4

Grenada Mason is the definition of two polar opposites. While being a heavy study freak, she's also a terrible party girl. It's why immediately it slipped past my lips that I'd accepted Nicholas' invitation to his party, she could not contain herself.

She literally said it herself.

"No, Melanie, you don't understand." Grenada stated, hands on my shoulders. "I cannot contain myself."

Friday, seven o'clock, she showed up at my porch with two options of outfit in hand. Now, I'm in a dress too tight. The smokey eyeshadow she did on me actually feels like there's smoke in my eye, and the push up bra beneath this dress will kill me.

However besides all that, I'm alright. Even whilst doing the last thing I ever thought I'd do in my life.

Stargazing with Nicholas.

"I like that one, it looks like you." He points. "Short, tiny and angry."

"The one beside it looks just like you too." I tell him, pointing at a star shining so bright that I'm certain it's just showing off at this point. "Obnoxious and annoying."

Nicholas chuckles, tilting his head to look back at me. "Is this you trying to flirt, Melanie White? Because it's horrible."

"Actually, no. The heavens know I'd rather eat ice than find you attractive."

"If you say so," He cooes, returning his gaze to the dark night sky.

It's funny how we're out here looking at stars when there's a wild party going on inside.

It's even funnier how I don't hate it completely.

Him sitting out here alone was the first thing I'd addressed when I came out the backdoor in hopes to ignore everything. The music, the people. Especially the people. Shocked to find him sitting on the lawn, I startled him with, "Ignoring your own party?"

After I knelt to sit on the grass too, about a foot behind him, we've been here. Doing a very weird thing. Talking.

Earlier on I'd referred to his parents rarely being home as luck for him, but he neither agreed nor disagreed so I had to drop it and talk about other things. Surprisingly, it's been easy. Talking to him, I mean.

"This is the longest I've gone without wanting to zap you." I realize out loud, pursing my lips after.

"Lies. We always sit and talk."

"It appears you've unfortunately mistaken you being a pain in the ass and me being the victim as proper communication. It is not."

Nicholas laughs. Hard. Then places a hand on my knee, "You know what, Lee,"

But I won't know what he was about to say because Matthias of all people bursts out the backdoor like a forest creature.

Not that I'm surprised he'd be here, he's got a good social life and he's on the football team same as Nicholas. So, I did assume he'd be around, but I hadn't run into him till now.

And for some weird reason now I feel caught. "Matthias."

"Melanie, the hell are you doing here?"

"Um, sitting on lawn?"

"Sitting on lawn? At his party?"

"Okay, dude, don't speak to her like that."

"Nick, fucking stay out of this."

"Matthias," I state, shaking my head and finally standing up. "I don't get what you're so bothered about, is it me sitting on grass or is it about sitting on his grass?"

"You're at a fucking party, Melanie, and it's almost eleven."

"I told my mom before coming and my curfew's eleven thirty. Your point?"

His green eyes widen like it's me being ridiculous and not him. "Since when are you and Nick good friends who attend each other's parties? I thought you hated this guy."

"Matthias, my god, you're blowing things way out of proportion."

"Lee, why're you still answering him, though?"

"I told you to fucking stay out of it!" Matthias attacks, and before I know it they're both fighting like wild animals.

What the hell?

I quickly run in to get help. Once I've gotten the attention of a number of boys, I lead them to the yard where Matthias and Nicholas are actually still going at it.

But once I'm certain the boys have it taken care of, I go back into the house. For some sanity. And in search of the nearest bathroom, staring at my reflection in the shiny mirror after splashing water on my face.

What on earth just happened?

One party. One party. My first ever time attending one and look at it. What an omen. I try to take two deep breaths before deciding to leave. It's obviously over, at least for me. I've got to get back home. I'm not sure where Grenada is or exactly how I'm to get back since she was my ride here but if I have to walk, I'll walk. Just... anyhow.

Yet the first person I have to be met with when I swing open the door is Matthias. Of all people. Again. With a slowly forming black eye.

"What do you want?"

"I asked where you were and someone said they saw you coming here," He answers quietly. "I was waiting to take you home."

Is he—?

"Are you out of your mind, Matthias? Have you completely lost it? You come here, ruin a party, pick a fight for no reason and now you want to take me home like some knight in shining armor, are you out of your mind?"

"Melanie." He breathes, eyes wide. "Melanie, I care about you, that's why I did what I did."

"I never asked you to, you don't have to babysit me, Matthias, I'm not your sister."

"The fuck, I never said that."

"Then what? I'm not your girlfriend." I state, though regardless of it being me who says it, a sharp realization hits me. I'm not his girlfriend. And I'll never be. I wonder if it hits him too, but I know it doesn't.

"I know that."

I nonchalantly place my phone in my purse and ask, "Is Dian at the party?" When he doesn't answer quick enough, I raise a perfectly carved brow up at him so he nods.

"She is."

"Then stick with her."