Storm clouds

Chapter19 Lament

Lipsing to 'Don't let me down', we drive into the late sunset while watching an annoyed Kate grimace as we sang along. According to her we were spoiling the song and that lead us, aka. Cara and I to increase the volume and blast into a throaty rile.

''Okay you two, shut the f* up if you don't want me to crash and end us all in hospital beds with little to no chance of survival'', Kate glowers.

'' I will, if you at least give me a hint as to where we are heading to!'', I exclaim.

''There is this party downtown.....'', Kate trails off as my body freezes. It was not because Kate gave in so soon or because I was bad at parties, but because of the blasted situations that occurred in my darn life I hoped to avoid such circumstances. Parties meant trouble and trouble wasn't good, definitely not now! Oh dear holy sweet flowers! Why do I have to be stuck with inevitable dangers. Alright, deep breaths, nothing is going to go wrong, everything is okay, I am okay, it's just a party. I take deep breaths as I realize that my whole body was going through tremors, that too of the worst ones! Something which I couldn't control!

''Emma, you alright?'', Cara asks her voice soft coalesced with worry. I nod not trusting my voice as my throat seemed to be patched dry. There was a sharp pain in my chest as white pain coursed through my lungs.

The car slows down and Kate holds my arm, ''Breath, breath Emma!''', she whispers as she rubs circles on my back, trying to calm me down. All the enthusiasm and joy seemed to be seeped out with underlying tension.

'' What happened?'', Cara asks, her voice shaking, '' I can't stand all these secrets anymore, please tell us what's going on.... we are your best friends, remember that?''

Everything infront of me blurs as I feel hot tears run down my ice cold cheeks.

''Emma, Emma!!'', Cara shakes me as she tries to get some sort of response from my rigid state.

I shake my head, '' I can't...I can't...do this....'', my words catch in my throat as I try to force back a sob.

'' What is it?'', Kate asks slowly. At this point, I let down all my guards, letting all the tears rush down my cheeks as I heave and cry, cry as if I have never cried before. I lean on to Cara on the backseat and cry my guts out. The car has stopped long before and Cara was holding me tight, her body rigid with tension. Kate gets off the driver's seat and settle to my right in the backseat. Both of them hold me and I cry pathetically. I knew both of them was taken back by shock and something more, horror.

I could almost tell what they were thinking. What could possibly happen to Emma that lead her to breakdown like this! What could it be! But how could I tell, when the lack of oxygen was burning my throat and lungs and as tears streamed down my face leaving me a sobbing mess?

When I finally let out everything and sobered up, I lean into the black leather seat, completely exhausted. Cara pulls out a juice packet and hands it to me after I finished rubbing my tear streaked face with tissues and messing my face into violet and black smudges, all thanks to my eyeliner and eye shadow! There was not much lipstick as I bit my lips so hard as it tore causing natural red to smear my lips. When after cleaning my face and drinking the cold juice which was like ice being injected to my veins that I calm down. When I was alright, I lean into Cara, placing my head in the crook of her shoulders. Cara squeezes my hands in what I suppose to be a reassuring gesture. I look up to her and give her a wobbly smile, so not reassuring!

I take a deep breath, that was pathetic even for me. What the hell was wrong with me? I should be embarrassed but I guess I didn't have enough energy in me to let the blood rush to my already heated cheeks, thanks to my reckless crying.

''So we are not going to the party, now what?'', Cara asks.

'' I don't know.....should we go to the mall or somewhere else....'', Kate trails off.

Gaining as much confidence as I could muster I squeak, ''Where is this party?''

Cara bites her lips, considering if she should let it out or not. Kate comes to her rescue of conflicted emotions. '' It was Nate's party.''

''Wait...as in Nate Miles?'', I croak in disbelief.

Kate nods cautiously.

How do I even get started! Nate Miles was the leader of the football team in our school. He was the hottest, cutest, sassiest guy you have ever seen. I should know because I got the chance to actually see him shirtless. His well defined chest that lead down to his perfect eight packs. It only made you want to touch him all over. True, I wasn't the one to be swayed with just sheer beauty but of course, Nate was one of the most charming boys you know!

''Were we invited?'', I ask, confusion laced clearly in my words. How was it possible that a guy like him was throwing a party and we of all people were going to it?

Cara seems to visibly shrink at my words. I look at her suspiciously. '' I....um...I..was..like um....'', she stutters and I look at Kate puzzled.

''Well, let's just say Nate decided to invite Kate to this party of his which he was throwing after his Thursday night game!'', Cara finally lets out.

Wait...Nate Miles asked Kate Rodriguez out? Am I dreaming? I open my mouth and close it several times, imitating a goldfish.

I look at Kate questioningly. So much seemed to have happened around me and I was oblivious to it all, you can't blame me I had enough in my plate to deal with.

Kate blushes a deep rouge, '' Well, its a long story!'', Kate squeaks.
I smile knowingly and say out loud, ''Who's ready to hit the party?''

''Wait....you want to go?'', Kate asks unbelievably, her eyes round like saucers.

I nod enthusiastically. I wasn't going to ruin my best friend's life just because mine is crappy. ''Though I suggest we stop at a nearby restaurant or something- no not because I am starving and need food but because I can't meet your boyfriend looking like this!'', I say exasperated.

I seriously needed to reapply my makeover. ''Besides, I am not going to miss a chance to meet delicious- no not guys, I mean food!'', I tell glancing at Cara who seemed excited that I would be checking out guys. Well maybe I will but I simply have no intention of mingling with one of them.

''And yes I have a confession to make!'', I state drily.

'' What is it?'', Cara asks. I nod, ''Not now, later. For now let's hit the road again!'', I yell and we all laugh with an obvious edge to it but all the same continue our journey to our destination, Nate Miles mansion, with an obvious emergency stop to fix my make over.

I breath once again trying to let all my fears vanish as I relish in the thought of my best friend's happiness.
                       ******

Ting, ting, ting!!!
So now let's see what happens!
Don't forget the daily drill.