12 | 𝑈𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑙

"Remember," Kayla hissed, "try to avoid making lies about having dogs or I don't know, an actual moose?"

I rolled my eyes with a deceiving scoff. "I got it, I got it, that was only a one time thing," I assured her, winking at the end.

I heard Jaydon snort from the passenger side of the car causing me to reflect over my impulsive decision. He was snickering to himself, gazing out the window longingly. "We have to pick up my cousin and Vislocky--"

Huh, I never did get confirmation, did I?

I pondered on the idea of Victor going. Truthfully, he'd want to drive his own jeep for multiple reasons. One, he can leave whenever he wants and two; he doesn't want to go to begin with. It felt strange, inviting him to hang with us like old friends.

"Actually," I interrupted, voicing my concerns a bit questioningly. "I think Vicky--Victor--"

"You gotta stop doing that," Kayla uttered from the drivers' side of her Audi S3. Her eyes lifted to the rearview mirror, studying me from the front of the car. "I gotta save that nickname for when I call him by it--"

"When did I become the adult watching over you two kindergartners?" Jay expressed humorously, raking a hand through his hair and scoping out the view through the window.

"Shut up," I rebuked with a grin. Even Kayla flipped him off, continuing to steer the car to Jaydon's house, which was no doubt one of the wealthier ones that deviated off the main road. Neither one of us though mentioned how right Jaydon was, mainly because we were too distracted by the extensive driveway forming at the entrance of the woods. A tunnel of bark and greenery guided the way.

"Lemme just text him," Jay muttered within his breath.

"I'm gonna call Victor to ask if he's taking his own car," I announced, bringing my phone to my ear once having dialed his number.My heart started to quicken for some reason. I really was hoping he planned on going. I also didn't want him to feel like he had to either. It rang three times monotonously before it flatlined.

I pursed my lips, but assumed he was just in the bathroom. Jay threw his head back, tossing his arm up to eye level to study his watch. "We were kinda supposed to be there already, I blame Kayla."

"Hey! What did I do?" she retorted straggly, giving her outfit an up-down.

I thought she looked really cute. Kayla wore a big baggy jumper with her 'Ravenclaw colors' (at least that's what she described it as), sporting her light and dark blue striped sweater and a pair of dark gray skinny jeans. I, on the other hand, was accepting the fate of Victor being weirded out by my outfit change after the record store. I wore black jeans with holes at the knees, a yellow spaghetti strap tank, and a loose-fitted denim jacket. The fabric was worn with white spots.

I hope he likes it. I shake my head. Where did that come from?

Finally, my eyes met the Caller I.D.. I smiled then picked up the phone to my ear and heard the aggravated voice which caused my grin to melt right off my face like a third ice cream scoop to pavement. "What the hell?" he argued through the phone.

"What? Is everything okay?" I questioned, catching both Kayla and Jay's attention from the front of the car. The hand that clamped my phone started to get warm and slimy.

I could hear his eyes roll. "You told me to come at a specific time, well guess who's also here?" he retorted. "You're damn crush--"

"Lower your voice," I deadpanned. "What is your problem?"

"My problem?" He started laughing maniacally. "I don't have a problem." He sounded sadistic.

He definitely has a problem.

"Vic," I pleaded, "we're almost there--"

My eyes averted from my lap to Jay who was shaking his head and gesturing with his fingers in a "not even close" motion. I sighed and tentatively gnawed  on my bottom lip. Before I could put a finger on what was causing his distress, the car door beside me opened and in-came a brown haired guy around our age.

He smiled at me, but everyone made quiet greetings since I was on the phone. I sighed heavily. "Can we talk about this when I get there?"

"So what you're saying is I actually have to converse with this ditz," he grumbled.

"He is not," I spat, "just grow a pair, alright?"

This apparently caught Kayla and Jay's attention since the whole car that started to roll down the driveway halted to a complete stop, sending us flying forward before being slammed back into our seats.

Victor chuckled lightly. "Sorry," he apologized, causing my heart to flutter. He'd never apologized before, wasn't known for that either. My face went sour instantly when I realized that I got so sappy over an apology. "I don't exactly get along with Corbett."

