Hey guys...thanks for reading and reviewing especially. I really appreciate it! I hope you like this chapter...I've rewritten it like 50 times and finally have a draft that is alright lol. Enjoy.
"Laila, dear! The guests are arriving." My mother calls through my door.
"Yeah...yeah.." I groan, still trying to decide which dress to wear tonight. I have been sitting here on my bed for the past two hours, just staring at these dresses. They were the pinnacle of fashion, of course and any of them would be the perfect choice to look good at the party...but I just hate them all with a passion. I abhor the very idea they were made of, just as I am starting to hate who I have become. I go to my closet, find my stashed rum bottle, and take a swig...to take the edge off and what not. I am afraid I may be becoming some sort of alcoholic...if I keep this stress drinking up. Oh well. Tonight I am going to need the super numbing power of booze to get through it all.
After about a fifth of the bottle, I pick a dress and slide it on. It's a very short, tight strapless black dress with a white ribbon wrapped around my waist. Just as I get it pulled up, Daisy enters in the black and white dress she had described to be earlier today, "Laila! That dress is amazing...do you want me to help you with your hair and makeup."
"You look ggrrrreat and yeah that'd be lovely." I chuckle, slightly buzzed by the booze.
"Have you been drinking?" She asks, looking at the bottle in my hand. No shit sherlock.
"Nope. Just holding it for a friend." I laugh.
"Do you mind if I?" She asks. I nod and she takes the bottle from me, takes a drink, then puts it in my closet. "Now to work on your hair." She says.
Twenty minutes later, Daisy has worked her miracles once more. I actually look like someone my mother would be proud of. I hate it.
We go down into the party and it seems chill at first. Not as bad as I thought. My mother even comments on how nice I look. But then it all changes when Caleb and Sarah arrive. No sign of Reid yet. They make their way around the room until they get to me. "Laila, you look... wow!" Caleb says, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks as do you." I return. He always does though. Caleb always looks gorgeous.
"Laila, this is Sarah. Sarah this is Laila." He says, introducing us. I smile nicely at her and she at me, but I can tell she hates me and quite frankly I am not too fond of her either. I am sure she is a nice girl and all...but currently we are two knights fighting over the damsel in distress. It's sort of amusing how Caleb is the princess in this tale.
"So we finally meet." Crap did I just say that? "I mean...I've just heard so much about it. It's really nice to meet you." I smile. Weak save. But by the smile on Caleb's face he seems to have accepted it.
"Nice to meet you too." She replies with a fake smile.
"This is my best friend Daisy. Caleb, you remember her right?" I ask.
"Of course. Nice to see you again." Caleb says politely.
"Nice to see you too." She replies. You can cut the tension with a knife.
"Now if you excuse us...Daisy and I were just about to go check on something for my mother." I say and then Daisy and I duck away to the kitchen.
"She hates me. She knows." I say, with a nervous laugh.
"I know...but at least Caleb didn't pick up on it. He probably thought we were happy to meet her." Daisy laughs.
"He is so cute when he is unaware," I smile, thinking about Caleb's smile when he was introducing us. What a sweet guy. He just wants us to get along and as much as I hate to do so I will be civil and even nice to her...for now at least.
"I know I am cute, but I hardly consider myself unaware," A voice says from behind me. I turn around and see my knight in shining armor coming to save me...well more like weasel in fingerless gloves. "Daisy! Have I ever told you just how much I love you?" He says kissing her hand, "You are...words can not even express how talented you truly are by making the loserish Laila we know and love and turning her into this." He says, spinning me around. "You look almost good enough to eat." He then whispers in my ear as he pulls me into him.
"What the hell is with you Reid?" I ask. "Did you get laid or something?"
"Can't a man be happy?" He asks.
"Man?" I chuckle.
"Don't ruin my good mood, Lay." He orders me. I shake my head at him. What could possibly make him in such a nice mood? Did he win a lot of money from Aaron? Does he have a girl? I bet he has a secret girlfriend. She is probably some supermodel that he has actually fallen in love with and they keep it a secret because they both are afraid to tell anyone; she doesn't want to because it may damper business while he just is too proud and egotistical to admit it. Why am I putting so much thought in this? Why should I care if he is in a good mood or not? Reid Garwin is my mentor. He is my obi-wan...more like the emperor...and that makes me Darth Vader. Ugh. I am not liking this metaphor...it's making me look like the evil one...and in this story, I'll end up dead.
"Whatever. So what do I do here?" I ask him.
"Act cool, sultry...you know...in other words, not like yourself." He smiles, proud of himself. I roll my eyes and follow him out into the party.
