after my best friend's death

after my best friend's death-chap 13

Haylie grabbed my arm was soon as the delectable Charlie Sommers left. I couldn’t help but gawk at his butt as he walked away. Why did he have to come to town when I already had enough boy troubles! Haylie’s poky fingers pressed against my arm, forcing me to look away from his retreating body.

            “Who was he?” her eyes were wide and bright. I noticed we were surrounded by the others as well, looking expectantly at me. I shrugged indifferently. “Cynthia's older brother, Charlie.” “You’re kidding” Haylie eyes seemed to widen more, not that it seemed possible at this point. “Charlie Sommers is back in town,” Anna raised her brow standing on her toes shamelessly looking for him. “What’s the big deal? He’s lived here all his life; he just left two years ago.”

            The looked at each other and then at me. “Understandable since you’ an ex-cool kid,” Cameron teased as she swung her arm around my shoulders and led me to the parking lot. “You’ve grown up with him, so you’re immune to his hotness. Maybe he’s like a brother to you too.” my cheeks burned as that definitely wasn’t the case now. “But to us normal people, “she continued oblivious with a hint of sarcasm, “he’s as good as a Greek god. He’s one of the hottest boys, scratch that, men to grace this town.” “So sexy, so bad boy types,” Anna sighed next to me.

            So everyone knew of his good looks except me. Cynthia Sommers you horrible person, I cursed internally. We were at the parking lot. My parents met me there and said we were going for dinner with the Sommers. Dinner with Charlie, I did a tiny happy dance involuntarily. But Renée interrupted, “Mrs. Torres there’s a party at Penelope’s house. We all already made a plan to go.” She looked hopefully at her, easily doing the puppy dog face that I still haven’t mastered. “Oh,” mom looked at me, “why didn’t you say so. Don’t be late then.” She smiled and left with dad in tow.

            “What party?” I asked. “Penelope announced a pregame party at the royal highness’ castle when you were exiled in the washroom.” Haylie grinned. No one loved a party more than Haylie, free booze and a lovely one night stand. Not that we judged her, she was funny, sarcastic and being young.

            I laughed as we piled into Anna’s car. The boys would be late, and would arrive with the team. As the car approached the driveway, I could see what Haylie meant by castle. I knew Penelope came from a family of old money, but this was beyond my expectations. Her house was easily twice as big as mine, and it looked a little like a castle with it’s stone walls covering the perimeter. The gates were fancy and shimmering gold which paved way to a huge front lawn. She even had a fountain at the front of her house. Anna parked the car closest to the house and we entered hand in hand, worried we’ll get lost.

            Unlike most parties I had ever been to, this party had still to reach its full potential. Everyone was waiting for the team to arrive, even Penelope wasn’t anywhere in sight. There was a DJ at the corner of her living room, and music boomed all over the house. Penelope had only limited the first floor for use, the higher floors were restricted. We split up. Cameron went with Haylie to get drinks, Renée, Anna and I went to scan the area.

            The cheer bimbos were occupied in a game of water volleyball against some boys. They were leading, not surprising because of their swimsuit size. The boys were obviously distracted. The kitchen had drinks and hardly any food. Penelope expected us to follow her diet plan. Penelope’s house should come with a map. There were a million rooms on each floor-washrooms, libraries, servant quarters, bedrooms, guest rooms.   

            We went out front when there was some hustle. Penelope was giving a foreword speech in her usual head cheerleader persona, introducing the future winners of this season. I hate to admit, but she did have a way to get the crowd going. Cameron and Haylie met us and handed us our drinks. Trust Haylie to not mix and coke in it.