Cherry Bomb (A Michael Fassbender Fanfic)

8: Hello, Jane

Jane.

Jane.

Janie Jane Jane.

Jane Jane go away, come again another day.

I'm in bed staring at the ceiling. Tonight is the party. And thanks to my bitter-as-hell cousin, the first love of someone I'm kind of starting to fall for is going to show up and ruin everything. Do I throw in the towel now?

My dress hangs outside my closet door. I pulled it out last night after coming home from dinner with my family. I tried so hard not to let Rae get to me. I smiled so much that my jaw and cheeks began to hurt like a bitch. I didn't see Michael again but I did send him a text saying I'd see him at the party to which he replied, "Looking forward to it!" So that's a good sign.

I've already spent more than half the day sleeping in order to not be a party pooper and crash early like I usually do on New Year's Eve with a smörgåsbord of Chinese food cartons within reach. I toss my feet over the side of the bed and sit up, stretching. The party is in three hours which gives me more than enough time to grab something to eat from the kitchen before packing. Then it's off to the O'Leary Castle Hotel and Golf Resort. And yes, it's as fancy as it sounds.

My grandparents always reserve the biggest event room they have as well as a hall of hotel rooms so that no one is driving intoxicated after the party. The way our relationship is going, I may just have to place a set of car keys in Raegan's hands by the end of the evening...

I shake my head, ridding myself of the thought. What an awful thing to think, yet I can't help but smirk. I'm evil, what can I say?

***

After about forty-five minutes of driving, Carl pulls up to the castle and drops Rae and I off before parking. My grandparents, mother and uncle left earlier. Others pull into the area and I recognize their faces as the usual party goers my grandparents invite. Still no sign of Michael or Jane. I wonder if he's seen her yet? I wonder if she still looks the same?

I drape my dress over my shoulder carefully and clutch my overnight bag as we step into the castle. I wouldn't exactly call it a castle on the inside. It sadly has been updated and every trace of Irish history has been erased. Mostly it's used for weddings. The ceremonies take place outdoors and the receptions are simultaneously indoors and outdoors.

Rae and I stop at the concierge and get our keys. Passing the grand ballroom I see the band is already there setting up as well as the hotel staff bustling to finish the tables and decorations. Thousands upon thousands of gold balloons cover the entire ceiling of the room, gold ribbons trailing down just five feet off the dance floor to make it more fun. No one has ever been strangled at our New Years Eve parties. Yet.

Dun dun dun...

Rae takes the elevator and I find the stairwell and walk up to the third floor where several rooms have been booked for the party. It feels good making the three story trek up the stairs after a week of no exercise. Oh no wait. Sex counts, I suppose. Still. My legs are thanking me for working them a little. And my head thanks me for the little break from Rae. She was on her phone the entire car ride here, chatting with friends she will be partying with tonight. It really makes no sense.

I unlock my door and push in, dropping my bag to the floor. After locking up, I hang my dress in the closet across from the extravagant bathroom and check my phone. I've been glancing at it every two minutes, hoping for a call or a text from Michael. Anything to calm my nerves really. I hate how worked up I'm getting over something that could mean absolutely nothing. My heart pounds when I see I have a text from Michael after all. Oh sweet mystery of life, praise the donkey that Mother Mary rode into Bethlehem on!