Outside the lines

Part 18 - Rowan

I checked Instagram, Willow was right - Zoey was at that party.

The party was being thrown at Noah Dawson's place. The guy who called me a lesbian in front of an entire group of people. I didn't want to see his face there but I had to show up so I could talk to Zoey. 

Willow: hey, u coming tn?

Rowan: I need to ask my mom, she might say no since its a school night :(

Willow: text me if u can

I walked out of my room and reached the stair case, I could already see mom at the dining table, surrounded by papers and worksheets.

Once I reached the kitchen, she looked up at me and smile. "Hey, I didn't see you last night, did you're father drive you late?

I nodded and sat down on a chair close to her.

- Mom, could I go see some friends tonight?

- Are you asking me if you can go to a party on a school night?

I looked down and crossed my arms.

- I only want to go there because I need to talk to someone, once i do ill be out of there and right back home.

- You kids can text these days, did you try doing that?

- Mom, please?

She sighed, looking at the time on her phone. 

- Its already late, you can go but you need to be back here in bed before midnight.

- Thank you, I smiled.

I quickly got up and ran upstairs, reached my bedroom and threw myself onto my bed.

Rowan: My mom said yes! Cant be there for too long. I'm going to walk there, I'll see you soon!

Willow: great! see you soon then.

***

I reached the front door of Noah's house. I could already hear the loud music echoing from outside. Colored lights were peeking out from the windows.

I opened the door and made my way inside. Passing by a bunch of unfamiliar faces, I barely knew anyone here.

The house was crowded, with teens planted everywhere chatting up other teens. The place reeked of weed and sugary alcoholic drinks. People everywhere were dressed up in costumes.

I reached a corner where Willow and some of her other friends were planted, all of them dressed up with some kind of witch hats and capes with heavy black makeup. She smiled when she saw me.

- Finally showed up?

- Yep, did any of you see Zoey?

- I think she's somewhere over there. Willow said pointing at another area around the house.

I walked away and reached the place where Zoey was, all of her jerk friends surrounding her. Zoey looked beautiful, unlike me she had actually dressed up for this Halloween party. She was wearing a small  white dress with a hallow over her head. She looked like an angel and matter of fact she was dressed up as one.

I reached her and her friends. Zoey turned around and her eyes widened when she saw me.

- Rowan? what are you doing here?

- Do you think I could talk to you?

Zoey stood still, her mind racing in thoughts. "Okay fine" she blurted out. 

Zoey grabbed my hand and walked me through the crowded room, the bright lights blinding me as I walked by, the loud music bleeding through my ears.

Still holding my hand, we walked up the stairs to the second floor, the noises faded in the back ground and the lights stopped blinding me, it was much calmer here.

Zoey led me into a room and closed the door behind her. She placed herself in front of me.

- What's going on?

I stood still, searching for something to say.

- I just wanted to talk to you and apologize again for what happened at your place.

Zoey sighed, her voice soft and reassuring, she spoke again.

- You don't need to apologize for that Rowan, besides you already did.

- I really like you Zoey, I just wanted you to know that.

Zoey's eyes shifted, she smiled.

- I like you too Rowan, that's the only thing I'm sure of right now. With everything already going on, I didn't get a chance to think much about, us or - my sexuality or anything but I do know one thing and that thing is that I like you.

I smiled and nodded, but my smile quickly faded, Zoey looked - preoccupied. Her eyes were filled with worry.

- What's wrong?

- Nothing, don't worry.

That's when I realized how small the room seemed, we were so close to each other. The blue and purple lights flashing onto Zoey's skin, the glow in her eye, the shine in her hair.

I stepped closer to her and reached my hands out, holding on shortly after to Zoey's. She looked up at me, the silence in the room, the faded noise coming from the other side of the door - it all seemed to bring us closer.

Zoey leaned in, her lips coming closer to mine. Her eyes closed and her hands reached for the back of my neck. I closed my eyes as well and placed myself closer to her, grabbing her by her waist.

And all of a sudden, the moment that happened a couple days ago at Zoey's house, was happening all over again. Our lips crashed together, her fingers dug into my hair.