Chapter 36 Harper
HARPER
Ifeel like it has been so long since I got to spend time with my best friend, and even longer since we have been to a party together.
Our boys were expected to show up eventually since this was our small town's biggest Halloween party, but we made the conscious choice to leave them behind and go alone together. Wren picked this year’s costume. We were going as Elphaba and Glinda.
I refused to paint my skin green because I am prone to acne, but I did go all out with my makeup.
My eyes were covered in green glitter, paired with a bold cat eye and new lash extensions, and I wore green lipstick.
I loved the way the green complemented my complexion.
I wore a short black dress. It was probably too short.
I swear, if I bent over you, you could probably see my fat pussy lips.
I added black fishnet tights decorated with bats.
I will always choose comfortable footwear, so I put on my black Vans.
My hair was straightened and pulled back with a hard plastic headband that had a little witch hat attached to it.
I felt hot, confident, and more than ready to let loose. After the last few exhausting months, I needed this night out with my best friend.
Wren was my total opposite. Her hair was curled into soft, auburn waves and crowned with a sparkling tiara.
I did her makeup, so she had pink and silver glitter on her lids and a black cat eye to match my own.
I did her very first pair of lash extensions, which she's obsessed with.
She went for a more natural lip color, adding gloss over the pink shade to make it pop.
Her dress was the same length as mine, but a bubblegum pink that was splattered in rhinestones that caught the light every time she moved.
Her fishnet tights were white and accented with more rhinestones.
And she managed to find iridescent sneakers online.
We looked ridiculous. We felt amazing. We were ready.
When we pulled up to the party, the neighborhood was fucking packed. I swear, everyone in town was here.
I was so glad we wore comfortable shoes because we had to park a block away. That’s one thing I hated about big parties after summer was walking in the cold. It was a little after ten, so the sun had set hours ago. We were practically running to get inside.
When we got to the door, we took time to catch our breath and laugh.
The music was loud as we stood outside the house.
I had to take a step closer to her just to be sure she could hear me.
“Fuck, you couldn’t pick a costume that had pants?
” I asked breathlessly, rubbing my hands together so I could gain the feeling back in my fingers.
“I could’ve.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Is Reed coming?” I questioned as I pushed my way into the house.
“He said he would show face, but definitely wouldn’t stay long. You know he’s not the partying type.”
I shrugged, remembering how Reed broke Wren’s ex-boyfriend's nose at the last party they were both at. Fucker deserved it though.
“Is my brother or Tucker coming?” Wren asked over the music as we found the kitchen.
We made ourselves Long Island iced teas, our favorite mixed drink, and people watched.
It became our favorite party activity after Wren and Reed got together.
We would find a corner or wall, drink, and just talk shit.
Has Wren been incredibly accepting of my…
boyfriends? Technically, we weren't dating, but I had no intention of seeing anyone else. I think the shocker wasn’t me being with Cam but me being with both of them.
I had never mentioned to Wren my interest in a polyam relationship because, truthfully, I never thought it would work.
I think it worked because there was never any jealously or competition.
“They didn’t want to, but where Reed goes, Cam follows. Tucker was making jokes about wearing a Ghostface mask and a cowboy hat, so we will see if they show.”
We chatted about the costumes we saw, a few being even sluttier than ours, which I envied. And we were absolutely taking notes for next year. We drank our drinks and headed to the living room that was kiddie corner to the kitchen. We danced together and just enjoyed one another's company.
As we were dancing, I leaned in close to her. “My buzz wore off. Are you okay if we head back to find more booze?”
She smiled. “Hell yeah, I had my one, but you go crazy.”
We held hands as we walked through the sweaty bodies, making our way to the kitchen.
“I missed this.” I sighed as I dug through one of the coolers next to the island.
The kitchen was fucking massive. It was an open concept; you could see the majority of this floor even standing deeper into the kitchen.
I think the counters were real granite, too. It was fucking nice.
The funny thing about parties like this was the fact that most people attending were only here to get laid.
