I sat uncomfortably at the party. I was a homebody and the black light and thumping music was not my scene. But I was here nonetheless. I kept Angela's advice in mind and did not let anxiety and awkwardness show. The wicker couch dug into my skin where the tank top and shorts did not cover. It was hot and humid on the deck and four people squeezed onto the couch along with me. It dipped under the combined pressure, clearly not used to this multitude of people. I sympathized with the poor thing as a drink spilled onto my legs. I grimaced at the perpetrator. Ugh it was Jacob.
Jacob and I had been best friends for the last two years when I moved in with my dad from Phoenix. Jake was there for me with everything. Bad test grade, jerk guys, mean girls, you name it; I called Jake. Of course the whole school assumed we were dating or destined to be together. Jake and I would have sleepovers and talk on the phone until one of us fell asleep. Although, that all changed this summer. Jake used to be a pudgy baby-faced kid that was friendly enough to be well liked. Over the summer, he transformed into this tall, built man that had girls swooning. Soon my innocent Jacob became the arrogant, narcissistic Jake that couldn't even look me in the eyes. He had decided that he was too cool for me and ran off to be best friends with Jessica instead.
Jessica moved to Forks at about the same time as me. She has always been more popular than I have been. She is athletic and attractive rolled into one. Her large breasts caught the attention of almost every guy at our high school. I always stood smiling in her shadow. That girl who was always be overlooked when in proximity to Jessica. Thinking of this, I self-consciously glanced down at my a-cup boobs. They tried so hard, but even in my Victoria's Secret push-up bra, there wasn't even a hint of cleavage. I wasn't surprised; half the football team had larger breasts than me. My attention returned to Jessica and Jake as I saw them walk back toward the keg, presumably to get Jake a new drink. I was not disappointed in my assumption. They leaned in closer, giggling and throwing a glance to someone over their shoulders.
I moved to go find some napkins, the chief would not be pleased if I came home smelling like stale beer. I didn't drink and Charlie knew that, but he was quick to jump to the worst case scenario. Charlie didn't like surprises. So I wiped my legs off with some sketchy looking paper towel and hoped for the best. This was actually Jessica's party for her 18th birthday. The first of all the seniors. To kick it off, she had rented a giant bounce house, decorated it in black lights, neon, and blasted rave music.
Angela, my only friend at Forks high now, motioned for me to follow her to the bounce house. I raised a brow. Me? In the most unstable surface on earth. My coordination on flat ground was questionable at best, at worst, hazardous to myself and those around me. Angela just grabbed my hand and dragged me through the opening. It was humid as all hell and similarly as hot. Sweat started beading on my forehead immediately. The hair I had worked so hard to straighten reverted back to its wild mess of curls. Angela started to bounce while holding my hand. I had no choice but to go ahead with her. The bounce house was significantly less crowded than the deck and I had no doubt the heat was a key part of it. We bounced for a while, letting the endorphins work themselves into our body as we panted for breath, glow sticks moving up and down with us. Soon I began to forget the world outside this hot house and the crowd that lurked surrounding the keg. Angela and I were hanging out just like and weekend. Laughing and swearing and joking. She knew exactly how to cheer me up; soon I was thoroughly enjoying Jessica's party- Jake or no Jake.
Eventually out solitude was disrupted by a group of people entering in. Angela and I moved to sit on the wall that leads to the slide portion of the bouncy house. Jessica came in with a serious look on her face and sat at the bottom of the slide, surrounded by people. Jake was close behind like a protective watchdog. I knew that look. The one that dared anyone to hurt her. I remember when he used it to protect me. Angela sensed my shift in mood and distracted me by pointing out some guys that came in after them. It was Mike and some guys I didn't recognize. Mike and Jessica dated for a while before high school, but remained close friends, often getting high together on weekends. Mike was always a good laugh, especially when buzzed.
"Hey, Bella!" Mike shouted in greeting, the only way to hear above the noise. "Bella c'mere"
Rolling my eyes I hopped off the wall onto the cushy floor. Mike looped his arm over my shoulders.
"Bella. I bet... I dare you to wrestle me. Two out of three." Mike enthusiastically shook me a little.
Now I am not a small person, but I'm not that big either. I'm 5'5" and about 130 pounds. Mike was easily a foot taller and 70 pounds heavier. Even drunk I wouldn't stand a chance. But I love a challenge and there nothing more fun than a harmless wrestling match. In Phoenix, I hung out with mostly guys. We played video games and fought a lot. My dad always encouraged me to be as tough as any guy. And despite being clumsy, I worked out daily and was almost all muscle.
"Alright, Newton. Whatever you want" I smile pleasantly and we began circling each other, crouched and ready to spring.
Mike stopped suddenly and stood upright. "We need a referee. Otherwise Bella may end up hurt." Mike declared loudly. I grinned and rolled my eyes, ready to start. I knew I would lose, but I was ready to put up a fight. "You, sir!" Mike pointed at the guy he came in with. "Eddy, buddy, we need you to ref. c'mon" mike looked at Eddy. He sighed heavily, but smiled with a mouth of dazzling teeth and whooped. Mike turned back to me with a glint in his eyes.
Quickly he screamed "sneak attack" and threw glow sticks at me before lunging. I smirked knowing his obvious ways were to be comically and I jumped up and forward. Our bodies collided in a mess of appendages. The breath was knocked from my lungs as we crashed heavily onto the unstable floor, now slippery with sweat and a light drizzle that had just stared,
