Turning Tables ---Going Under Construction---

Surprise!

"I can't believe you are making me work the party!" Sasha was still complaining as she helped Emmitt and me set up the rest of the decorations and food for Xander's birthday. 

I reached up to fix one of the many posters that had Xander's face plastered on it. Emmitt still liked the idea, but the more I looked at the posters the weirder it felt. "It felt wrong to invite someone he didn't know. Plus, you were already working tonight." 

She sat down in a chair next to the one I was standing on and grabbed one of the cookies from the dessert table. "Hey," I yelled down. 

"Calm down," she yelled right back. "Can I at least meet up with you when he's too drunk to remember his own name, let alone who I am?"

"I would expect nothing less." The last banner was hung and Emmitt was across the room stringing up the lights. He was dressed in a tight blue-green shirt that showed off his arms. His back strained as he reached up to hang the lights and his shirt crept up a bit. I didn't realize I was staring until Sasha gasped. "What?"

"You like the best friend."

I could feel my face redden. "I do not."

She squealed but tried to keep her voice down. "This is perfect. You can use that."

"What?"

"That's how you get to Xander."

I looked at her, waiting for her to tell me she was kidding. "No," I finally exclaimed. "Emmitt has nothing to do with this. Why would I hurt him too?"

She sighed and reached for another cookie before I batted her hand away. "I think we need to speed up whatever we are doing here Jade. Best Friend is way cuter anyway."

"First off, we aren't doing anything. I'm putting myself through this. Second, Emmitt is not even on the roster." As I stole another glance at him and he grinned with all his teeth, his eyes shining in the lights, I knew it was true. Even if I did like him, which I didn't think I really did, there was no chance after all this. 

"Suit yourself," she replied, getting up as Emmitt walked over. "I got to get back to the bar, love ya."

"You too." Emmitt stood next to me as he studied our handy work and took Sasha seat. "How does it look?"

"I think Xander will really appreciate it." We had done a lot of work. We had a photo area with props set up in the back where Emmitt had strung the lights. The desserts table was filled with candy, cookies, and the cake. Plus, we had the full bar that included an exciting fire based drink we had named Xan-tastic. "Well, I've got to go grab him. Everybody should be arriving within the hour. Watch for my text to hide."

"Aye-Aye, Captain." He waved his goodbye and jetted out to get the birthday boy. I sat alone in a room and waited for a bunch of people I didn't know to start a party I didn't want to be at. 

___

People did start to wander in shortly after Emmitt left. I greeted them and sent them over to the bar, trying my best not to be super awkward. A few people asked how I knew Xander. "We've been on a few date," was my general, not-too-much-detail answer that people wanted to hear. They thought I was so sweet for setting up a party for a guy I just started seeing or they thought we must be soul mate because I told them we met in high school. 

I got away from most of the questions when Sasha came back to man the minibar and start serving the Xan-tastics. Everyone oohed and ahhed at the over sugared, blue colored drink that lit up the room. 

Finally, my phone vibrated in my pocket and I called for everyone to hide. I snuck behind the bar with Sasha. "Ready to get wild?" She asked handing me a drink. This was a tequila shot and I took it willingly.