Skin

Part IV - Serena & Andrew

I drove the girls to the party in my orange, two-door Jeep. As we rolled up to the mansion-like house, I saw that it was flooding with kids my age. Cars were parked anywhere that they would fit and I watched as girls were already stumbling about and throwing up in the bushes to the side of the house. The house had large, white columns lining the front porch and a two-door front door that was like a Christmas green color. Flowers decorated the front and through the massive window over the front door, a grand chandelier was visible. I parked my car and Lex, Kristen and I got out. We walked up to the front doors and we were able to hear the blasting music all the way from the end of the driveway.

"Serena?"

A handsome young man was leaning against the staircase inside the house and smiling at me. I didn't recognize him at first, but it was my childhood friend Ethan Buchanan. He had changed so much, but his signature dimpled, smile was the same. He looked like a model with his brushed back blonde hair.

"Oh my gosh! How have you been?! I haven't seen you in forever!" I pulled him in for a hug and inhaled his strong cologne. It smelled so good.

"I've been great and you look amazing!"

I felt myself start to blush and my cheeks started to heat up.

"Oh stop," I smiled at him.

"Hey Serena we'll catch up with you later. We're gonna go hunt for Andrew." Kristen and Lex waved bye and walked arm and arm towards the backyard. I watched as they disappeared into the crowd.

"So do you want something to drink? Or I'd love to catch up with you somewhere quiet?"

"Actually, I'm here to celebrate," I bit my lip in excitement and stared back into his warm brown eyes for a reaction.

"Oh really? May I ask what for?"

"I totally landed a job at Riverside for the summer!" I could feel myself smiling so wide my cheeks began to hurt as I remembered just how excited I was for the opportunity.

"I'm not surprised, you've always been so determined. Even as kids, you always seemed to know what you wanted. I liked that about you.. and I can tell I still do."

He was staring at me and obviously checking me out (so much for subtle). I felt my cheeks start to heat up once again so I changed the subject.

"Let's go get a drink," I smiled at him and resumed eye-contact, as I confidently took him by the arm and dragged him into the kitchen with me.

On our way over I bumped into Lucas... literally.

"Hey! Wh-"

"Hey," I smiled shyly at him and continued on our way. We usually didn't converse at parties. Not because we were embarrassed to be seen with each other, but we never really wanted to hang out with each other with all of our friends around. It made things complicated as my friends would try to flirt with him, and occasionally his would try to flirt with me. Might as well save all the trouble and just hang out alone.

We entered the kitchen just as a group of kids were making jungle juice and two other kids were "playing" bartender.

"What can I get the fine couple!?"

I nervously looked at Ethan and was about to state that we weren't in fact a couple before he said,

"Four shots of three wisemen please," he smiled at me and winked as a cue to just play along.

I just smiled at the boy making the shots and accepted my two once he was finished. We walked out onto the back terrace where I spotted Kristen and Lex talking to a group of guys we went to school with. I could tell they were well underway to being hammered.