His Smirk ||

18- Just What I Needed

The way eyes followed Mike made a surge of energy run through me. It was more than the fact I was quite happily buzzed. It wasn’t the fact that he’d chosen to spend his time with me as him Pual and I all meandered from bonfire to bonfire set up at the party being accepted into every group. It was how he’d managed to get such adoration. “Me and the boys don’t act like we’re better than anyone.” He’d explained, leaning towards me to let some girls pass by. They’d walked closer than necessary just to try to catch his attention but he didn’t even notice.

“See our thing is this; we only respect those who give it.” he finished another beer and I handed him the next. “We don’t show up for parties unless we’ve got friends there. We don’t make appearances places just to get talked about. We’re not show horses that trod around waiting for their applause.” He’d laughed at that and I laughed along with him picturing the boys on their hands and knees with saddles on their backs.

“We’re just people and because we make ourselves scarce we became a sort of hot topic I’d guess you say. People want us around because we’re not.” I’d nodded. It’d made sense.

“It’s the ClayVontte secret. Go when you want to, not to be wanted.”

He’s been so right. And as I watched his friends mingling with people I couldn’t help but smile. That’s what I’d wanted out of highschool. I’d wanted to be able to make myself happy and not have everyone look down on me for not being ‘entertaining.’

“C’mon lets go pay those Vingsil boy’s a visit.” Mike smiled as he helped me to my feet. I grinned feeling slightly childish at how happy I’d be after seeing the look on loudmouth’s face. Mike Klares at a bonfire party with me, the no one. Paul came up on my other side as he faithfully followed us to the bonfire where loudmouth stood still telling loud stories.

As we approached a few eyes landed in our direction. They skimmed right over Paul and I to land on Mike. It felt nice not to be the one put under the magnifying glass for once. Frankie was with the group as well and his were the only eyes that landed on me. I smiled. Except for the speed bump the party had been surprisingly fun.

“Well hey there fellas.” Mike greeted everyone as the three of us stepped up to the group.

“Klaers?” Loudmouth’s drunken mouth literally fell open as he looked Mike straight in the face.

“Hey Frankie.” I greeted him with a bashful grin.

He lit up instantly and got to his feet motioning for us to join the group. “Rein I thought I’d lost you!” he laughed giving an awed look to Mike before giving me a full fledged grin.

“Told you she was just fine.” loudmouth mumbled still staring at Klaers.

Frankie tilted his head a bit and eyed me again. “Did you change shirts?” he asked and stepped closer reading the school name that was embroidered on the chest. “Lacette?” he read the school name outloud.

Paul gave a sheepish grin. “Oh it’s mine.” he could sense that I didn’t want to explain the ‘accident’ that had happened and instead said “Some drunk idiot spilled all over her so I let her have it.”