MELROSE

CHAPTER 21

It was the fifth of December.  It was a special day to me because it was Ethan's birthday. It took me a long time to find the perfect gift for him and if not for Courtney who was on my bed muttering how for someone who practically wore the same thing everyday I was taking too long to choose an outfit, I wouldn't have.

"When was the last time you called her?" Court asked after I'd finally dressed up.

I sighed. "This morning. I called last night too. No answer." I turned to her with a sigh. "Court, I'm worried sick."

She got down from my bed and came down to hug me. "It's okay. She's fine. Chris is fine. She's a fighter. Just like you are."

I smiled. "And if she gets into trouble she'll put on her thundergirl costume and use her telekinesis, fire and ice breath to fight the bad guys."

"That's the spirit. Come on, we have somewhere to be."

Courtney was a huge Juice Wrld fan. And I'm not even joking.

I watched her in amusement as she screamed the lyrics to Juice Wrld after Juice Wrld song over the open rooftop of my car.

She told me put my heart in a bag
And nobody gets hurt
Now I'm running for my love
I'm not fast
And you're making it worse

I switched off the radio and killed the engine.

She glared at me but before she could say anything I pointed forward. "We're here."

She stared at the mansion in front of us. "This is Ethan's house?"

"Nah. It's for his friend named Trent. Ethan wanted to throw a big party and he felt his house wasn't big enough."

"Well then." She dragged me out of the car. "Let's party!"

The house was full. I saw familiar faces from school, some guys that looked like they were in college and people I plainly did not know. I scanned the crowd for my turquoise eyed boyfriend, finding him standing at the DJ table, a headphone on his ears.

He has to be fucking kidding me.

"What do you call a guy who DJ's a birthday party supposedly thrown for him while the DJ that his girlfriend reserved for this party is busy sucking some girl's face off?" I yelled at him over the music.

He put in a fast beat and stroked his chin as he thought of an answer. "An incredibly hot guy who is slightly scared because his girlfriend looks pissed."

I threw up my hands. "Of course I'm fucking pissed! It's your birthday! You're meant to be enjoying the party not DJing it! I paid Blaydon for a reason!"

"Uh, happy birthday to me?"

I smacked him. "Happy birthday Ethan. I hate you."

"Isn't that nice?" A voice pitched in. I got whiplash with how fast I jerked my head to the sight of Don in casual jeans and a T - shirt.

"Fuck off Mancini."

"Nice to see you too Tigress."

He stepped closer to Ethan. "Happy birthday, cous." They did one of those bro hugs. He seemed to just notice where we were standing because he sighed. "Ethan, don't tell me you're the DJ in your own party."

I spoke up. "I paid that rat ass over there," I pointed at Blaydon that was kissing Kimberly, "but it seems Ethan didn't even give him a chance."

Ethan crossed his arms and pouted. "I hate parties."

Don said "no way" the same time I said "bullshit."

He waved us off. "Okay lemme rephrase that. I don't hate parties, I'm just not into them. I go to a lot of them but I'm behind the DJ table most of the time."