White Noise

28

"You bitch!" Haley's red lips, painted the same color as her signature nails, parted in a loud cackle as she smacked her friend, the flames licking at their shadows as I watched them converse from across the bonfire.

            She was chatting with her two friends, Gen and Tia, who she'd introduced me to earlier. Both of them made no effort to hide that they were less than pleased to see or meet me.

            And they weren't the only ones. Despite Haley's attempt at trying to include me in multiple conversations, it was pretty clear I was an outcast from the minute I stepped out the sliding glass door and onto the porch of Haley's backyard, facing what had to be about twenty Buckley students.

            JD escaped upstairs within seconds of us entering her house, planting a kiss on my cheek and letting me know he'd be right back. That was at least thirty minutes ago. But after he'd grumbled about us being late the whole drive over here, because of me and my crying, I knew better than to question where he was.

            So I waited, and watched the scene unfold around me. Haley and her friends laughing and downing drinks across from me. A handful of guys on my right, clearly gossiping like schoolgirls while pushing out their chests and deepening their voices unnaturally. And on my left, a few guys in polo shirts and two girls in designer jeans sharing their third joint now.

            And me, standing by myself in a pair of off brand skinny jeans and an olive-colored blouse I'd gotten from the sale rack at TJ Maxx that covered my shoulders and dipped only slightly under my collarbone.

            "Is this okay?" I'd asked JD earlier, showing him the shirt I'd chosen after I'd dried my tears and applied a clean layer of eyeliner.

            He stared at it for a moment before meeting my gaze. He nodded, but added, "I told you, I don't want you to feel like you need my permission."

            My reply came out easily. "I know, and I don't need it. I want it."

            His pleased smile in response made my heart soar so high I couldn't catch it even if I tried.

            "Reup?"

            I jumped now at the new voice next to me, completely and embarrassingly startled. After being in my own little hidden world, clothed by the shadows of the bonfire for what felt like a long time, I wasn't expecting someone to see me, much less speak to me.

            The guy was holding a beer out to me lazily, his almond shaped eyes focused on the fire in front of us.

            I swallowed before taking the beer from him, quickly examining it to make sure it was still sealed. I'd been overhearing Lauren talk a lot lately about guys spiking drinks.

            He snorted. "Don't worry, I didn't open it."

            Cheeks flushed, realizing I was clearly caught questioning his integrity, he cut me off with a laugh before I could even try to apologize.

            "It's fine. It's nice to know girls actually do that."

            I stared at him as he took a swig of his own beer, the flames highlighting his tan skin and casting an almost blue glow on his jet-black hair.

            "Do what?" I blurted.

            He shot me a small but genuine smile, one I wasn't expecting. "Check their drinks. Gives me hope my little sister might actually be listening to me and doing the same."

            I nodded slightly before taking down a large gulp of the cold beer he'd just handed to me. "How old is she?"

            "Fifteen. And an absolute hellraiser."