A/N : I've been busy with this fic and I've managed to get two chapters done! Thanx to lil and Kala4nea for the latest reviews. Here's chapter 6...
Chapter 6 - The Party and The Bitch
"Well, it took a lot of work but I think we pulled it off" Nicole smiled, looking around at all the people partying in her house.
"Yeah, well, let's just hope your little plan works" Chase replied.
"Of course it will work" his girlfriend assured him, "My plans always do"
"You sure?" he wasn't as certain as she was, because he understood what his friend was feeling - unworthy of the girl he wanted.
"My last plan worked better than I thought" Nicole told him, wrapping her arms around him, "because I ended up with you" she grinned and kissed him, and they were having quite a good time until they were interrupted by a voice.
"Hey guys"
"Hey Ray" Nicole smiled, disentangling herself from Chase.
"Hey man, glad you came" Chase clapped his friend on the back.
"Yeah, me too" he grinned as Jenny approached the three.
"Jenny!" Nicole greeted her excitedly, as her friends entrance was perfectly timed.
"Hi Nicole, Chase, Ray" Jenny greeted them all
"Hi" Ray answered quietly.
There was an awkward pause and then Nicole had an idea.
"So, Chase, you wanna dance?" she asked, giving him a look that said 'say yes or else'
"Er, yeah, right" her boyfriend realised what she was doing, "see you guys later" he added as he was led to the dance floor. The other two watched them go and Jenny couldn't bear the silence anymore.
"Don't worry, I wore flats tonight" she joked.
"Oh, yeah" Ray laughed a little and then said "You look...great"
"Thanks, so do you" she blushed, then another awkward pause.
"You, er, wanna dance?" he dared to ask and the girl's face lit up. She was about to answer when Eddie Lampell, star football player and all around jerk, appeared behind them.
"Hey Jenny, you're looking good" he leered, probably already half drunk.
"Thanks, Eddie" she said, uncomfortable.
"So, do you feel like dancing?" he asked.
"Yes" she smiled, and Ray wanted to crawl into a corner and die until she added "but not with you, sorry. Ray already asked me"
With that she took his hand and led him out amongst the rest of the crowd who were already moving to the music. Eddie looked shocked but Ray looked more so.
"Why are you dancing with me when you could be dancing with Eddie?" he said, not complaining but curious.
"Because you asked first" she said simply "and because he's a jerk and because" she paused "well, I like you better" she admitted.
"I can live with that" the young man smiled, putting his arms around her.
Across the room, Chase was dancing with Nicole when he suddenly spotted the other couple.
"I should've known your plan would work..." he sighed.
"What?" Nicole asked, lifting her head from Chase's shoulder. He pointed in the direction of Jenny and Ray and she turned to see them dancing and laughing together.
"Oh look how cute they are together" she grinned.
"Let's just hope it lasts, then maybe you could give me some more attention instead of them" her boyfriend feigned annoyance.
"I'm sorry Chase, you feeling left out?" she asked.
"Maybe, a little" he smirked.
"Come here, let me make it up to you" she said, pulling him into a long kiss.
"You wanna drink?" Ray asked as the song ended.
"Yes, please" Jenny replied, unable to stop herself from grinning like an idiot "While you get that I'm just gonna use the little girls room" she added, excusing herself.
Ray moved toward the kitchen, pushing past dancing couples, kissing couples, and a few single people too. He was trying to hunt down some mineral water for Jenny when a voice caught his attention.
"Good evening Ray"
He turned to see a dark haired girl striking a pose in the doorway.
"What are you doing here Alicia?" he asked her.
"Partying, same as everyone else" she smiled and came closer toward him.
"Did Nicole invite you?" Ray couldn't believe that was possible given that the two ex-best-friends had barely spoken to each other since the night of the last pre-Centennial Party when Alicia had made a move on Chase.
"Not directly" she admitted, "but I wanted to come, so I did" she was standing right next to him now "I always get what I want" she told him, leaning close "How about you Ray?"
"What do you mean?" he said, nervously.
"I mean" she said, barely above a whisper, leaning in even closer "what do you want?"
"Alicia..." was the last word he managed to say before she kissed him. It might not have been so bad if he had pushed her away or tried to move, but he just stood there and let her kiss him. Of course, everything went according to Alicia's plan. She knew no guy could resist her and she knew Jenny would come looking for Ray.
A sound somewhere between a cry and a sob came from the doorway and Alicia pulled away. She turned to see Jenny standing there and Ray saw her too.
"Oops" Alicia said with a grin that said she didn't really care "See you later" she called to Ray as she left the room pushing past Jenny as she went "Loser"
A/N : On to chapter 7...