The Next Now

Chapter 9

April's P.O.V

"You're really lucky"

"Am I?"

I am?

"Yup" She says popping the 'p' "Like.. what Movie star goes to the birthday of some girl he just met at The Grove?"

I give her look when she says 'some girl'

"What? It is totally what it is" She argues and we both chuckle

"I suppose"

"Did you invite him?"

"No" I reply, and as an afterthought "Actually, he's supposed to be going back to Chicago today" I shrug

"Wait" She squeals "Don't tell me he stayed for you" She's almost jumping now. Her eyes are as wide as saucers and I'm afraid her face would tear from smiling so widely. I laugh at her excitement.

"No way, Ana" I argue, calling her by the nickname I call her. My theory; Ariana Grande already is Ari, so Ariana Hallowell is Ana. "I bet he didn't even-"

"He didn't even what?" She interrupts "Remember who you were? That today is your birthday? Or where you School is" She suggests tauntingly

"Well.. I didn't really tell him where my School was" I offer and she glares at me

"Not the point"

I turn to look at her and start talking, her eyes are growing wide and her jaw is dropping with every word.

Of course not literally

"Uhh.. Well.. He was the first to wish me a happy birthd-"

She screams, interrupting me.

"What? It's not like-"

"Shut up!" She suddenly yells "April, shut the fuck up!" And she's beaming. It's like she's thinking or imagining something and she doesn't want me to disturb.

This is funny.. Ariana is really really bubbly

"Were you going to say it's not a big deal?" She suddenly asks

"Well.. Ye- oww" I say rubbing my arm where Ariana just hit me "What?"

"I don't know.. What?" She glares at me

"Ana" I whine, still rubbing my arm

"Bitch.. You've got a freaking hot Chicago famous movie actor at your party, and did I say hot? Really hot!" We both laugh

Doesn't anyone else find it weird how when your friends call you bitch, it's okay, but when others do it, you might as well send their heads rolling?

Just then my phone rings. I check the Caller ID.
It's Amanda
When I answer, we talk for a while, before hanging up.

I turn to look at Ariana "Let's go inside" I pull her into the Cafeteria with me.

When we reach our table, only Amanda and Troy are there

"What's up?" I ask Amanda as I sit and drop my phone on the table. She had asked if I was still with Ariana, and had said we should come back to the table.

"Uhh.. You see.. Everyone left, and Troy here..." She says, pointing at Troy "... is drunk out of his mind"

"Where's Lane?" I didn't think he'd even get up. He's like that. A total party goer but non-partying kind of person.

"Lane? Uhh.. I don't know?" She replies, sounding unsure

"Okay?" I look at my phone on the table. A lot of messages had been coming in. I pick it up to see if anyone had given me at least a clue as to where they where.