I looked up after finding the hard cider I wanted and spotted the girl from the ice cream parlor in town—dressed as Tinker Bell—heading upstairs hand in hand with a guy dressed as…
Guy Fieri? I’d honestly pay to watch that, but only if they stayed in character.
Wren followed my gaze and burst into laughter, “Oh God, I’d pay to see that.” She was practically wheezing because she was laughing so hard.
I cracked open my can, vibrating with laughter. “Literally, I just had the same thought.” I took a swig of cider and smiled. “I missed this, Wrennie. Missed us!” I nudged her with my shoulder as we leaned on the counter next to a fridge that probably cost more than my tuition.
“I am so sorry I haven’t been around as much as I should’ve been. I knew you needed me, and I need to be a better friend for you.”
“Hey, don’t do that. You gave me a place to stay while my house is being fixed, and that led me to Cam.
” I gave an apologetic smile, and she waved me off.
“I’m happy you are busy painting and building a life with my brother.
You both deserve to be happy. Especially after all you’ve been through.
You are and will always be my best friend, my sister. ”
She sighed and looked relieved. “Thank you so much, Harp. It’s weird, ya know?
Having a boyfriend who treats you right and you can count on is definitely new for me.
I don't know if I will ever get used to it. I’m so happy to have you, and I am so glad you and Cameron have each other.
He needed you more than you know. You make him a better human.
And it’s so nice to see you guys with Tucker.
We should really plan something together soon. ”
I smiled into my drink, taking another long pull from the can.
“Honestly, whatever we have between us was the last thing I expected to happen, but fuck, I’m so happy.
They both make me a better me. And I’m happy for you too.
Reed would do anything to see you smile.
The man is whipped.” I said, while imitating a whipping motion and sound.
She rested her head on my shoulder and spoke softly. “Would you have ever guessed we would’ve ended up with each other's brother?”
“Oh, absolutely. I could’ve put money on that.”
She whipped her head up, looking at me. “Seriously?”
I laughed at her shocked face, glancing back at the stairs to see who else was heading up. And that's when I saw him. “No fucking way.” I squinted as if my contacts weren’t doing their job.
“What?” Wren turns to look when my eyes have landed. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Then he walked upstairs with a random woman dressed as Harley Quinn in his arms. “What the actual fuck is Dax doing?” I hissed through gritted teeth.
Wren shook her head in disbelief. “Maybe this is his rebound? He and Lena did break up.”
I rolled my eyes and looked at her. “I know you are probably right. I feel kind of bad. I meant to check in with him sooner.”
“Listen, our friend group has been pretty distant since summer ended, but since he and Reed live together, they talk a bit. He’s having a really rough time. He’s constantly hoping she’ll change her mind and come home. I’m sure this is just a shitty way of trying to forget her.”
Honestly, I couldn’t imagine the person I want to spend the rest of my life with leaving to pursue something they loved.
That would tear me up inside. I’m sure it has given him so many mixed emotions.
I know Dax wanted to go there, but he has roots here.
He has a tattoo shop. But I am definitely not judging him.
We all cope differently. The initial shock has worn off, and it just makes me sad.
I’ll have to make sure he gets out with the boys soon; maybe that would help.
As I finished my cider and walked over to the other side of the kitchen to toss it into the recycling bin, I stopped and thought—wait, whose house is this? Because honestly, having the recycling bin right there? Genius move. Yeah, I was definitely a little drunk.
I turned to walk back to Wren, and I saw her talking to…
the Grim Reaper? She looked at me and waved me over.
I quickened my steps, thinking she was in some kind of trouble.
Fuck, this kitchen felt so much bigger than when we walked in.
Before I made it to her, the Grim Reaper bent down and kissed her.
I did what any best friend would do in that moment: I kicked his ass.
Literally. One strong kick to where I assumed his ass crack would be.
He groaned and turned around, glaring at me. “Oh shit. Sorry, I didn’t see your face. I assumed Wren was being kissed by a drunk creep.”