Freshman

Whatever makes you happy

Mel's POV

"I'm so excited for the party tonight!" Dani squeals and fixes her mascara in the mirror.

I laugh, "I know Dani, this only the millionth time you've told me"

"Yeah, I can't believe my Mom let me have a party for New Years." she tells me. "I mean I didn't really want too at first, but Lizzy said it was a good idea. And maybe I need to be social anyway. Alysha and Penny went out to something in Scarborough, and Jeremy's at his Dad's. So my parents went out with their friends.

I shift in my position. "I'm surprised you're letting me come to this party." She cocks her head in my direction. "Why wouldn't I? It won't be anything you can't handle."

"You know how I am around people; I have social anxiety."

Dani huffs. "It'll be a few of my friends and no alcohol. Invite Jason if you want."

"He would make me calmer..." I mumble.

She nods, and applies a bright blush to her cheeks. "Good, let's go." She takes me by the hand, and drags me down the hardwood stairs.

"I'm just going to call Jason." I tell her.

"Ok." She heads into the kitchen, mixing the punch bowl we prepared.

After I've called him, I walk into the kitchen and lean on the counter. Taking a look at Dani, with her blue skinny jeans, black t-shirt and excessive eyeliner on, I feel underdressed. I look at my own grey sweater and old jeans, suddenly feeling insecure.

"Jason will be here in an hour." I tell her. "He's got to hang out with his parents for a bit."

"It's only six thirty, people are goona be here by quarter too."

"Oh." I say. An awkward silence follows, and I decide to break it.

"So, um how are you and Jeremy?" I ask, and she raises an eyebrow.

"Why would you say 'you and Jeremy'?" She uses her fingers as quotes. "We're not together."

"I didn't mean to get you on the defensive, chill out. I was just asking how you're relationship with him is."

"Why would you say relationship? It's not a relationship. We're just friends, nothing more." she says a little too quickly.

"Did he say differently?" she questions, and I'm taken aback.

"You sure have a lot to say about Jeremy." I pour myself some punch and take a sip from the plastic red cup.

"What's up with that tone? Oh 'you sure have a lot to say about Jeremy'" she scoffs. "Trust me, nothing's going on."

"I didn't ask if anything was going on."

I've got her.

She opens her mouth to speak, but the doorbell rings.

"Oh! I'll get it!" She races out of the room, sliding on her socks and almost falling forward to open the door. Her friend walks in, the girl I can only assume is Lizzy. Dani's talked about her enough. She looks like she's stepped off a magazine cover. Her jet black hair reaches down her back, and falls elegantly down her shoulders. Her teeth are so white, the glare hurts my eyes. She's in a pair of skinny jeans, and a low cut t-shirt. She looks like she doesn't even try to look good. I shift uncomfortably as she and Dani hug, and gush over each other. Dani leads her into the kitchen, and Lizzy follows behind.

"Hey," Lizzy smiles at me.

"Hi." I squeak, feeling my cheeks redden. She looks at Dani.

"This is your cousin?" She drums her manicured nails on the counter.

"Practically my sister." Dani beams.

Her compliment boosts my self esteem a bit.

"So how old are you?"

"Fourteen." I lie, and she nods. "Well if we party hard, we'll take it easy on you."

"Lizzy!" Dani backhands her arm. "Don't freak her out."

"We're not going to party." Lizzy winks when Dani isn't looking.

Half an hour later more people have arrived along with Jason. He stands beside me as we watch the scene unfold in front of us. The guys are watching the New Years celebration on TV, and the girls are chatting in the kitchen.

"So, Dani invited you to a high school party?" He asks.

"This isn't a party." I assure him, and he narrows his eyebrows.

"It only takes one person to bring beer."

"And by then we'll leave." I squeeze his hand, and don't let go of it. Shivers run up my spine. Dani walks over to us, and smiles. Lizzy follows behind her, again.

Yay...

"Are you guys doing okay? Can I get you some punch?"

"We're okay." I tell her, I look at Jason and he shrugs.

"It's 10:30, we're going to skip out." I say, and tighten my grip on his hand.

Dani frowns, and Lizzy intervenes. "C'mon, stay. We'll have fun, somebody brought speakers. We're going to play some music."

"I didn't say we could play music." Dani interrupts.

"It'll be fine." Lizzy says assertively. Dani rolls her eyes.

"Whatever, nobody better get drunk." she mutters and saunters off to the kitchen.

"Let's go." Jason leads me out the door, but I look back at Dani. I can't help but feel like she's somewhat lost. I don't think she wants to party like them anymore, but she doesn't want to lose her friends.

I'll call her tomorrow.

Jason hold the door open for me after I've grabbed my jacket from the coat closet.

"How are we getting home?" I ask him, as he swings his hand in mine. I can't help but feel a little giddy.

"We could walk, or I could get my brother to drive us."

"That sounds like a good idea." I say and we head down the street.

The scene is beautiful, the city lights illuminating it. Muffled chatter from the neighbours party's is the only thing to be heard. If we were to walk further we'd hear the busy streets. I've always kind of wondered what it's like to live somewhere calm, instead of Toronto. Like on an estate with a lot of property. That'd be my dream.

Jason turns to face me. "I just texted my brother, he'll be here in ten minutes."

"Okay." I nod, and bite my lower lip. In a sudden burst of energy, I cup his face and kiss him. I hold onto it a little longer then normal.

"We don't kiss all that often do we?" I ask after we release, the kiss still lingering on my lips.

"No, but I don't mind. Whatever makes you happy."

A/N: Short but cute, this is going to be the only Mel one for a while. At least until she graduates, grade eight.

More Dani to come later!!