complicated

chapter 2

After getting Chelsea set up in the shower, I heat up some leftover spaghetti and call the one person that I know will have something to do tonight and be more that willing to take me and Chels along.

"Hey, Erin!" my friend Jess answers the phone, and I can hear people talking in the backround. Either she's already out, or she's having people over to her apartment before it's late enough to go out. 

"Hey Jess. Are you doing anything tonight? I finally convinced Chelsea to get out of bed and she agreed to come out with me." 

"Finally!" Jess squealed. "I have been calling that girl for the past month trying to get her to come outside. Every time she claims she 'doesn't want to put up with people'. Weird, right?"

"Uh, yah." I said, deciding not to point out that Chelseas' boyfriend of 4 years had just dumped her and her hesitation to go out was understandable. Even if I did say something, Jess wouldn't get it. I love her to death, but that girl can be slightly... oblivious to peoples feelings. 

"Back to your original question: of course I'm doing something tonight! Lukes brothers friends girlfriend is having a house party tonight, and I guess she lives uptown. It starts at 8, so we're all heading over at 9 or so." Jess said. Luke was her boyfriend of the week, they had just met last weekend at her favorite bar.

"And Chelsea and I can come?" I asked, making sure it was okay. Bars and clubs were open to anyone, but a party might be a little more exclusive.

"Duh! Like I said, it's uptown, so it's going to be huge. No one is going to notice if there's two extra people there."

"Alright. So me and Chelsea will be at your house around 8:30, yeah? It would probably be better if we showed up with you." 

"Alright that's- Luke that tickles!- fine." she said, giggling, as I figured that Luke was trying to get her attention. I hadn't met the kid yet, but from what I heard he seemed sweet. I hoped Jess would keep him around awhile.

"Okay, Jess. See you in a few hours." I said, hanging up just as Chelsea stepped out of the bathroom in only her towel. 

"Alright, so how slutty do I need to dress tonight?"

-

Two hours later, after seven outfit changes between the two of us and multiple threats by Chelsea to stay home and sleep, we arrived at Jess' apartment. 

"Seriously, Erin, I think this is a bad idea." Chelsea said for the hundreth time as we waited for the elevator up to Jess' floor.

"Stop saying that! If you go into tonight automatically expecting it to be a bad idea, then you aren't going to have any fun." I scold her, stepping into the elevator and pressing the 5th floor button. 

"I don't want to have fun." she mumbles under her breath. "I want Matt." 

I pretend not to hear her as the doors begin to slide shut. Right before they close, a large hand sticks between them, causing them to slide open again as a boy around our age steps into the elevator.

"Sorry!" he says as the doors finally close and the elevator begins to rise. He smiles apologetically at me, but I notice his eyes linger on Chelsea for a moment. He's not really my type, but he's cute. His black hair sticks out a little and for some reason he reminds me of a little puppy.

"It's fine!" Chelsea says quickly, tucking her hair behind her ear. I know that move. I might think this kid is adorable, but she thinks he's hot. Time to work some magic.

"Are you heading up to Jess' apartment too?" I ask him, and he gives me a mildly surprised look.

"Yah. How'd you know?" he said.

"Oh, because you didn't press a button for another floor, so I figured you were going to the same place as us." I said, like it was obvious. This made him blush, which made Chelsea blush.

"Uh, yah. I'm heading to Jess'. I'm really good friends with Luke. I actually told them about the party tonight. I'm Calum, by the way." he said, sticking his hand out awkardly. 

I shook his hand quickly as the elevator reached the 5th floor. "I"m Erin. And this," I said, nudging my friend forward, "is Chelsea."

"Hi." Chelsea said quietly, barely grabbing his hand before pulling it away quickly. Calum grinned at her.

If they don't hook up tonight, I'm going to be so mad.

Thankfully the door to Jess' apartment was right across the hallway from the elevator doors, so there were no awkward silences to fill as we walked down the hall. I rang Jess' doorbell, and before I even pulled my hand away, the apartment door was pulled open.

"Erin! Chelsea!" Jess said, pulling us into a three-way hug. "You guys look so hot!" 

I had to agree, we didn't look bad. Chelseas blonde hair was straightened, her skin flawless and her eyelashes a mile long. She didn't feel like dressing up too much, so she opted for shorts and a crop top that showed a sliver of her toned stomach, still tight despite her lack of exercise in the past month.

I went with a tight black dress instead, and curled my dark hair wild. My makeup was darker than Chels, because that's how I always did it when we went out.

"Right back at you." Chelsea said, winking. Her lame sense of humor was at it again. Jess grinned, then noticed Calum standing awkwardly behind us.

"Luke!" Jess turned, yelling behind her. "Calum is here!" 

"Calum!" A tall blonde boy said, walking up behind her, doing that cute smirk thing that seems to be a guys favorite face. He was hot, to be quite honest. His eyes were such a beautiful shade of blue.

"Hey Luke." Calum said cooly, sticking both of his hands in his pockets and rocking back and forth slightly.

"Luke, this is Erin and Chelsea. The ones I was on the phone with earlier?" Jess said as Luke wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. He smiled at us.

"Hey guys, come in. We're not leaving for another half an hour or so." Lukes voice was surprisingly deep, which didn't really match his innocent persona. As we walked in the front door, Chels dropped her wallet and quickly bent over to pick it up. As she did, I noticed Calum totally check out her ass.

This was going to be a fun night.