Chapter 12

“Bro, you’re coming to my party, right?” Tristan asks me.

We just finished our exams and we’re both walking to the cafeteria with Paul.

“Oh yeah, you going for it, man?” Paul asks Tristan with a grin, playfully hitting his arm, I furrow my brows in confusion.

“Going for what?” I ask.

“Paul and I made this bet,” Tristan starts.

No.

“Not another bet, Tristan,” I frown.

“We’ve talked about this, that’s bull!” I add.

“Oh come on, Ace.” He tries to reason with me.

“What’s the bet about?” I ask Paul, ignoring Tristan. We all stopped walking.

“Mel,”

I tried my best to stay calm. He’s not telling me all of it yet.

“We made a bet to see if Tristan can get Mel to sleep with him,”

“No!” My voice booms through the hall.

“What? Ace-”

“Do not even try Tristan. She’s new and she does not need to be a part of your sick games. Leave Melannie out of this.” I say through gritted teeth.

“You know, you used to be the one who starts these ‘games’, I’m just following your footsteps.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Grow up, Tristan.” I say and walked away.

Those bets were stupid. It reminded me of myself when I was still basically a kid. I learned to grow up when my dad left. Not that he was given a choice to not go. The police will blow up our place if he didn’t.

Mel’s POV

“I swear to god, if I fail, I’m gonna jump off a building,” Chloe groans.

“Don’t say that, Ace won’t be there to catch you,” Ollie teases and bursts into laughter.

“Ha-ha, very funny,” Chloe rolls her eyes.

Today is Thursday and also the last day of exams, and also the last day of school before Christmas break.

“What do you guys plan on doing tomorrow?” I ask them.

“Shopping,” They said in unison.

“You’re coming with us,” Ollie says.

“Hold on, what? What are we shopping for?” I ask, totally confused.

Is there something I don’t know?

My phone vibrates in my jean pocket and I checked to see who messaged me.

It’s an unknown number.

Hey, I’m throwing a party at my house.

Saturday. You should come.

It’s Tristan, save my number ;)

“How the hell does Tristan have my number?” I ask and automatically looked at Chloe who returns an innocent smile.

“You’re welcome,” She says before taking a sip of her drink.

At least I now know what we’re shopping for.

“What do you think about this?” Chloe asks while she holds up a red dress.

“I think you’re in the old ladies’ section,” Ollie jokes and I laugh. 

We shopped for a few more hours until we were able to buy the clothes we need. We ate lunch afterward.

Ace is probably coming to the party. I might even fail my exams since my mind keeps on drifting back to him. It’s stupid, I know, but I can’t stop thinking about him since I returned his hoodie. Gosh, it was so embarrassing, I was sweaty and I probably smelled. Ugh.

I got home, organized my newly shopped stuff, ate dinner, and went to sleep. 

I woke up at 8 in the morning. Mom left a note saying she had to go to work early. She knew about the party though, I let out a sigh knowing I won’t get in trouble.

I had ham and toast for breakfast. I washed the dishes once I finished eating and took a shower afterward.

This time, we’re getting ready at Chloe’s.

We know that it’s a hassle, bringing our outfits and makeups, and getting ready at another house, but we enjoy it. It’s our weird way of bonding.

She told us to be there after lunchtime, it’s not even nearly 10 so I decided to take a nap for a little while.

I wake up to the sound of my…ringtone? What happened to my alarm?

“Hello?” I answer the phone, still sleepy.

“Mel, where the hell are you?” Chloe says through the phone.

“Um, in my house?”

“What are you still doing in your house?”

“What? Chloe, will you please elaborate, I’m a little lost.” I sit up on my bed.

“It takes you 25 minutes to get here from your house. It’s 5 in the afternoon, the party starts at 7, it’s a long drive to Tristan’s from my house, we should be getting ready by now!” She screams at the phone.

“It’s what?!” I put the phone away from my ear to check the time and it was approximately 5:08.

I ended the call and jumped out of bed. Damn it! I forgot to set the alarm!

I didn’t bother to take a shower since I already did earlier in the morning. I messaged Chloe and told her to get ready without me and we’ll just meet up at their house.

Good thing Mom took the bus to work today, I can use her car.

I put my hair up in a bun before I did my makeup. I put on concealer, some dark brown eye-shadow, eyeliner, brow gel, blush, highlight, and mascara. I just put on a cherry-flavored lip balm on my lips.

I wore a burgundy tank top, high-waisted black jean shorts, and all white Fila disruptor. I put down the bun and my hair was slightly curled, I sprayed it with hairspray. I brought gum, my phone, and some money and managed to fit them all in my pocket.

I grabbed the car keys and quickly went out of the house, I texted Chloe that I’m on my way while walking to the car. I turn on the engine and drove to Chloe’s, reaching the speed limit.

I arrived at her house at nearly seven.

“Finally!” Ollie sighs as I get out of the car.

“Where’s Chloe?” I ask.

“In her room, doing her make-up,” He rolls his eyes while I follow him inside the house.

“Took you long enough,” Chloe sarcastically says while putting on lip gloss.

She was wearing a checkered tube top, denim skirt, and black Vans, while Ollie was wearing an unbuttoned button down long-sleeve shirt with leopard print (which showed his bare torso), black pants, and black combat boots. 

Chloe quickly finishes the rest of her make-up and we headed to Tristan’s house for the party.