Tears of July | √

18. Lucky

Chapter 18

I felt like I was in a scene in High School Musical 2, anticipating as the clock ticked towards the end of the school year, towards the end of another hell year.

Finally.

"PARTY AT LYLE'S HOUSE LATER, PEEPS!" Max Ives screamed as the bell rang, indicating the end of the school year. I shifted my seat and craned my neck to lock eyes with Lyle, who had his mouth open.

Max just told the whole class there was going to be a party at Lyle's house later.

And Lyle didn't even know about it.

Sly kid.

And before I knew it, everyone was swarming out of the classroom, bodies mixing together, and me getting squished as I tried to find air. Lyle was grabbing my hand, pulling me close to him, leaning my head on his chest as we walked out the room. Thank heavens my... boyfriend was tall and strong.

Boyfriend. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my best friend Lyle had been my boyfriend since seventy-two hours ago. It was unbelievable, to be honest. But it was real.

I would stay up late at night, thinking about him, and just running my thoughts on what happened the past few days. And just replaying inside my head to remind myself how a flawless guy like him fell in love with me. Of all people!

"Cass, you okay?" I heard Lyle's voice ring in my ears as I slumped my arms on my sides. I hid a frown since I wanted him to hold my hand, but we both agreed not to make our relationship public (yet).

"Can we go now?" I whispered to him, biting my lip. He stared at me with worried eyes then put an arm around me, making our way outside the school campus and into his car.

☂☂☂

We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon watching a totally scary horror movie. I was on Lyle's bed, clutching his hair as he sat on the floor, eyes glued on the screen. I covered my eyes with his hair, trying not to scream aloud, because the person who screamed out loud would buy a box of pizza.

"Cass, look, it's not scary."

"Yes it is."

"No, it is not."

"I'm going to sleep all alone in my room later, Lyle! I don't want to think about scary spirits and sh-"

Lyle jumped beside me, taking my hands away from my eyes. I blinked my eyes and found him grinning at me. He was on top of me now, his hands on either side of my head.

"This is scarier than the movie." I blurted, sticking my tongue out to him. Lyle shook his head and flashed me the most amazing smile which left me drooling at him until he started tickling me, his hands making its way to my waist, and poking it repeatedly. He knew I hated it when was being tickled.

"STOP THIS INSTANT-"

I was trying not to laugh, but tears were pricking my eyes. I pushed him off the bed, punching him repeatedly on his hard stomach. I let out a scream as he pulled my arm, dragging me down with him as we were sprawled on the floor with me on top of him. We were frozen for a few seconds, our heads leaning into each other's. Lyle's lips tugged into a small smile as his hand made its way to the waistband of my jeans, pulling me towards him. I bit my lip, staring into his eyes as I leaned into him, our lips almost touching.

Lyle closed his eyes, his lips parting as he thought I was about to kiss him. Trying not to laugh, I leaned into his ear, making my voice seductive as ever.

"No kisses for you." I whispered as his eyes flew open. Landing beside him, I poked his nose as he turned to face me.

"I don't mind. I'll wait." he murmured, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I felt heat rush into my cheeks.

"ALRIGHT DUDE, LET'S GET THE PARTY STARTED!" A voice echoed outside the room.

Max.

☂☂☂

The house was filled with freshmen and sophomores, and although I knew some of the people there, I felt like a complete outcast. Lyle was talking with the soccer players, drinking  beer. While I was standing in the living room, breathing in the stale smell of alcohol and smoke.

Ugh.

Lyle was lucky Marly took a day off, because I did not want to find out what that woman would do once she finds out that the house was trashed. I turned and scanned the people around me, studying each and every face as I took sips of the warm chocolate milk in my hands.

"Max is such an asshole." Lyle's voice made me jump in shock. He was beside me, carrying a bottle of water, his face looking exhausted and stressed. I set my drink on the table and gave him a reassuring smile, wrapping my arms around his torso.

"I'll help you clean." I squeaked. That was the benefit now that Lyle was my boyfriend. I could hug him, kiss him whenever I wanted to, unlike when we were best friends, everything seemed limited. Lyle leaned his chin on my head, his hands rubbing my back as we stood like that for a few minutes, not caring about the other people inside the house since everyone was probably too drunk anyway.

"WASTED, WASTED! WASTED! WASTED!"

A crowd's booming cheer echoed in the living room, masking with the sound of the speakers blaring Avril Lavigne's song. Lyle and I rushed to the throng of people, pushing them out of the way until we saw what the commotion was all about. Max was perched on the sofa, his face red as he laughed; everyone's eyes on Hammilton as he drank beer from a huge can. I made a face at him and Max, while everyone anticipated as Hammilton emptied the container.

"I AM GAY!" he yelled before he collapsed on the floor, his head lolling to the side. I turned my head and found Natasia standing beside Max who was now helping Hammilton to the couch. I locked eyes with her as she swallowed the lump on her throat. She ran to help him, kneeling on the ground and wiping her boyfriend's wet face. His eyes fluttered, grabbing Natasia's wrists.

"Max, baby, is that you?" Hammilton moaned, his mouth forming a shape of an O.

"No, it's me." Natasia squeaked, struggling to pull away from his grip.

"UGH! WHERE IS MAX? I NEEEEEEED MAX!" Hammilton exclaimed, screaming in fits as Natasia backed away, her eyes wide as she let all of what had happened sink into her head.

Hammilton was gay.

"Come on, Cass. Let's get out of here." Lyle whispered to my ear as he clutched my hand, leading me upstairs and into his room once more, and I let out a relieved sigh, thankful to be away from the party freaks.

"I am honestly confused tonight." I said, jumping on Lyle's bed. He walked to his desk and grabbed a pen and pieces colored paper, setting it on the floor.

"I have an amazing idea." he said, grinning at me. I stopped moving, landing on the floor with a soft thud. We both sat on the floor, while he cut the colored paper into fifteen pieces.

"A summer bucketlist." Lyle murmured, giving me a smile as he handed me eight papers. I stared at him for a moment then grinned, poking him on the shoulder.

"Bring it on." I muttered, jotting down all the things I wanted to do that summer.