Learning To Fall

twenty eight

"Damn, look at you," Luke compliments as I make my way down the stairs. I was too busy focusing on trying not to fall down the stairs in these heels to make a comment back. Once I make my way down all of the stairs, I sigh of relief.

"Please tell me there aren't any sets of stairs at the banquet hall," I gripe while looking at Carter. The royal blue dress she was wearing brought out her eyes and went nicely with her porcelain skin, and her light blonde hair was curled so that they went down her back in ringlets.

"Nope, just a whole lot of dancing space," She replies excitedly. I almost laugh at her child-like giddiness. "So Calum and Luke are riding with you, right? Ashton and the others are all coming together?" I nod in response to her question. Elliot and Carter were meeting up someplace with his lacrosse friends and her friends from dance. "I'll see you soon, then."

>>

"You're kidding me," I say, looking at the parking lot of the banquet hall. It was packed. "I'm not even sure this many people go to our school."

"You realize our school has at least 1,000 kids in the freshman class, right?" Luke asks. Calum laughs from the back, putting a hand on my seat.

"You realize that Andy's bad at math?" The brown boy laughs. I turn around to glare at him.

"I will knock you out." At that, he puts his hands up defensively. The smile doesn't come off of his face, though. I turn back to park, and when I do I sigh. "I'm pretty sure I don't even know half of the people here."

"I'm pretty sure Elliot doesn't even know all of these people," Calum agrees. I don't comment back, because I'm searching the parking lot for a certain vehicle.

"Don't worry about Michael, tonight is about you and Elliot." Luke reassures me, but I give him a look.

"If this night was really about me too, I wouldn't be here." Both of the boys are at a loss of words. Then Calum speaks up.

"You love parties, though."

"Used to. This year has been enough to change that." At that, the two boys make sounds of agreement. "So, how about we go in there and just eat the whole time?" Once again, the two boys agree.

>>

"This sucks," Nova says from my side. She was currently leaning on me, obviously buzzed from the alcohol her and Cara managed to sneak in. We were all currently sitting at a round table, watching all of Elliot and I's proclaimed "friends" dance on the dancefloor.

"No offense, but everyone here is too stuck up for my taste." Cara agrees.

"Maybe we should let the bottle slip into the punch, then," Ashton proposes from his place beside Luke and Calum. Jules immediately jolts up.

"Guys, no. That's terrible." She says, always the voice of reason. The three of them groan in response.

"Come on, Mom. Lighten up," Cara says, and Jules shrugs.

"I am lightened up," She replies. I laugh from amusement, Luke and Calum focused intensely on the conversation. Suddenly my phone vibrates.

No-chill Nova : let's get Jules drunk

I snort, the girl beside me erupting in giggles. That would be a sight, if only they could manage it. I had a better idea, though.

Me : or we could have someone distract her while Ashton taints the punch

You'd think I was a comical genius with the way Nova starts cackling. To my relief she types an agreement, and then looks to Jules.

"Can you come with me to the bathroom?" She asks, and of course Jules agrees. She was too nice not to. Once they're out of earshot, I lean over the table to Ashton.