Spin the Bottle

Chapter 8

Clarity smiles widely.

"Is this really necessary?" I ask as she straightens my hair.

"It absolutely is," she replies. "I have an outfit picked out for you and everything. This is the first time you're actually trying to be involved with a boy! Everything has to be perfect!"

I groan. "You're not going to make me wear all of that, right?" I motion to all of Clarity's makeup products that are strewn across my bathroom sink.

She shakes her head. "Of course not. Your flawless skin does not need to be ruined with chemicals. I just brought all of that stuff for me. God knows I haven't slept in days and eye bags are not very attractive."

"Please be careful," I say. "My mom will kill me if something happens to my hair."

"Nothing is going to happen! I've done your hair hundreds of times."

After a bit, Clarity finishes my hair. She cups my face in her hands. "You look so pretty!" She does my makeup then shoves a stack of clothes into my arms, telling me to get changed.

"I don't know about this, Clare," I say, examining myself in the mirror. I wear a light pink cropped top with black leggings and dark blue jean shorts over top.

"What are you talking about?" Clarity asks. "It's perfect!"

"This shirt makes my chest look...extremely large," I reply.

Clarity grins. "It's eye candy for Peter."

"But—"

"Look at the time! We don't want to be here when your parents get home!" Clarity drags me out of my house and into her car. The drive to her house is silent.

Alex and Peter are watching TV when we come in.

"What're you two up to?" Clarity asks them.

Alex and Peter both turn.

Peter's eyes widen at the sight of me. His cheeks redden slightly and he glances away from me. When he looks back, he stares at me, his eyes moving from my face to my chest.

Alex slaps his arm. "Dude," he snaps. "Quit staring at her. You're making for uncomfortable."

"It's fine Alex," I say quietly.

"Are you sure?"

I nod. "Let's just...get going."
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"Why did I agree to this?" I murmur when we pull up to the house.

"Because you're a good friend," Peter replies.

"Am I though?" I grumble.

Peter's hand slides into mine. "Just try to have fun."

"That's difficult."

Peter sighs. "Zurey, you're difficult. Now come on. The party isn't out here."

I internally groan. There's no telling what could happen tonight.

Peter holds the door open for me.

As soon as we walk in, four or five people come up to greet Peter, all but one of them being girls.

"Hi, Peter," all of the girls chorus in unison.

Peter smiles weakly, his face draining of color.

The girls glance in my direction.

"Who's she?" one asks in disgust.

Peter pulls me closer to his side. "My date to this party," Peter snaps. "So if you have a problem with that, you can leave."

All the of girls immediately leave.

The boy grins at Peter. "Hey, Peter. Long time no see."

Peter smiles back, a genuine smile this time. "Yeah. How've you been?"

"I've been good." The boy notices me standing next to Peter. He smirks. "And who is this?"

Peter smiles triumphantly. "This is Azure, my date for tonight."

The boy's eyes widen. "Is he paying you to do this?" he asked.

"No," I reply timidly.

The boy's widen even more. His jaw drops. "You managed to get a pretty girl!?"

Peter smirks. "Things are different now, Dylan." He looks at me. "Come on, Zurey." He leads me further into the house. "I'm going to get us something to drink," he says when we get to the living room. "Stay here, okay?"

I nod.

Peter walks away.

"Have you seen Peter's biceps?" I hear a girl squeal.

"I know," another one replies. "But I think he's here with someone tonight." She glances in my direction.

"Here," Peter says, handing me a cup.

"Tell me what this is before I drink it," I snap.

Peter grins. "I thought I could get you." He switches our cups. "This one's yours. It's just water."

"You actually learned something about me!" I exclaim as if I'm baby talking a puppy. "Good boy!"

Peter grumbles a retort under his breath. "Let's just go sit somewhere."

After a bit of talking, we meet up with Clarity and some of her friends.

Peter and I are sitting on the floor across from each other, along with Clarity's five friends she brought to meet us.

"Let's play spin the bottle," Clarity says.

My eyes go wide.

"Don't worry, Azure," she assures me. "It'll be fun." She winks at me.

Peter clears his throat and glances at me. "So what are the rules?"

"You spin the bottle," Clarity says, "and whoever it lands on you have to kiss them. Passionately."

I shiver. "Is there a way I can get out of this?"

Clarity grins. "Absolutely not. You go first!"

I groan. "Fine." The bottle is green, how stereotypical. When I spin it, it doesn't take very long to stop. I grimace.

Peter only shrugs.

Clarity squeals.

The other five have their eyes on Peter and I.

He crawls toward me, and at this moment, I know my life is about to end.