Jar of Hearts

♡ 5 ♡

After going back to Rory's house to change into more appropriate party attire, the girls drive to the neighborhood over. They haven't even reached the house yet and can hear the music a block away. Luckily, the thrower of the party, Parker Dyer, lives in a big house on a large plot of land.

"We're in the rich kid corner now." Rory laughs as she gazes out the windows, gawking internally at the mansions she drives past.

She turns the car onto the next street and they are finally able to see their destination.

Emily nods in the passenger seat of the car. "Imagine having that much money..." She glances back over to her friend whose red lips stand out against her light blonde hair and black body-con dress.

"Come on now, darling," Rory says in a shrill, British accent while putting the car in park. "We're rich in other, more important things, unlike these fancy pants." Her voice returns back to normal.

"Pray tell?" Emily raises her eyebrows. An amused smile plays on her lips.

Rory grins. "Good humor for one. But other than that, I'd say we're rich in love."

A hearty laugh escapes Emily's pink lips. "That was so cheesy." She opens the door of the car and steps one of her black heel-clad feet onto the pavement, followed by the other.

"Love you too." Rory laughs, getting out of the car now as well.

Crawling out the backdoor. Didn't leave a mark. No one knows it's you, Miss Jackson. Found another victim. But no one's gonna find, Miss Jackson.

Miss Jackson, by Panic at the Disco, plays loudly from every direction on the lawn. Every inch of it is filled with dancing, drunk teenagers.

Emily pulls at the hem of her black skater dress and follows close behind Rory as they weave their way through the yard. "Rory, where are we going?" She shouts over the music. Her eyes stay trained on her blonde hair that was pulled up into a high, sleek ponytail.

"You'll see!" Rory shouts back.

Oh no, is Emily's first thought.

"Hey, ladies!" A bright voice calls over the music. "I'm glad you could make it!" Jack Tatum's smiling face appeared in the crowd, causing Emily's heart to skip a beat.

Emily doesn't even have to see Rory's face to know she's grinning. "Oh, hey, Jack. Fancy seeing you here."

It takes a lot of willpower from Emily not to roll her eyes and pinch the girl next to her. She's not quite sure how they ended up friends. Instead, she pushes a lock of her curled hair behind her ear.

Jack throws his head back and laughs. Amusement shines in his bright, hazel eyes. They land on Emily, who is not quite as amused as him. "Come on, Emily. Let's get you loosened up." He stretches his hand out to her. "Dance with me," he tells her.

The brunette bites her bottom lip, fully aware of Rory's penetrating stare next to her. If she doesn't respond, Rory is bound to say something that will embarrass her further. So, with that in mind, she agrees. "Sure."

Emily takes Jack's hand. Her heart beats rapidly and her brain screams: shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. 

Jack leads them through the crowd so that they are in the middle of other teenagers. Everyone else is grinding and dancing in ways that make Emily want to splash holy water in her eyes.

Her eyes cast upward from the ground to finally meet Jack's eyes which are watching her curiously. He grins and it causes Emily to smile. Her smile isn't fake, or nervous, it's real for the first time in all of their fatally awkward encounters.