CHAPTER EIGHT
PARTY
I took a deep breath in and reached for the handle. I wrenched it open and stepped outside. The Presets was pumping out of speakers downstairs and people were talking and laughing and having a good time. I peered over the banister into the sun room where everyone was dancing or eating or talking. The room was crowded noisy and I was afraid to walk down the stairs. Strobe lights were blinding but made it a good party atmosphere. This party was way cooler than mine. My backyard BBQ was nothing compared to this. They had caterers and a DJ and a smoke machine. The room was decorated to look like a night club with a bar that had mocktails instead of cocktails and coke instead of alcohol. Jack was over by the bar perched on a stool smiling and whispering in Jakes ear. He was tugging on his shirt sleeve and scratching his head, looking around the room every few seconds as though he was looking for someone. Suddenly Jack looked up towards the banister and saw me staring straight at her. I ducked and watched her march towards Leah who was giggling with a few girls while delicately sipping a fruit mocktail. Jack grabbed Leah’s arm causing her to spill her drink on the floor. A maid was already mopping it up as Jack stomped towards the stairs with Leah in tow. I was a bit happy though, Jack didn’t look half as good as I did in a plain silver dress and Leah was wearing jeans. She isn’t really a dress person.
‘What are you doing?’ Jean asked pulling me up with a real cocktail in one hand. She was swaying to the music and singing along in a high pitched voice.
‘Jack saw me and she’s coming this way,’
‘What’s the big deal then?’ she asked looking confused
‘I don’t want her to talk to me. Look at her face,’ I cried pulling Jean down. She only just saved her dress from her drink in the nick of time.
‘Just go down the back stairs and go through from the sliding doors then,’ Jean whispered. I nodded and ran in the direction of the other stair case. I sprinted down them nearly twisting my ankle in my heels. Jean ran expertly after me cradling her drink with both hands. Simon saw me and waved. I waved quickly back and ignored the evil look Tina gave me. Finally we made it outside. I was panting and had to stop to catch my breath. Jean left me to get another drink because she managed to spill hers all over the stairs but said she would be close by watching. I thanked her and got ready to mingle. I made my way through the crowd saying quick hellos to people as I passed. Surprisingly Adele and Willow were there drinking punch and talking to some boys that went to The Grove high school. I could tell from the way they dressed and smelt that these were no goody two shoes rich kids. They were the pot heads hiding under The Groves flashy exterior.
‘Willow!’ I called running up to her. As I grew closer the smell of cigarette grew stronger ‘Layne,’ she smiled giving me a hug.
‘What are you doing here?’ I asked examining her very daggy baby pink dress.
‘Like everyone in the whole year was invited,’ she said
‘Everyone except for me,’ I muttered
‘What was that?’
‘Oh nothing,’ I said looking at her.
‘Anyway you look great,’ she said stroking my dress. ‘This is Kevin, Michael, Leon and Ari,’ Adele said introducing me to the boys they were talking to.
‘Hey,’ I said smiling sweetly falling in love with Adele’s purple, strapless mini dress and cute, purple, Gucci heels.
‘Hot girls have hot friends,’ Kevin said loudly to Leon who nodded. Adele smiled again laughing lightly while Willow giggled nervously almost snorting. I sighed. Willow needed some serious practise in flirting with really good looking boys.
