Once Bitten

Chapter 3

I AM NO ONE'S FOOL. I CAN DO THIS. I'M CONFIDENT. JUST TAKE THE FIRST STEP. I chant to myself while walking from Reese's room to the stairs.

"Sweetie, I know you are probably still distressed over your breakup. But if you don't start moving I'll be breaking your legs next," Reese says evilly, with a smile. The girl gives a whole new meaning to tough love. I can't help it though; I continue to stare at the stairs, waiting for the perfect moment to slip into the crowd.

That is until Reese gets fed up and all but herds me toward the steps, causing me to fall into someone's open arms. With my face on fire, I look up ready to apologize, when I see the face of me knight in shining armor.

" RYAN !!!!!!!!! When did you get here I've missed you so much. How was the trip to Texas? Did you miss me? Kyle has been a big jerk to me since you've been gone." 

I manage to get all that out in one breath; it's really impressive. Ryan just laughs and hugs me tight. He always misses his little sister when he's away. Ryan is like the older brother I always wanted. I met him through Kyle; for some reason the two boys are best friends. 

I always thinks about how similar  Ryan and I look, except he's older, and taller.... masculine.  He's definitely not the player Kyle is, and most definitely has the hots for Reese. It's anyone's guess why they aren't together.

After setting helping me back to my feet, we both seem to remember other people are around. I glance up the stairs to where Reese is standing frozen, a blush spreading across her face.

" H- h- hi, Ryan?" she stutters out. Suddenly, Kyle shows up out of nowhere and bumps into me sending me right to the floor.  I get up and see Kyle looking angry, but not at me.

" WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?!" he screams at Reese. It was kinda funny how at that exact moment, Ryan finally takes a good look at me. He is the mirror image of Kyle right now.

" GO CHANGE! " they both yell at the same time. Ryan screamed this in my face, while Kyle did the same to his sister.

Reese finally comes back to her senses and comes to stand beside me. No is all she says before dragging me off into the crowd of people beginning to stare.

" Reese? Maybe we should go back and change like they said. I've never seen Kyle or Ryan that angry."

She assures me, they will be alright. Soon we are looking for our friends.

After 10 minutes of being shoved by couples on the dance floor, we make our way to the other side of the room and see the rest of our crew. Kayla, Lisa, and Joy. It would appear Reese sent out a memo saying dress your hottest because me and my girls are looking good tonight. The sun has already set and not many lights are on, so it's dark around the house as we go and greet other friends and acquaintances. However, the darkness doesn't stop me from seeing Jonathan enter with Diane Francis on his arm.

Diane isn't your typical whore. She's going to be a junior next year and doesn't work for money, she just likes the sex. She is one dirty slut. It doesn't help that she is Jonathan's ex. I forgot to mention John is a year older than I am. We actually met at the football tryouts. Reese and I were managers for the team, and Kyle brought Jonathan over to meet Reese. Somehow, he took a liking to me instead and a few weeks later he asked me out.

Seeing him walk in with her, I knew the real reason he dumped me. From where the girls and I were sitting, I could see Kyle walk up and greet them. They seemed to be having some discussion because Kyle looked a little bothered by whatever exchange of words they were having.

" You know, I never liked him." I hear someone whisper in my ear. I turn around quickly to see Ryan standing beside an uncomfortable looking Reese. " When did you guys break up?" he asks me.