"What a whore!" Ella exclaimed, her mannerism so sloppy she was probably already toasted. Thankfully Jason was dumb as a brick, because he still stood next to her, watching her like a puppy that had been hit over the head by a brick.
"God Ella, she's standing right over there. Be quiet," Mitchie responded, handing Ella a drink. Mitchie then proceeded to scootch her way onto the orange couch I was seated in and settle on my lap.
"Is it really wise giving her another drink?" I remarked, picking up my horrible tasting spiked punch from the nearby oak coffee table. For rich kids we still managed to drink really shitty drinks, but that's mostly because Ella doesn't know how to throw a party, and more likely doesn't know how to acquire the good stuff.
"Its just watered down apple juice this time," Mitchie answered, her eyes following Ella, who now had just stumbled into one of the Sprouse twins and proceeded to moon over their wonderful acting skills. "I doubt she'll notice by now anyway. I think all the punch numbed her tongue."
"I know I won't be able to drink for weeks," I said. I smiled at her, wishing that I could stop being so goddamned pouty. But anymore all I could think about was—
"Shane, Matthew—I mean your Dad, is wondering where the fuck we are," Aerie said, sliding into view. She'd changed into some sort of relaxed New York look—her air was up in a messy bun and her black tank top was covered merely by a funky print cardigan which matched her earrings. Nothing like you'd see out here, but it was a little too pilgrim for me. I did like the tops low. But not on my sister. What the hell. I have a sister. I still couldn't believe that this neatly put together kid standing in front of me was my sister.
"You know he's your Dad too, Aerie." I pulled out my cell phone and sent off a quick text to Matt, letting him know our whereabouts. I then realized that Mitchie had been staring at both of us, questioning the exchange we'd been having. She now looked like the equivalent of a dog who'd just been swatted because she'd done a trick right. That was the problem with Mitchie, she was so fricken chaste—
"Shane? Hello?" Mitchie prodded me, looking for an explanation.
"Oh, sorry. Mitchie…this is my sister. Aerie. Aerie, this is Mitchie…my girlfriend," I'd stood up awkwardly and allowed Mitchie to fall from my lap. Thankfully she wasn't sloshed so she was able to stand up, but she looked a little dazed. She managed to mutter a 'hi', while Aerie just nodded and smiled. She looked pretty genuine too.
"Nice meeting you Mitchie," Aerie said, a little too formally in my opinion, and flicked her cropped bangs out of her face. "I'm going to go get some punch."
"Watch out, it sucks!" Mitchie warned, her warm personality finally peaking through.
Aerie smiled. "I can handle it." There was definitely a gleam in her eye as she said that. The girl might have some experience. I shifted my weight around once again receded to the couch, knowing Mitchie's anger at her encounter with Aerie would not be a quickly told rant. But before she could even take in a breath to start, Aaron jogged into the room, looking surprisingly unkempt. He was the kind of guy that always kept up appearances just in case any girl happened to look his way.
"Shane, Shane…" He puffed, resting his elbows on his knees, trying to catch in a breath. Where had he run from, Death Valley?
"Come on Aaron, use full words. Last time I checked you'd had a mastery of them for a while. Or at least since I've known you," I retorted, standing up in order to help hold some of his weight. He was also sweating a lot, so with a quick movement I released his arm and instead patted his back, making as little contact with the sweaty kid next to me. I'm not OCD or anything, but still.
"Shane, shut the fuck up," He responded, finally regaining enough balance and control to stand up right. "Shane, was that your sister?" He asked, his blue eyes seeming a little too invested the idea that Aerie had been in his exact spot only a few minutes ago. That's a little suspicious.
"Yeah, that was Aerie."
Aaron's eyes widened for a moment, and then he took off once more into the throngs of people, soon disappearing amongst the vibrating bodies and pounding music. And probably a solid pound of vomit.
Mitchie at this point had dropped off somewhere by now, most likely running off to consult with one of her many best friends. Maybe it was Ella this time, so she had an excuse to laugh at something else than Aaron, who was up to another one of his schemes, no doubt. With a loud thump I ended up back on the couch, trying to really absorb everything that happened. And with a girlfriend parties were a lot less fun. There was no more useless flirting and less and less grinding. Not my idea of a fun time anymore. I bent over the couch edge, looking for any sort of interesting things to do during a party where your girlfriend was gone and your newly arrived sister was probably off somewhere getting a good ole L.A. welcome from one of the many douche bags Ella was friends with. Instead, all I found was Aaron's phone. I clicked on the touch screen just to confirm it was, but instead of finding his normal Sports Illustrated backdrop and list of apps, I found a recent text conversation.
Nate: Why should I care Aaron?You: She's gorgeous Nate. I mean, amazing.
Nate: Who is she even?
You: She's Shane's half sister man. And I'm in love with her.