The Strength Of the Heart

Cassandra's Party - 12

The movie ended around 9pm. And to be honest, I don't even remember what it was about. There I was, surrounded my closest friends, eating warm, buttery popcorn, and having my eardrums destroyed by the loudest car chases I'd heard in a while, but all I could think about was Chloe. Her smile. Her blue eyes. Her wood brown hair.

How it felt like silk in my hands.

About an hour into the movie, I realised I wasn't really watching, but I sat there anyway. I didn't want the guys to think I wasn't feeling it. So there I was. Sitting in a chair that felt like it was trying not to be stiff, but couldn't quite understand the mechanics behind it. I shifted quietly as thoughts of a girl I'd known for a few weeks sprinted through my mind.

Come on Kyle, focus on the movie. You know they'll ask you about it later.

Walking up the ramp that led to the cinema exit, I had come up with the worst plan in the history of ill thought out plans. I just needed my friends to go along with it.

We settled outside a Paris themed café, arranging ourselves at the corners of the silver square table. The lighting was bad, and you struggled to sit on the low chairs without sliding off, but most restaurants were closed so we didn't really have much of a choice. The waitress had bags under her eyes and looked like she needed help carrying our drinks. But, contrary to my thoughts, she managed to arrive without spilling a drop. While we sipping on our diet cokes, ice teas, and water (I wasn't feeling like extra sugar that night), I decided to pitch my plan to the rest of the team.

"Hey guys?" I asked quietly. "Let's go to Cassandra's house"

The looks I got showed me how dumb I must have sounded. I could see the disbelief reflected in their eyes with the light from the ceiling. Andrew put his head in his hands and looked down. There was silence.

And then they all laughed.

"Haha, Kyle. Funny."
"LOL, would she even let us in?"
"You sure you feeling okay?"

That hurt my feelings a little, however at that point, I wasn't going to be deterred. Cassandra lived ten minutes away, and if we got embarrassed, so be it. I was willing to take the chance. I was not going home without seeing Chloe one more time. And I know, what you're thinking. Yes, it was a dumb idea. Sure I was inconveniencing my friends. But I wasn't thinking straight. I was under the spell of love. I was experiencing the irresistible pull of a goddess.

Corny. I know. I hope you could detect my sarcasm.

Actually I really don't know what came over me that day. All I know is that after a good 5 minutes convincing them, and 200 bucks for everyone's cab fare (total rip off by the way), we were outside Cassandra's pearl white gate, ready to claim we heard there was a party there. Not the best of plans, I knew, but the only plan we had. Plus it was too late to turn back. Probably should have told the cab driver to wait until we were inside.

Oh well.

"Kyle, maybe we should-"

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPP.

I looked backed and saw uncertainty on their faces as I stood at the edge of the gate, my finger on the bell button. Andrew had taken a sudden interest in his shoes, and Justin, though he had a smile on, was shaking his head.

Definitely too late to turn back.

We stood there, and waiting. As the sound of cars on the nearby highway became the soundtrack to my nervousness. We couldn't hear any change from the house. The music was still playing, there was no rustle of someone coming out of the pool. No doors opened. I was ready to give up. Though that was before we heard someone yelling from the top floor balcony.

"Kyle?! What are you doing here?!" Chloé shouted. Her friends came out behind her, all in gowns, arms crossed, frowns let loose. I realised this was where I made my case. Either I entered the house, or I went home. No other options.

Now firstly I'd like to say that this moment was the pinnacle of my career coercing people to do what I want. That meaning it was the first and last time I'd ever succeeded at something like that. I put on the heaviest I'm pretty sure you don't want this to get out face and said,

"I heard there was a party?! The people at the mall sent us to check ahead. Unless you want us to go back and tell them to go home?"

Chloé's friends looked down on us from the balcony. They looked at each other. Cassandra stepped forward, ready to take charge, seeing as it was her house. I saw Chloé laugh in the back.

"Of course there's a party! You're just early". She turned around and retreated with the group into the room that led to the balcony.

We stood in silence, staring at the gate. White like the gates of heaven, it opened to those who were worthy.

I grinned at Justin as we walked through.