56. Pink(ie)

Sky.

✙ ☠ ✙

"We can also just ditch the whole party idea and hang out alone tonight." I look up into Aron's eyes.

He pulls my body against his. "How can you say that when this party is to celebrate you!"

I lean in closer. "Every day is a party with you." I try.

Aron pretends to throw up. "Nice try." He smiles.

I kiss him. He pulls away before I even get the chance to try to convince him.

"Not gonna happen. I know my weaknesses. Don't be ungrateful." He says sternly.

"I'm not." I sigh. "I just don't feel like meeting Chase's boyfriend." I pout.

"What's your deal with that, anyway?"

"What if it's some weirdo that uses him or something. You know how naive he can be.."

"Well then won't it be better if we meet him? We can warn him."

"Yeah or he could just not date anyone and then I don't have to worry about it."

Aron gives me a look. "You're underestimating him."

"Cheer up." Aron squeezes my chin before going into the kitchen.

I take a deep breath.

And sigh loudly.

"So when are you going to marry me?" I change the subject. "You said you were serious about it but it's been a year and we have no date."

"Well, I was busy with school. But I'll have you know it has been on my mind lately."

"All men do is talk.." I say dramatically.

"How about next month?"

"What?" I laugh.

"I'm serious. I have summer break and so does Chase and everyone else. It's perfect." Aron smiles.

I didn't expect him to say next month. I was obviously kidding.

"Getting cold feet?" Aron challenges.

"No." I say firmly.

"Are you sure? You look pretty scared."

"Fine. Next month." I say quickly.

I can hear Aron's smile.

I roll my eyes.

Chase.

✙ ☠ ✙

"Don't— Please don't wear that. Please, please, please!" I beg.

"Chase, if they don't like me based on what I wear you need new friends." Anthony says.

"But you promised you'd wear white!"

"I am wearing white!"

Yeah except for his soft pink nails, and the pink highlights in his hair.

"Come on!"

"I'm technically not wearing pink."

"Anthony!" I whine. "You're so frustrating." I push him against the wall.

"I can't take out the highlights." Anthony says softly.

I lean towards him.

"You can dye it." I say against his lips.

His lips kiss mine gently. I push him harder and deepen the kiss.

He groans a little.

"So that's a yes." I whisper.

Anthony smiles at me just before saying: "Not a chance." He kisses my cheek and leaves the room.

"Ant!"

I hear a snicker from the stairs.

× × ×

My hands are shaking as we drive to the apartment.

"Chase, seriously calm down."

"I am calm. Just like.. Don't think Sky doesn't like you if he acts like he doesn't like you and Aron's always a bit standoffish at first but he's really sweet. And if either of them starts acting weird or saying things, don't take it too seriously cause we're constantly joking with each other—"

"Chase. Breathe." Anthony holds my shoulder.

I take a deep breath. "Okay. I'm sorry."

We pull up at the apartment.

"No worries." Anthony kisses my cheek and gets out of the car.

I take another breath. I think I might faint.

We walk up the stairs and stop at the door. We can hear the music blasting from inside the appartment.

I ring the doorbell.

The door swings open and Harry greets us with a wide smile. "OOH CHASE, IS THIS YOUR NEW BOO?!"

"Yep." I say as the first bit of embarrassment of the night washes over my face.

"I'm Anthony. Nice to meet you." He says confident as ever. The real test hasn't even begun yet.

"Harry." He kisses Ant's cheek. "Come on in." Harry steps aside.

"I love your outfit." Harry says after closing the door behind us.

"Thank you!" Anthony smiles at Harry before giving me an 'I told you so' look.

We say hi to Jimmy, Fawn, Heather, Evan, and some people I've never met.

"Where are Aron and Sky?" I ask, fiddling with Anthony's shirt.

"Uh, they went to get something from the bedroom I think? But that was a while ago.." Jimmy says confused.

