Now Or Never

Chapter Sixteen

<3: Dedicated to MichaelaA2013, because I don't know...

Chapter Sixteen:

"Oh dear it's been so long!"

"You've lost all that fat now!"

"Ugh, you're too skinny now. Must not be eating enough."

"Did you get a new haircut?"

"Have you been working out?"

"When will you come out of the closet, sweetie?"

"Don't be afraid of who you are."

Several different voices bombarded me with questions and loud, screeching laughter. Praise the Lord, none of it was directed at me. It was all for Kevin. I quickly edged away from him. Surprisingly, no one had noticed the angry looking new-comer with multicolored hair.

"Who are you?" A little boy asked, tugging on the sleeve of my favorite black sweatshirt. He was a cute little blonde-haired, brown-eyed toddler. Okay, not toddler. He was probably six or seven.

"I don't know, kiddo. Who are you?" 

"I'm Peter. You don't know who you are?"

"I was kidding. I'm  Veronica. Yoiu can call me Ron." 

"Only if you call me Peter The Great." he giggled.

"Deal." I replied, spitting on my hand so we could shake on it. Unfortunately, he actually spat on his own hand and shook mine. I didn't expect that. He was supposed to shy away, or object.

My plans and tricks always fail. I should stop scheming shit. 

"Sooo...Peter The Great. Is there anywhere I can get something to eat?" I asked slyly.

He nodded his head seriously, and solemnly gave me directions to the kitchen, as I had forgotten my way around the massive house.

There were some cucumber sandwiches on the counter-top, so I hungrily devoured them all. They weren't my favorite, I didn't even like them, but I was starving.

Alexis or Tasia - not sure which one - stomped in, huffing angrily. Alexis or Tasia, immediately brightened up when they saw my sheepish expression and an empty plate of sandwiches. 

"You finished them! Thank God. Everyone hates them except for Great Aunt Susan, so Tamara always makes me eat the leftovers. And I hate cucumbers!"

"But anyways...yay! You're here! When did you get here?" Alexis (only Alexis  could manage to act this perky after fuming) squealed happily. 

"Oh, only like 15 minutes ago. Not ver---"

"I didn't even see you enter! I didn't even see Kevin! Gosh, there are so many people in there, I'm practically suffocating. God, I hate it when Tamara invites the entire Schwolt bloodline. It's extremely nauseating. Oh Lord, I'm gonna throw up. I'm going outside for a smoke, wanna come?" she questioned, after a serious round of lamentation.

"I'm good, thanks. Bye."

"Your loss. Adios, sucker!" she suddenly yelled, running out the back door.

"Alexis Jane Schwolt, you come back here RIGHT now! Now! Come back! Alexis! Ale---oh, who cares?" Tamara sighed, leaning against the counter. She straightened when she finally noticed me.

Why aren't people noticing me these days? Not that I'm specifically looking for attention, but people usually stare at  my bright hair. It's supposed to be eye-catching. It's supposed to make me stand out ; and to make me look strong. 

"Veronica! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. Why didn't you say hi?!" she scolded, leaning over to wrap me in a warm hug.

"Ah, well, I was hungry. And you were busy." I responded, shrugging lamely.

"That makes sense. Oh, I hope you're not too uncomfortable with all the unfamiliar faces. I would just hate it if it makes you feel nauseous. Please tell me you're fine with it." 

"I'm fine with it."

"Great. Now go find someone to talk to, you nut." she commanded, pushing me out of the kitchen.

"Okay, okay. I'll go talk to Peter The Great, but only if you insist." 

She looked at me confusedly for a moment, and then threw her head back and laughed.

"Pete got you to call him that? Ha! You're the first to agree." she snickered. I didn't understand what was funny about it, but I forced a tiny chuckle.

"Oh, Tamara, everything is turning out just lovely and wonde---" A plump old woman said, approaching Tamara. I took the opportunity to slip away and find Peter The Great.

I found him sitting in the corner of the living room, drinking apple juice out of a wine glass and playing on a Nintendo DS.

At least, I think it's apple juice. 

"Hey, dude. Nice seat you got here." I whispered, grabbing a glass of bubbly pink champagne from a tray on a coffee table.

He didn't reply, too immersed into his game.

"There's nothing like a party where you come to go mope and get drunk in the corner. Real classy Pete. Real classy." I mumbled, talking to myself but acknowledging him so that I didn't sound crazy.

And I drank myself to a deep sleep. Only to wake up in the middle of the night, in the guest room, drooling the shit out of myself.

I hope this isn't becoming a tradition...

A/N: Heyo! An update on Tuesday, just as I promised. Super tired. Love you guys. Vote and comment, xx.

- Mia :*