Chapter title taken from the song "She's in Parties" by Bauhaus from the album "Burning from the Inside".
Quil & Claire: October 30 12:14 PM
Quil was ready to burst. He had been helping prepare for Claire's party all morning, but had barely seen the birthday girl herself. It was becoming pure torture just to be there, knowing she was around, but unable to see her, to hold her. He threw a stack of paper plates on a picnic table with a sigh. After he had helped set up the tables and chairs, Sharon had kept him busy all morning, frosting and stirring and carrying things all over God's green earth. He didn't understand how there could possibly be so much to do for one party. Most of the parties he had been to were set if there was a keg and a bowl of pretzels. It wasn't like this was that old show on MTV about all the spoiled girls and their super sweet sixteen's.
The back door of the house slammed open and Quil turned with a frown. If Sharon asked him to do anything else he was pretty sure one of them would be very sorry. But the person on the back porch wasn't Sharon. In fact he wasn't sure the goddess that stood there was even Claire. He couldn't help gaping as she slowly walked down the back steps towards him. Her dress was so short, he wasn't sure he could even in good conscience call it a dress. The bright blue material, the color of the ocean, stood out against her dark skin. She had left her hair loose, flowing around her shoulders and it shone in the sunlight spilling between the leaves of the tall trees along the side of the house.
"Hey there," She said softly as she approached him.
It took Quil a moment to form words before he could answer. "Hey," he managed around a large swallow.
"Well? What do you think?" Claire turned a small circle in front of him.
"What I'm thinking can't be said in polite company," Quil whispered.
Claire smiled. "I'll take that as an 'You look hot', which I already knew, but thanks for the affirmation."
Quil could only nod.
Claire glanced around the yard. "So, everything ready?"
Quil nodded again.
Claire gave him an amused look. "Cat got your tongue?"
Quil licked his lips. "All set," he squeaked.
"Good, people will be here any minute. I want everything to be ready. Were you able to-"
Claire was interrupted by Quil grasping her arm and pulling her close to him. He leaned over her and inhaled deeply.
Claire gave a short laugh. "Better take what you can get now. I'm going to be busy entertaining my guests all day."
"Screw your guests," Quil murmured into her ear.
"Oh I couldn't do that. It would be so impolite. I am the hostess after all. I can't be rude."
"Yes you can," Quil whispered harshly. He pulled her towards the side of the house, tucking her into a small nook beside the porch.
He pushed her up against the siding and pressed himself against her. He buried his nose in her neck, brushing up and down, his senses tingling from her scent.
"People are going to be here any minute," Claire whispered.
Quil whimpered. "No," he said, his tone petulant. He pulled her closer and tried to kiss her.
Claire turned her head to the side and his lips brushed against her cheek.
"Don't do this to me," he begged. "Not again."
Claire smiled. "Don't sulk. I just applied very expensive lipstick, I don't want it smudged."
"I'll buy you more. You owe me after ambushing me with Sharon this morning." Quil tried to capture her lips again.
Claire pushed his face away. "Ambushing you? What are you talking about?"
Quil ran his hands down the sides of Claire's dress, his fingers brushing against her thighs. "That whole safe sex lecture. I came over here to help and instead I'm stuck hearing Sharon talk about condoms."
"You did not come over to help." Claire gave him a knowing smile. "You know what you came over for."
Quil nodded, his fingers trailing higher on her legs. He leaned towards her again.
"Claire!"
Sharon's voice called from the yard.
Claire grabbed Quil's hands and pulled them off her legs. She managed to maneuver out of his grasp despite his protests. "My people have arrived," she spoke in a grand voice.
Quil wrinkled his nose. "I hate your people," he snapped.
"CLAIRE!"
"COMING!" Claire turned to smile at Quil. "I better go before Sharon blows a gasket."
"Fine," Quil pouted. He suddenly gave her a stern look. "But this isn't over," he waved a finger between the two of them. "I expect some attention from you."
"Umm hello? It's my birthday!"
Quil shrugged. "Don't care. You expect a gift from me? I expect to get a little action."
"Wow, that is just the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me," Claire rolled her eyes.
"CLAIRE!"
Claire began to walk towards the yard. "You going to stand back here pouting, or are you going to come see our friends?"
Quil gave her a haughty look. "If I must," he said snootily. He slowly walked up next to her.
Claire just laughed. She reached over and took Quil's hand. "Don't worry, the party isn't going to last all night."
Quil made a face. "It better not," he muttered.
They walked hand in hand towards the yard where the first party guests were trickling in. Quil looked up, hoping to see some of his pack mates so he wouldn't be forced to hang out with Claire's high school friends, when he suddenly stopped short. Claire, still attempting to walk forward was yanked back by his abrupt halt.
"Oww," Claire looked up at Quil. "What the hell, that really hurt."
Quil narrowed his eyes. "You didn't tell me you were inviting boys to this little soirée," he said through clenched teeth.
Claire gave him a strange look. "Why wouldn't I invite boys? They are my friends you know. And by the way a soirée is an evening party. This is a daytime extravaganza."
"You cannot hang out with boys dressed like this," Quil waved his free hand at her dress.
Claire pulled her hand from his. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I can't have you cavorting around in this teeny tiny dress with a bunch of high school guys hanging all over you." Quil gave her his best 'I'm serious' face.
"Okay first of all, you don't own me. I can wear whatever I want whenever I want and around whomever I choose. Secondly, have you looked in the mirror lately? I mean those guys know I'm with you. And despite your rugged good looks, you are pretty intimidating to a five ten high school boy. Besides are you actually worried I would be interested in one of them?"
Quil sighed. "I never said I owned you. And no I'm not worried about you being interested in anyone else. And yes I look in the mirror everyday. I am somewhat vain you know."
Claire laughed. "So what's the problem?"
"I don't like them looking at you. Not like how I look at you. I want you to be for my eyes only," Quil said softly.
"Well honey, unless I go live in a cave, other people are going to see me everywhere I go and you are just going to have to learn to deal with that."
"Fine," Quil pouted. "But I won't like it."
"I didn't say you had to like it, I said you had to deal with it." Claire took his hand again. "Now come on, I have lusty high school boys to hang out with."
Quil frowned. "That's not funny," he muttered, but nevertheless he allowed Claire to lead him over to her friends.
