Exchanging Lies

4. Pre Party Banter

Dress that Della wears to Emily's party is in the photos section!

After Nate and I got home, I went to my room to get ready for Emily's get together.

  I decided to wear a slip like velvet green dress. I paired it with black stecy stilettos and a black velvet purse. The dress fit my figure well showing off some of my curves and my tan legs.

I curled my hair and ran my fingers through my hair just to have a sort of beach wave. I dabbed on some tinted chapstick and was ready to go.

I walked into Nate's room without knocking and saw him standing there in just his pants. I felt myself turn to jelly as I gawked at his ripped body and I hated myself for it. He was staring at his phone when I made somewhat of a cough noise to let him know my presence. He looked up at me and I'm pretty sure he checked me out.

"How did you know it was a party?" He smirked.

"I didn't, I always dress like this," I smirked back. Two can play at that game. I turned on my heel and walked out of his room. "Hurry up slow poke, we leave in ten."

"I'm the one with the car, I say when we leave!" He shouts.

"Uh huh."

I walk into Stella's room, she's on her bed painting her nails when she notices me walk in.

"Hot damn!" She finishes off her last coat and gets up from the bed.

I do a curtsy and laugh. "Why thank you."

"You're missing one thing though."

I look confused, did i forget underwear? How could she see, no no I have underwear on. What could I be missing?

Stella walks over to her dresser and opens a jewelry box. She pulls out an emerald ring and turns to me.

"No no, I'm not taking your stuff, I'll do fine without it."

"Oh shush now a girl always needs her accessories." Stella lifts up my hand and slides the ring on my ring finger.

"Well, thank you." I smile. the ring had a gold band with a few emerald jewels in the middle. The ring was gorgeous and I'm pretty sure the gold and jewels were real.

Why was she being so nice to me? She had just met me yesterday, I was expecting these people to be complete assholes but turns out, they're nicer than i ever fathomed. It's going to be hard to betray these people.

"It was my grandmothers, she passed when I was 7," she sighed and sat on her bed again. A look of terror formed.

"What's wrong?" I asked terrified.

"I forgot I was painting my nails! I smeared them!" She pouts.
I almost burst out laughing.

///

"You took more than ten minutes," I say as Nate walks down the stairs. He's dressed in a white polo shirt with blue pants. He can really work any type of clothes you hand to him, even if they're no clothes.

Oh god, gross.

"Oh shut up," a scowl forms on his face. He walks towards the door.

Uhh did I miss something? Why was he being a jerk again? I was just with him 15 minutes ago and he seemed fine. What changed? He hadn't been a jerk since he saw me in the shower. My cheeks turned red just thinking about it.

"Excuse me? Why are you being such a dick all of a sudden?" I block his path and bore my eyes into his.

"That's the thing, I've always been a dick. Move."

I don't move. He's not getting away with treating me like this. He did it yesterday but I fought back. How dare he.

"So when you offered me a ride today, that was being a dick? Or when you handed me that towel in the shower?" I put my hand on his chest forcing him to move back. I knew I wasn't pushing him all on my own, he was a big guy.

"I don't want you to get the wrong idea, that we're friends or something. Because we're not and we will never be. Ever. Now get out of my way and if you want to go to this damn party you best get a move on." This time I moved.
Not even a full day of me being here, I had already lost a friendship. Not that I wanted to be friends with him either. But he was my ride to school everyday. How was I supposed to get to school now?

He walked past me and left the door open for me to follow.

"Della, is everything alright?" I heard Kate ask as I was about to follow Nate.

"Yea, Nate's just grumpy, like you said." I smiled and gave a wave.

"Yea, he's just upset about something. Can you watch him and make sure he doesn't get into any trouble. I don't want him to be a burden but I trust you enough to make sure he doesn't do something he'll regret." She has so much concern on her face.

I had just realized, we had no way of getting home if Nate drank. I would love to drive but different rules in America. No license. The way she said 'he's just upset about something' made me wonder what it could be. What could he be hiding that made him act the way he does?

I nodded and walked out of the door shutting it. I pulled out the phone that Kate had given me the night before. I'll figure it out.

I got into the passenger and buckled my seatbelt.

"Who's late now?" He growled.

"God, why are you such an asshole? Your mom just asked me to make sure you'll not be a dumbass tonight. Just drive." I sighed obviously not getting anywhere with him. He was ice cold then nice then a dick again? He's more moody than I am.

"I don't need to be watched over," He started to pull out of the driveway when my phone rang.

We both looked at it. I had 1 contact. Why would Kate be calling me I just spoke to her.

When i looked at the caller id, it was a phone number I didn't recognize.
Oh god.

I picked it up and was relieved to hear a high pitch nasally voice. Emily. I had forgotten I gave  her my number when leaving lunch. Make that two contacts.

"Where are you guys? Party's about to start!" Emily shouted into the phone. Jesus, I think i'm going to go deaf.
I felt a tingly feeling when she said 'you guys' like she had known Nate and I would be together. Well... I mean because he's my host brother. Haha no other reason.
Get a grip on yourself Della he's an asshole and your host brother!

"Uhh yeah, we're almost there. Be there in 15," I smiled into the phone.

"Okay great! We're taking tequila shots when you get here!"

"Okay great! Bye." I hung up the phone.
Nate looked over at me.

"Guess i'm the designated driver?" He asked.
I was taken back. Wasn't he this rebel bad boy who would take any chance to get drunk?

"I thought you were the reckless type, Nat." I smirked.

"Don't call me that. And it's none of your business, either your drinking or your not. Just let me know." He showed no emotion but his voice was firm.

"Oh sorry, I forgot only Courtney calls you that." I looked back at the road but I saw a side of his mouth go up in a smirk.

Bingo.
It came and it went, his face still shown an unreadable look.

"Are you drinking or not?" He asked again, clearly amused.

"I'm not sure, but when I decide, I'll let you know. But don't worry, I won't be a complete dick about it. I know that's your thing." I check my phone again seeing it had only been 10 minutes since we started driving. Wow, time flies with him.

Guess I have to get used to that.

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So this chapter was about 200 words shorter than I usually write but I don't want them to get to the party until the next chapter. Share this story with your friends!