Chapter 8

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So, this was it.

Into war.

No matter which way you turned it, it wouldn't end up good.

It would take all the-

"Ow!"

"Stop moving Jade"

"I would if you stopped pulling my hair out!" I hissed, my head being yanked back once again as Rachel did something to it.

"Well I'd stop pulling your hair out, if you stayed still"

I glared at her through the mirror, but finding she was ignoring me, instead continuing with her torture.

It was the Friday night, and Rachel had agreed to come with me to the party Kristiana had mentioned. She'd given us the date and time, and told us where it was being held at. Apparently a friend of hers was hosting, so it was at his house.

Serah would meet me there, but told me, once again, that my "hottie nerd" had to be there. I was tempted to not go to the party at all, but I knew, no matter what I did, I'd have my butt kicked.

I was relieved when Rachel finished her torture, my hair now in some sort of weird half up, half down style which actually suited the purple dress I was wearing.

The shoes were a little too high for my taste, but I knew I had to wear them, and the jewellery, and look pretty.

Thankfully, Rachel had brought along a dress which just happened to suit the occasion. I could only guess she was going to use that to wow Raph at some point, but instead she wore that and some nice red heels she had.

"Wow" I kind of felt like a dork next to Rachel. She looked amazing. Red dress, red heels, and some very red lipstick, which matched everything else. Her hair was loose and wavy.

"You ready to go?" She asked, and I blushed, looking down.

"Oh come on, you're not still thinking of April, are you?"

I blushed, and she took my arm, leading me down the stairs. Mum cooed over us, taking some pictures (she had to have something to remember occasions when I dressed up) then let us go on our way.

"I don't know why you're so worried" She scoffed as we walked.

"Well, I know I shouldn't be. But shes a woman for one thing, and shes-"

"Hot?" Rachel supplied. Her head was up and she seemed proud as we walked. I had to admit, I was having a little troubled in the shoes, but was determined to keep up with her.

"Well... yeah" I admitted.

"Donnie won't go for that... you should learn to trust him more"

I frowned, trying to decide to tell her about last nights trouble or not.

"I do trust him, it's just-" I wasn't even sure how to say it. I admit, I was jealous of April spending time with my boyfriend. And it was a strange feeling to have.

"Don't worry about it, you and I are going to have fun" She took my arm again, leading me confidently down the street.

We finally reached the right street, seeing other people around our age were heading towards a house. The house itself looked massive, and the noise was spilling out into the street.

"Oh gosh, I hope there isn't-"

"Don't worry, we'll be fine" She tapped my hand "And if not, we can go grizzlys and tear the place up"

I couldn't help but laugh at her bravado. Nothing seemed to scare her.

Then again... facing down Yeerks every day would probably make normal problems a little easier to deal with.

Like boys.

Finally, we made it to the entrance, where some guy who seemed drunk, answered the door.

"Heey, who invited you"

"I did" Kristiana stepped past him, almost shoving him out of the way in the process. She was wearing a blue and grey dress, which made her eyes stand out more. Her hair was up in a bun, with small wringlets of hair coming out. She looked very pretty.

"Hi Jade, and...Rachel, correct"

"Yep, it's great to meet you too!" Rachel shook her hand, and she guided us in through the door, past a large crowd.

"Sorry about Brett, he has no class whatsoever" She led us into the kitchen, where I saw some drinks and snacks had been set up on the island.

"Uh. Are these-"

"Don't worry, I have a secret stash" She reached into the fridge, pulling out three cans of coke, indicating we come over to the small table, which had empty cans and chip packets scattered. She placed the three on the table, indicating we sit on some of the chairs. People were coming in and out of the kitchen randomly.

"How's the party going?" I asked, looking around and feeling extremely nervous.

"Yeah, was good until some idiots bought the booze in" She rolled her eyes "I wouldn't have been here, except for Matt"

"Ah, boys" Rachel shook her head, and soon her and Kristiana were chatting away, and I was sitting there, looking around and drinking my drink.

"Um...I might go for a wander" I said finally, getting up and starting to move back out into the main hall, trying to avoid the large groups of people.

"Don't get lost" Kristiana called, but I was already heading for the stairs. I was hoping there was somewhere to hide, at least-

"Jade!"

I spun to see Serah there, heading towards me. She was in a black sequin dress, which dragged onto the floor, her hair loose and moved to the side, showing the gold loop earring she was wearing.

"Uh, hey" I got out, coming back down the stairs.

"You look gorgeous hunny!" She hugged me quickly, then moved me so she could get a good look.

"We need to take a picture!" She brought her phone out of her tiny little bag, holding it above us.

Great, selfies.

I tried to smile as best I could, and she took the picture, before taking a body length one of me, standing there looking awkward.

"So, where is he?" She finally asked, and my heart sunk.

