things we did when no one was looking

the one with the party | part 1

Morning comes, along with the dread of going to the party tonight. Max is at my house around lunchtime to help me get ready. "Alright, stop eating and follow me, we have to make you look even more fabulous than you do know!" He cries as he walks into the kitchen, where me and Will are eating breakfast.

Will raises an eyebrow, putting his plate in the sink. "Where are you guys going?"

"Some end of term party Leo's holding."

"I don't like the idea of you guys going to parties with a bunch of drunk strangers-"

"Don't worry, Will." An arm drapes around my shoulders as Noah appears out of nowhere, a dopey smile on his face. How the hell does he manage to look so good in just a damn bomber jacket and a hoodie? "I invited the kiddies, so I'll be chaperoning tonight."

Will's lips purse, but his eyes soften and he finally relents. "Okay, fine. But I want one of you completely sober."

"I'll drive, Will." Noah looks at me, an eyebrow raised. "What?"

"Shortstack, you're going to stay sober?"

"Don't underestimate her," Max laughs, ruffling my hair. "She's a heavyweight."

"And I can probably kick your ass, Thurman, if you call me shortstack again." His face falters, then he grins, shaking his head and biting his lip as he grabs pancakes off of the plate stacked high.

"Noah, can I talk to you?" Midbite, Noah nods and he and Will go to another room. Max isn't paying attention as he drizzles syrup in the shape of a star on top of his pancakes, so I go to the door and press my ear against it.

"You remember Rule #1, don't you?" Will.

I hear Noah scoff. "Dude, I'm not going to hook up with V, she's just a kid."

"Good, because I've heard the stories about you when you were in New York, Noah, I don't want that for her."

I've heard enough. Going back to the kitchen, I feel a little bit hurt. How the hell could he call me a kid when he literally tried to kiss me less than a week ago? That's why I was so scared about letting myself fall back in, because I'm certain I'm only going to be disappointed.

Shaking him out of my head, I go back to my room where Max has laid out an outfit. "Change," he orders, pushing me to the bathroom. "Call me when you're ready." I daintily pick the top item from the outfit he's selected, a red vinyl skirt with a zipper down the front. There's also a black turtleneck with long sleeves and a pair of black thigh-high boots with heels. God, I think, squeezing into the shoes once I'm dressed. I hate heels.

"Max!" I yell and he comes in, letting out a low whistle as he makes me spin.

"Damn, I dress you good!" I whack him with the back of my hand, but he just grins. "Okay, sit, I'll do your hair." I sit on my bed as he puts a vinyl, Elvis, onto the record player and comes over with a brush. "I know you don't want me involved in whatever you've got going on with Mr.Rockstar, but just let me be honest and tell you that the sole purpose of me dolling you up is to make sure all he can look at tonight is you."

"While I appreciate the sentiment, there's absolutely nothing going on with me and Noah. I literally just heard him call me a kid."

"Oh." Max pouts as he splits my hair down the middle, putting each hald into a dutch braid. Once he reaches the end of my scalp, he ties off the length of my hair into pigtails. "Well, then let's show him how grown up you are."

I absolutely refuse to wear any makeup, but Max practically forces me to wear red lipstick. By the time we're done getting ready, the sun's set and it's time to get going.