Playing With Fire || d.h

5. Jealousy, thou Magnifier of Trifles

Your POV

It's Thursday, and the party is scheduled for tomorrow night. I've been spending the entire day in Dan and Phil's apartment. Everyone seems like they're really going all out, which I appreciate, but it just stresses me out. Meeting all these people all at once is a recipe for disaster. The more people I meet, the more likely it is that at least one of them's not going to like me. Oh, and they're all famous Youtubers. They're not gonna want anything to do with me.

I've also had the incident from yesterday on my mind all day. I know they all must still be curious about why I had that sort of reaction, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had already come up with some ideas. However, I decide not to mention it, and hopefully no one else does. I made sure to wear a windbreaker today to cover the bandage on my arm. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Okay, so, I've sent messages to Zoe and Alfie, Joe, Chris, Louise, Emma..." drones Dan, reading from his phone. Why did they have to have so many friends? I should've just told them I didn't want a party. The thought sends an overwhelming wave of shame over me. These guys don't have to do anything for me, but they're going out of their way to throw me a party, and the only thing I do is complain. What the hell is wrong with me?

"(Y/n)...(Y/n)!" Dan startles me, waving a hand in front of my face. My eyes suddenly re-focus, and I look at Dan.

"Wh-what?" I stammer. "Sorry, I zoned out."

Dan rolls his eyes, then continues, "That's seventeen people so far who're invited. Do you think seven bottles of alcohol should be enough?"

"Oh, yeah, sure," I reply drearily, beginning to zone out again. Dan leans forward and turns to face me, so he's more or less in front of me.

"What's up?" He asks, his face lined with genuine worry.

"Nothing, really," I faltered, my legs starting to bounce restlessly. Dan glances down at them, then looks up with an expression that easily says he knows something is wrong. However, instead of nagging me, he stands up.

"Well, when you decide to tell me what's really going on, I'm all ears," he answered, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice, and walks to the kitchen.

I stand up, completely vexed. "Who says anything is wrong?" I grumble to myself as I lumber into the hall. Abruptly, I bump into PJ, carrying a large tub filled with Christmas lights.

"Hey! Why the long face?" He inquires, his face etched with a quizzical, yet sympathetic expression.

"Nothing!" I respond, scratching the back of my neck. "Just, ya know, resting bitch face." I smile, and cause him to chuckle, casting a chill down my spine and birthing about a thousand manic butterflies in my gut. I need to get over this stupid crush, fast.

"Oh, shut up," he laughs. "Your face is perfect."

I snort. "Wow, that's the first time I've heard that," I reply. It feels like a few more butterflies were invited. "Anyway, What's with all the lights?"

"Oh, you can't have a good party without the perfect lighting." He winks at me as I raise my eyebrows. "Care to help me?"

"What, are you setting those up everywhere?" I ask.

"Obviously," he grins, his eyes sparkling. He shoulders past me, and I realize I don't have anything better to do, so I follow him. He sets down the tub in the middle of the living room, gives me the "one second" signal with his index finger, then jogs to the kitchen. I stand with my hands on my hips, and a few seconds later, he comes jogging back in with a box full of thumbtacks. He shakes them like some sort of instrument, with such a stupid smile on his face, I can't help but laugh. "Well, let's get to work."