Like Snow

~Chapter Two~

~Chapter Two~

"West, the bunsen burner is not for roasting marshmellows," I reprimanded, "it's for heat-fixing the bacteria onto the slide."

One gram-staining lab and three Smores later, microbiology was finally over. For the past seventy minutes, West did nothing but misuse the equipment and attempt to sabotage our project. I ignored his unrelated questions and perverted remarks to the best of my ability but he was relentless. I had wished that he would choke on his Smores and die but, unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky.

The rest of my classes were uneventful. Lecture, notes, homework, and repeat. So when school ended, I was elated. Well, I was...until Keaton reminded me of what today was. Weston Verbeck's eighteenth birthday. And since Dad was friends with Mr. Verbeck, I was obligated to attend as well. The whole walk home, I was silent. Keaton tried to reassure me but his endeavors were fruitless. I had never met someone who antagonized me more than West. I'm not sure what it is about him--his presumptuous attitude, anomalous allure, or his plain desire to drive me absolutely insane--that makes me abhor him.

Two hours later, I was unable to put off getting ready for the party. I picked a random dress from my closet seeing as though West doesn't deserve to have time dedicated towards looking good for him. It was dusty rose satin that had a V-neck and crossed in the back into a large bow between my shoulder blades. The material was gathered at the waist beneath the band and flared out slightly at the thights but then inverted itself again at the knees, ending there. Quickly, I twisted my hair up into an elegant style and added a pair of pearl earrings.

"Emerson?"

"Come in," I replied, balancing on one foot to slip on my other heel.

Keaton opened the door and leaned against the frame casually. He looked sharp in his classic black and white suit, though he replaced the black bowtie for a maroon colored one. The way his hair was sculpted tonight reminded me of the birthday boy.

"Don't you look nice," he commented in a teasing way.

I scowled and pushed past him. "Come on smartass," I said, "wouldn't want to be late."

And late we were not. The three of us walked into the Verbeck's house and were greeted a butler. There were tons of people from school that I recognized but, instead of making the rounds and introducing myself, I kept my head lowered and weaved through the crowd and climbed the stairs. Dad was going to give me crap about it later tonight but I didn't care.

Heistantly, I walked down the hall and entered the last door on the right randomly. I looked around and instantly froze once I saw the walls. There were posters of scandalous women covering the walls. That could only mean one thing. I turned around and grabbed the doorknob, ready to make my escape when a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Leaving so soon?"

I closed my eyes and cursed silently. Slowly, I looked back to see West walking out of the bathroom wearing only black slacks and an unbottoned shirt, his black tie draped around his neck. Out of all six bedrooms, I just had to pick his. My eyes lingered on his abs but quickly snapped up before he could notice. Why couldn't he be ugly to fit his personality?

"I just got the wrong room," I mumbled.

I went to leave again but he grabbed my hand and spun me around to face him. My lips parted to let out a gasp and my eyes widened in surprise as my back hit the door. He pressed himself flush up against me and all the blood in my body rushed up to my face. What was he doing and why the hell couldn't I move? My heartbeat became erratic as he entwined our fingers and slid our clasped hands up the door and above my head. I noticed how his gaze followed them the entire way. My eyes, on the other hand, couldn't leave him.

Panic filled me but I still couldn't do anything. I was in shock. I've never been so close to a guy before, other than Dad and Keaton of course.

"W-What do you think you're doing?" I stuttered, finding it hard to breath normally.

Smirking, he leaned down until his lips were at my ear and our jaws brushed together. "It's my birthday isn't it?" he whispered.

"So what?"

I couldn't repress a shudder as his nose skimmed down the side of my neck and I felt him bite my collarbone gently--teasingly.

"So," he drug out the word, chuckling, "I'm just claiming my present."

"What the hell dude?" we heard abruptly. We turned and saw my brtoher in the doorway of the bathroom, his eyebrows dipped in confusion. I guess the bathroom was connected to the room over. "That's my sister! And I thought you said she was a prudish freak. I mean, you even came up with the idea of calling her Snow Queen."

When he said that, I saw red. West opened his mouth to defend himself and rid himself of the guilt, but I intervened, ripping my hands away from his clutches.

"Contrary to what you might think, I am not some goody-goody looser." Then I redirected my attention to Keaton. "And you! You especially should know that."

Regret and guilt was evident on his face. He apologized and stepped towards me but I glared at him and walked out, heading home. As I walked, I couldn't help but feel betrayed. West's behavior was to be expected, but my own brother was best friends with the bastard to gave me that nickname. Why did he even call me Snow Queen? I sighed in frustration. Not only that, but Keaton didn't even consider defending me and even agreed with West's false accusations about me.

After arriving home, I pulled out my phone. I had nine calls and fifteen text messages, all from Keaton and West. Keaton must've given him my number, which didn't help his case. I quickly sent a text to Dad talling him that I wasn't feeling good and went home and then got ready for bed.