Cucumber

Chapter Twelve

I was still standing on Cumber's doorstep. I think I heard Mrs. Green say I could come in, but what if she wants me to wait for Cumber? After all, Mrs. Green did go back into the house. So, maybe she's bringing something back for me. Or, maybe I'm just waiting here for the other girls to arrive.

"Um, Paige? What are you doing? You can come in! All the other girls are already here," said Cumber, who was now leaning against the door.

Well, that narrows down the last option. And all the other ones.

With all the reasons for staying be the door gone, I re-position my bag and hurry in, trying not to let Cumber see how red my face got. When I walk in though. She's still standing behind. I realized I hadn't really spoken to her. Ugh, I can my feel my face getting pinker by the second.

"Oh! Sorry! Um, hi! I'm glad I could make it! It looks like fun!" I said, gesturing to her house. Her living room had nice furniture and pretty decorations, but no party things and sleepover stuff. Oh.

"We're not having it in here, are we?" I asked.

"Haha, no. I was wondering what you were talking about when you said it looks like fun. It's just my living room. But wait until you see my room," Cumber said, pulling me down the hallway. We approached the last door on the right, and I could already here music blasting out and food be munched on. Cumber pushed open the door, and I could hear the full extent of the party going on.

Mostly pop was booming out the stereo by the window and there was bowls of snacks spread out on every convenient spot. Girls whose faces I couldn't see were jumping on the bed, the floor, and on the dresser!, swinging their hairbrushes around like they were microphones. Cumber immediately rushed off to join them, snatching her hairbrush of her dresser, leaving me the only one standing and not moving to the music. I wanted to, but I was unsure how to.

Cumber did it for me. She raced back over and tugged on my arm with an obviously strong grip. I was forced to shrug my bag onto the floor, where it was surrounded by other ones of various colors. I was handed a spare hair brush and pulled onto the "dance floor". As I already said, that included the bed, floor, and dresser. Among the dancers were Kim Slov, Jess Van,  Alice Holtz, and Laurel Sewl? Maybe it's Sowl. Huh.

Anyways, despite the fact that I know their names, I don't actually know them. That left me awkwardly jumping around, trying really hard not to touch anybody. I'm sure I looked like some nerd who only sees sunlight on certain days. At least I actually hadn't touched anybody. That is until Kim started shaking her boom boom pows a little too close me while I was doing disco. My brush reared back  and smacked her in the chest area. She went down with me standing over her, a horrified expression on my face and brush still in hand. 

Cumber cracked up. She walked over and made some joke about how maybe they'll swell and boys will finally notice her. I could not believe she started laughing. I mean, I just hit her in the boobs! Boobs! 

I sort of stumbled back and Cumber "caught" me. She more just steadied me, but it was still awkward. I tried to get back on my feet by gently pushing Cumber away from me. Instead, I fell out of her arms and landed on the floor next to Kim. She turned toward me and raised her brush. I knew what was coming so I tried to roll out of her reach but I ran into a bookcase. I shifted about, moving this way and that, but Kim still managed to bring her brush down. Hard.

"Ohooww!" I rolled over so no one could see my red chest. You know, just because I haven't exactly filled out yet, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to get hit in certain places. Like my boobs! Oh Kim! I know I've already hit you once, but you took it too far!

I grabbed the nearest pillow and swung it blindly in the direction of Kim.  I heard a muffled "ow" and when I rolled back over, I saw Jess going to Kim's defense, her pillow in hand. I was able to stand up before Laurel was completely by Kim. I didn't move though. I don't know why.