Chapter 29: ♤Chapter 22♤

“Why am I here?” I asked myself, looking around the empty school lobby.

“I lied and told you there was gonna be food,” Chris said.

“You what!” I exclaimed, turning to him.

He laughed, “I'm kidding. There's food in the caf.” He stepped away, eyeing me as if I was gonna attack him and I was, two seconds ago.

We were attending the school's annual bonfire. And this will be my first and last time attending. Whenever Chris and his friends decide to go to a school event, which seems like at least once every week, he tries his damn hardest to get me to tag along.

He usually brings my mom into this. And then whenever I tell him no, she tries to get me to ‘go out more’, which mostly means to attend school events. And sometimes it works. If there's food.

“You're irritating. I was about to walk home,” I told him, brushing past him and going for the stairs.

He laughed, “You were actually about to fight me.”

“I was,” I said over my shoulder, “I was not gonna stay here and not have anything to eat. And I'm not going back outside,” I told him.

“Are you serious? That's where the party is,” he said, almost whining.

“It's cold out,” I told him.

“That's why there's a frickin fire, genius.”

“Yeah well, you can go enjoy the fire, but I'm good staying inside,” we got to the second floor and he walked next to me.

“You're boring,” he said. We came to a set of double doors and he pulled it open, gesturing for me to go first.

I thanked him and when he was next to me again, I said, “But you always invite me places though.”

“So?” He said and I could tell he was making a face.

I grinned to myself and I asked him what people do at bonfires. After that he just started telling me all that goes on since he's been to this before.

We got to the cafeteria and I groaned when I saw how crowded it was. I turned back around to leave, only for Chris to place his hands on my shoulders and turn me back around.

“I need to pee!” I lied, my shoes squeaking against the tiles as I resisted.

“Nope,” he chuckled, pushing me into the caf with his hands on my shoulders.

I groaned again, “I need to use the bathroom,” I spun and tried to walk around him. He caught me by my shoulders again, “Stop,” I hissed lowly and he shook his head, “I need to go.”

“No you don't. You wanna have fun,” he said enthusiastically.

“I hate you.”

He nodded and draped his arm over my shoulders, turning me back around. He pulled me into his side and he led us into the caf.

“I know,” he said, sounding proud like that's a good thing.

I tried not to look at anyone in disgust but I could feel it on my face that I wasn't doing a very good job at it.

He steered us around the tables, chairs and people all the while saying hi to a couple people that he knows.

I noticed that he was going toward the back of the room where the back doors were and I stopped, shaking my head.

“Ari, come on,” he said, turning to stand in front of me.

I shook my head, seeing the amount of people out there and the large fire on the other side through the floor to ceiling windows.

“I'm not going out there. I wasn't kidding,” I told him. It was cold out, maybe not to him, but I don't do cold.

He gave me a look, “So you're staying in here the whole time?” He retorted.

I nodded, “Yeah. It won't even make a difference cause it's like,” I gestured to the wall, “glass. I can see everything.”

“Just come on,” he said, leaning down to me and I made a face, looking away, “Pleeaaaassssseeee-”

“Stop!” I laughed, “It's cold.”

“I can keep you warm,” he said, giving me a look.

I have to admit that that was attractive and very inviting but…

I laughed, shaking my head, “I think I'm good just staying in here.” Then I quickly added, “And it's so crowded. How are you gonna find Nate and them?”

“Oh, see we have these devices,” he reached into his back pocket and held up his phone. I rolled my eyes, looking away, “And we do this thing where-”

“I get it,” I nodded, smiling sarcastically.

“Oh do you?” He retorts, smirking.

I nodded, blinking at him, “Yeah.”

He grinned, “Just making sure.”

I made a face at him where I was smiling but not really because he's annoying.

I shook my head, “You're so annoying,” I voiced, turning away from him.

I made my way over to the long table where they had food set out. I wasn't hungry but I wanted something to eat. So I got a paper plate and started sharing some stuff. They mostly had finger foods and that was fine with me but I'm still trying to have my skin clear up so this probably wasn't a good idea. This is how the devil works.

“What are you getting?” Came from close behind.

“Food.” I replied.

“I know but what?” He said, reaching around me for something on my plate.

I moved it away and pushed his hand, “There's a whole table of food and you choose to touch my plate,” I retorted, turning to eye him over my shoulder, “This is why this marriage would never work.” I shook my head.

He frowned, “You don't mean that,” he said lowly.

I shrugged, shaking my head in mock disappointment and reached for a sandwich.

“I'm sorry,” he said lowly and I felt his chest against my back. His hands held my hips gently and my head tilted a little when he pressed his forehead against my temple.

I bit back a smile, my eyes going to the ceiling. I hated when he did this. He's such a huge flirt sometimes. Ever since I told him I don't think I've ever been flirted with, he makes it his mission to do this at the most random and inappropriate times. It's obvious he enjoys it, especially cause we both know why he does it.

