third time's a charm

"no one's gonna bother you"

chapter twenty-seven: no one's gonna bother you

Sunday, December 31. 8:29 pm.

Suddenly, Christmas was over and the next thing I had to look forward to was the new year. Over the week of being separated, Jamie and I did an extensive amount of calling and texting. Christmas day had been the slowest reply day, but I didn't mind because I knew he had family to see.

I, on the other hand, did close to nothing on Christmas day. Vales and Will had gotten me into a mood which made me want to be as far away as possible, so I spent most of my time being silent in the presence of my parents and Vales's mom. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't the best Christmas I had ever had.

To make it up to me, Will and Vales created a hot chocolate bar the night of Christmas—which they spiked with vodka. We all got fairly wasted and I was terrified that Jamie would give up on me after reading the twenty six texts that I sent him, but the next morning he called to ask how I was feeling and kept going on and on about how sad he was that he had missed it.

It was currently the night of New Year's Eve; my mom decided to go to her office party and took my dad and Vales's mom with her. They all had given us the clear to go out with our friends that night, so that's what we were doing.

Rowan was over, waiting on my bed as I finished getting ready.

"He's really going to come?" Rowan asked me, still seeming shocked after I mentioned that Jamie had agreed to come along. She was surprised for two reasons: apparently Jamie was known for throwing the best New Years parties—which he cancelled just for me—and we were going to a South party instead, where he could easily be spotted. I was sure no one would start anything. Will checked in with the guy who was throwing it, and the guy promised he'd keep things at bay.

"Yes, Ro," I answered with a small laugh and glanced over at her to read her expression. "Are you worried about it?"

"Not worried... just interested to see how it will go. I guess part of me just wonders why you didn't let him throw his own party and just go to it." My eyebrows furrowed and I laughed cheaply.

"Because I want to spend time with you guys?" I asked rather stated.

"Elle... once we get there, you're going to forget we exist. You haven't seen him in a week." Rowan's words bothered me, but I didn't want to start anything, so I simply decided not to answer. "I'm just saying."

"Whatever, Ro," I told her as I looked in my mirror. "Sorry for wanting my boyfriend to hang out with my friends."

"Ellie, you know that's not what I meant. I'm just saying, you guys would probably have a better time if Jamie didn't have to worry about some fucker from South starting something with him."

"Rowan, I could easily just go over to his house and have a good time... but you guys wouldn't be there. End of story, okay? No one is going to care that he's there." I heard Rowan sigh and then heard movement on my bed; I looked over to see that she had stood up. "Is there a reason you're annoyed with me?" I asked her, feeling as though it was clear that our energy wasn't like normal.

"I'm not annoyed with you." Rowan didn't sound convincing and I simply stared at her as I waited for her to say something else. "I'll be right back okay? I need to go tell Aaron something." Rowan left my room before I could think of any reason to stop her and I groaned quietly as I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms.

I looked down at my phone as the screen lit up and couldn't help but sigh as I reached for it. Jamie had texted me, asking if he could come over to hang out before we left. I sent him a text explaining that things were weird with Rowan and told him that I should probably get it sorted, but that he was welcome to come early and sit with the boys.