Chapter 15
*Aaron*
I frowned at the group of people standing in front of me and the many cars pulling up behind them, parking along the curb and on the grass. Connor held up two cases of beer as he smiled hugely. What the hell gave him the thought that I'd want a party?
Connor barged in and the group of strangers followed in after him. I looked over at Victoria who now stood with her arms wrapped around her, giving me a confused look. I left the front door, obviously not able to stop the constant flow of people, and went over to Victoria.
"Who said there's going to be a party?" she asked me.
"Probably Connor, but knowing this crowd, they're not going to leave no matter what I do." I frowned. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, it's not a big deal. I mean, we still have time together right?"
She says that but I can clearly see the disappointment on her face. I love my friends, but sometimes they can really piss me off.
"I'll be right back." I told Victoria before leaving to find Connor.
I pushed my way through the crowd in search of Connor. Eventually I found him in the kitchen filling a cup from the keg.
"Connor," I got his attention. "Who the hell said you could have a party here?" I asked him.
"Well I was originally going to have it at my house." he said, taking a sip of beer. "But when I asked Caleb if you were coming, he said you were here alone for the weekend. And you being Aaron Evans and all, you can't turn down the idea of throwing a party when you have the house to yourself for an entire weekend. I mean, who wouldn't?"
"I wouldn't! I was supposed to enjoy my weekend with Victoria."
"Oh, Victoria's here? She'd better watch out. Fawn and Brittney are on the prowl for you."
Of course they'd be here. They never miss a party, especially if it's "my" party. I made my way back to Victoria who now sat on the couch looking very much out of her comfort zone. I sat beside her and she jumped.
"You scared me." she said above the noise.
"I'm sorry. So, Connor started this party, just like I thought. And not that I want to spoil your day anymore than it already is, but Fawn and Brittney are here as well."
"Of course they are." she said with a sigh. "So now what?"
"Now...we wait this out."
***
Not long after Victoria and I had begun to relax and wait out this chaos, the she-devil herself appeared. She wore a form fitting, long sleeved black dress that stopped just above her mid-thigh. Her blonde hair was curled and bounced as she walked. Her already long legs seemed to extend miles in her strappy black heels.
"I've been looking for you." Fawn said in a flirty voice, sitting on the arm of the couch and crossing one leg over the other.
"I know. What do you want?" I asked.
"I'm pretty sure you already know the answer to that."
"Well you can't get what you want, so leave him alone." Victoria jumped in. I looked at her surprised. This party really must have put her in a bad mood.
"Oh, you're still hanging around?" Fawn asked with a disgusted look on her face.
"And you're still desperate." Victoria responded bitterly.
Fawn's features turned serious as she glared at Victoria. I know that look. It's the look she gives before she snaps.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Fawn asked, nearly yelling at Victoria. "I know there's no way in hell that Aaron would choose a goodie two shoes like you to f**k. I mean look at you. You have a rat like face, you're fat, you're flat chested, and you have a dull personality. And look at Aaron. Hot, muscular, and gorgeous from head to toe. The two of you are just not compatible."
I knew that Fawn caused problems in the past with Victoria, but I didn't think it would come this far. Just when I was going to say something, Victoria jumped in and cut me off.
"And this is all coming from the Barbie doll of the school. Not only is your body made of plastic, from your cheap nose job, to your breast and butt implants, but you also don't have a personality. You use your body just so you can spread your legs for every guy you walk by. I'm comfortable in my own skin. Too bad you can't say the same. I know Aaron better than everyone in this place. And I know more about him than you ever will in your entire life. So how about you stay away from my boyfriend and find someone else to follow like a lost puppy."
Fawn's mouth dropped as she stood from her spot. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but thought better of it before walking away.
"Where did all of that come from?" I asked Victoria."
"I don't know." she sighed. "I'm just not used to this atmosphere, I guess."
"Do you want to leave? We could go down to the beach if you want."
"Yeah, that'd be nice."
We stood and I took Victoria's hand as we weaved through bodies and made our way down to the mostly empty beach. We sat on the sand and looked out at the water.
"I didn't mean to be so mean back there." Victoria said, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin against them.
"It's okay. Fawn deserved every word. Besides, it shut her up and made her go away. I was just shocked that you had it in you to say all of that. You're usually really sweet and calm."
