“Okay, so what’s so great about this party? So far it seems pretty average.” Bri was sure to let her displeasure show.
“Just wait,” Devon smiled. “This is just the pre-party mingle.”
“But it’s already 10:00. How long does this thing last?”
“The pool opens at midnight, and that’s when things really get fun. People don’t usually start leaving until dawn,” Layla smiled evilly at her. “Hope you had your caffeine tonight!”
Shocked, Bri turned to Maddie. “She’s not serious, is she?”
“Really Bri, it’s fun!” Maddie reassured her. “You’ll see. You did bring your suit, right?”
“Um, no. Layla forgot to mention the swimming part.”
“Oh, well, skinny dipping is always an option!” Bri shot daggers at Layla with her eyes. “Hey, lighten up,” Layla conceded. “I packed you a bag with your bikini and a change of clothes. I wouldn’t leave you hanging like that!”
“Sure you wouldn’t,” Bri muttered. “I’m going to go grab something to drink. I’ll be back in a few.” Layla better not have been serious. There was no way Bri was staying until dawn.
Attempting to calm down, she walked into the kitchen where an array of snacks and drinks were set out. To her great relief, Bri found up an unopened can of soda and took a sip.
“Careful,” a snide voice said behind her. “You keep drinking your calories like that and you’ll be too fat to fit into your dance routine costume.”
Bri tuned to find Natalie eyeing her with hate, Erica right by her side like a well-trained dog.
“Well, at least I’d still get to squeeze into that costume, unlike the two of you,” she quipped back. There were only so many positions in each dance, and not all the girls got to dance in all the routines. Bri had no problem flaunting the fact that she was in all the routines, and Natalie and Erica were not. She earned a pair of glares from the other girls.
“You know, I don’t remember inviting you to my party,” Natalie replied nastily. “So why are you even here?”
“I’m crashing. But, from what I’ve seen so far, it isn’t really even worth crashing. So congrats, Nat, on another mediocre party,” Bri gave her a fake smile and turned on her heel and walked away before the other girl could respond.
Bri felt a little better after insulting Natalie, but her mood was ruined when she walked into the next room and found Cole with his evil cheerleader date perched in his lap. The girl was really working it, laughing at everything Cole said, and taking any excuse she had to touch him. Bri about lost it when Slutty draped her arms around Cole’s shoulders. Luckily, Cole immediately shrugged her off, before Bri went all feral on her butt. She was turning to leave when Cole caught sight of her. He gave her an apologetic smile, before turning his attention to Serena, who had just walked over and said something to him. Unable to handle any more, Bri went back outside to find her friends, wondering for the one hundredth time why she had agreed to come.
A few minutes later her phone vibrated with a text.
Sorry about that, Bri. You may be onto something with the whole cheerleader promiscuity pledge thing. Just know that there is only one girl I want manhandling me, and that is you!
This made Bri smile, and she felt her anger start to ebb.
Well, you know I’m always good for some manhandling. She texted back.
Would you be willing to meet me at my truck at midnight? I’d like to ring in the new year right.
Isn’t that kind of risky, considering where we are, and all these people?
This will be our first New Year’s together. If you think I’m going to miss kissing my girl when the ball drops, you’re crazy!
Bri couldn’t help but smile. Well, when you put it like that, how can I refuse?
Good! I can’t wait!
Bri spent the next hour talking and laughing with her friends. Surprisingly, she was actually beginning to enjoy herself. Natalie got up and announced that midnight was just five minutes away and directed everyone to head outside to the pool. Amid all the ensuing commotion, Bri managed to sneak away unnoticed, and headed out to meet Cole. She found him leaning up against his truck, already waiting for her.
“I didn’t know you still drove this clunky old thing,” she teased. She secretly loved Cole’s truck.
“Well, I didn’t want Megan on the back of my bike. This seemed safer.”
“Ah, good call.”
They stood looking at each other for a moment, and then Cole pulled Bri into his arms.
“I miss you,” he breathed in her ear.
She looked up at him. “I miss you, too.”