Chapter Three: The Party

It is Friday, the day of Jason's party. Right now, it's lunch break at school and Stephanie and Brooke are seated at their usual table.

"It's Friday, Steph," Brooke says.

"I know that B," she replies.

"So have you thought about it?" Brooke asks.

Stephanie looks at her with confusion written all over her face.

"Thought about what?"

Brooke groans and stares at her like she has sprouted another head.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. Is there something I was supposed to think about?" Stephanie asks.

Brooke isn't really surprised though. Stephanie doesn't think about things that aren't essential to her.

"The party," Brooke deadpans.

"You said you'll think about it. It has been two days now. Steph, don't be a killjoy."

Stephanie glowers at her, "I'm not a killjoy."

"YOU are going to Jason's party," Brooke commands.

"What are you? My Mum?" Stephanie scoffs.

"If you don't, I'll...I'll..." Brooke trails off as she looks around, thinking of something to threaten her with.

Stephanie chuckles, "You'll what?"

Brooke snaps her head towards her with a mischievous look in her eyes.

"I'll tell everyone you're in love with Christopher," Brooke says smirking.

Stephanie stares at her, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"But it's not true," she whines.

"They wouldn't know, would they? And then everyone in school would know you as the pathetic girl in love with a player," Brooke threatens.

"I'm pretty sure there are a lot of 'pathetic girls' in love with the same player we're talking about. And you wouldn't dare!" Stephanie says.

"Oh Try me. You know Chris is in this café, right? I'll just climb this table and announce it," Brooke says menacingly.

She wants Steph to follow her to the party. She's gonna meet Cole. What if she fucks up?

And knowing Steph, she'll prefer to go to the goddamn party than have to go through the drama that'll come with her saying that to everyone.

"No you won't," Stephanie disagrees.

"Let me see you live your quiet invisible wallflower life after this," Brooke smirks. She knows this is childish but she doesn't care.

"Come to think of it, this is way better than you going to that party," Brooke muses as she slowly stands up.

"Brooke!" Stephanie miffs. "Don't you dare."

"Oh watch me," Brooke smirks and is about to climb the table.

"Wait!" Stephanie panics.

Brooke freezes, glad that her plan is working.

Stephanie knows her too well. It isn't just a threat. Brooke will do it to prove her point. And trust her to love drama. She'll definitely love the drama that'll follow.

"Fine. I'll go," Stephanie gives in.

Brooke smiles with a smug look on her face before sitting back down. Her plan worked. She knows how much Steph dreads drama. How much she hates being the center of attraction.

"But promise me one thing," Stephanie says raising her index finger.

"What?"

"You wouldn't leave my side," she tells her.

"Of course. Why would I want to," Brooke grins.

Stephanie sighs in defeat, shakes her head, and then covers her face with her palms.

Only God knows what will happen!

She'll just have to avoid attention.

***

Brooke parks her car on the curb near Jason's house at a free spot.

"This better be good or I'm gonna kill you," Stephanie says.

"Relax. It will. And you can't do that 'cause you love me," Brooke smirks.

"I can't believe I even agreed to this. Were you actually going to do it if I didn't agree?"

"Would you like to go back in time and change your decision so that you'd know?" Brooke retorts.

Steph shakes her head.

They both get out of the car and walk slowly towards Jason's house. It's eight in the night and Stephanie isn't usually out by this time. Her parents are not in town presently, they went on a business trip. Even if they are, they would let her go and pretty much be happy.

Stephanie is in one of Brooke's dresses because according to her, Steph's clothes aren't party worthy.

As they approach the house, the music gets louder and louder which only makes Stephanie to panic more. They reach the front door.

"Steph, breathe," Brooke tells her calmly.

"Okay, okay. Breathe." She nods and inhales sharply then exhales. "But you do know I'd prefer to be at home reading a book than being in a room full of drunk and hormonal teenagers."

Brooke rolls her eyes. "Just don't leave my side okay?"

"Okay," she agrees easily.

Stephanie really doesn't want to do this.

Parties are scary.

Anything can happen.

Loud music, drunk teenagers, and whatnot.

She hates them even though she hasn't attended a party since high school started. Brooke on the other hand has attended a few.

The last party she remembers attending was a birthday party when she was 13.

From what she has seen on TV, there's nothing good about a party.

Brooke opens the door, takes Stephanie's hand in hers, and pulls them both inside. Stephanie resists the urge to cover her ears from the banging music.

She looks around and takes the scenery in.

People dancing, singing, drinking, grinding, groping, and making out.

GROSS.

Brooke leads - more like drags her - to the kitchen for drinks. She gets two red solo cups after letting go of Stephanie's hand.

