Chapter 2 - Crush

Lance

"How was it?" her eyes are peering at me with so much ardour. The expression is scary. I have never seen my mother this interested in anything I have ever done in my life. She must really love this man.

"It was okay," I roll my eyes because I am only thinking about the money I will soon have. She sighs and lies flat on my bed. She needs to leave; I need my space. She hasn't even given me breathing space since I got back. She could as well ask John. Why is she bothering me?

"You have to give me details boy. He has to like you. You know how rude you can be." Her elbow is pressed to the bed and she is looking at me again.

"I'm rude?" I fake gasp. She doesn't need to tell me. I already know. These are the things that make me, me. I don't need approval from anyone. I am living my life for me and no one else.

"Yes, you are. He said you were the perfect gentleman. I find that hard to believe. You must have said or done something stupid."

I should be annoyed but this is the kind of relationship I have with this woman. She doesn't spare my feelings when she opens her mouth. Almost like she thinks I am made of steel.

I see she asked him.

"Then why are you asking?"

She sighs so loud and dramatically that a smile crawls up to my face. She is being a drama queen. This is not a big deal. If that man loves her, nothing I do will ruin it. She stands up from the bed and slaps both hands on her thigh out of sheer frustration. "You are such a jerk. How do I have a son that is so mean to me?" she doesn't wait for me as she walks out of my room.

I laugh out from the scene. As usual, my mother is a drama queen. I know where I got all my attitude from. My phone rings and I grab it and see my best friend's caller ID. The goofy smile on his face is plastered on my screen. Jack is the opposite of me. With Ginger hair and blue eyes that shine under any fluorescent light. We have been best friends and neighbours since kindergarten. He is the only one that I can tolerate and that is why I keep him around.

"Open your door," he doesn't wait for a hello. I sigh because entertaining anyone right now is not in my playbook right now. All my energy has been drained from the whole lunch with the new pops.

I stand up from my bed and walk out of my tiny room. The living room is even smaller. There is a couch and a tv in front of it. Our apartment is a 2 bedroom with a shared bathroom and a living room. We don't have a dining table so our meals are usually in front of the tv. Mom opens her door and peeps out "Jack?" I nod without a response and she goes back into her room. I open the door and his face is pressed into his phone. He looks up immediately and a mischievous smile is on his face.

"No," I say immediately already suspicious of his motives. He is not just here to see me; he has some plans in mind that I am not interested in today. Jack is the most social butterfly I have ever met, hence why he is the opposite of me. He is over 6ft with a body that makes all the girls want him. He is the definition of handsome and that makes him popular in school. Unlike me. I like to think that if we didn't know each other before looks characters were developed; we would never even be friends.

Somehow, he just got stuck with me, unfortunately.

He laughs hysterically which makes me furrow my brows in confusion. I haven't said anything funny. He is not going to win this. There is no way in hell "You don't even know what I was gonna say," there is still a smile on his face.

"I know it is something I am not interested in" I open the door wider for him and he enters still so engrossed in his phone. Jack is obsessed with social media. He has over 400,000 followers on Instagram. Unlike me; I could care about all that stuff. I don't even remember where I dropped my phone half the time.

"You don't even know what it is."

I raise a brow waiting to see if he would even surprise me. Jack is going to talk about a party or some sort of gathering. It is going to be the buzz of the night. Everyone is going to be there. You see, these are the things he drags me into. I have no interest in parties or hangouts. All I need is my gamepads and headphones and I am the happiest man on earth.

"Okay, I know you will try to get out of this but I need you tonight."

I chuckle "You need me for what?" I want him to say it. He is beating around the bush, trying to rope me into something I will probably regret tomorrow.

"You have to promise you won't say no."

I laugh "I will never agree to anything that has to do with you blindly. If you don't tell me what it is, this conversation is over" I grab my air pods from the centre table and put them in my ear. I am about to block this overly energetic bozo out of earshot. He grabs my phone before hastily "No, don't you dare try to ignore me right now."

