I Wanna Be Free, I Wanna Be Loved

Ch. 23: The Poor Groom's Bride Is A Whore

SPENCER'S POV

Hannah's phone rang and she looked down at the screen in disgust before answering the call.

"What?" she snapped. It had to be Ryan on the other end, she wasn't mad at anyone else.

"Yes I'm safe. I'm with Spencer. No I'm not coming home tonight. No I am not. No I am not, Ryan. NO I AM N--YOU WOULDN'T! Fine, I'll see you soon" she shoved the phone in her pocket.

"Come on, I'll drive you home" I said as we walked out to Ryan's car. She handed over the keys and got in the passenger seat, angrily crossing her arms over her chest. The look on her face screamed "Don't Take Me Home" but I had to get her back. I knew Ryan was calling because of the surprise party he had planned for her. I liked Hannah but not in the same way that he did; I just wanted to be a good friend and someone that she could trust. If that meant stealing her away from Ryan for the formal then so be it. We got to their house and I wondered where all the party goers parked their cars; maybe no one showed up and I'd be able to take her out for a proper date. I parked the car in the driveway and was about to get out when she stopped me.

"Spencer, thank you for spending today with me and taking me in. You're a true gentleman"

She leaned over and kissed me; her lips were soft and dainty. Knowing that Ryan had kissed this girl too was weird for me but I kissed her back before we got out of the car and I walked her to the door. She pulled out her house key and we walked into the pitch black living room. As soon as she flicked on the light, a chorus of voices shouted "SURPRISE!"

HANNAH'S POV

People emerged from behind couches, from upstairs, and from all corners of the house. My birthday wasn't for a few days but I guess my friends put together an early party for me. Rachel and Brendon appeared and placed a purple tiara on my head as I fought the urge to cry. Never in my almost seventeen years of life had anyone ever thrown me a surprise birthday party. I didn't see Ryan anywhere, he could be drowning in the pool and I wouldn't care. Rachel, Brendon, and Spencer attacked me into a group hug.

"Spence, did you know about this?" I asked.

"Maybe" he smiled.

"And you kept it a secret all day? Jerk!" I playfully smacked him.

"Hey! In the car you called me a true gentleman, so don't hit me"

"This is true" I hugged him again.

"You really should thank Rya--"

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK THAT NAME!" I yelled, cutting Brendon off.

"Ignore it, Hannah. Tonight is all about you!" Rachel cheered.

"Yay!" I said.

There was a massive crowd of people at this party. I didn't know everyone but most probably showed up because it was a party with free cake. There were people in the pool, people making out in corners, typical high school party. Spencer stuck by my side as I made the rounds, he even held my hand.

"Hey, want to see mine and Rachel's room?" I asked.

"I've seen it but not since you moved in, so sure" he smiled.

We went upstairs and mine and Rachel's room; her side was completely different from mine. It was like we both had our own space within the same room. I sat down on my bed by the window and he joined.

"I wanted to thank you again for hanging out with me today and keeping me sane"

"It was my pleasure, you're a great girl" he said, placing a hand on my thigh. In that moment something came over me and I attacked him with another kiss. His lips were softer than Ryan's and I actually enjoyed this. I wondered if kissing two boys in one day made me a whore, especially because the two boys happen to be best friends. I kept kissing him and he kissed me, his tongue eventually entering my mouth. When we did break apart, he smiled.

"I liked that" I told him.

"Me too"

His hair was messy from me running my hands through it, he looked adorable. I kissed him one last time before we went back downstairs. Later on I dragged him off for more.