Neighbors

Neighbors XXIII

Chapter 23

P A R K E R

Carol is squealing in delight when I appear on her front doorstep to help her prepare for her party. Only I'm surprised to find James behind her with his hands on her waist. Oh. That's new. I send Carol a look saying 'you will explain later'. She blushes and busies herself with the chip bowl. James calls me over to help him with the couch, like before, and I help him, knowing what and where this couch needs to go.

We actually prepare for the party a lot faster because Andrew shows up somehow and helps out way more than we expected. He mentions things that Carol, James, and I haven't even thought about during a party. Such as open rooms for people involved in sexual relationships. So we left Carols guest room open, and she also daringly left Calvin's, her cousin, room unlocked. Her parents room, and her 'babysitters' room are locked. She somehow convinced Jordan Cale, her babysitter, to give her the night of freedom. I'm not complaining. As where Carol still has to get ready, I'm already ready. Of course, Carol is going to wear this cute and floppy party dress.

Not me. Nope. I'm simple today. A single beige tank top and some skin tight skinny jeans are all I'm wearing. Oh, and my Sapphire from Parker. Also some black high top Chucks to match my hair that is all wavy from me hurriedly getting over to Carols after I showered, not taking the time to straighten it.

While Carol is upstairs, I find myself alone with James.

"So Carol and you...what happened?" James looks up from setting a drink down, and shrugs.

"Um...well, I asked her out yesterday. She said yes. We are now dating." My mouth falls open and I'm sure my jaw snaps from how low it goes. Carol. James. Dating?

"What?!" Andrew hurries in after he's done and lays down on Carols stiff couch. Yeah, I slept on that once. I had terrible back pains.

"What is it?" Andrew asks, unaffected by my outburst. James is though. He is winces and looks upstairs.

"Shh, Carol told me not to tell people yet unless it doesn't work out. She wants to keep us a secret." I keep my mouth shut after that. Mostly because I had this happen to me first hand, and instead of me wanting to keep it a secret, it was my boyfriend who didn't tell anyone. I get where Carol is coming from. I do. So when she comes downstairs looking as pretty as a flower in spring, I smile and walk up to her like nothing happened.

A couple of minutes of talking, and James, Andrew and Carol are all laughing at a story I was saying. We are all talking on the couch when the doorbell rings.

"That should be the guests!" Carol gets up from the couch and I raise an eyebrow. Guests? Really? The people coming here should be called contained animals, until they come here and are unleashed to do whatever. I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.

Carol was right, however, and about sixteen people flood their way in and start to dance. And after them, more come. So many come that I'm afraid this house will burst. After all, this could be an early graduation party, my inner self sneers as she crosses her arms, unused to this many people around her. But for once in my life, I agree with her. In fact, this can be a graduation party. I mean...seniors graduate next week. HOLY SHIT. I need my robe, and my other stuff. Wait! What do I need? Oh my God.

Stop preparing for next week, and live in the present. You only do it once. My inner self surprises me by discarding all of my thoughts about graduation and makes me join in the party. It works.