Who's the One?

Chapter 2

It's finally Doug's party. Mom has us clean up the house and backyard. Dad was making sure we had enough food to prep. Mom and I went out back to decorate. We had to do the best we could with the table arrangements, because the pool took up a good portion of our backyard. Mom's enthusiasm was infectious and we really got into it. Luckily Doug liked what we did.

Since everything was to Doug's satisfaction we have to get ourselves ready. Once I finish getting dressed I open my door and almost attack Doug's best friend, Steve.

"Geez Steve. You're so quiet, I didn't know you were here. You scared me."

"Oh sorry, I was just going to the bathroom. But, I'm not the only one here. Some of the guys rode over with me, and your family is here too."

"Oh, okay."

"You look nice", he compliments. His lips turn up into a small smile.

"Thanks. You too." I'm pretty much smiling like an idiot. I need to get outside before I embarrass myself.

I make my way to the back, and Steve was right, a good amount of people were here.

"There you are Lily. Go say hi to everyone. I'm going to help Dad with the food", rushes Mom.

Doug mostly invited his friends, but a few relatives made the cut. I went around saying hi to my family.

"What's there going to be to eat Lil?", asks Uncle Tom.

"Burgers. Most of the team is here, you know protein is important." I shrug my shoulders.

"Ah. Makes sense. How've you been?"

As I talked with my family Dad grilled and everyone went to claim their burgers. I wish Anne and Danielle could've come, but it's still a good time.

"Who's ready for some football?" shouts Doug.

The guys go across the street to the park to play. Instead of joining the boys, Mom and my aunts chat about work and their husbands. It's so amusing listening to them, they laugh hysterically for little things. Their laughs alone have me cracking up. Of course the fun doesn't stop there. Mom breaks out her karaoke machine, and boy it got loud.

"Lily! Grace us with your voice!" shouts Aunt Helen.

"You guys are doing so well, you don't need me." I'm not one to sing in front of others, but it did look really fun.

"You probably couldn't handle these 'oldies but goodies' anyway." Aunt Helen playfully smirks.

"Oh I can. You just wait and see." I choose "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

"Perfect! I love this song. Sing it girl!" Mom shouts.

I start and my Aunt Helen joins in. We sing at the top of our lungs and laugh. This is really, really fun.

Ten o'clock and we still have a good amount of people. A few people playing darts, and some of the guys are even singing. Doug is having an awesome time with his friends, and that makes me happy.

All of a sudden it's one in the morning. By now it's just Steve and the guys he came with. Since I don't have much to do, I start cleaning. Throwing trash away, removing tablecloths, and folding up chairs.

Steve spots me and walks over, "Need help?"

"Oh hey. No it's okay. You guys have fun."

Despite my words, he sets off and folds up the tables.

"Thanks." I smile at him, he's really a great guy, I'm barely noticing this.

"No problem. You've got a great voice by the way." He smiles at me.