Always Adam

Chapter 22

My new friends agreed to go with me to Eric Greystone's party the next night. I had to do a little facebook digging to be sure he was having one and of course he was. I make sure I look super hot for the party. I still can't figure out what my lack of dating was about back at West Riverside. I seem to have attracted plenty of interest at East Riverside. So I wonder if it's my new look. Perhaps the girl next door doesn't get the boys.

I find the shortest black mini skirt I can find in my closet. I pair it up with knee high boots and a very tight white sweater. I make sure I do my eye makeup heavy. The rest of my makeup is subtler just like at the dance last night. I make sure my hair is fluffed to maximum fullness. Let the experiment begin. I skip a coat since my sweater is long sleeve. I pick up Ava, Adam, Nat and Marcus. Donnie and Laura are coming later with Janae and TJ. Adam doesn't say anything but hi when I pick them up.

Ava climbs into the back with Nat and Marcus leaving Adam to the front with me. We drive in silence and once again I am confused. I thought I had made some progress with Adam last night, but now it seems he's pulling back. I can't help but get frustrated. He's confusing the hell out of me. It's not like I'm a pro at dating and relationships, but this can't be how it works. I mean look at Nat and Marcus. Instant chemistry and connection. The two of them are already doing it. Ava said to be patient, but I don't know how much longer I can hang in there.

I walk into the party and look around at all the faces I know but haven't seen for so long. The scene is typical of Eric's parties. Several people notice me and do a double look. I still look like the old me, just a little darker. Eric is actually the first person to approach me. "Look at you Carly Harris," he says pulling me to him for a hug. He pulls back and looks me over. "Damn girl. East Riverside must agree with you. You are smoking hot looking. Not that you weren't before, but," he trails off noticing my posse behind me.

"New friends," he asks taking in my crew. I go down the line introducing him to everyone. "Come in and enjoy the party," he tells them. "I'll catch up with you a bit later," he tells me and wonders off. Several other people come up to say hello. Once word spreads I am at the party, I find out exactly how popular I was. "Geez Carly. Do you know everyone in your school," Ava says when I'm finally standing alone. "I guess so," I say. The surprise is apparent in my voice. "How is it that you are so popular and yet never been kissed," she asks in wonder. "I have no idea," I say really thinking about it and wondering.

Ava and I hang back while Nat, Marcus and Adam go looking for the keg. A bit later Ava heads off looking for Nat and Marcus while I scan the crowd for Adam. I find him standing with TJ and Janae near the keg. I didn't realize they were here. I'm making my way towards them when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to find Julie and Doug. "Oh my god," I scream and start jumping up and down. "What the hell are you doing here," I say as we both throw our arms around each other and hug. Then it hits me. She came home and never bothered to let me know. I mean what the f.

When we pull apart she can tell I am pissed now. She knows why. "I'm sorry Carly," she tells me pulling me up the stairs and into a bedroom. "I really wanted to tell you I was coming, but Doug asked me not to. He just missed me so much he didn't want to share me with anyone more than my family. I really am sorry." I give her the evil eye. I stare her down until I am satisfied that she is telling the truth. "I'll let it slide this time, but next time I want to know," I tell her. We hug again before heading back down to the party.

I drag her and Doug over to TJ, Janae and Adam and introduce them. Eventually I find Ava, Nat, Marcus, Donnie and Laurie. I introduce them all. I figured since I talk about them to Julie, it would be nice for her to meet them all. We're all hanging out have a good time when Julie gives me a nudge. I look to where she's looking and see Mike. He's standing there watching us. My heart briefly stops beating. Or at least it feels that way. It's not because I'm still crushing on him. It's just our past history and how we ended things. It's like there was never any closure. He waves to us. I want to flip him off. Instead I turn around and pretend he isn't there.