Forget Me Not

Chapter 2: A First For Everything

Tess Friday Afternoon.

"Is this the right place?" Lottie grabbed the phone from my hands and flicked through it with frantic swiping motions.

"Of course," I told her.

I've checked and rechecked the address a thousand times myself.

Luckily, my Father was feeling under the weather and decided to go to bed early. Lottie and I were doing homework when he came and said goodnight to us both. Soon after, we got changed out of our pajamas and snuck out of my bedroom window. Everything was going perfectly. Lottie had tried to bail a few times while we got ready, hesitant about lying to my Father and sneaking out. I shared the same anxiety. I can't imagine how upset my Father would be if he found out, hell, I wouldn't want to know... but I had a good feeling about this. 

Thankfully, Chris' Dad's was only about a fifteen-minute walk from my house. I wore my white Lacoste sneakers, a short pattern skirt, a tight white top, and a denim jacket. And after what felt like hours convincing her a cat print t-shirt and jeans wasn't going to attract her 'Prince Charming,' I even managed to get Lottie into a red floral jumpsuit of mine. She was a tad plumper than me; larger breasts and bottom which made the jumpsuit cling to her curves pleasantly. In the end, she admitted that she was happy with the jumpsuit and even let her hair down. Literally.

In all honesty, I wasn't sure what I expected Chris' Dad's house to be like, but this just wasn't it. Maybe I anticipated a rundown shack with broken windows and a scary guard dog? After all, he did sell pot. On the other hand, I did watch a lot of movies, which probably made my visions unrealistic.  Instead, we arrived at a large brick house, with overgrown gardens and vines. It was old but oddly gorgeous at the same time like an antique grandfather clock. All the lights were on, shining a dull yellow glow that reached the street. There was a stain glass wooden door at the top of a set of concrete stairs and a standing birdcage on the veranda. The side gate was open with a stone path leading down the side of the house to the back yard.

"Yes, I'm sure and look, the gates open, let's go that way." I snatched the phone off her and made my way across the front lawn, Lottie shuffling close behind me.

I felt bad for dragging her along and considered calling the whole thing off but something inside me really wanted to be here, to have this experience with her before University. I was also curious to see why Brielle had invited me in the first place. Perhaps she wanted to be friends?

Once we ventured down the side of the house, we found the back yard littered with people. There was a small barrel fire with people warming themselves around it and talking. There was even a table set up under the back patio with beer pong. I'd never actually played it before, but I'd watched enough movies to recognize what it was. Lottie and I quickly exchanged excited looks and made our way for an open screen door that lead inside. Music was playing from a large stereo in the lounge-room. There were three sofas facing each other and a small square coffee table in the middle piled with empty beer cans and rubbish. I peered around the room, slightly nervous, and quickly noticed Brielle and her friends sitting on the lounges. Relief flooded over me, thankfully, there was no sign of Kitt.

Brielle was perched on Tom's lap. The lounges were occupied with people I knew did photography, most of them were also friends with Liz, but I couldn't see her around. Brielle looked up and smiled when she saw us.

"You made it! And don't you two look cute! Glad you came, want a drink?" She beamed.

I nodded in reply for both of us. Brielle detached herself from Tom, who looked rather sad she was leaving then turned his attention to the other guys sitting on the lounges. Lottie and I followed Brielle through an archway towards the kitchen.