Trip Of A Lifetime!!!! ©CLR-LJO-JF2017

Chapter 17.2: Crash and Burn

  ©LJO-JF2017 

 Ian walked into the crowded room, beaming. Having two lovely, decked out ladies on his arms. Lidia on his left arm and Jen on his right. The party was in full swing, music pumping, people dancing and mingling - some dressed to the 9's and some in full Walker get up. There was a lot of laughter heard through out the room, photos being snapped, and everyone seeming to be having a great time. Jen unlinked her arm from Ian's as she surveyed the room. Meanwhile on the other side of him, Lidia did the same and slid her hand into his.

He gave her hand a squeeze, causing Lidia to turn to him and smile. God, how he loved that smile. It didn't take long for them to spot Cathy across the room, clinging tight to Sean. It seemed as if he would disintegrate if she let up in the slightest. The trio maneuvered through the crowd, Ian leading his girlfriend by the hand and her best friend trailing behind. Cathy took notice of them once they came up beside her and her boo. "It's about time! What the hell took you guys so long?" She sounded as annoyed as she was. This was the last big event of their trip! How could they be so late and miss so much of the party? They had to leave in the morning, and to Cathy, her friends being late was ridiculous.

Jen forced a smile to her face. Attempting to push down the sadness festering in her chest and stomach. Stomp out the hurt and try to enjoy the festivities. To the point she didn't have it in herself to get upset with her friend. Jen was truly enjoying the company she was blessed with, even though it wasn't the company she was expecting. Grateful that Lidia and Ian had waited with her and tried to keep her spirits up. Thankful for her handsome escort, so she didn't have to walk in stag.

It was at this point that her head fell, starring down at her feet and unable to keep the bad feelings at bay. "My fault. They waited on me. Waiting for my...never mind, it doesn't matter. We're here now, let's get this party crunk!" She tapers down her melancholy attitude again and puts on an enthusiastic one, even though forced and fake. Lidia stared at her disapprovingly as she spoke, then trying to console. "Not your fault, not anyone's. Better late than never and you always have to be fashionably late to these things. The party really doesn't get started until you walk in, Penguin." Lidia didn't approve of Jen blaming herself for any of this. Cathy hadn't seemed to be paying attention to her friends, as she was climbing Sean like a weedy vine winding up the side of a house. Sean sighed and laughed, possibly uncomfortably as he takes hold of his woman's wandering hands. He kisses her cheek before they slip out onto the dance floor, without a word to anyone. Seriously wrapped up.

Ian grinned mischievously while pulling out his phone, "Come here, baby." He took hold of her waist, pulling her into his side to snap a couple of selfies. Then handed her his phone for a few more at a different angle. Lidia giggled, "Do we have enough yet?" Ian wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his body. His voice was barely a whisper as his hand came up to caress her cheek. "Never enough." Ian captured her lips in a deep, sultry kiss. Lidia was getting lost in their connected lips, no other thoughts in her mind. She was surprised and a little disappointed at the sudden end to their lip lock, as Ian led her out to the dance floor. She noticed he was doing something on his phone, probably with the pictures that were just taken.

Lidia turned back, grabbing Jen's arm, pulling her after them. "You're not gonna to sit around sulking." A small smile spread across Jen's face. Whenever in doubt, her Squishy da fish had her back. Plus it was cool that her bestie's new boyfriend genuinely didn't seem to mind her hanging around. Ian suddenly grabbed Jen's hand, spinning her on the dance floor. "I'm going to need a bigger smile than that, little lady." He mused, causing Jen to laugh out.

After a while of the three of them tearing it up, the DJ decided to slow things down. Jen took her leave from them, with a small smile playing on her lips. Ian had already pulled his woman in close, as she giggled. Jen walked passed Cathy and Sean, who were already slow dancing, Sean's cheek pressed to Cathy's forehead. She was happy for her friends, but couldn't help but wish that matters of the heart had worked out for herself as well. Norman seized the opportunity, seeing her finally on her own. Jen was away from her meddlesome friends, working perfectly into his rapidly forming plan. He slid up beside Jen at the drink table. She still hasn't noticed him, as she downed a mixed drink and ordered another.