"She just makes me so angry sometimes. I guess those emotions mixed with the ones about this party, set her up to face my wrath."
I looked over at Victoria who stared out at the ocean, her face blank. This party, it's ruined everything. Victoria is unhappy, and because she's unhappy so am I. This weekend was supposed to be for just the two of us, but of course that couldn't happen.
"Hey captain!" I heard Connor's familiar, drunk voice behind me. He clumsily sat beside me and draped his arm across my shoulder. "What are you doing out here, the party is inside." he slurred, the smell of alcohol seeping from his breath.
"I think it's time to cut you off." I said, taking the plastic red cup from his hands and dumping its contents in the sand.
"Hey, I was drinking that." he mumbled sadly.
"I know, and that was the problem." I looked at Victoria who stared at Connor, a little surprised. "I'm going to take him inside." I told her. "Wait here for me?"
"Yeah, sure." she nodded.
*Victoria*
I watched as Aaron stood and forced Connor to his feet. Aaron took on Connor's weight as he helped him inside. Once they were gone, I turned my attention back to the moon's glow on the water. Although I can still hear the blasting music, I wish that Aaron's and my time this weekend could have been this peaceful. Just the two of us relaxing and talking. Instead there are a bunch of strangers trashing the place.
I keep trying to think positive, see this as time we still have together just not in the way we wanted. But it's hard. I want to tell him that I hate that this party is happening and that our time together has been ruined. I want to tell him to find a way to make everyone leave, but I can't because that would be rude. I don't want to be the girlfriend that complains and acts possessive. It's not who I am.
"I'm back." Aaron said, sitting beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
"Where's Connor?" I asked.
"In the extra bedroom asleep. Unfortunately, he'll probably be there until tomorrow."
"So that's another day taken away from our time together?"
Aaron went silent for a moment as he let his arm fall to his side. I looked over at him and saw the worry on his face.
"I knew you were bothered by this party." He aid, shaking his head. "I'll call the cops and get the party to end."
He began to get up and I reached out and took his arm, making him return to his spot.
"Don't." I said. "Instead of sulking, maybe we should just enjoy it. You know, if you can't beat it then join it."
"Really? I thought you hated parties?"
"I do, but I can't do anything about it. Let's go inside, it's getting a little chilly."
We stood and Aaron took my hand as we headed back to the house. I know I'm going to hate this, but what else can I do?
We entered the house and the place smelled of puke and alcohol. The music is so loud I can hardly hear myself think. A few people greeted Aaron as we made our way through the swarming bodies. Aaron stopped in the crowded, messy kitchen to grab us some drinks. Stacks of pizza boxes, chips, and drinks covered the kitchen counter. It looked like someone came in with a leaf blower and blew trash and food around the kitchen.
Aaron filled one red cup with a soda, and the other he filled with beer from the keg hidden beside the counter. The one with soda he handed to me.
"You're drinking alcohol?" I asked Aaron is surprise.
"I thought you wanted us to join the party?" he took a sip of beer.
"I do, but..."
"I won't get drunk, I promise." he placed a kiss on my forehead.
***
It's been hours and the party seems to be slowing down. Fortunately Aaron kept his promise and didn't get drunk, but he admitted to feeling a little tipsy. I laid in his arms as we relaxed on the couch. Aaron played with my hair as he told me more about his old life.
"I used to be that guy who threw a party any time I could, or I was at a party every weekend. It's been a few years, but my friends still see me as that guy. That's why Connor thought it'd be okay if he brought his party here."
"But it isn't okay." I said. "A friend should ask, no matter what."
"I agree, but my friends are who I used to be. It's who I would still be if it weren't for Sophie."
"So is that how you met Grace? At a party?"
I've never asked him about Grace before. I've always just accepted that she's Sophie's mother and tied to Aaron forever because of that. But I can't help wondering if they had something like Aaron and I have now.
"Yeah, that's how we met." Aaron said hesitantly. "She was just another pretty face in the crowd that fell under my spell."
"How long did the two of you date?"
He stopped playing with my hair and I looked up at him. A guilty look was on his face and I instantly regretted asking the question.
"We didn't." he answered. "She was a one night stand. I hadn't seen her since until she showed up wanting to see Sophie."
