Chapter 34
Seb is bouncing around when I get to school in the morning. “What’s got you excited?” I smile at him.
“Celebration tonight, Sunshine,” he tells me as he gives me a hug.
“What kind of celebration?” I ask as we make our way to my locker to meet everyone.
“The party kind. At Rick’s house. He’s a senior on the basketball team. We’re celebrating our win tonight.”
I say hi to the guys as I exchange my books and stuff my gym bag into my locker. “Is everyone going?” I ask, closing my locker, turning to face them.
“Yup, they are, Sunshine. You’ll come with us, right? You gotta celebrate our victory too,” Seb says, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I look at the rest of the guys. “Um, I haven’t gone to a party before.”
“You don’t have to go, Summer,” E assures me. “No pressure.” He raises a brow at Seb.
Going to a party is a normal high school experience, though. Bravery Summer. With all the guys there, it should be all right. “Uh…how crowded will it be?”
“Some areas will have crowds, but it’s a big place. Lots of people will be outside too,” Bay says.
“We will keep an eye out for you, as we did at the tournament, if you would like to attend Summer,” Alex offers.
“Okay,” I nod. “I’ll try it. Will someone be able to take me home if I need to leave? Or are you all going to be drinking?”
“Alex and I won’t be drinking, so we can take you home at any point if you need to leave,” Bay responds. Looks like I’m going to my first party tonight, if Zander approves. Excitement and nerves war within.
As Zander and I are eating dinner that evening, I bring up the party. “So the guys are going to a party tonight to celebrate the basketball team. Would it be okay if I went with them?”
“All of them are going, including Nick?” He asks. I’m guessing he wants the MMA fighter with me. I tell him they’re all going, and he blows out a big breath. “Okay. I trust you, and I trust the guys to take care of you. Be home by midnight, please.”
“Sure,” I agree. After dinner, I decide to look in my closet. I don’t know what I’m supposed to wear to one of these things. Freaking out a bit, I call Gabby.
“Hey Summer,” she greets. She’s quick to answer. I don’t think there was a full ring there.
“Hi Gabby. I need some help.” I explain my predicament with my clothes, being new to the party scene.
She tells me it’ll be a mixed crowd tonight.
The rich girls will doll themselves up in skimpy dresses, while others will wear slightly nicer clothes than they wear to school.
Something cute but comfortable. That helps, but I still don’t know what to wear.
“Put me on video and show me your clothes,” she offers. I do just that. She picks out a pair of jeans and a fitted Henley, a belt, and my leather jacket. “Hair and makeup?” Gabby asks.
“I’ve never really worn makeup,” I shrug. “I was planning to put my hair up in a ponytail.”
“Oh, can I do your hair and makeup? Please?” She seems really excited about it. Gabby must be into cosmetology and fashion. She’s been so nice, and I could use all the help I can get, so I agree. “I’ll send Seb to get you right now. I’m so happy!”
I chuckle. “Okay, see you soon, Gabby.” I let Zander know Seb is coming to pick me up so Gabby can do my hair, then quickly change into my party clothes.
When Seb arrives, Zander makes him promise to look out for me and tells him to turn his phone on vibrate in case it’s too loud to hear at the party. We’re on the road quickly after that.
“You look hot, Sunshine,” Seb tells me when we get in the Jeep. I blush, but give him a smile. He asks to see my driver’s permit, complaining my picture looks good, and it’s not fair.
Gabby drags me straight to her room when we get there, and I wave at Troy on the couch as I pass him.
She’s got a small vanity in her room beside the window she tells me to sit at.
There’s a ton of makeup and hair stuff lined up on top.
Taking a deep breath, I watch Gabby in the mirror as she touches my head.
It’s stressful at first, but I refrain from flinching, and it gets easier as the minutes go by.
Easier, but still uncomfortable. “Have you thought of getting a trim? You have dry ends, Summer,” she tells me.
“Not really, but I probably need a haircut,” I admit. My hair reaches my waist.
“I can do that right now for you.”
Oh wow. That’s unexpected. This would be my first haircut since…before. “No offense, but do you have experience?” I ask her.
She laughs at me. “Of course, I wouldn’t offer otherwise. I cut my hair, and I cut Nick and Seb’s hair, too.”
“Wow. Well, okay then.”
“How much do you want to cut off?”
“I’ve always worn it long, so cut the unhealthy parts off. Maybe around the bottom of my shoulder blades when dry.”