"Want a drink?" She asks Stephanie, not bothering to look at her.

The music is lower in the kitchen. Not as loud as in the Living room.

"No," Stephanie replies looking around the kitchen to see if she can recognize any of the faces around but she doesn't.

Even though Stephanie declined, Brooke still pours beer into both cups. 

She nudges Stephanie and pushes a cup into her hands.

"I told you I don't want any drink," Stephanie says bemusedly.

Brooke takes a sip of hers.

"Try it," she tells her.

Stephanie looks into the cup, scrutinizing it.

"What's this?"

"Beer?" Brooke raises her eyebrows.

Stephanie draws her bottom lip into her mouth and shakes her head.

"No thank you," she stretches it back to Brooke."

Brooke rolls her eyes but pushes it back.

"Just hold it. I don't want someone giving you a spiked drink just because your hands are empty," she explains.

With that said, Stephanie holds onto her cup with both hands.

"Wanna dance?" Brooke asks.

"No thank you very much," Stephanie declines.

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"Nope," she pops the 'p'.

Brooke's lips break into a grin and Stephanie begins to wonder if she had answered yes instead of no, unknowingly.

Before she can ask what's making Brooke happy, someone speaks behind her.

"Hey girls," a masculine voice says.

Stephanie freezes before turning around to see Cole.

Wow!

He really is cute! She thinks.

"Hi Cole," Brooke replies, her voice chirpy.

"I see you could make it," Cole nods smiling at her.

"Yeah."

"And you brought along a friend," Cole looks at Stephanie.

"Yeah. Stephanie this is Cole. Cole, Stephanie." She introduces them to each other.

Geez!

Of all places, I get introduced to Cole at a party! Stephanie says in her head.

"Hi," Cole greets her.

She tries her best to smile, "Hi."

Cole offers his hand that isn't holding his drink.

"Nice to meet you, Stephanie."

She takes his hand.

"You too, Cole."

She looks back at Brooke to see her grinning.

"Wanna dance, Brooke?" Cole inquires.

"Um...sure," Brooke replies before glancing at Stephanie.

Steph looks at her pleadingly, trying to pass a message across to her; not to leave her alone.

Brooke gives her an apologetic look, finishes her drink, and walks away holding Cole's hand.

Stephanie isn't supposed to be sad, after all, Brooke did ask her for a dance but she declined. Now, she has found a dance partner.

Stephanie sighs and takes a seat. She doesn't want to ruin Brooke's chances of being with Cole. Brooke likes him. She'll just have to wait till Brooke comes back.

Hopefully, it won't be for long.

***

Brooke and Cole dance for a while before sitting down on a couch, a little exhausted.

"Enjoying the party?" Cole asks her loudly because of the music.

"Yes, I am," Brooke replies loudly back.

"You know," Cole begins and grabs her right hand. He holds her hand with both of his. 

"I've always thought you're cute. You are cute."

Did he just say that? Brooke asks herself in her head.

Her eyes widen a little before she blushes. She looks down trying to hide her blush.

"Don't hide it," Cole chuckles and raises her chin to face him. "You're even cuter when you blush."

That only made her cheeks redden more.

"You have to compliment me too," he nudges her with his shoulder.

"You're also cute," she says batting her eyelashes.

He smiles. "Cute is for girls."

"Okay then, you're handsome," Brooke says shyly.

"Don't be shy," he squeezes her hand reassuringly.

"Let's get to know each other better, shall we?"

Brooke just nods in agreement.

***

Stephanie is still seated on a stool at the kitchen island waiting for her friend.

She has no idea what to do so she just stares at her cup.

Sometimes she looks around but makes sure not to make eye contact with anybody.

Then Christopher Hayes walks in with a blonde chick clinging to him.

Trust him to always be with a girl.

Always a different one though.

She immediately hides her face as they approach. She doesn't want him to notice her at all. He can decide to make her his next goal and when he sets his mind on something, he always makes sure to achieve it.

But who is she kidding, Christopher would never go for someone like her.

Stephanie knows she isn't his type but doesn't want to take any chances.

She has black hair and hazel eyes. He mostly goes for blondes and skinny girls; the ones that look like models.

Stephanie isn't exactly skinny but she isn't fat either. She believes she has the right amount of fat in the right places.

Christopher gets a beer and leaves the kitchen with his girl. Stephanie has never seen the girl before though. Maybe she doesn't go to their school.

She shrugs.

She doesn't give a damn about Chris or who hooks up with.

"Hey there sexy," a raspy voice draws her back to earth. She turns to see a very drunken guy ogling her with his eyes.

"I can make tonight the best night of your life, babe. Let's go upstairs."