I shouldn't have asked the question. It's obvious that he doesn't like to remember that day.
"I'm sorry." I apologized. "I didn't realize..."
"No, it's okay." he cut me off. "You should be curious. Grace is someone who I'll be tied to forever, whether I like it or not. And I plan on being with you as long as possible. You should know about my relationship, or my non-relationship, with her."
"So you never had feelings for her?"
"I never got to know her. I wasn't interested in getting to know her. And now I'm tied to her forever through Sophie."
"And now that you're getting to know her, how do you feel about her?"
Aaron looked at me with furrowed brows. I don't mean to sound jealous, but I'm curious. After all, she's the mother of his child.
"Are you jealous?" he asked, with a small smirk.
"No." I shook my head. "I'm just wondering."
"You are." he smiled. "How cute."
"I'm not jealous." I shook my head and crossed my arms, turning away from him. I just wanted to know if there was a possibility that he'd have feelings for her eventually. He was attracted to her enough to sleep with her. There must be something there.
"I love you." he told said, taking my chin and making me look at him. "You're one of the best things that's ever happened to me. And I will never feel for Grace, the way that I feel for you. Okay?" I nodded. "I love you." he leaned in and met his lips with mine.
I love Aaron. And of course I wonder how a guy like him could be interested in an average, goodie two shoes like me. But I have to remember that he loves me too, no matter what. He had a chance to have something more with Grace, and he didn't take it. But he took a chance with me and that's what matters.
***
I woke with a slight headache, the sun shining in through the window not helping much. I didn't drink any alcohol, but the loudness of the music was enough to give me a headache for days.
I sat up slowly and looked around the room. A few red cups laid on the floor and I noticed that the curtains hanging above the window was handing from the wall. I sighed and looked beside me to find and empty space in the bed. Aaron must already be up cleaning.
I showered quickly before slipping on a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I brushed through my curly hair before running downstairs.
Red plastic cups, food, plates, and a few forgotten clothes. I heard the sound of a plastic bag and followed it to a small sitting room. Aaron had a large black trash bag, picking up trash.
"Good morning." I greeted him, leaning against the wall.
"Good morning beautiful." he greeted me with a smile, dropping the bag and coming over to meet his lips with mine. His hand cupped my cheek as he deepened the kiss. My hand tangled in his hair as I pulled him closer. His arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled my body closer to his.
When he finally pulled away, I breathed heavily as I looked at him for an answer. That was a little passionate for a good morning kiss.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"Nothing." he shrugged, as he walked over to pick up the bag. "I just love you." he gave me a heartbreaking smile, making me weak in the knees.
Will I ever be able to figure out how he has this affect on me? No matter what he does, I fall for him all over again. How many girls can say they have a boyfriend like that?
With a smile, I went into the kitchen to grab a garbage bag to help clean up. I found a very hung over Connor sitting at the kitchen table. His hair was disheveled and he wore his clothes from yesterday. His head was laid on the kitchen counter.
"Long night?" I asked him with a small smile.
"Eh." he groaned.
"How about I make you some coffee?"
"Thanks."
I was pushing Connor's cup of coffee towards him when I heard footsteps on the stairs. I looked up, expecting to see Aaron going upstairs. Instead I found a hung over Grace. Her blonde hair was a mess, and her short black dress hung off one shoulder, showing off part of a lacy red bra.
I stared in awe as the barely awake girl, made her way over to us. I notice she never looks up as she rests her hand against her probably aching head. She finds a stool and pulls herself up to sit beside Connor.
"Hey, do you know how to get to Moorhead Prep from here?" she asked, groggily. "I have a feeling I missed my ride."
She's so hung over she doesn't even recognize who I am. I thought she wanted to be a good mother to Sophie. Instead she's going out and getting so impossibly drunk, she can't even recognize people the next morning. How can she go to Aaron, begging him to give her a chance, when she'd rather be out here partying? I wonder if Aaron will continue to give her a chance after he finds out about her extracurricular activities?
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Hey guys! I'm so sorry about the late update. Ever since I started working, I literally eat, work, and sleep. It's ridiculous. I have no time to write or do anything for myself. But anyway, tell me what you think of this part. I'm sorry it's not too interesting. Hopefully the next part will be more entertaining.
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