Here Comes Trouble

Chapter Eleven - Haunted

Selena's POV

The party, as expected, was a disaster.

"Your friends sure are..." Ellie started, trailing off as she stared out to them. They hung around the pool, awkwardly and somewhat hostility making conversation with the rest of the party goers. Most notably Dean and Dylan. It was a sad excuse for conversation, but they were trying. That's all I really asked for.

Elle holding her tongue is unheard of in any situation. I wanted to call her out on it, but then realization dropped hot and heavy in my gut. She was doing this for me, trying to spare my feelings. She cared about my feelings.

"Horrible? Unfriendly?" I filled in, grim smile on my face. They were...something. But they were all the family I had, and for some dumb reason I wanted them to like my new friends.

"Interesting." She said with a little knowing smile.

I...really like Ellie. She was a reflection of myself if I were in any way put together. She was achingly clever and knew it. Not in an obnoxious way, just like she had faith in herself. She was honest without being hurtful, and I really liked her. I was glad we were friends.

"That's code for unlikeable." I hummed, grinning impossibly bright for the first time, in what felt like awhile.

I felt good with my new friends. As dense and superficial as some of them were, they made me feel good. Happy.

My group, my family, weren't like that. When we all got together there would be something, some heated argument or icy standoff. We were helplessly tangled into each other. Jealous and angry and possessive. We belonged to each other, more than anywhere else. But, I realize, it's not supposed to feel like a weight in pressing in on my lungs. Like every move I make, every word I speak, is a performance.

Taking a sip of my drink, I leaned heavily on Ellie, grinning at the way she stiffened but didn't push me away.

"I didn't say that. Stop trying to start a fight." She grumbled, wrapping her arm around my waist to steady me.

My chest felt like bursting.

"I'm not," I rolled my eyes, "I just want your honest opinion, Elle."

She seemed genuinely stunned by this, eyes widening, mouth opening and closing without anything coming out. I watched as her dimples moved and but before she could say anything, Alex popped up, his pleasant smile a sight for sore eyes.

He was like sunshine condensed, always bright and warm and people flocked to him like moths to a flame. We were all popular in some sort of way, infamous, I guess. But Alex was the most liked. No matter what kind of trouble we all got into together, he could charm his way out nearly anything. With teachers still calling him a golden boy despite the criminal record. If I didn't love him so much, I would hate him.

"Ladies," it was that particular charming grin, "I'm afraid we haven't met, gorgeous." He turned his gaze to Ellie, full megawatt smile.

I knew she hated that sort of thing, guys calling you pet names before you even know them. But with Alex's full attention on you, it is hard to think of much else but Alex.

"Ellie." She sends a tentative smile back, squeezing my waist.

"Is there something you wanted?" I asked, easily pulling his gaze toward me. Sometimes, I wondered what it would be like to just choose Alex. Be his girlfriend and bask in all the attention and light he gave off.