The Dating Club

Courage, Creeps and Cat costumes

Chapter 17: Courage, Creeps and Cat costumes


Marissa stays at my house for an hour or so before my date arrives and fusses over my eyes and hair, making sure both are perfect. She applies thick black eyeliner and false lashes, and an outrageous amount of eyeshadow, and then attacks my hair as well, straightening and spraying it until I am choking with the amount of aerosol she puts on.

     She leaves at six and I let out a sigh of relief. The day has been pretty stressful if I am honest - although it has been nice to spend it with my two close friends.

     I am still pretty unsure about how I feel with Nathan. It seems like we could be more, but at the moment I prefer the situation as it is, with everything going on with Alfie, Luke and Matty: just friends.

    I get a text just as I am getting into my outfit: "You sure you want to go to that party tonight? I've been told who's going to crash it and it isn't going to be pretty..."

     It is from Nathan, and I debate with myself over whether to reply. It would be a shame to waste such a nice outfit, and Marissa's time today.

     I don't reply, instead throwing my phone onto the floor. I twirl in front of the mirror in my dress a few times before I hear a car pull up outside. "Jess, is that your ride?" Calls my Dad from downstairs and I make my way down cautiously, aware of how tight my dress is, and a little nervous as to what he will think of it. Luckily for me there is a game on the TV and he is sat riveted to the screen.

     "Yeah, I'm going to a party with Marissa. I'll see you later," I say, and he grunts in response.

     "Don't drink, don't get pregnant, stay safe," he hollers and I cringe, covering my ears with my hands.

     "Whatever!"

     I open the door but there is no one there. A sleek black car is parked on the drive and I pull on the pair of high heels Marissa agreed to lend me and hobble out warily, trying not to break my ankle on the rocky patio.

     "Get in quick, I'm in a rush," mutters a voice from inside, and I frown and open the door and climb in hurriedly, a little annoyed. Who does he think he is?

     "Strap in."

     "Hi, and what's your name?"

     "I'm Tom. Strap in," says a familiar black haired, blue eyed man, turning to me.

     It is my mysterious stalker from earlier on in the week. I strap myself into the car slowly, wondering if I will regret tonight.

     The car peels away and speeds into the night.

     I keep my silence for the short journey, and take quick peeks at my date as he drives. His long dark hair is tied back at his naple, but covers his eyes from me, and his hands flex on the steering wheel every now and then. His phone vibrates a few times but he does not answer.

      I begin to fret as the car slows down at the side of the road, and there are no houses in sight.

      "We walk from here, I don't want my car wrecked at the house," says Tom, climbing out. I follow suit and walk around to the path, and he surprises me by grabbing my elbow. He pulls an arm around my waist and looks ahead, and I pull away a little uncomfortably. There's something about him that puts me at unease.

     "So, how many people have you dated then Jess?" He says, pulling me in closer. He stinks of cigarettes and cheap aftershave and I wrinkle my nose. "Erm, what do you mean, like with Parma's dating club or...?"

     "As in, how many people have you slept with?"

     I look down at the pavement and don't say anything.

     "So you're a virgin then?" he guesses.

     "Is that the house?" I say, trying to change the subject. Loud music emanates from the large house in front of us. I speed up a little to put some distance between myself and Tom and he chuckles.

     "Someone is a little impatient. Don't worry, I'll make your night worthwhile," he says quietly. I shudder and keep my gaze downwards. What a creep.

     The door is already open and I step in and look around for anyone familiar. I make my way through the relatively large crowds of people and feel my heart sink. Everyone there is two or three years older than me, and from other schools. I don't recognise anyone. The house is quite large and I expect there will be plenty more people outside, so I will check out there soon.

     It is quite a nice house, with a rather modern atmosphere and cream and brown paint. The party appears to have taken its toll though. There is a broken vase near the French windows at the back of the hall I am in, and the smell of spilled alcohol fills the air. I make no plans on drinking tonight, however. I plan to get away as soon as possible, without my date. Tonight was a mistake, and I have been thoroughly creeped out by Mr Tom.

     "Oh my gosh, you're so funny!" Comes a familiar shrill shriek to my left. Parma Rose sits draped over Luke in the corner of the hallway, surrounded by several other guys and a couple of girls. She giggles drunkenly, her short red dress not hiding much of anything. It is funny how it would be her to dress as the devil tonight.

     She fumbles around for Luke's hand and grasps it for support as she squirms, laughing uncontrollably, and I see his face contort in discomfort. Then his eye catches mine and all of a sudden everything changes. I expect him to smile or wave, but then I remember yesterday and I feel my stomach drop. Times seems to pause around us as a silent look passes between us, my eyes asking why, and pleading.

     His eyes give nothing away.

     Then his face hardens and he gives a forced smile towards Parma, and places his hands on her hips. She grins in delight and tilts her head slightly at him questioningly but does not speak.

     I spend a little longer than I should have just staring at the pair, but Luke does not avert his gaze to me again. I can't stop myself thinking about what must be going on in his head. It is so bizarre to me - that someone can hate someone so vehemently for years, and then suddenly change their outlook on them completely.

     What could do that to a person?

     I place a hand on the table behind me and accidentally push a cup over, spilling punch over my hand. It reminds me of how hungry and thirsty I am and I search the doors leading out of the hall for one that may lead to a kitchen. I don't plan on taking anything from the table behind me - the punch has most likely been spiked and I wouldn't dare take the food - someone else could have touched it.

     I pass Parma on my way but she doesn't seem to notice. She's too busy trying to unbutton Luke's shirt to notice anything.

     It's then I see that most of the guys aren't actually in a fancy dress. All the girls are wearing some kind of head gear - many share cat ears like I have, but the guys seem to have just came along for the party and the drinks.

     I strike gold on the second door I find and close it quickly behind me and slip over to the sink. There is someone else stood there and he makes a way for me hastily.

     "Hey, you alright miss?" He says, and I look up uneasily.

     He seems nice enough, but I shrug. "Yeah I suppose," I say, filling a glass of water.

     He hands me a plastic cup with something already in it. I turn it down with a shake of my head. "I'm not drinking," I insist.

     "You mean you can't handle your drink?" He says, sliding up beside me and placing his arm on the surface.

     I look up angrily and straighten my shoulders, flicking my hair. "No, I'm saying I'm not in the mood to drink."

     "The only reason people go to Emma Fletcher's parties is for the drink. You've just pussied out."

     "Emma Fletcher...." I mouth in horror as the realisation settles in. I'm at Emma Fletcher's house. Emma, as in Matty Mile's ex girl friend Emma.

     I grab the cup in his hand and quickly down it, and I see the boy holding it out to me laugh. "I thought so," he says, and I frown in puzzlement. "What?"

"We'll you're Jessica Nate, aren't you? The girl that's seeing like five differen't guys at once?"

"Yeah..." I say, nodding slowly and frowning a little.

I grab another cup on the side, and down it quickly, and I shake my head, feeling my senses begin to dull and blood pound in my ears as the alcohol enters my system. I walk past the counter and throw open the door to the kitchen, allowing loud music to flood the room.

Only one thought is on my mind, and that's to find Parma, and to sort this mess out once and for all. 


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Morgan