Baby's Breath

Chapter 2: plans

After slipping into my sandals and stuffing my outfit without my bra into a tote, I was outside before I knew it. The door slammed behind me, I let loose a scream. Where would Autumn want to go until the party started? The mall was overrated, the duck pond had always been our favorite hang, but the dog park could be fun. Or we could just hang out at her house. I wouldn't mind indulging my sights on Josh.

The door opened at my first knock, sad to find his car missing, but still happy for the impending news. "Jess!" Autumn's dark chocolate eyes lit when she peered from inside. "What a surprise!" She rushed out and wrapped her long arms around my shoulders.

I hugged back, filled with taut thrills. I couldn't wait to tell her!

"I wasn't expecting you until much later. What did your mom say?" She eyed my tote evilly.

"Let me in and I'll tell ya." Her mouth pulled into a wide grin. She knew before I could say a word. It was as if a bomb went off inside my stomach, setting free the millions of butterflies. I screamed.

Our hands clasped and we jumped up and down as she joined me in the revelry.

 "Where's everybody?" The house was dark and quiet. What was I expecting? I knew Josh wasn't home, but heavy disappointment made me frown. I dropped onto the couch and spotted a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies. Grateful, I picked one up stuffed my mouth into silence.

"Mom and Dad are working, and Josh's off paintballing." She sat beside me and joined me at cookies.

"Oh! So when did he get back?"  I forced my voice bored. He was sure a cutie pie with his dark bangs over dark eyes. I hid my smile, remembering how soft his lips were last time we kissed.

Autumn grabbed another cookie, scrolling through her texts. "Last night, he's in for spring break." She chewed, clueless to my pseudo ignorance.

"Lucky duck gets to have his before us." I sure was going to miss him when it was our turn, but not before I made my plans come to life.

"The beauty of college, I s'pose."

Her voice startled me into the present, but she was oblivious to my spacing out. She barely glanced at me over her phone.

"So, what do you wanna do?" She snapped her phone shut, stood while plucking four cookies, and swung her chin-length hair away. I was amazed at her multitasking abilities. "We have, like, four hours."

"Uh, we could do each other's hair or nails or makeup." So that I don't miss a second of your brother's delicious face. I swallowed on a dry lump and burst into a fit of coughs.

Her faraway gaze focused on mine and she smiled huge. "This is so perfect! Let's go to the mall, There's this outfit Rick wants to see me in."

"Sure." Maybe I could find something for Josh to drool over, too. She giggled, going back to her cell. The ride was filled with the sound of her busy fingers, and my thoughts on luscious scenarios with her brother.

"OMG!" she screamed, once we found a parking spot and made it into the cool department store.

I dropped the cute pair of designer jeans and spotted her across the wake. "What?" I laughed at her drama.

"They're having a swimsuit sale!" She raised a tiny bikini clamped in silver hangers and wiggled it. "Buy one, get the second half off. And you know what's at the party, don't you? So amazing and brilliant of Josi to hold it at her house. You knew that, didn't you?"

It was like her brain lost control of her tongue whenever she got excited. I tilted my lips one side and laughed.

"Oh, c'mon, don't give me that face. C'mere!"

I rushed to her side. "Whoa. That hardly covers anything, girl."

"Oh, it's not that kind of party, I promise."

"What am I thinking? No drinking or sex?" I snorted, pretending to be the prude she thought me to be. Well, I actually was one for the past 16 years, but I was thinking to end that pretty soon. I punched an eyebrow, giving her the I-can-read-your-mind stare. Her face flushed red. "Autumn, you know you're not immune!"

"I know, I know . . ." She let her head drop and ran her hands through her short hair. "But Rick is so cute and he asked me to marry him after we graduate, so, why not?" She blew a bubble and tossed one swimsuit after another to the floor. "Plus, it's been a few months and I'm still getting my period." Her eyes turned to endless pools, reminding me of Pixar's timeless Puss n' Boots.

I chortled and gave her a small push with my shoulder. "Girl, just don't come running to me if you end up pregnant." My way of fishing for details on how not to.

"Me?" She flicked the swimwear over her shoulder and crinkled her nose. "Never. Like I said, it's been a few months. So there!" She stuck her tongue at me and I shook my head. "So, when are you going to, uh, you know?" She smacked her gum and gave me a flirtatious wink.

"Uh, nope." I forced my expression blank, and absently held up a particular revealing piece. I balked.

Autumn followed my gaze. "Aw, come on, girl! You've got to live!" She tore the piece from my hands and flipped it over her shoulder with the other. "For you."

"You kidding? STDs, emotional attachments and pregnancy? I don't think so!" I laughed, giving her my cynical glare. "I don't think this party sounds like something I should go to anyway." I reached for the second suit and ripped it from her hold.

"Yes, you will." She snatched it back. "And you will wear this." Her eyes turned dreamy.

"Oh, will I?" I stared at it, making a face for her benefit. "With this shirt." I motioned to the loose T I had on. Deep down, my heart flipped as I imagined what kind of impact the little black number with lots of gold hoops would do to Josh.

"Nu-uh. Not with me around." Autumn let her eyes suck me in with a curl on her lip.

"What will Rick think if he sees you wearing this without him?" I yanked her white bikini and whirled between us.

"Silly you!" Autumn rolled her eyes and took the bikini back. "Why do you think I want to go?"

Though my reason was the same as hers—to meet the guy of my dreams—it still made me feel sorta bad how she advertised going. And it wasn't to spend some time with me. Even a little. My face grew hot and I turned away.

"Aw, don't feel bad. I'll be right there with you." Her hand warmed my shoulder. "Not!" She threw her head back and laughed.

"Gee, thanks." I moved away from her, confused and thrilled at the same time.  I'd have alone time with her brother, right? "Then what do you want me around for?"  I sounded hurt.

"Girl," she held up the black suit, "with this on, you ain't gonna be lonely. Let's go check out."

I'd come so close to wanting to tell her about the first kiss I shared with Josh during her last birthday party. She had been so busy with Rick, and Josh looked so good with his shirt wet from doing the dishes. And the way he looked at me when I had accidentally told him as much. One thing led to another, and well, we couldn't stop seeing each other. Autumn having a thing for his best friend only made it that much easier for Josh and me.

Autumn babbled on about the party and Rick as she slapped her credit card on the counter. I nodded at the right places, guilt coloring my conscious hot. She once told me that Josh was engaged to some girl in Rick's family and how cute it would be to have a double wedding. If only she knew that Josh had broken up with her after our kiss. If only she knew about Josh and me. If only she knew what I had planned to do at the party.