I knew she'd ask this.

"Ser, I-"

She stared at me.

"He didn't come?"

I shook my head.

"Okay, that does it" She linked her arm with mine, moving over to where a group of boys was standing. I recognized one of them as Devin.

"Hey boys, this is Jade, Jade, this is-" I stopped listening then, knowing I didn't need to know any of their names.

I caught Devin looking at me, looking away.

"Hey Jade" I heard one of them say, and I politely answered him, feeling kind of stuck now, just keeping close to Serah.

Soon the other boys split off, then it was just me, Devin and Serah standing there.

"Well, I'll leave you two to get acquainted" Serah almost ripped herself out of my grasp, disappearing into a crowd of people that swept by.

I turned back to Devin, who smiled sweetly at me.

"Uh, look. I'm sorry but uh..." I blushed slightly "I already have a boyfriend"

He stepped forward suddenly. I had to resist the urge to step back.

"Well, where is he?"

"He's... around" I managed to get out, and he stepped forward again, this time making me take an awkward step back.

"Well, he doesn't have to know" He leaned forward, and by instinct my hand came up, slapping him hard across the cheek.

He backed up, looking shocked.

"You... you bitch!" He pushed me, hard, and I tumbled to the ground, my side hitting something hard as I fell.

I looked up, finding he had taken off.

All around me the lights were flashing, and the music was blaring. Not one person helped me up, or asked if I was okay.

So, painfully, I managed to get up, holding my side and knowing I'd have a hell of a bruise later, heading back towards the kitchen to see if Rachel was ready to leave yet, cause I knew I sure was.

To my surprise, both Rachel and Kristiana were no where to be seen, and doing a quick scan of the main room, neither was Serah.

I decided then that I'd had enough, and it was time to leave for now. I'd come back and get Rachel, but I knew she'd be okay, as she thrived in these environments.

I moved towards the front door, opening it and half staggering out into the streets. Whatever I'd hit had been sharp, but the pain was slowly easing.

I'd have to apologise to Kristiana later for leaving the party so early, but there was no way I'd be staying there with that moron there. And Serah... I couldn't believe she'd just left me! That wasn't like her at all...

I turned a corner, trying to right myself. I still felt some pain, but at least I could now walk without looking like a hunchback.

"Jade?"

I jumped, feeling pain shooting up my side and turning to see none other than Donnie, hidden in an alleyway between two houses.

"Donnie, don't care me like that!" I looked around, making sure no one was watching, before going into the alleyway.

"Are you okay?" He seemed concerned.

"Oh, yeah. Long story" I shook my head, watching as he looked me up and down.

He had a look of awe on his face again, one I hadn't seen in a while.

At least when he looked at me.

"You look beautiful"

I blushed a little, leaning up to give him a quick peck.

He put his arms around me, and I winced a little, pulling back.

"Jade, are you hurt?"

I frowned, looking up at him and finally deciding to tell him.

"Some guy thought it would be a good idea to try and kiss me. I slapped him, and then he decided to push me. I hit something as I fell"

He suddenly looked almost angry, and I regretted telling him.

"Who hurt you?" He asked.

"Donnie, it's okay really. Guy was an idiot. Serah has been trying to set me up with him for ages. Told him no, told him I had a boyfriend. But he seemed to think that it was fine to cheat on you or something"

He still didn't look happy, but he sighed.

"You know, he'll probably have a big slap mark across his face for weeks" I tried to lighten the mood, my hands resting on his chest as I looked up at him.

He smiled, and I continued.

"You know I'd never do that to you, right?"

"I know. That's my girl" He finally said, putting his arms gently around me and pulling me close. I put my head on his chest, arms around his waist, feeling him kiss the top of my head.

"What were you doing out here anyway?" I asked him. I felt him stiffen.

"Well, uh..." I looked up at him, and he sighed, stroking my hair gently.

"I was worried. Raph told me some stories Rachel told him, and... well..." He looked sheepish, scratching the back of his head with his free hand.

I smiled "Thanks for caring Donnie. I'm actually really happy you came"

I put my arms around his neck, and he picked me up a little as we kissed again, this time for longer.

He slowly put me down, my heels touching the ground just barely as his arms were on my back again. I pulled away, looking up at him and feeling completely safe for the first time that night.

"J-Jade?"

We both turned to look, seeing none other than Serah there, her mouth wide open.

I went to say something, but she beat me to it.

"I knew it! I'm not crazy! I knew it!"

"Um... hey Serah" Was all I could get out, feeling Donnie tense a little.

"Now I know why I never see him. Cause...cause..."

Her eyes rolled back into her head, and I barely had time to move before Donnie was catching her as she fell.

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Second part of the chapter I split up!

So what do you guys think?

Constructive Criticism appreciated :D