Ten Things

Ch.28-Party Disasters and Snowy Saviors

Grace

I would freely admit that I was nervous. The only party I had ever been to was my friend Marcie’s when I was five back in Tennessee. And it had been a princess party with tiaras and everything. Something told me this wouldn’t be a thing like that.

“You know the rules,” my father stated, pacing back and forth in front of me across the living room. “Be smart, don’t give into peer pressure, and always, always, say no.”

I had heard this spiel about three times while I was getting ready today. “Yes, Dad.”

“Do you have your phone?”

I held up the cheap phone my parents had bought for me when they realized I seemed to have gained myself something along the lines of a social life. So far it only had four numbers in it; Tiffany’s, my parents’, and Cole’s. “Right here.”

“And you know to call us if anything happens?”

I sighed. “Yes, Dad.”

He looked to my mother. “Anything to add?”

Her mouth twisted into a wry expression. “Nope, hon, I think you just about covered everything.” She pressed a kiss to my head. “Be safe, Gracie. But have fun.”

“I’ll try,” I murmured. I heard an engine hum outside and swallowed hard. Looked like my ride had arrived. I stood up and smoothed out the white jeans and sparkly blouse I was wearing, running my fingers nervously through my hair. “See you guys when I get home?”

They nodded. “We’ll be out on a date later, but we should be back by the time you come home,” my mother voiced.

“Okay.” I took a deep breath and walked to the door. I could do this. I was feeling better and ready to have a good time. I needed to have a good time for once. I gave one last wave to my parents and ran outside, hopping into the backseat of Tiffany’s truck. Dustin was in the passenger’s side. He swiveled around and flashed me a smile.

“Hey, Grace,” he greeted. I felt his eyes take in my body as a whole, and it left me feeling a little squeamish. “You look nice.”

“Thanks,” I murmured. I took in his band shirt and dark-wash jeans. “You, too.”

His smile grew and he faced front again. Tiffany spared me a glance through the rearview mirror. She was wearing a short black dress and steel-toed boots, her pink hair up in an immaculate style. “You ever been to a party before, Halo?” she asked.

“No,” I admitted.

She grinned. “Then you’ll love this one. I used to date one of the guys from Dustin’s old school. They’re extremely entertaining, to say the least.”

“That’s good,” I replied absentmindedly.

The house where the party was taking place was about thirty minutes outside of Heart. I was silent during the ride while Tiffany and Dustin bantered back and forth about which music to play and which exit to take. Tiffany turned out to be right most of the time, but that didn’t seem to faze Dustin from starting up another argument. It was amusing at times, but I couldn’t get rid of the uneasy feeling in my gut. I chalked it up to the fact that I had never been away for so long—at night, nonetheless—and at a party of all places. I was asking for trouble but hopefully none came.

“And here it is,” Tiffany announced, pulling alongside the curb of a three-story house with a fenced in yard housing lights, music, and what sounded like people splashing in a pool. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

Tiffany hopped out of the seat, vibrating with excitement. I followed suit and Dustin strolled beside me up the long walk. The guy manning the door brightened up when he saw him.