Lovely Bones {Sequel to Skinny Love}

The Truth

Emma's POV

The house was flooded with people. I turn my shoulders to the side trying to find Riley. I had to park down the street, and Riley never told me about a party. I see him laughing in the kitchen with a red cup in his hands. I walk up to him and he gives me a friendly wave, ceasing his conversation with the blonde next to him.

"Em, this is my friend Ryan." I nod to Ryan.

"Well, hello beautiful. If you're not going to Prom with Riley, you are always welcome to go with me." He gives me a cheeky wink and I try not to recoil in disgust.

"I'm good." Ryan shrugs, and walks off to where everyone is dancing.

"Yeah, he might be a little drunk." RIley chuckles.

"Please tell me that's not beer." I say, nodding down to his cup.

"Diet coke. I think someone brought alcohol here though." His eyes scan the room, as do mine. I don't very many people here. I recognize a few people from pictures the boys have shows me, but that's about it.

"I didn't know you were having a party." Just then Thomas walks by with a girl and shouts, "Hey Em!"

"It was kind of a last minute thing."

"Oh."

"But you are welcome to just hang with me if you want." Riley offers. I shake my head and say, "It's okay. Go hang out with your friends. I'll find something to keep busy with."

"You sure?" I nod, and smile up at him. "Okay." He gives me a brotherly kiss on the head and walks away into the crowd of people. I sit at one of the bar stools at the island after pouring myself a cup of ice tea. I slowly sip on it, looking for anyone to talk to. I felt like a loner sitting here all alone, but also wanted Riley to enjoy himself.

"Hey, Em." I look beside me and see Braiden.

"Hey, Brai."

"I was just on my way out, but thought I was say hi first." 

"You know I've never been to a real high school party before."

"Really? I would not have expected that." I chuckle.

"Why's that?"

"Well because I figured you guys were the popular girls, ya know?"

"No, that's not really how it was."

"Oh." There was a short silence. "Well I need to go, but Toby's here if you ever get so bored you wanna talk to him." I laugh before saying, "I think I'm good."

After Braiden leaves, I go back to people watching and sipping on my iced tea. I bounce my foot up and down to the beat of the song that seemed to be shaking the whole house. It was starting to give me a headache. Soon, a boy approached me who reminded me a lot of Justin. It made my heart ache thinking about him, but I tried to push it aside.