and i oop...

nine

pov: mae's

time: 9:36 pm

location: jake's party

i felt as if my heart was about to jump out of my chest it was beating so fast. there was an awkward tension between us so obvious it were as if i could touch it. grasping my cup of raspberry lemonade, i heard the plastic crackle as i clenched too hard. i looked up at him and he was on his phone. fighting off the urge to look at my own phone, or run away back to riley, i cough subtly.

"cool party," i manage to squeak.

"thanks," he looks up for a moment and goes back to his phone.

"do you have these often," i try to keep the conversation going.

"umm occasionally, it's usually my mates who plan them and force me to host it because my parents are away a lot," he finally puts his phone in his pocket and swivels his chair towards me.

"oh okay," i take another sip of my drink, hoping that he will keep the conversation going.

"so why are you here again?" he looks at me with a confused look spread across his face.

"well... we bumped in the hallways and..." my voice wavered with nerves.

"did a break i pencil or something?" jake begins to look irritated and stands up from his chair.

"no. but i was wondering if i could get your-"

"before you waste your breath, i have a girlfriend and even if i was single, i wouldn't be interested in you." his face went hard and his jawline tensed.

"oh, um, well..." i drifted off, embarrassed and humiliated. it was like one of those fight or flight moments where i didn't know if i should try make an excuse or just leave.

"well if that was all you can leave, seeing as i didn't invite you anyway." with that jake walked away.

i felt tears fill my eyes but i didn't know whether to be sad or angry. if anything i was mad at myself for letting myself drift off into this fantasy that the one of the cutest guys was going to be single and like me. i'm not a disney princess for fucks sake.

still standing in the kitchen area, i decide to make my way back into the heart of the party. as i walk down the hallway, the music fills my ears and reverberates in my chest just like it did when i arrived. except when i arrived my confidence was intact.

walking through the thrush of people i look for riley. after a few minutes of getting pushed and shoved around i decide to call her.

i rang once and when she didn't pick up i rang her again.

PHONE CALL:

riley: what do you want mae?

mae: well jake rejected me and told me to leave, so can we call talia and go?

riley: aww, i'm sorry he rejected you, but i'm with someone right now.

mae: lucky, i will meet you on the front lawn in 5?

riley: how about i meet you at home?

mae: oh, are you sure?

riley: yeah, you call talia and i will get a cab later.

mae: okay.

riley: love ya byee.

PHONE CALL ENDED

word count: 516