oxygen (e.d.)

chapter twenty-nine

{riley}

i take a rib racking, shaky breath and push the earring through my ear.

"girl," sloane soothes, coming to my rescue, "calm down. you got this, even if you think you don't. it's going to be fun, okay?"

"yeah okay," i breathe.

she stands behind me in the mirror and smiles slightly.

"my best friend is 19 years old," she says dramatically and begins to pretend weep like a mother would.

"oh shut up," i laugh and hit he shoulder. she giggles and continues applying her mascara.

"now it's time for the dress," she sings and runs into my closet.

"are you sure i should be wearing this to a beach?"

"positive," she returns with the dress in hand, and a grin on her face.

"okay," i say uneasily, "i just don't want someone to like, spill beer on it."

"you worry too much."

"i know."

"step in," she instructs and opens up the dress.

i oblige, and she zips it up in the back, cinching my waist and making me look curvier than i am.

"wow you're stunning." sloane says encouragingly and i do a little spin.

i can't help but smile at how the cream white makes me look older. more classy.

but it's soon to be (maybe) ruined at the beach.

great.

"can i come in?" a voice outside my door says, along with a knock.

"if you dare," sloane giggles.

wyatt opens the door and smiles at us. he's wearing a short sleeve butting up, a hawaiian look, and white swim trunks.

"those are going to be see through if you go in the ocean," i warn and point at his shorts.

"all the ladies wish," he winks.

sloane pretends to gag, but wyatt grins and ruffles her hair.

they're so cute oh my god.

sloane says they're just friends, but i'm betting that'll be changing soon enough.

"okay," i smile, "i think i'm... ready?"

"you're going to stand out in the crowd 100%," sloane says and applies a bit more blush to my cheeks.

usually that's my biggest fear, but tonight it's my only desire.

"off we go, ladies," wyatt says and holds open the door.

as i climb into wyatt's car, i notice the supplies he brought for the party.

soda, waters, food, volleyball net, lights, and a whole bunch of other party stuff.

"no alcohol?" i joke, but i really could use a shot or two.

"didn't want to risk it. other people are going to bring it, though."

"wait- who's all coming?" i ask.

sloane and wyatt glance at each other nervously.

"everyone."