For an hour or so, we mingle while I simultaneously drink various liquors. I try to avoid my mother a majority of the time, because of her constant "constructive critism" she gives me. Such as "Don't slouch," or "Don't eat that if you want to be able to fit that dress again. You've been gaining a bit of weight." With each insult, I drink more and more. By the time Reid finds me, I am pretty drunk. He drags Daisy and I outside where Caleb, Sarah, Kate, Pogue, Tyler, and some new kid were all waiting.
"What's up with the secret meeting?" I hiccup.
"We're going to have a little fun." Reid says while picking up a case of beers.
"It's dark out there.." Kate says, looking at the woods where Reid was leading us.
"You scared?" Pogue asks her, wrapping his arms around her.
"No," She giggles.
"I am.." Sarah says grabbing Caleb's hand. He smiles at her seductive glint in her eye.
Daisy, Tyler, and I follow behind them with the new guy while Reid, our fearless leader, leads us into the dark, mysterious woods...not that I am afraid or anything...but I don't know something seems strange about this. Tyler wraps his arm around Daisy's shoulder. I smile sadly. They look so sweet together. I feel so happy for them...but the feeling of loneliness tugs on my heart strings. Stupid Sarah for stealing Caleb away. I wish I could just get over him...move on and let them be. I feel we'd all be happier...but I can't do that. My heart wants what it wants, and what is wants wholeheartedly is Caleb.
Just then the new kid catches up to me and extends his hand, "Chase Collins." He smiles. He has a pretty nice smile. Not bad looking. I extend my hand and shake his hand. His touch electrifies me, but not in the way Caleb does. It instead gives me an overwhelming feeling of fear and distrust. My stomach churns as his smile grows. He lets go of my hand.
I am slightly trembling. Pull yourself together, Laila. I can't be rude, even if the guy does give the craziest vibes ever. Perhaps it's the alcohol talking. "Laila Parry." I reply, "I'm Pogue's sister."
"Ah Pogue. Great guy." He returns.
"Yup that's my big brother." I reply with a forced smile and then the next thing I know am on my knees. Crap. Perhaps I really did drink too much. Chase pulls me up and I begin trembling again with an indescribable feeling sloshing around with the wine and rum in the pits of my stomach.
"Thanks.." I reply and we quickly join the others who have created a circle around the beer in a clearing Pogue and I used to play in when we were little. This was my hiding place from my mother's wrath and the place I first decided I liked Caleb. I was in 5th grade and he in 6th. We were playing hide and go seek tag at dusk and I was the youngest and slowest. When Reid was charging at us in the dark, I had fell right in front of Pogue and Caleb. Pogue kept running, but Caleb helped me up and helped me up a tree. We both sat up there, whispering while Reid was chasing a screaming Tyler around the woods. Right then and there he stole my heart. It was the first time any of Pogue's friends were really nice to me. Usually they'd complain along with Pogue that they didn't want to play with little girls like me.
"Laila? You want a beer?" Reid asks, motioning as if he was going to throw me the bottle in his hand.
"No thank you." I reply, snapping out of my dream state.
"Caleb...I'm cold.." Sarah pouts. He takes off his jacket and wraps it around her while rubbing his hands up and down her arms. He then whispers things into her ear while she giggles. Something snaps inside me. I feel angry and alone...and thirsty.
On second thought..."Never mind, Reid, my boy. I could use a drink." I say. He smiles and hands me one. I chug it down like I was dying of thirst. "How about we play a little game?" I ask.
"I like your thinking." Reid replies, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.
"What do you have in mind?" Kate asks.
"Truth or Dare...maybe strip poker?" Reid asks.
"I was thinking more along the lines of a drinking game." Sarah interrupts, "I was queen of shot gunning back at my old school."
"I'll take you on," Kate smiles.
"I'm in." Reid and Tyler echo. Everyone but Daisy and I do it. We decide to be the judges to make sure the results are fair. In the first match, Reid takes it easily. But then Sarah wins the next two times. She cheers giddily. Damn her.
"I guess no one can beat the champion," She grins and kisses Caleb, who for some strange reason is attracted to a girl who can gulp down her liquor really fast.
"Let me try." I say, grabbing a beer.
"Great." She says competitively. This isn't about the beer...it's more than that. This is a grudge match on who will win Caleb's heart.
We shotgun our beers quickly, insanely quickly and by some strange miracle I win and this is when I really start feeling the liquor.
Sarah begins dancing with Caleb. She is really putting in her all to make me mad. So I pull Reid over and begin grinding on him. Really getting crazy. Reid and I actually begin having fun, though I constantly keep looking back to Sarah and Caleb who are dancing next to us. Sarah is constantly trying to one up me. Suddenly an idea pops into my head. The creek is just a second's walk from here. I can hear it. "Swim with me!" I exclaim, racing past Pogue and Kate in their make out session through a line of trees to the creek. Reid, Caleb, and Sarah follow. I throw my stupid strappy shoes off and dip my toes in the water. It is freezing, but who cares! I peel off my dress and wade into the water.
