Elle's Pool Party

{Sorry for going MIA. Life has been insane lately with work and family stuff. This chapter has been a nightmare to write but I think it's perfect now.}

"Are you ready?" I ask as I open the door to the guest room.

"Yes," Jessie says and stands up.

"Do you even have a bathing suit?" I ask.

"Nope," She says.

I go into her dresser, grab a bathing suit, and put it in my bag. "You can change when you get there"

"I don't want to swim," She says.

"I'll bring it just in case"

We leave her room and go downstairs. My mom, Collin, and Levi were playing a board game in the living room.

"Where are you two going?" Collin asks and we're coming down the stairs.

"Elle's back-to-school pool party"

"Oh, I forgot about that. Have fun girls" My mom says.

"Wait, they are not going" Collin says.

This fucking man. Every time I try to do something he tries to shit on my plans and every time he always fails.

"We're going," I say.

"Jessie never asked if she could go and it's a school night," He says.

"I told my mother we are going and it is a school night for me. You're not my parent" I say.

"Also why am I not invited to this pool party?" Levi asks.

"It's not a kid's pool party bud," I say. He rolls his eyes.

"It's a tradition. I'm not breaking a tradition" My mom says to Collin.

"It's Harpers' tradition, not Jessies," He says.

"Whatever." My mom says to him. "Go out and have fun. If you need a ride call us" My mom says and I take that as my cue to run.

We say bye and leave the house. Alyssa is waiting right out front to pick us up.

I go into the passenger seat while Jessie goes into the back. The car ride to Elle's house is quick. Alyssa and I were catching up while Jessie sat in the back seat staring out the window.

When we get to her house we go straight to the backyard. The music is blaring, we are getting a noise complaint later I can tell. Some guys are in the pool throwing a ball around. There are a few different groups of girls standing around talking. There is no sign of Casey which is good. Alyssa gets pulled by a few friends and starts mingling with them while I go with Jessie to find Elle.

"Hi Harper," Joey says and hugs me.

"Hi," I say back.

Elle pulls away from the hug and hugs Jessie.

"Hey, girly. How are you?" She asks Jessie.

"I'm good. How are you?" Jessie asks.

"I'm good," Elle says and pulls away. "The good stuff is in my room. Have fun." She says. "Have more fun than just drinking if you want" Elle whispers in my ear then winks. I roll my eyes.

Elle walks away and greets a few other people. I bring Jessie to Elle's bedroom. Elle's bedroom hasn't been updated much since we were children. She still has bright pink walls that are now covered with posters instead of kids' decor wall art. She has the same desk we drew all over as children. Lots of fairies and princesses and we signed our names in the corner thinking we made a masterpiece. Her parents weren't happy with that at the time but have since gotten it coated so the drawings wouldn't fade away. Her bed set has changed but the bed is still the same. She was convinced she was going to be a princess when she grew up and needed to get a head start on princess sleep.

"If there is one thing Elle is known for it is room-temperature drinks," I say as I pull two cans out of a box that has been sitting on her floor for god knows how long.

"Elle should really get a mini fridge," Jessie says as I hand hers to her.

"If only she would let me help her re-do her room," I say.

Jessie opens her drink and takes a sip. For once she didn't make a disgusted face while trying it. "I don't think I hate this"

"I figured it is sweet so you would like it" I open mine and take a sip. "Are you ok being here?"

"I'm a little nervous. Just don't leave me alone" She says.

"I won't. I want you to meet all my friends though" I grab her hand and start leading her downstairs.

We go out back and I see a group of girls I know decently from school. They come over and say hi. We talk to them for a few minutes. Just catching up about our summers and I introduce Jessie as my mom's boyfriend's daughter.

After we run into one of Casey's friends, Oscar. He is one of the few nice, non-frat boy types Casey hangs out with.

"Hey Harp," He says.

"Hey," I say. "How has your summer been?" I ask.

"It's been good. I got home yesterday from a vacation with my family in Colorado"

"How was it?" I ask.

"It was good we were visiting family"

"That sounds nice," I say.

"How have you been?" He asks.

"I've been good. My mom's boyfriend and his family have been staying with us. This is his daughter, Jessie" I say and motion towards her.

"Nice to meet you," He says.

"You too," She says.

"I'll catch you two later." He says and starts to walk away. "Oh Harper, by the way, I just saw Casey in the pool," He says and fully walks away. He must not know we broke up.

I ignore it and walk in the opposite direction and we see Alyssa talking to Violet and Delilah from our girl's night. I decide to go talk to my safe people.

"Hey girlies," Violet says when she sees us. The rest of us greet each other. Jessie seems very excited to see them again.

We were standing around and talking for a bit while some people from school would come over to say hi to us. Every time they noticed Jessie I would introduce her as my mother's boyfriend's daughter. There are a ton of people here now; at least a hundred but realistically over a hundred and fifty.

After a little while Elle comes running over. "Harper! Harper! We have a code red!" She screams.

"What is a code red?" I ask slightly confused.

"I just wanted to say that but this is serious. Casey is telling people you and Jessie are dating" She says.

I feel the rage build up inside of me. "Where is he?" I ask slightly calm.

"Over by beer pong with his friends," She says.

I start walking over there, pushing my way through people when Casey sees me. "Hey Harper, when are you going to tell everyone you and Jessie are dating" He yells over the crowd.

I swear it is like the entire crowd fell silent. All I can hear is the music piercing my ears. I didn't even say anything back, maybe even try to deny it. I turn around, grab Jessie's hand, and walk out of the backyard and through the house as fast as possible. Once we get to the front yard I call my dad to come pick us up. I am trying so hard not to cry while on the phone with him. He probably knew something was up because I would never call to leave a party before midnight. Jessie wasn't saying anything. She probably didn't know what to say.