Winning Skylinn

22

A/N: Just warning you, this chapter may have some mature content. No cussing, because I don't usually put that in my books. But I mean, they're at a party so there will be some references to drinking and alcohol. Anyways.
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Jonny ended up getting a white linen button-up, jeans, and a new pair of shoes. I picked him out a nice cologne, too.

As soon as I got home, I showed my mom the dress. "It's beautiful! You're gonna look lovely, dear," she gushed.

"Thanks, Mom." I went up to my room to change.

I didn't feel like wearing heels, so I put on a pair of brown sandals. For my lips, I used a bright red; and curled my hair, making little braids and pinning them back.

Finally, it was time to leave for the party. My parents had already left for theirs, and I told them, "See you next year." Mom rolled her eyes, but Dad laughed. He always laughed at my jokes.

Jonny came over to pick me up, even though I could've just walked to his house. "Aw, you look good, Jonny," I told him, smiling.

He gave me a hug. "Told you I could wear jeans to a party."

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Oh, real mature."

"Right, though?"

We decided to take my car, since his was running low on gas. "So who's party is this, anyway?" I asked as I drove.

"Danny Garcia's."

I made a face. "Seriously? You're taking me to Danny Garcia's house?"

"Hey, you're the one that said you'd come," he reminded me.

"Whatever." I paused for a moment. "I wonder if he still has that indoor pool everyone was crazy about."

"Probably. You can't really get rid of a thing like that."

"Smarty-pants."

"Dumb-head."

"Know-it-all."

"Baby."

I rolled my eyes. "I'd be nice if I were you. After all, you're in my car; I could kick you out any time I wanted."

"Hey, you started it! And you wouldn't do that anyway."

"Watch me." I pretended like I was gonna pull over, but got back in the lane after a second or two. "Just kidding."

"I knew you wouldn't."

I decided to change the subject. "Who all is going to this party, anyway?"

"Um... All I know is that Leo invited me, and it's at Garcia's house."

"Oh." I was silent, thinking.

When we got to Danny's house, I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, suddenly wishing I'd decided not to come. But I pushed it down and plastered a smile on my face as we walked inside. I wasn't going to mope around all night; I was here to have fun!

I was glad to see we'd dressed properly. Most of the girls were in dresses, and the guys wore jeans or khakis.

Jonny's friend Leo came up to us, and gave Jonny a bro hug. Then he hugged me, longer than I would've liked. "You look good, Skylinn," he told me. I could see the glassiness in his eyes. Oh dear, was he already drunk?

"Um, thanks," I mumbled, averting my eyes. I studied a loose thread in the carpet.

"Wanna hang with us guys?" Leo asked.