"What the hell are you doing Laila?" Reid calls.
"Come on in! The water's fine!" I giggle.
"It's freezing!" He replies and takes off his shoes with Caleb. They both roll up their pants and wade into the water after me. Sarah stands at the edge, sneering. "Come here Laila. You'll get hypothermia!"
I splash at him and laugh drunkly. "Laila, come on! You'll get sick." Caleb echoes. I pout and wade over to them. I splash at Reid again and he returns it this time. We splash around all three of us, until Sarah calls Caleb, "Caleb! You are going to get sick."
We all nod and I head towards them. Just as I reach them, I trip on a rock and land on Caleb. He smiles down at me. Reid, from behind me, picks me up and drags my lace bra and panty wearing self onto the bed of the creek.
Pogue, who probably heard me laughing which obviously interrupted his make out session with Kate and had to come ruin my fun. He comes over all high and mighty at me, "What the hell are you doing? Why are you naked?" He growls.
"S-s-sorry Pooogoo." I slur with a laugh and hiccup.
"Fuck! Laila! What do you think mom will say about her little princess acting like this?" Pogue says hysterically. Everyone is watching him and I. Sarah is hiding a smile...I can tell.
"Will she notice? Tell me Pogue...has she ever noticed me when you are around? You know what! Fuck you and fuck mom!" I cry, picking up my dress, and run off into the dark woods. I begin to cry a bit. I really don't know why I am crying...he has said worse things to me...but on top of everything, I just can't help it. I end up at Caleb and my tree. I sit at the base of it's trunk, sobbing into my hands.
"Laila...what's wrong?" A voice coming from the darkness says. A coat wraps around me.
"I can't s-stand it anymore...you know?" I whine. A big hand helps me up and I see my blonde savior. Reid. That sweet guy. Why is he so sweet?
"Pogue is a dick sometimes. You can't let him get to you." Reid says. I watch his lips move. They are mesmerizing. "And as for Caleb, if he wants that blonde slut over you...he's crazy."
"I thought you wanted that blonde slut." I say, slipping on my dress.
"She's whatever...there are tons of them out there." He replies. I watch as his mouth makes each word. It's enchanting.
"You are being nice to me!" I beam.
"I am simply stating the truth. You are a great friend and I even notice that you are beautiful and swe-" He says before I interrupt his fascinating lips with a kiss. He pulls away.
"What? You don't like me?" I ask.
"Laila.." He says. Suddenly all I want to do is kiss Reid. It felt nice, really nice. I want Reid's lips. I need Reid's lips. I need Reid. I need Reid to kiss me with those enchanting lips. I need him to love me right here, right now...on Caleb's tree. Take that Caleb!
"So you do?" I ask and kiss him again. "Hey! Let's go back to your dorm...or mine?" I begin pulling him. He frowns. "No...No! Let's go make out on my mom's bed? What do you think about that! Hah! Take that mommy dearest!" I exclaim.
"You are drunk." He says.
"And you are sexy. Let's go!" I giggle.
"No, Laila. You are drunk. I am not taking advantage of you."
"You don't want me?" I whine.
"No and neither do you! You get a bit bipolar when you are drunk. You won't want this." Reid says sternly.
"Fuck you! You are a dick! I hate you!" I growl, throw his jacket at his feet, and run to Daisy and Tyler who are laying on the grass, looking at the stars, intertwined. "Daisy...can you take me to the dorms?" I sniff.
She looks up at my face, dripping with tears. "Sure hun." She says and whispers into Tyler's ear, apologetically.
"Do you need me to walk you guys?" Tyler says getting up with Daisy.
"No.." Daisy replies, "I need to talk to her."
"Okay...I'll go find Reid."
Daisy follows me as I rapidly walk towards the house where Daisy's car is parked. "What's the matter?" She calls after me.
"Reid is a jerk. Just like Pogue. Just like my mom. Just like me." I cry.
"What are you talking about?" She asks.
"I really don't want to talk about it." I say, getting into her car. My heart feels like it is getting ripped apart while my stomach is as wavy as the ocean during a storm. My whole body hurts. I feel like I need to leave now. Get away from those who hurt me incessantly. I thought Reid was different. I thought I could trust him as a friend, a mentor...why do I care so much? I don't want him. I want Caleb...don't I? It shouldn't hurt this much...why is my heart bursting? After all, only love can break your heart, right?