“Okay, that’s easy enough,” she nods. I watch Gabby work her magic.
She doesn’t take long to wet, cut, and dry my hair, styling it into long curls.
My hair is light and full of life after she’s done.
I didn’t realize how scraggly it had become.
“You’re very good. It looks wonderful, Gabby,” I compliment her.
“Thanks,” she beams. “Now, your face. I’m just going to do light eyeshadow and mascara to bring out your eyes and some lip gloss. It will look totally natural.”
“Sounds good.” I freak out a little while my eyes are closed, and she’s touching my face, but Gabby ignores it and starts talking to me as she works.
When she’s done, I hardly recognize myself.
I look like me. Well, the old me. I look healthy and vibrant and…
happy. I look happy. Tears pool in my eyes, but I refuse to cry tonight. “Thank you so much, Gabby.”
“Aww, you’re welcome, Summer. Happy to help. Now go get your guys and have some fun,” she says, leading me to the door.
I walk back out to the living room and find Seb and Nick waiting at the island, but I don’t see Troy anywhere. Seb whistles. “Damn Sunshine. You’re beautiful.”
I think I turn seven shades of red, but I look up and give him a small smile. “Thanks, Hurry. You look nice too.” He does. He’s got a tight red Henley on that shows his muscles, with jeans and black boots. I look over at Nick, who’s scowling again. “Hi Nick.”
He looks me over, and his scowl deepens. “Shortie,” he grunts.
I know I look okay, so I don’t understand why he’s getting grumpier. “Your face is gonna get stuck that way one of these days,” I point at him.
Seb thinks it’s funny, but Nick just grunts as he heads for the door, and we follow behind. Alex is pulling up in his SUV as we get outside. Seb opens the passenger door for me as I hop in. “Hi Alex,” I smile.
“You look lovely, Summer,” he replies with a warm smile. “You cut your hair,” he notes.
“Gabby just cut it for me upstairs.”
“She’s very talented,” he nods as he pulls out onto the road.
Alex drives west towards Charleston. Rick lives in E’s neighborhood by the water, but on the northern side of the bridge, opposite Alex.
It’s another large plantation-style home with a gated driveway, and there are many cars parked along the road already.
Alex finds a spot to park, and then I follow the guys around to the back of the house.
A long patio stretches along the house, topped by a second-story veranda.
At one end is a fire pit, a large table sits in the middle, and a TV and couch are at the near end.
Several bonfires burn in the backyard, surrounded by chairs.
Lots of people are here, but it feels spacious being outdoors.
I see E and Bay emerging from the house as Seb calls to them.
They join us immediately. “It’s really crowded in there right now,” Bay tells us.
“E and I will grab everyone drinks then,” Seb offers. “You guys find a comfortable spot,” he tells us, as he grabs E’s hand and goes towards the house.
“Let’s go towards the fire pit,” Bay points towards the house. We follow along and grab seats around the circular fire. I end up between Alex and Nick against the house wall. The guys greet the few people already sitting there, but I don’t recognize them.
“Will Reesa be joining us tonight?” I lean over and ask Alex.
“No, she does not enjoy these types of gatherings,” he shakes his head. He doesn’t seem to spend much time with his girlfriend. I wonder how it works. Not my business, though.
The guys come back quickly with a six-pack of soda and a case of beer.
Alex, Bay and I grab a soda each while the rest of the guys are drinking beer.
It’s not long before people come over to congratulate E and Seb.
Cara and four other girls in tight, skimpy dresses and heels join our group.
They have some type of cocktail in their hands, but their eyes are already glassy.
Luckily, Seb and E are on the grass side of the fire pit, opposite us, so I don’t have to deal with them.
I don’t know if more people have arrived, or the ones in the house have come outside, but soon the patio area is full.
More lights and heaters turn on around us, and the music gets louder.
Alex and Bay get into a conversation with a few guys near them.
I’m feeling a little lonely and awkward as time goes by, but I’m rescued by Holly and Jaxon.
Holly is waving, making her way over to me.
She grabs a chair and sets it down beside mine.
“Hey girl,” she smiles. Her eyes are a little glassy, but she seems fine.
“Hi guys. How are you?” I ask as Jaxon picks Holly up and sits down in the chair with her on his lap.
“I’m happy,” she giggles. Jaxon rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling at her with affection. Or is it love? I remember what Seb said about the two of them.
“I can see that.” I smile back. Holly chats about school and friends of hers as she sips her beer.