City to Sticks

Chapter Seven

7—Holly P.O.V.

It had been two weeks since Jake took me to the waterfall and things had been beyond chilly. I wasn't just talking about the weather either. Jake hadn't said ten words to me in two weeks and I was really beginning to hate it. I had made a new friend though. Sage Owens was Granger's cousin and a year younger than us in school. She was petite, smart, and sassy, with long, auburn colored hair and brown eyes. She introduced herself to me at lunch one day and had sit with me every day since. We didn't have a lot in common, but that didn't seem to bother Sage, so I wasn't letting it bother me either.

Sage had talked me into attending a party, so we'd bummed a ride with Granger, who didn't seem happy about it. He kept muttering something about Jake killing him, which made zero sense. Why would Jake care? He'd barely looked at me in two weeks. I didn't know whether to smack some sense into him or kiss him, which made for a very confused and cranky Holly.

When we arrived at the party, I glanced around seeing why Jake had told me that the parties around here weren't what I was used to. Thank God Sage had taken me shopping the day before. There is no way I'd want to wear any of my shoes in this rough terrain. Sage had helped me pick out some new clothes, as well as a pair of cowboy boots. I felt like I fit in more in these clothes and honestly, I didn't feel uncomfortable in them, like I thought I would.

"Come on, Jake. You obviously aren't dating her, so why won't you just hook up with me?" Wendy's whiny voice carried in the wind and I turned to see that she had Jake pushed up against the side of his truck.

As if he could sense my gaze, he lifted his head and our eyes met. He froze and couldn't seem to look away. Many emotions flashed across his face, before he finally told Wendy, "I may not be dating her, but that doesn't stop me from wanting her. Now, leave me alone Wendy, once and for all. Even if I wasn't hung up on her, I wouldn't look at you twice because of how desperate you've been acting."

Wendy stormed off and I wished that she truly would give up on Jake. He was such a nice guy, but even nice guys reached their limits and Jake was clearly out of patience where Wendy was concerned. Jake gave me a sad smile before he joined a few guys standing around the bonfire. Someone handed him a beer and he accepted it, tipping the cup back. I frowned. If he was drinking, then how was he planning on getting home?

"Remind me again why you and Jake aren't together?" Sage asked.

"I'm no longer sure." I said, sighing.

Sage grinned, "You should totally go for it. I think you two would make the cutest couple ever."

"Granger?" I asked, as he was still hovering nearby.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Go away." I told him and he scurried over to where Jake was. I shook my head and faced Sage, "Have you ever...I mean, do you have any...experience with boys?"

Sage laughed, "Are you asking me if I've ever had sex?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, if you'd rather not answer, that's fine." I blushed, embarrassed.

"Relax, Holly, geez, I'm starting to wonder what kind of friends you had back home. If you get embarrassed by asking that, then what did you and your friends talk about?" Sage asked.

I instantly grew angry at the thought of Shawna, "Shawna and I talked about fashion and parties. What was hot and what was not. I realize now how shallow most of our conversations were. The only time we talked about boys were when she brought them up. She got around a lot. Apparently, she got around even more than I realized."

Sage frowned, "Why do you say that?"

"The day we arrived here in hic...Hugoton, I called them, my boyfriend and my best friend. Kyle didn't answer, but Shawna did and they were together. She was all giggly like she gets when she's flirting and I didn't hear much, but it was enough to know what was going on." I explained.

"Are you sure? I mean, maybe you misunderstood."

I shook my head, "I know Shawna. I'm sure. Anyway, it doesn't even matter anymore, because I realized how superficial my relationship with Kyle was. I was only with him because he was cute and popular. I was the cheer captain and he was the basketball captain, so it was like a fairy tale in my book. I should have never dated him, because in reality Kyle has always been nothing but an egotistical, shallow jerk."

Sage smiled, "Did you realize this about Kyle before or after you started to develop feelings for Jake?"

I smiled, "I'm not sure, probably after. Jake has a way of making all other guys look like tools."

Sage nodded and then jumped a little, "Oh sorry, you asked me a question and then I got off topic. No, I haven't had sex yet. I know there are some girls who give it away for free, but I'm not like that. I want a guy to notice me, for me, and not what we could do in the bedroom. I've only had one halfway serious boyfriend and that didn't end well. I've been a little skittish to try again and, besides, I've known most of these guys my whole life."

"That would make it hard. I went to a large school, so there were some people I didn't know. I realize now that was my fault though. I see now how stuck up I was before. If you weren't in my click, my crowd, then you didn't exist to me. I was horrible to a lot of people, but I'm not that girl anymore."

Sage smiled, "Well, that's all that matters. Why were you asking about my virginity status?"

I blushed, "I'm a virgin too and I know Jake's not." Wendy suddenly shrieked and I turned to see her running through the crowd, topless, doing a poor attempt to cover her boobs as some guy chased her around. She was apparently over Jake's rejection. I frowned, "I hate that he was with her."

"I heard that she just stripped down for him and didn't give him much choice." Sage offered.

I gave a very unladylike snort, "Yes, I heard something similar, but he had a choice. It's not like she raped him."

Sage sighed, "I think it's gross that he was with her also, but I think you should cut him a little slack. There isn't a boy at this party who would turn a girl down, if she shoved her naked self in his face. To my knowledge, he was only with her the one time and then realized she was crazy."

I nodded, "I know, I just...the most I've done is kiss a boy. What if I'm bad at all of that other stuff?"

Sage laughed, "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you, it's just...do you know nothing about boys? Once you're naked, they won't care if you're bad at it. In fact, most would enjoy teaching you a few tricks. Now, should we go get our drink on?"

I looked across the party, watching Jake tip his head back and down yet another drink. I shook my head, "I think I need to stay sober. I have a feeling that I'm going to be needed later."

She sighed, seeing what I was seeing, "You're not even his girlfriend and you're already preparing to diaper his ass later. You need to make things official between you so that you get to enjoy the perks too! Well, let's go, because I am getting my drink on, with or without you!"

I grinned at Sage. I'm so glad that she decided to take pity on me and become my friend. I couldn't help but compare her to Shawna and let me tell you, Sage was already the better friend.