The Quest for Fireworks

Let's Dance

The night starts off great. Everyone sits and eats and talks and drinks. My friend Ben from work is here, sitting next to Jordan. I watch as Ben tries to flirt with him but I don't think it's reciprocated.
Riley finally came back and when I asked her where she went she told me not to worry about it. Then shortly after, the songs coming through the speakers were my favorites and I realized she made a playlist and somehow convinced the bar to play it.
I'm a few drinks in so when Lady Gaga comes on, we dance. Well, all the girls minus Dakota dance. There's a small area that I guess is a dance floor on the other side of the roof, far enough away from the table that I'm not nervous about looking stupid.
"Have you heard from Corinne?" Riley asks as we spin around like idiots.
I just shake my head. I've been trying not to think about how she lied about coming or couldn't bother to text me and tell me she wouldn't show. I don't know why it bothers me, it's not like she's my girlfriend but I was looking forward to seeing her.
Part of me is relieved though, it's already too much with Dakota and Jordan here. At least Jordan doesn't know I'm attracted to him, at least I don't think he does. But for some reason, probably alcohol, whenever I look at Dakota I have flashbacks of That Night. And I feel like she can tell.
I close my eyes and move to the music, letting myself live just like Aria said. When I open my eyes the room spins slightly and my body is not.
"I think I need something to eat," I shout to the girls.
"I'll order you a Harry Styles," Riley says as we all start walking back to the table.
"Ooh, I'll take him too," Sierra jokes.
"Me three," says Aria.
"Pass," Megan says.
"What?" I yell. "How can you pass on Harry Styles? The things I'd do to him..."
I realize how loud I was when I sit down at the table and Jordan, Ben and Dakota are looking at me.
"Harry Styles?" Ben asks.
"How did you know?" I ask, giggling.
"He's the only man you talk about like that."
"Not true," I say, glancing slightly at Jordan. I don't want him to assume my sexuality so my drunk brain decides to yell, "I love men," as if that helps.
"Sure," Dakota mumbles with a smirk which pisses me off.
"You don't know anything," I say to her.
"Oh, I don't?" She asks. "I think I knew a few things when you were under me."
Sounds of shock and excitement murmur around the table. I feel embarrassed and angry and admittedly, a little turned on.
"I have to pee," I announce.
Riley takes the hint and gets up to walk with me. When I pass behind Jordan on my way to the stairs, I reach out and squeeze his shoulder. I don't know why, I just felt the urge to touch him.
We make it down the stairs successfully and over to the bathroom. I check myself in the mirror and see my hair is only slightly frizzy. Thankfully it's not too humid of a night.
"She's so annoying," I say, walking into the stall next to Riley.
"Dakota?"
"Obviously. Did you hear what she said?" I ask.
"Oh, I heard her. I think she's just trying to make Jordan jealous."
"What do you mean? I'm pretty sure Jordan is regretting even showing up."
Riley chuckles. "You can be really dense sometimes."
"Rude," I say, flushing the toilet and walking out to the sink.
Riley comes out and starts washing her hands next to me. "Jordan is infatuated with you. Every time you talk he looks at you like you're reciting poetry. He was completely ignoring Ben, looking right past him to watch you dance."
I let her words swim through my brain. "Really?"
Riley runs her fingers through her short hair. "Really, Ave. Pay attention."
When we get back to the table, there's a huge cheeseburger with mushrooms and Swiss cheese on the table. I notice Dakota is missing but I don't mind.
I sit down and take a bite, hoping it will soak up the liquid running through my veins. I take a drink from the glass of water that has somehow appeared too.
Jordan swiftly moves from his seat to the one Dakota was sitting in, closer to me. I look at him and he's already looking at me. I smile, hoping that I don't have anything on my face or in my teeth and he smiles back.
"How are you?" He asks. His voice is low and his eyebrow twitches.
It's just a simple, mundane question but for some reason it makes my heart swell. He barely knows me, yet he takes a minute, between all of the noise and chaos, to ask how I am.
I swallow and collect my nerves. "I'm good, actually. Thank you."
"Of course," he says, his gravelly voice somehow the loudest thing in the room.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm ok, nervous about getting D home," he says, pointing his thumb over his shoulder.
I look in the direction he's pointing and see Dakota crouched down next to some girl sitting on one of the couches.
"Is she kidding?" I ask, my voice laced with more jealousy than it should be.
I glance back at Jordan and he just shrugs.
"Well, good for her," I say, trying to redeem myself.
I continue eating, aware that Jordan is close and trying hard not to get anything on my face. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I think about ignoring it but I've never been that person. I wipe my hands on a napkin and pull out my phone.
"Are you guys still at Stratus or did you make it to Concourse?" From Corinne.
"Shit," I say out loud.
Riley, with her bionic, Avery-hearing ears says, "what's up?" From the other end of the table.
I can make a decision right here. With Dakota distracted, I can focus on Jordan and my friends. If Corinne shows up, I'm not sure how the dynamic will shift.
I could ignore her text, pretending I didn't see it. Text her tomorrow and apologize but I can't do that.
"How much longer will we be here before going to the next place?" I ask Riley.
"I figured once you're done eating we could head over," she says, eyeing me skeptically.
I hold my phone up to her for a second as if that's all the information she needs. Surprisingly she nods like she does understand.
I text Corinne back and tell her we're heading to Concourse soon and that she could meet us there. I notice Jordan has taken his phone out and is keeping himself occupied. I feel bad for dropping his interest.
Dakota plops back down in the chair next to Jordan. "I got that girls number," she says with a huge grin on her face.
Jealousy springs back to life inside me even though I wish it wouldn't. I put myself on this emotional rollercoaster and now I can't seem to get off.