"Oh." I look over at the bedroom. Something tells me the only thing they're getting is with each other.

Just a moment later the door to the bedroom opens and Aron and Sky come out looking very happy and satisfied. They both have a glass of champagne in their hands.

I glance at Ant. For the first time today he looks a bit intimidated.

I look back at Aron and Sky. Aron notices us first. He whispers something in Sky's ear and he turns his head in our direction. Sky looks visually surprised when he lays eyes on Anthony though he quickly puts on his ever so careless poker face.

"Hello." Sky smiles when they reach us.

"H-hey. Guys, this is Anthony. Anthony, guys." I stammer.

"Nice to finally meet you guys." Anthony gives them both a dazzling smile. "Congrats on your job." He says to Sky.

"Thanks." He nods, smiling politely.

Oh no, he's smiling politely. Does he hate him?

"Wait, are you Latino?" Aron asks.

"Very proudly so." Anthony smiles.

"Where are you from?"

"Mexico."

"Oh, yo también viví en México. Soy de España." Aron seems to like him.

"Genial, voy a España como todos los veranos!" Aaaannd they're speaking Spanish non-stop.

Sky and I share an amused glance. We both chuckle.

"Excuse us." Aron says before taking Anthony apart. They sit down on a couch somewhere to talk alone.

"Seems like they're getting along great." Sky chuckles.

"Yeah."

Still I can't shake the nerves that are raging through my body.

"What do you think?!" I say suddenly.

"Um... yeah. He seems safe. Good." Sky nods dryly.

"Hello? He seems safe? Good? What does that mean?!"

"Chase, seriously, calm down." Sky massages my shoulder.

"What do you think about him?!"

"Well, I haven't exactly had the chance to talk to him."

"Okay but first impressions??"

Sky laughs at me. "I didn't expect you to bring home a unicorn."

"I knew you would hate him. I knew it."

"Chase," Sky grabs my hand and looks deep into my eyes. "I don't hate him. I don't care what hair color he has. Or if he wears make up or not. Once I talk to him, I'm sure I'll love him."

"Okay." I take a deep breath.

Sky laughs at me. He seems entertained by my nervousness. Well at least it's entertaining to someone.

"There, see?" Sky peers over at Anthony. It seems he's finally free to talk to. "I'll go chat." Sky gives me a reassuring smile before heading over to Anthony.

They smile at each other and they've said all of one sentence when Loren bursts through the door.

"Hi!" She says cheerfully. Her boyfriend, Charlie comes in behind her.

She's dressed in a bright pink fluffy dress with matching shoes.

"Oh my God." I hear Anthony say. Once again he seems nervous. He slicks his already slick hair back and tries to collect himself.

Sky looks from him to Loren in both confusion and amusement.

"Oh my God, you're him!" Loren shrieks.

Please, Loren! I wanted him to talk to Sky!

"You're her." Anthony rises to his feet.

If I weren't dating him, I'd think he was in love with my sister.

"You are my fashion inspiration. I love your dress." Anthony raves.

"Are you kidding? Look at you!" Loren grabs onto his shoulders. She looks like she's about to cry. "Maybe you can finally teach my baby brother about style. I was so scared he'd go through life like.." Are her eyes actually tearing up? "You know?"

"I know." Anthony nods heavily. "I promise I won't let that happen."

"Hey! I'm right here!" I say.

"Shush! We're having a moment!" Loren says.

She grabs Anthony's hand and before I can blink they've left to the balcony.

Soon enough I see lights flash from outside. They're taking photos.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me." I sigh as I plop down next to Sky on the sofa.

"Everyone's getting alone time with Anthony but me. Your boyfriend better hurry up or I'll be drunk by the time I get to talk to him." Sky takes a sip from his drink.

"You can't do that to me." I sigh and rest my head on Sky's shoulder.

"I was just kidding. I promise I won't drink too much."

I raise my pinkie finger. After a sigh Sky laces his pinkie with mine.