Deadly Love

6. Life of the Party

With my eyes shut, I jump slightly as I feel Eric's fingers brush over my cheek. He reaches to tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind my ear.

For the second time in the last week, I scold myself for even thinking he would kiss me. I open my eyes and find his face flushed, with a hint of regret.

We finish our dinner, sticking to small talk, and the waiter brings the check.

The limo drops us off at my house and Eric politely walks me to the front door.

"I hope you had fun tonight, Cadence," he whispers to me, grabbing one of my hands and looking down.

"I had a blast." I smile at him. "Thank you so much for the necklace, I'm never going to take it off." I reach to my neck and finger the small treble clef.

"I'm really glad you like it," he says. "I saw it and immediately thought of you."

A moment of silence passes between us, so I take a step forward and throw my arms around him.

"Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Wait." He takes a step back, breaking our hug. "I was just wondering...I know you aren't into this type of stuff, but on Friday there's a party and I'm invited. Would you want to come with me?" He asks nervously.

"Eric, I... I'm not sure my parents would even let me." I respond.

I've never been drunk before and the only alcohol I have ever tasted was a sip of wine at a family party last year.

"Please Cadence," he begs. "It will be fun. You are seventeen now, let's do some risky things. Plus, I'm sure Andi will be there." He grins at me as his mood shifts.

"I promise I will think about it and ask my parents, okay?" I say.

"Okay. Fine. But I really would love if you came."

I hug him again and we exchange goodnights.

I walk into my house and hear my parents upstairs, screaming at each other.

"Sarah, this isn't about us. It's what's best for her!" My dad yells.

"I understand that but I am tired of living like this. You are never here and coming home at 2 A.M. is not okay, Todd!" My mom argues back.

"Fine! I won't come home at all then."

I hear the front door slam shut and the house shakes slightly.

My chest burns. Won't come home at all? What could that possibly be about? I wonder.

I decide not to ask my parents about the party, especially because of the fighting. I quickly shower and lay in bed reminiscing about today's events. I stare at the beautiful white rose sitting on my dresser and fall asleep contemplating who could have given me it.

I meet Eric in the school parking lot the next morning and smile as I see his Jeep pull up next to me.

"Wow, Cadence, look at that. You drove to school all on your own," he jokes.

"Yes, I did and for your information, no I did not run another stop sign," I tease him back as we walk into school.

We part ways and I head to band, taking my seat in my chair directly in front of Mr. Alessi.

He looks at me and glances down at my neck, his eyes zeroing in on my new necklace.

He raises his eyebrows smugly. "New necklace? Cute, I think I saw a sixth grader with the same one."

"Yep, Eric got it for me. And I'm assuming you told the sixth grader she has great taste?"

One side of his mouth curves into a smile. "It's a bit tacky, don't you think? I mean a treble clef? A bass clef is much more meaningful."