“Can I make it up to you?” He said next to my ear and I could tell he was smirking.

I laughed, “Yeah, by getting the hell away from me,” I pushed my elbow back into his stomach and he stepped back, laughing. I shook my head with a grin, “Stupid.”

“Come on,” he said smugly, “You love it.”

I shook my head, biting into another sandwich before putting it on my plate, “You don't know anything about me,” I said through my mouthful.

“You still tell yourself that huh?” He retorted, reaching around me to get a plate and standing next to me as he piled a bunch of stuff on it.

I shrugged, “It's a fact.”

We ended up sitting at one of the tables at the back of the cafeteria right next to the window. We ate and talked for maybe an hour before I finally told him he could go out if he wanted to. His friends were out there and I didn't want him to think he had to stay in here with me.

“I'm not leaving this table if you're not coming with me and I hope you feel bad about that,” he gave me a look.

I tilted my head back, “Can you just go? I'm fine. I'm not a seven year old who needs supervision at a school event.”

“But you look like one,” he teased.

I narrowed my eyes at him, leaning forward and he smirked, “I…” I was about say something very inappropriate but reigned it in at the last second, “Don't care,” I sat back.

He grinned, knowing that's not even close to what I was gonna say. He tilted his head, “Okay. I'm not gonna force you to come with me, but I would like if you did. I'll give you my jacket.”

I made a face, “I'm not taking your jacket.”

He leaned forward, smacking his palms on the table, “Can you let me be a gentleman?” He retorted.

I smiled, “I'm not stopping you,” I chuckle, “I'm just not taking it. I'm sure there's some freezing girl out there just dying for you to give her your jacket,” I said dramatically.

“Ha ha,” he said dryly and I grinned, giggling when he threw a M&M at me.

We both caught the motion of two people walking over to our table and looked up. It was two girls. One with ginger hair and a lot of freckles and the other was blonde. I've seen him talking to the girl with freckles a number of times.

“Hey Chris,” she said.

He smiled, nodding, “What's up.”

“You're not going out?” She jerked a thumb toward the window.

“Yeah, I'm-” he pointed at me with a small laugh, looking over at me and I smiled back at him stubbornly, “-trying to get this one to come with me.”

I made a face at him and he did the same back at me.

“I mean, she can stay here if she wants,” the girl said.

I held a hand out to her, “Exactly, thank you.”

Chris stopped me, “This-” he shook his head, “this isn't a choice. We're a team.”

“The technical term is ‘partners’,” I corrected since we had our little inside joke about us being married.

He snickered, “Whatever. Point is,” he turned back to the girls, “I'm not leaving my partner.”

“Didn't you just say you weren't gonna force me?” I said, tilting my head at him.

He shrugged, “I'm not,” he held his hands up, “You have the option to come with me or…” He trials off, pursing his lips, “Yeah.” He nods, shrugging nonchalantly.

I held in my laugh for a good five seconds before the both of us started cracking up.

“O… Kay…” The girl said, looking at her friend who shrugged with a small grin, “Well when you figure that out, Jess and everyone else have been asking for you. We're in our usual spot.” She told him.

He nodded, “All right. I'll see you in a bit.” They left after that, maneuvering around the tables.

When they pushed the heavy doors open, the music from outside came in like it's been doing every time someone comes in or out of the caf.

Chris leans forward suddenly, almost laying on the table and I leaned back.

“Are you gonna make me beg you?”

“Why do you even want me out there so bad?” I asked him, turning to see the kids crowding around the fire.

It honestly kind of did look fun and all but…

“I can't just leave you here,” he said, “I brought you to a bonfire to have fun, listen to music and get in touch and if you don't want me to warm you up-” I rolled my eyes and he grinned, “-then we'll just stand closer to the fire.”

I made a face, looking at them through the glass before turning back to him with my constipated face, “Kay.”

He grinned, getting up and taking his plate, then mine.

I pushed myself out of my seat, “I really hate you,” I told him, feeling my stomach flip uncomfortably at the thought of going out there.

I grinned, “I've heard.”

He threw our trash out on our way out and wrapped his arm around my shoulders when we were outside.

“What's your usual spot?” I asked him, talking louder than usual so he can hear me over the music.

He leaned down and pointed at something further away, “See the tree over there?”

I spotted the top of a tree where he was pointing and I nodded. The closer we got, the more faces I recognized, but there were also faces I wasn't really used to and others that I've never seen. And when we got there Chris was busy greeting everyone so I shuffled myself to the back of the large group after saying my own hi's, and stayed in my own bubble.

I try not to do this but it's a habit I can't really get rid of right now. This whole friend thing is still new to me.

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater down to cover my fingers and buried my hands in the pockets. I took in the crowd and was really impressed with how huge the fire was. I kinda wanted to go closer but stayed where I was.