I narrowed my eyes on the road. Theoretically speaking, I was made unaware and had no idea how to respond in my mid-processing.

This was new. From what I saw, Sullivan got along with everyone, even Jay was sort-of friends with Victor, so why couldn't Liv be?

"I didn't know that," I murmured into the phone as we started driving again.

"Of course you didn't," he snickered, and I could imagine him pacing with how ragged his breathing became. "You'll be here soon to distract the shit-brain?"

Sarcastically, I mocked, overemphasizing his name, "bye, Vicky." Though I refused to hang up right after I said goodbye. This was the cue that one of us should end the call, but neither of us did. Instead, I made uncomfortable eye contact with Kayla who was in mid-debate whether or not to slam her foot to the break again.

I could hear the laugh he uses when he rolls his eyes, it's just a chuckle or two but an airier one. "Oh, Jesus Christ. How did I get stuck with you?"

"I kinda ate cheese from your house," I admitted, ignoring the confusion around me. "That's a done deal, once you do that, you're stuck," I explained to him as if it was some urban legend.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath. "I gotta get rid of that cheese--"

"No, it's actually really good," I protested, laughing all the while.

"Bye--" He cut himself off to think. "I need a nickname for you besides Rhy, I'll keep thinking. See ya later," he muttered into the phone. I exchanged a similar goodbye before hanging up, seeing the perplexity in everyones' eyes as we drove.

♡♡♡

The field was trimmed nicely and cars were parked in neat, clean rows with the help of workers directing us around. Thick pools of orange hung in the sky, drawing closer to the horizon with each passing second.

Kayla drove over the field leisurely as we handed in our dollars and were guided to a spot. A few shops were set-up alongside the main attraction of the barn house. It was more-so a rectangular gazebo if anything with welcoming, open air galleries. Inside the arched ceilings were fairy lights and a live band performing in front of a series of wooden benches.

When we got out of the car, Jay's cousin appeared at my side. "Hey, you must be Azariah, right?" he asked for validation.

"Yep," I agreed, smiling up at him. He looked similar to Jay in many ways, but their eyes were remarkably different. Apparently athletic and lean bodies must run in the family. "But you can call me Riyah. And you're Anthem?"

"In the flesh," he teased as the music started to raise, a cover of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard began to hype the crowd. The music covered the entirety of the fundraiser's perimeter. As we approached, the bass started ringing in my ears.

Kayla rejoined my side, squealing excitedly. "I can't believe you got Victor to come--"

"Well, I wouldn't get your hopes up," I shot down with a few chuckles. "He's not happy about it, but I think he'll warm up."

"He's a stone-faced bad boy, what do you expect?" she inquired, clutching her hands and searching the clusters of people for him. I knew too well that she's read one too many bad-boy romance novels in her time.

Torches decorated on either sides of the gravel pathway lit the way towards the barn house. Similarly, kids of all ages were throwing glow sticks up into the air. I studied the sky as we walked to the barn house, the rich orange began to dull and everyone, including myself, were preparing for the ocean of blues to arise into night.

Jay suddenly stopped walking and closed his eyes shut tightly, Anthem stayed by his side whilst Kayla and I walked a little ahead until stopping. "Hey," Kayla called, "You alright?"

Jay didn't respond, his hand cupped his forehead instead as if he tried to keep his mind trained on a singular thought. When he opened his eyes, he looked up straight ahead at nothing but empty space and stumbled back in horror, the petrification in his eyes as he fell onto the ground.

Anthem crouched down and assured him something out of our hearing, causing Jay to nod and hear what he had to say. Kayla and I watched apprehensively, but over the music I heard a loud high pitched whistle.

Instinctively, Kayla and I both turned and spotted an expectant Victor with a joint in hand. He wore his ripped black jeans, combat boots, and a leather jacket. He was sitting with his ankle propped up onto his thigh, leg bouncing lightly while Sullivan's back leaned up against the ledge of one of the many tables. Behind them were two women and a man working to make hotdogs and sell sodas.

I rolled my eyes, my fingers pinching her sweater and dragging her closer. This seemed a lot more overwhelming in person.

Fuck, what did I get myself into?

