she kept it from me. I couldn't help being unsure.
"I... Please, Jen, I'm not... I just need to see it."
She shrugged, "Okay. If you need to see it, you can see it."
She unblocked Carly for five minutes so I could read the messages. It was all exactly as she said.
"Okay?" She said, "You believe me now?"
"Jen, it wasn't that I didn't believe you I just..."
"Didn't trust me?" She looked pretty pissed off.
"Jen, you didn't tell me," I sighed, "What was I meant to think?"
She pursed her lips. "Did you really think I would even think about cheating on you? And with her, of all people?"
"No! Honestly, I was more worried what you'd said about my dad. I know you wouldn't, but I had to know exactly how much you'd said. I had to see it and get my head around exactly how much she knew... Jen, please, I trust you. I love you. Please don't fall out with me."
My eyes were tearing up.
There was a pause. Then she looked at me and her face softened.
"Oh, Grace, don't cry baby," she took my hand, "I know. I know, I just got all defensive. I know you trust me. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry," I said tearfully.
"No, no. What were you meant to think, with her going on like that out there?" She wrapped her arms around me, "And I should have told you."
She softly kissed my forehead, wiping the tears from my eyes.
"Promise me we'll never let something so stupid get between us," I sniffed.
"Of course we won't," she smiled, kissing me again, "I promise."