All Grown Up!

"Java Lavers"

As soon as we walked in, Betty looked up from the coffee machines and yelled to us.
"Hiya kids! Long time no see."
"Hi Mrs. DeVille!" we called.
We walked over to the booth by the window and Tommy slid in first. I hung back and waited to slide into the seat across, but Lil pushed me forward and squished me next to him.

I looked at Tommy and smiled sheepishly at him. Tommy offered me a grin and turned his attention to the boys. He clears his throat and starts to speak, "So, I was thinking of having a party at my place this weekend. To celebrate being seniors and all." Lil elbowed me and grinned. "Now's your chance," she mouthed. I rolled my eyes and mouthed "Shut up."

Lil immediately spoke up and said, "I should be able to go. I dunno about Phil though." Phil rose an eyebrow at Tommy. "Will there be alcohol there?" Tommy grinned, "Of course. My parents are out of town for a toy convention and I'll have full access to my dad's beer stash." He smirked and said, "You know I can't pass up beer." Tommy nodded and looked at Chuckie. "What about you?" Chuckie fiddled with his straw and glanced at me. "Are you sure that having alcohol there is such a good idea? We're probably going to get busted." Tommy chuckled. "Live a little Chuckie. You're only 17 once." Chuckie shook his head and frowned. "Nah. I think I'll just sit this one out." Tommy turned and faced me.

"Kimi?" he asked hopefully. At that moment, I became hyperaware of the fact that our thighs were touching and his face was only inches from mine. I shook off the thought and considered it. I didn't want Chuckie to be the only one not going, but I also knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to talk to him. "Ummm... " Screw it. "Yeah, I should be able to go." He smiles at me and I feel butterflies all over again.

Ugh. I need to stop thinking about him and focus on something else. I take out my phone and start scrolling through Instagram. I half-listen as Phil recounts how wasted Tommy got last time he went to a party.
"Come on dude, I wasn't that hammered," Tommy protests.
Phil laughs and shakes his head, "Uh, yeah you were. When Cal's parents busted him, you started flirting with his mom."
Tommy's cheeks get red and he looks down, embarrassed. "I don't even remember that," he mumbles.
I cringe and make a face. "Whyyyy would you do that? That's freaking gross."
His cheeks turn even redder, if that's possible. "I was drunk, ok? Don't blame me."
Chuckie shifts in his seat and checks his watch. "We should probably get going," He says. I nod and wait for Lil to get up. "I'll see you guys later." I slide out of the booth and wave. Tommy lifts his chin and says, "See ya."
************************************
I fall down on my bed and sigh. I do not feel like doing homework right now. At least all I have to do is English. I sit up and turn on The Neighbourhood. If I have to do homework, I might as well enjoy it.

I finish an hour later and go downstairs for dinner. My mom asks, "How was school, honey?" "Fine," I mumble. "Did you finish your homework?" "Yes," I huff annoyedly. She sighs and says, "Don't be so rude Kimi. I was just asking a question. It won't kill you to answer me respectfully." I ignore her and grab a plate from the cabinet to serve myself some spaghetti. Chaz glances at me nervously, probably to see if I'm going to put up a fight. My mom and I have been fighting a lot more recently, and he hates that.

I sit down next to Chuckie and shovel a bite in my mouth. I'm chewing silently as Mom and Chaz talk about work, when the doorbell rings. "Did either of you invite someone over?" Mom asks. We both shake our heads. I get up and walk over. I look through the peephole to find Z standing there.  I frown try to remember if we had something planned.  I open the door and ask, "What are you doing here?" He grins and says,"I was in the area and came over to say hi." "Oh! Um, my family is actually having dinner right now, but you can come in if you want." He shrugs his shoulders and comes inside.

"Who was it Kimi?" my mom asks.  "Z. Is it alright if he stays for dinner?"
"Of course! Come serve yourself." Once he's seated, Mom asks him about the band. 
"It's going great.  We booked a few gigs this summer, but our lead guitarist just dropped out.  That's why I'm here actually.  I wanted to ask if Kimi would like to play in our band."

I bite my lip and consider it.  Being in a band is a lot of commitment, and I'm taking 2 APs this year.  But it'd also be a lot of fun.  And I've been wanting more practice with my guitar.  "Alright, I'll join."

After dinner, we go to my room and chill.   "How's Stella?" I ask.  She and Z have been going steady since sophomore year when they met at a Green Day concert.  "She's good.  She just got accepted into RISD."  "Wow, that's great.  Kinda far away though.  Are you guys gonna be in a long-distance relationship?"  "We haven't decided yet, actually.  Who knows, maybe I'll actually be able to get out of town and move to the east coast."  I smile sadly, knowing that Z could never leave his parents.  They're barely able to provide for their 6 kids, and it's already been decided that Z's going to stay and help them.  "Maybe," I say half-heartedly.  

"Enough about me," he says.  "How are things going with Tommy?"  "Oh, it's greaaaattttt.  We've decided we're basically going to spend the rest of our lives together and live in a big mansion."  He laughs and says, "Good to know that your love life's still non-existent."  I scowl, but soon I start bursting out in laughter too.  We spend the next hour talking about random stuff, and before I know it, it's time for him to leave.  I walk him to the door, and assure him that I'll be at his house for band practice at 5:00.  

I put on my PJs and climb into bed.  I shut my eyes and start thinking about Tommy's party, before drifting off into sleep.

Hi everyone! Sorry it's taken so long for me to write this chapter.  I've just been really busy with school lately.  Hopefully the next one won't take as long. :)

Published: February 3, 2019