Sullivan stood beside Victor and as we approached them, I couldn't help but feel this really nervous spread of warmth fill me. It was intimidating seeing the two of them beside each other. Sullivan looked rather annoyed and Victor just looked like the provoker he was.

"Bout time," teased Sullivan, glancing at the two of us.

I towered over Victor's seated position on the bench and he looked up through the hood of his lashes with a joint in-between his fingers. I stared down at him as we both exchanged a knowing look.

"Of course," Kayla chuckled about something that Sullivan said.

That was when Jay and Anthem appeared behind us, walking in strides. Jay clasped his hands eagerly and I could sense Victor's annoyance. He wasn't friends with anyone but me, not that I was considered a friend, but I'd like to think something like that.

"Anyone hungry?" Jay questioned the group, receiving a wave of nods. I went towards the open seat next to Sullivan, but still myself when Kayla took it. Habitually, I scooted around and sat with Victor at the end of table.

The band was now doing a cover of "Every Breath You Take" by The Police and all the lovebirds and families were dancing, spinning in circles and enjoying themselves.

I want to dance, I don't know how but I want to. I'll make a fool of myself undoubtedly, but who cares? I sigh. I will care if Sullivan will cares.

I even saw a grandmother and presumably her granddaughter who were dancing. There was so much energy on the dance floor. Music seemed to explode through the air galleries of the barn like a popping water balloon.

Victor nudged my shoulder causing me to look towards him. He still held his joint, but now his elbow was matted to the wooden planks constructing the table. He leaned in close to me and I could sense the laser eyes belonging to Kayla and Sullivan. I felt a little happy that Sullivan was looking, I saw it in the corner of my eye as Victor whispered in my ear.

I looked at him after he spoke, shaking my head sternly in reply.

"Is everything okay?" Sullivan wondered curiously.

My heart was going so quick by then and I could barely contain my breath, but I shook my head in denial. That was until Victor announced, "Rhy wants to dance--"

"No, I-uh-I don't...?" I lied, but my pitch was high.

Anthem soon laughed, acknowledging that I couldn't lie well, beckoning a hand. "You better dance, or else you're gonna regret it," he attempted, smiling all the way.

"You dance with me!" I protested.

"Aw, hell no! You think I can dance?" His eyebrows went up to his hairline.

"Neither can I!" I was starting to chuckle, the airy feeling over my shoulders as night enclasped around us.

Sullivan only grinned and Kayla rolling her eyes. Everything was such a relaxed and playful atmosphere, the energy causing my shoulders to sway. The band's music lowered and transpired into the familiar drumming and singing that I recognized.

"Holy shit! No--" Victor exclaimed, shaking his head, agitating his joint, and positioning it on an incline.

He leapt up from the table, yanking on my wrist and dragging me up. "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel absorbed the air hungrily.

My movements cautioned when I gazed over my shoulder and saw Sullivan's green eyes, but I snapped out of thought when I looked at where Victor took me; the dance floor. "What are you--"

"Nope," he said again, dragging me down the aisles of tables.

"I never would've known you're into dancing," I jested, holding his hand as he threw me onto the dance-floor in the center, the beat rising, maintaining its upbeat fluidity.

"I'm not," he whispered onto my face, his warm breath fanning my lips.

He held both my hands, squeezing my palms delicately before releasing and guiding me into a spin. We aimlessly danced, smiling like dorks.

My jean jacket flew out around me. "What are you doing?" I asked dumbly, mimicking his movements as we spun and broke apart, connecting again. Our intertwined hands never disconnecting as the song raised and refused to slow.

My face burned hot with his eyes, my jaw cramping from how frozen and locked in its smile it became. Even Victor was grinning, and I'd never seen him so happy. He tugged me into his chest, his hands molding to my waist beneath my denim jacket, resting beneath my yellow tank and onto my bare skin.

My back tingled from the heat shock where his fingers were. We were  moving softly with the music. When the harmonizing vocals picked up speed, I danced back into his chest.

As the song faded, we started to become leisure, recognizing our labored breaths. I was dying of hysterics, but my face was noticeably red-hot. His cheeks were slightly rosier than his usual pale complexion. He shook his head, our hands still connected as we walked to our table. I could sense the jealousy in Kayla and Sullivan, but for the first time, I didn't think about it.

