Tears Of Ivy

Chapter 4

When most teenagers tell their parents they're going to a party they probably flip out. Not my dad.
''You need something to wear! What if you find a boyfriend? What if a boy flirts with you? Ivy, you need something to wear!'' My dad bleated, panicking and going through my drawers.

''Dad, stop repeating yourself. You're more excited than me, calm down.''
'He took a deep breath and sat on the edge of my bed.
''Sorry Ives, it's just that..you've never been to a party before.''
''I haven't exactly had a friend before either, Dad.''
He let out a hearty chuckle.
''Well yes, that too.'' 

He slapped his hands on his knees and hoisted himself up off the bed.
''Hey, why don't you wear that dress I bought you? You know, the one with the lace.''
''What, the one I've never worn? Black isn't really my color'' I asserted jokingly. 
''Why don't you just try it on, Ives.'' My dad nagged, walking out the door.
I reached into the back of my wardrobe and found the dress, almost brand new. It had a heart shaped neckline and a skater skirt end. I threw it on my bed and ran my fingers down the lace trim. 

''It's better that nothing, right?'' I muttered, untying my tie.
I slipped on the dress easily, flipped back my long hair and turned around to see myself in the mirror.

I look weird. Different.
''Hey can I come in yet?'' My dad snickered while slowly creaking the door open.
''Yeah, you can come in.''
He opened the door completely, and as soon as he entered the room his mouth flew wide open.

''Ivy, don't you look beautiful!'' My dad shouted.
''Dad...It's just a dress.'' I smiled to the ground.
''Let's tie your hair up.''
I took his advice and tied my hair up into a large bun, leaving two very long strands of hair down to the side.
''You look just like your mother.'' My dad sniffled, a glimmer shining in his eye.
''Oh dad, don't get so emotional. I'm just going to a party, I'm not getting married.''

He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and gave me a suffocating hug.

''No talking about marriage just yet. No alcohol either. Promise me?'' 
''I'll only promise if you let go. I can't breathe.'' I spluttered while being squeezed.
Dad let go, looking slightly embarrassed. 

''Go have some fun Ivy.''

I sat by my window waiting for Jade, fighting between the emotion of being nervous as hell and not wanting to go and the emotion of being extremely excited to see Jade. Nothing grasped my heart more at that moment than seeing Jade walk down my path and knocking on my door, and then spending the whole party with one another...

Knock Knock.
Shit.

''Ivy! Get the door!'' My dad shouted from his bedroom.
Thank god he didn't answer it.
I waddled downstairs, grasping at my stomach. I took a deep breath and walked faster down the steps, and opened the door.
I looked up to see Jade, giving her half-smirk. She was wearing a tight-fit red dress and her brunette hair I loved so much was curled. She looked gorgeous.
''Oh, Ivy. You look so different.'' Jade purred. ''Not like that's a bad thing of course.. you look beautiful.''
My face turned a bright red. Before I could answer, a tall boy our age, weirdly skinny with messy brown hair revealed himself from beside the door. 

He gave a patronizing smile and raised his eyebrows.
''She's blushing. She fancy you or something, J?'' He blurted out, spitting in my direction like a snake.
Jade cleared her throat and elbowed the skinny boy in the ribs.

''I should've told you he was coming, but this is Will. My boyfriend.''
Butterflies roamed my stomach like an earthquake and I stopped blushing.
''This is Ivy.'' Jade growled at him.
''Yeah, I know. The lesbian from our class, right?'' Will barked while throwing a frightening stare my way.
I clenched my fists and tried to avoid eye contact with him.
''Maybe I shouldn't come.''
''No, Ivy...I wan't you to come.'' Jade confessed, smiling at me. ''Will, stop being a dick. Ivy is my friend, alright?'' Now giving all of her attention towards him angrily. 
Will blew his hair out of his face and crossed his arms.
''Nothing wrong with being a lesbo, J.'' He sputtered while walking towards the road and away from us.
''I'm sorry, Ivy. Let's go.'' 
Jade grabbed a hold of my wrist ever so gently and pulled me away from the door.
I thought about saying bye to my dad but... I just closed the door and followed Jade.

After a silent car ride, we pulled up to and expensive looking house in an extremely upper-class looking neighbourhood.
''Your friend really lives here?'' I muttered almost silently, as the music blaring from the house beside us almost drained my voice out.
''Yeah. Mischa always has parties because her parents are always out on business or something.''
''I just think her parents don't give a shit.'' Will interrupted.
I gave out a fake laugh.
''Let's go, don't wanna be late.'' Jade bubbled while playfully hitting her boyfriend.
I took a deep breath and left the car, trudging behind the two as they lead me to the house entrance. 
What do I do? I've never drunk alcohol before... Do I introduce myself to Mischa?

I need to stop stressing about this. I thought to myself as Jade knocked on the door.
A short girl with bleached blonde hair  flew the door open with a large smile on her face.
''Jade! I'm so so so glad you came!'' She slurred, almost tripping on the door frame.
''Mischa, you're drunk already?'' Jade smiled while giving her a hug and helping her up.
''Pfftt, it's only been an hour. Come in guys.''
I cautiously stepped into the house and firstly noticed the large chandelier hanging above me. 
''Mischa, this is Ivy. She's brand new to my school.'' Jade noted to Mischa, smiling in my direction.
''Nice to meet you...Hey, you look familar...'' She blurted out, but before I could answer I was dragged into the living room by Jade.
I sat down on the sofa. Just before I could even get comfy, I felt like I was being watched. I dragged my eyes forward and around me and I saw everyone from my class...staring at me.

''Who invited the lesbian?''
Of course. The whispers have started already. Do these people say these things loud enough for me to hear on purpose?
I turned my head to see the Redhead girl. Melissa, I think her name was. Likely she's the one who whispered that. Before I could even get upset, Jade sat herself next to me and almost immediately everybody stopped staring.
''You're pretty popular, huh?'' I nervously exclaimed to Jade.
She giggled.
''I suppose. I'm not that bothered though. Just wan't to get through this year of school and get to a good university. Popularity isn't everything to me.'' 
''I've never really been popular.'' I muttered, blushing.

Jade put her arm round me and smiled. I blushed even harder.
''That doesn't matter. I haven't known you for long, but you're a great person. That's all that matters.'' She declared, giving me a hypnotizing smile. 
I was so embarrassed I couldn't answer. 
''Well, I'll go get us a beer.'' Jade laughed, clearing her throat awkwardly and lifting herself off the sofa.
I should've answered. But she makes my heart beat so fast I can't talk. I've never felt this way before. I'm scared.