Chipped Heart

Chapter 5:

Partying was common in my family. Each of us lived to go to amazing parties while socializing with others. I haven't felt the need to go to a party at all though. Trevor goes to them nonstop as some sort of coping mechanism, but staying inside helps me cope. Today was different though because the party was going to be here. Our parents have been home for months, but things were starting to get back into it's natural rotuine. They'll be gone, and we will have crazy parties to climb back to the social hierachy at school. I could care less about that stuff now, but two years ago this would've been a dream come true. An epic return of the depressed girl who played a part in her sister's death with a party that everyone will be talking about all year. We weren't even going to be here next year, so the way we're viewed didn't matter to me at all.

The front door swung opened and closed as the football team help us prepare for the party. I stayed in my room reorganizing things in an attempt to distract myself. Ethan was right downstairs, and my brother would hate me even more if he found out we kissed. At school, we're able to talk freely since we had a project together. Although our conversations were really about getting to know each other more because it would be a terrible idea to start dating someone you don't know. Spending everyday with him made living easier, and I actually looked forward to the day. Maybe my life wouldn't be a living nightmare anymore, but there was no reason to get my hopes up.

As I tried to think of an outfit for tonight, my door creaked open. Ethan stepped in with a smile, and I gasped at his new appearance. All of the long locks were gone. His hair was cropped short which seemed to fit his round face more. Parts of it were spiky while others were smooth. Despite the messiness of it, the look fit him. Every strand of hair was all over the place. We smiled at one another before sneaking in a kiss, and started talking about his hair. I asked what was the reasoning for such a big cut while running my hands through it.

Ethan rested his hands on my waist and smiled. "I needed a change. Besides, my dad and I looked too similiar. Needed to be different from him." Silence came over us while looking at his face. Tiny marks were left over from the beatings, and I traced my finger along the marks.

As I continued to examine his face, Ethan never took his eyes off of me. "Things will be different. One day, you'll be free of him. Promise." I extended my pinky, and he laughed while taking it. Time passed smoother now as we walked around the house. A grand tour of the place an epic party was going to take place tonight. No doubt countless people were going to show up tonight. People that didn't even go to our school will be here, and that made me nervous. Things have been stolen in the past, but it never really mattered to me. Now everything here was too precious to be broken or taken from it's rightful home. That just means I have to be on my guard tonight, and watch everyone.

Huge beer jugs were being placed in the backyard along with all of the pool toys. Trevor checked to make sure our pool lights worked, and they started cheering as soon as they turned on. Not only will people be in our house doing god knows what, the floors will be wet from the pool. Of course. There was nothing we could do to prevent people going into the water because of the heat. I took a sip of lemonade while watching them from the other side of our glass door. Ethan stood in the doorway with a playful smile, and extended a hand. Before getting the chance to ask what he was doing, I was getting dragged outside. He pushed me into the pool, and laughed with the guys at my angry expression. They all quit laughing once I got out of the pool to push them in it next.

Loud music blasted out of our speakers as people stormed inside of the house. They all drunk beers, made out, and jumped in the pool outside. An old set of lights make the inside of our house seem like a club. The lights flicker to the beat of what song is on, and seeing around here becomes harder somehow.

I grab a water bottle from the fridge while leaning against one of the walls. Someone drags my hand while kissing my neck, and I giggle. Ethan dances and tries to convince me to follow his lead. Not a lot of people are dancing because they're busy making out or drinking. "Come on. Dance with me." He begs while continuing to embarrass himself. I laugh, but someone catches my eye at the door.

"Declan?! Oh my gosh, you came!" We hugged tightly, but was interrupted by Ethan wrapping his arm around my waist. The two boys shared an envious glance, so I cleared my throat to loosen whatever tension they had. "Um... this is Ethan, my friend."

Something flickers in his eyes that makes me instantly wish the two of them never met. A few moments of silence wash over us, and it seemed like the two of them were communicating through their rough stares. Ethan cowered over Declan, and I couldn't imagine Declan in a fight.

Finally, Declan extended a hand, and smiled. The grip on my waist tightened as Ethan took his hand. A smile came across both of their faces, but there was two completely different stares. Declan looked careless and kind. Naive to his current surroundings like a cat dumped into a pack of wolves. Ethan had a cunning smile. The stare in his eyes showed dominance. Impulsive glances like the wolf leading its pack.

As soon as the two of them finished shaking hands, Ethan pulled me towards the corner of the living room. "What the hell was that?" His grip on my arm slightly tightening.

I shrugged. "You were meeting my best friend." My voice was innocent.

"Do you think it's okay to embarrass me like that? You called me your friend!"

"We-we haven't made things official yet. You're drunk." Ethan leaned in closer to me, and I struggled to get him off. We were stuck in a dance of trying to gain control. "Let go of me, Ethan! What the hell is wrong with you?!" In a moment of anger, my hand rose up to punch him. Hitting his somewhat hard face made my hand hurt, but I tried not to show weakness.

Someone placed a pair of hands to my shoulder to scoot me back. "Everything okay here, Jenna?" Trevor stood in between me and Ethan. I slowly nodded while holding my throbbing hand. "Get the hell out of here, man. Now!" Even though loud music covered everyone else voice, his voice could be heard clearly.

Another person walked up to me, and I turned to see that it was Declan. Frustration was buried in Ethan's hazel eyes. Any sign of beauty disappeared leaving only a monster in its place. All of Trevor's friends formed behind me, and Ethan knew he'd lost this fight. For once in my life, I was thankful for them. Even though things were good now, it would be stupid of me to think things were over.

"You okay?" I nodded as Declan gently placed a hand to my shoulders. "No, Jenna, you're shaking."

Trevor pointed for Declan to take me upstairs for the night. My room door was cool. No one was here, and it was pitched black. Several shivers came causing my best friend to close the window. Little did he know, outside had nothing to do with my shivers.

As he placed me in bed, I watched him turn towards the door. All levels of comfort left me once he turned his back on me. "Declan!" Soft, brown eyes met mine in the dark. "Stay." I whispered in the night.

When we were children, we used to always sleep together for comfort. Anytime things got hard, our friendship was the only stable part our life. I scooted over to make room. Declan laid down next to me, and I placed my head on his chest.