Okay, I didn't think about it when I wasn't thinking about not thinking about it. Huh, I think that made sense.

Victor and I returned to the table, the food laid out before us. Each individual was given a plate with a napkin and hotdog, then a can of Coke or Sprite.

I tore off my denim jacket, exposing my back and shoulders in my yellow tank which had ridden up. Victor was standing, stretching to take off his leather jacket also, generously giving more sight to his rippled muscle, accentuated through the black t-shirt he wore. He sported a few silver chained necklaces, and of course, his lip piercing.

When he removed his leather jacket and tossed it beside me, my mouth opened a little in shock, my eyes running up his figure noticing every groove in his muscular arms. He was fit, and built. His black hair was more tousled after dancing, his cheeks still pink-tinted.

I do not give him enough credit. How did I end up becoming friends with someone so good-looking?

"You guys had fun?" Jay asked, chuckling all the while.

"Definitely," I appraised, shooting him a quick smile which he reflected with a casual lopsided grin. He picked up his joint, inhaling the last few bits of it, smelling strongly of weed.

♡♡♡

Kayla and I walked around the shops as the four guys hung back. They were picking a good spot on the field to sit, and when I say that, I mean Sullivan, Jay, and Anthem. Victor said he'd be walking around, but he was doing his own thing, flirting with girls.

I noticed he was wooing over this Instagram-model lookin' bitch.

Why was I mad? Why did I curse out the girl when she looked really sweet? Damn, I'm becoming said bitch.

I ignored my pestering thoughts and attempts at staring at him while he flirted. Instead, replacing the ideas with my excitement as we neared the tent of jewelry. Kayla picked up a pretty silver necklace and smiled.

I knew I should've told her about my dad stopping by, but it wasn't the right time yet. I never kept anything from Kayla, but I definitely postponed some things from time to time.

"What was that all about?" she interrogated, way too calm, holding up a necklace to her neck, the pendant dangling over her blue jumper.

I slipped on a ring, holding my hand up to me, then bringing it to my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

She laughed as if it was the most obvious thing. Beckoning the necklace to the woman at the front of the booth. "How much for this?"

The woman narrowed her eyes, then looked down at where she got it. "Fifteen," she beamed.

"Thank you," Kayla replied, glancing at more of the necklaces as she held the one in her hand. "I'm talking about you getting the bad-boy to act like a softie," she retorted. "You two were dancing and having a good ol' time--"

"It's his favorite singer," I defended, "and I wanted to dance. It worked out--"

"I thought he was trying to get you with Sully?" she retorted, quirking a brow. "Come on, Riyah. You're acting naïve--"

"Acting naïve about what?" I pressed, placing the ring back in its spot and looking up at her. I straightened my posture since I was hunched over the jewelry cases for so long.

She sighed tiredly, tearing a hand through her blonde ringlets. "Riyah, it's the most obvious thing. He's not helping you get Sully, he's trying to get with you. Preferably, I'd rather not watch my crush try and get with my best friend--"

"Oh," I started, my jaw falling agape. Funny she says that..."But when you do it with Sullivan, it's okay?"

"What are you talking about?" she voiced, but our words were cut off by an amplifier echoing across the field.

"Fireworks starting any minute!" barked a man. The crowd responded with a series of blistering excitements. We both paid for our pieces of jewelry wordlessly and I scurried off to the blanket where the three guys were. I noticed Victor was still flirting with the girl, leaning against the support beams of the barn, joint in hand.

I rolled my eyes, planting a seat next to Jay. I observed the black sky, dim with a few lights scattering around the property amidst two mountains. I was suddenly jarred when Sullivan got up from his spot between Anthem and Kayla to walk around the blanket and sit himself next to me. I glanced over with a light in my eyes as he faintly smiled, and the first firework shot up into the sky, followed by a thundering noise ricocheting off mountain to mountain.

If only the night could last forever.

I ignore the firework and Sullivan's warmth against mine, glancing over my shoulder to Victor who's eyes were on me, but he turned back around, his lips meeting the other girl's.

x