Falling

6

I quickly showered, changed into typical beachwear, and went off to pick Lacey up. I did it! I was out of the house! I took the next bus to Gloucester Road, excited at the prospect of being Lacey's 'date' (albeit as a friend, which didn't exactly help my self-esteem). On the bus, over a million scenarios of how the party would be like ran through my mind. Would it be as bad as that other house party, or would I be more comfortable? I'd just have to wait and see. During the ride, I ended up talking to Ben on Houseparty, and I told him about the party, about the fight with my mum, about how I was in love with Lacey, everything. I had known him for years and found him to be a pretty decent secret-keeper. Still, I made him swear not to tell a soul. He didn't exactly react to the information in the most reassuring way; all he did was burst out laughing at my incompetence in terms of getting in with her. I was quickly pissed off, and just ended the call.

I walked up towards Lacey's place, and knocked softly on her door. My hands were shaking, dripping with sweat. She opened the door and stepped out in her loose white cardigan and jeans, and smiled at me. She was the personification of beauty, radiating an aura of confidence. "Hey." She seemed happy, yet slightly nervous. "You look...amazing." I said. I was trying my best to be flirty and impress her at the same time, yet I got the sense I sounded and looked like an awkward goof. "Let's go. The bus will be here soon." She said, and off we went. As we walked side by side from her house to the bus stop, we mutually decided to strike up a conversation in order to cure the innate sense of awkwardness we felt (or, at least, I did.) "So, um, who else is going to be at that party?" I asked, curious. "Everyone." She replied flatly. 'Well, thanks for being so specific' I thought. "Who, exactly, is "everyone"? She seemed reluctant to reply, for a reason I couldn't discern. "Oh, you know, everyone." Her nervousness was really starting to show itself. Why would she be nervous though? We stopped walking, and I looked her in the eye. "Lace, if you don't want to go, we don't have to. Are you sure you're okay?" She took a deep breath, and then straightened herself. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about." Still, I wasn't convinced. Despite her efforts to put on a brave face, it was easy to see through her imaginary optimism. "Are you sure?" I asked again. "Yes, Ethan. It's just-" "What?" I asked, pointed but gentle. "Kyle...Kyle and Kiera are going to be there, and I don't know if I can stand seeing them together. I mean, she's my best friend. I just lost Kyle, and I'm scared I've lost her too." I softened. "Listen, Lace. Kyle is a dickhead. He didn't deserve you, and I'm sure Kiera will realize the same sooner or later. We'll just stay away from them today, okay? Everything will be fine." She started to calm down, her anxiety slightly loosening its grip. She seemed relieved at the fact of someone else sharing her troubles. With that, we walked off to the bus stop.

When we stepped foot onto the beach (Horizon's Bay, to be precise) we got a sense of just how...lively this party was. Music was blaring from all four corners, groups of people were smoking weed all over, people were having water fights, it was hookups galore – this party had everything. Most people would love to just dive into this world of fun, but not me. I wasn't exactly a party animal. While I was taking in the scene, Lacey was busy scouring the beach for Kiera and Kyle. Jealousy seemed to be getting the best of her, which wasn't good. "Lace, calm down. Please don't let your jealousy take over your life. You're at an awesome-looking party! Have fun!" I tried to seem optimistic, but after twelve years of friendship she found it pretty easy to catch me out on my lie. "Come on, Ethan. I just broke up with my boyfriend, and now my best friend is dating him. Tell me that's not fucked up." I tried to seem confident, despite my never-ending awkwardness. "I didn't say it wasn't fucked up, Lace. I just said you shouldn't let it get in the way of your happiness." She took stock of what I was saying, and seemed to accept it. "Okay, Ethan. Okay, you're right. I shouldn't let Kyle get in the way." I smiled. It had worked. I'd finally gotten to her. #bestbestiever?! Wait, no. Fuck that. Understandably, I hated seeing myself in the friend zone. Anyway, my plan seemed to have worked. I'd finally gotten through to her. Just then, two all-too familiar faces walked by. Kiera Jones and Kyle Kenton strutted hand-in-hand and judging by their PDA, they were trying all too hard to let the whole world know of their relationship. As soon as Lacey laid eyes on them, her face went red with anger and bitter disappointment. "Hold my hand." She said. "What?" I asked, unsure of what she was doing. "Hold. My. Hand. Pretend you're in love with me." It isn't that hard to pretend when you aren't pretending' I thought. She didn't seem in the mood to argue, so I just went with it. She grabbed my hand, and stomped towards her least favourite couple.