All About You / Luke Hemmings

Thirteen: Party

AILAINA

Today's the day of Jack's party. I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't the least bit nervous. With a social circle as small as mine, I don't really go to parties often. I don't even know what to wear.
Jack's place is kinda small and since he's apparently inviting a ton of people, I'd assume it would be kinda sweaty in there.
A tank sounds good. Shorts? Nah, don't want any eyes on my legs. Jeans? Uncomfortable. Sigh, I guess I'm going with leggings.

My phone starts ringing. I see that it's Calum calling so I pick up. "Hi."

"Ready?"

"Yup, just give me one more minute."

"Alright, I'll be here waiting in your driveway."

I hang up the phone and line my lips with lip balm. It's ten after, Calum and I didn't necessarily want to show up right at nine because we didn't want to be some of the first few people there. Jack's place is a 10-15 minute drive from my place varying on traffic so that'll buy us enough time.
I grab my purse and head out the door.

"Are you okay?" Calum asks just as I take a seat in his car.

"What do you mean?"

He switches the gear to reverse and exits my driveway. "You look a tad bit bothered."

"That obvious, huh?" He chuckles at me. "I just haven't really gone to these type of things, yenno? Kinda excited too, but mostly nervous."

"It'll be fine, you'll be with me."

•••

I was right. It's now half past and it's so damn humid in here, I'm sweating. Cal and I saw the other two boys but they went off to socialize with some senior girls so we just decided to sit on the couch in the living room and talk about everyone in the room. Not anything bad, but just commenting on what they're doing. You know, like, "Oh that girl's really good at singing, but she never joins any choirs," or "That guy is probably trying to find someone to sleep with him," stuff like that. We've spotted a few people drunk dancing and people who don't even go to Gallagher.

"Look over there," Calum says, motioning towards a girl across the room. "Isn't she a freshman? She shouldn't be at a party like this."

"I'm thirsty," is all I say. "Want a drink?"

"Sure, get me a pop."

"Save my seat."

I get up and go to the kitchen to get us some drinks. There are a ton of coolers filled with beer and alcohol. Calum and I don't really want to drink because it's a school night and we're not that daring. Besides, Calum is driving so he needs to stay sober.
I walk over to the fridge to check if they have anything in there.

"Bingo," I whisper to myself. Bottles of pop and orange juice fill up the fridge along with trays of shots of jello. I take out a bottle Pepsi and go over to the counter to fill up two red solo cups.
Just as I begin to pour, an intoxicated girl bumps into me, making me spill all over the countertop.

"Oops, my bad!" she giggles then takes off.

Great. I grab a handful of napkins to clean up.

"What's a pretty face like yours doing all by yourself?"

A hand appears by mine, handing me more napkins. I turn my head to see Luke standing there with a smirk on his face. I groan and break eye contact.

"You look hot today, Ailaina. All dressed up for me?" I don't respond. "So what do you say to a night with me?"

"No thanks," is all I say. I toss the napkins out and finish pouring the drinks.

"Oh come on, babe. You know it would be the best night of your life," Luke says as he puts his arm around me.

I screw the cap back onto the bottle and shake his arm off me. "Leave me alone, Luke."

"You sure? The way you stare at me says otherwise."

I walk back to Calum and give him his cup. "What happened?" he asks with concern.

"Can we leave, please?"

"Yeah, yeah. Of course," he says without asking why. He gets up and pulls his car keys out of his pocket. "Let's go."

We toss our empty cups to the ground just as we're about to enter the car. Once we're on the road, I tell Calum what happened.

"That's just fucking disgusting. Are you okay?"

I sigh, "Yeah, he was probably just under the influence or something."

"I wouldn't doubt it."

•••

LUKE

"S-so Luke," Alex begins, stumbling with his words, "a-are you... Are you interested in anyone?"

I take another sip of my beer. "Um... Yeah. I think I got my eye on someone at the moment. She doesn't seem interested right now, but I know she'll come around. They always do," I say with every ounce of confidence in me. And it's true, I always get what I want, no matter what. And I barely have to try.

Alex and his posse of friends all hoot and holler at me. "Atta boy! Gettin' the ladies," he laughs and pats me on the back. "Give him another shot!"