Rule Breakers

CHAPTER EIGHT - THE MORNING AFTER

Natalie's party had been going on for about an hour, I was sitting on a fluffy, white pouf positioned outside on her garden patio. It overlooked the huge garden in which lots of people I recognised from school were standing around gossiping, dancing and drinking. I had been sitting here for the majority of the party because although I had been at the school for over a month I barely knew anyone well enough to have a conversation without it being awkward. I suppose it's for the best that I know nobody and that nobody knows me, that way I'm at less risk of Caine ever finding me. 

Natalie was hurrying around making sure everyone was happy and had a drink in their hand, Blaine was dancing on the designated dance floor, he had tried to get me to join in multiple times but dancing wasn't really my thing unless I was extremely drunk which at this point I really wasn't. I hadn't seen Ethan or Amy anywhere and Nate? Well, Nate was sitting on a wooden bench underneath the big tree in Natalie's garden chatting up a beautiful, skinny brunette. 

It feels like I've spent the whole night sitting alone watching that girl laugh at Nate's jokes and run her hand perfectly manicured hands all over his thigh. Did it bother me? Of course not. Oh, who am I kidding? Of course it bothered me although I have no idea why! That's the most frustrating part. I mean, it's not like I'm jealous, I've only known Nate for five minutes and I sure as hell don't like him in that way. So why am I bothered? Who knows? Maybe it's because at the campfire, he spent the whole night with me and now he's with another random girl making all my speculations about him true – he's a player!

"Hey, Thea!" Ethan said, plopping himself down on the pouf next to me and interrupting me from my thoughts. I looked down at him in his suit jacket and bowtie.

"Don't you look dashing?" I complimented in the poshest voice I could.

"Well, when Natalie says dress extra formal you have to follow the rules," He replied wiggling his bowtie between his fingers. I nodded in agreement looking over at everyone in the garden in long dresses and suits, quickly glancing over at Nate who was now kissing the brunette against the tree trunk and immediately looking away in anger. It amazes me how many people were down to dress up for a simple house party. "By the way, why are you sitting alone in the make out area?"

"Wait, this is the make out area?" I answered Ethan in shock looking around me to notice a handful of couples making out. I shuddered in disgust. "Well, maybe we shouldn't be sitting here together then?"

"Or we could just make out?" He joked, puckering his lips. I pushed them away laughing until I spotted Nate standing in front of us looking slightly irritated.

"Don't forget Natalie's rules!" He teased, although still sounding somewhat annoyed. I couldn't help a small smirk form on my lips after noticing Nate's irritation, or is it jealousy? Whatever it was I felt some type of satisfaction about it. 

"Shall we go and get a drink?" He offered to Ethan and me, we nodded in agreement and followed him over to the drinks table off to the right of the make out area. 

The night continued and the sun had now set leaving the garden lit with dozens of fairy lights and lanterns. Natalie may stress but, boy, did she know how to make a place look beautiful. 

Nate, Ethan and I had ended up staying at the drinks table after Ethan suggested we have some shots. I've lost count of how many we had but one thing I know for sure is that the garden was spinning and I had the real urge to fall down.

"Guys! I'm going to find Nat, see you later." Ethan slurred, slapping me on the back so hard that I fell forwards a little and spilt the remainder of my drink on the grass. 

"Ohhh!" I cried. "I was enjoying that." 

I stood for a while looking longingly as the liquid absorbed into the mud. With a shrug, I quickly got over my loss and turned around to the drinks table to pour myself another.