Then I had the urge to turn my music on and put my earbuds in but my fingers were warm and I didn't want to mess that up. If the ground wasn't cold I'd sit down too.

There are so many flaws in this night.

“Ari,” someone called me.

I looked over and Thion was waving me over so I smiled and walked over to him. He probably saw me standing here all lonely.

I'm not saying he was my favorite, but he was my favorite.

He's really funny and we relate to a lot of things. He was a close second to being my best friend. I'll probably replace Chris with him soon.

“Hey,” I grinned and he pulled me into a hug. I laughed when I stepped back, “A blanket? Really?”

He shrugged, “Look, it's cold as shit,” he said and I laughed at the look on his face, “Mar had a extra blanket in her car so I told her I could use it if nobody else wanted to.”

Looking around the group now, I noticed that a number of people did bring blankets and either had them on the ground to sit down or wrapped around them.

“And you lookin a lil cold there,” he said, opening his arms.

I made a face, feigning disgust.

“I know you wanna,” he shook his head, doing a little shimmy.

I covered my mouth as I laughed but stepped closer to him anyway cause I was freezing.

“There you go,” he said and I shook my head with a grin, “Come to papa,” he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

I giggled, circling his torso with my arms. Then we were in a cocoon of warmth. I rest my head on his chest and leaned back when I hardly reached there.

“Why are you so tall?” I retorted, looking up at him.

He shook his head, “Am not that tall-”

“You really are though.” I nodded.

He made a face, “Bruh, I'm average height.”

“This-” I eyed him incredulously, “is not average.”

“I'm 6’2, that's-”

“That's not average,” I shook my head with a laugh, “That's certified slenderman.”

He rolled his eyes, “Ard now, you know you draggin it.”

I laughed, “How is that average!”

We continued going back and forth like that for a couple minutes. Then we talked about classes and projects and all that good stuff.

At one point I almost fell asleep standing up. I don't know how that happened but it almost did. Somebody shouting snapped me out of it and a bunch of laughing.

This is why I shouldn't go out. But at the same time, it's Thion's fault because he's really warm and he gives great hugs.

“Oh.” Came from behind me, “I'm offended.”

“Sup whichu?” Thion said, absentmindedly rocking us.

“So she let you warm her up?” Chris retorted.

My lips twitched and I rolled my eyes behind my closed eyelids.

“What?” Thion laughed, sounding confused.

“She knows what I'm saying,” Chris replied, “Ariana.”

I groaned, “What?” I retorted, pressing my face into Thion's chest and inhaling deeply.

He smells really good.

His chest vibrated as he chuckled, “She just cold, bruh,” he said, “Fix ya face.”

“What's with him?” A female voice came out of nowhere. I think it was Jess.

“He's just jealous,” Thion said, “Am not worried.”

“I'm not jealous,” Chris responded.

I felt Thion shrug, “Aight then.”

It was quiet for a little bit then, “Whatever.”

I heard giggling and Thion laughing lowly.

I pulled my head back, looking over my shoulder. I expected to see Chris standing there but he wasn't so I looked up at Thion.

“What?” I asked, looking over at Jess who was standing next to him.

“Ya boy getting jealous,” Thion said, grinning at something over my head.

My eyebrows furrowed, “Of what?”

He looks down at me, “We're practically snuggling standing up.”

My eyes averted to Jess and she was smiling at me, “So?” I said.

He grinned, “So, he don't like that.”

I rolled my eyes hardly with a groan, “He's such a kid, God,” I said and he laughed. I pressed my cheek into his chest again, “He'll get over it,” I breathed, closing my eyes.

“Yeah well,” he started, his arms loosening from around me. He ran his hands up and down my back, “I don't need mah boy hatin me, so how bout you take this,” his arms disappeared and I shivered at the cold air. A second later he was wrapping the blanket around my shoulders and stepping back.

I looked up at him, shaking my head, “No, it's fine, you can keep it-”

He shook his head, “Nah, am good. Go,” he nodded behind me.

I grabbed the blanket on either side of me, wrapping it around my body, “Thanks,” I told him and he nodded, smiling. His arm lifted and he wrapped it around Jess, pulling her into his side.

“The hell,” she said, reaching up to grip his arm.

I laughed at the look on her face and Thion looked down at her, grinning.

I giggled, “Okay, later,” I turned around and immediately spotted Chris standing in a small group not far away, his back turned to me.

I started walking over, holding the blanket tighter around my body. I shook my head at his back, wondering why he had to be so dramatic.

When I was close enough, I forced my hands around his torso. Out of reflex, he moved his arms away from his body so I could successfully wrap my arms around him.

He twisted his body so I knew that he was looking over his shoulder at me. When he saw that it was me, he unwrapped my arms and maneuvered me until I was standing in front of him.

“I was offended,” he said again.

I stared at him blankly, “Okay.”

I hugged him, resting my head on his chest. I shook my head, “So childish.”

He pulled my hood onto my head then wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding me to him firmly.