I sigh getting impatient "Get dressed, please. I need you," he pulls at my shirt roughly, like somehow this is going to make me listen to his gibberish. I reach for my phone and he waves it away from me "It's a Silent disco party. A guy from Westerville high is throwing it. Everyone is going to be there"

Immediately I hear the school, I shake my head immediately. Westerville is the private school next to our school. The school is a five-minute walk from ours; we are basically opposites. They are preppy rich kids, with the whole uniform and shit. I don't even know why Jack would want to go to a party like that.

"Dude...Westerville?" I ask in disbelief.

He nods his head continuously desperate to convince me. There is no reason why I should say no to this but the fact that it is not my kind of scene. No scene jack is interested in is my kind but I tag along because somehow; he always wants me by his side. For half of me, I still don't understand why. We have nothing in common. Absolutely nothing.

"I know they suck but this is the talk of the day. Everyone is going, everyone��� he drags the last word like that makes a difference.

"We're not everyone." I remind him.

He nods "I know, but I really want to."

"Why?"

He runs his hands through his hair and I can tell he is nervous. What is making him nervous? From his expression, I can tell he is keeping something from me. What could be hiding?

"I want to see someone."

Hmmm.

"Who?"

His cheeks turn crimson and my curiosity peaks. There is more to this and if I know my best friend; he has a crush on someone. It is easy for Jack to get anyone he wants. He is gorgeous. Girls fall at his feet, so who is this girl?

"Someone you don't know" he tries to brush it off but I am persistent. I will get this out of him even though he doesn't want to talk.

"Give me the details or you are going to this thing alone." I am blackmailing him but this is what I do. I use what I have to get what I want and what I want right now is the juicy details. Jack has never been in love and somehow the look in his eyes tells me that this is more than a crush.

"You always have to be such a jerk, don't you?"

I smile so wide that he rolls his eyes "Shit, fine. You really don't know her but her name is Camilla."

"And?"

There has to be more to this than just her name.

"We've been texting on insta for a while."

So, she is not in our school. So, she must be a prep kid. Hmmm. Jack knows that we don't roll with prep kids but somehow, he is in love with one. This must be something that is out of his control.

"How long is a while?"

He sighs. I feel like I am interrogating him and maybe that is what I am doing. This is my best friend and he has been keeping this from me. I should feel hurt but I don't. I just like that there is something juicy going on in his life and I will get to the bottom of it.

"A couple of months," he answers and his face reddens.

I smile "Hmmm....you like this girl?"

He nods without hesitation. He has a puppy dog look right now and it is sickening. He can't go all mushy on me. I won't take a lovesick best friend. "I really do," he tells me honestly.

I sigh because I don't want to be part of this love story. Why does he have to involve me in this? I just want to stay in bed this Friday night and play video games. Is that too much to ask?

"She invited me to this and I don't want to go alone. This is the first time we're meeting and I am nervous as fuck." he runs his hands through his hairs and somehow all strands go back and settle in the same position. I roll my eyes at how perfect he is. My hair can never stay on its own even if its life depended on it.

He is still watching me and waiting. I know that I have been convinced and the smile that spreads on his phone lets me know that he knows too.

"What is a silent disco party?" I ask with a sigh in defeat.

***************

Jack's arm is over my shoulder as he drags me into the house. Just I expected this is not my part of town. From the drive, I could tell that I didn't belong here. We entered the gated estate and the moment I saw the houses I felt out of place. We are in a mansion and the moment we walk in the silence gets to me. Everyone is dancing. They all seem to be having a good time but in my view this doesn't look like fun.

They all have headphones on a lady by the entrance gives us both headphones. They are beats headphones and this worries me because I know how expensive these things are and someone could afford them in surplus.

"This is lame," I mutter under my breath.

Jack doesn't seem to be paying attention to me as his eyes roam around, probably in search of this mystery girl "Do you know how she looks like?" I ask him.

He shakes his head and tightens his grip on the headphones. We bump into a couple of people who don't seem to notice as we walk deeper into the house "I should call her right?" he asks like somehow; I have the answers he is searching for. I know what is going to happen. Once he finds this girl, he is going to ditch me and join the popular crowd. This is not my first rodeo. I am used to being ditched. Once I find a quiet place to chill, I can easily play call of duty on my phone.

"You should" I urge him. The faster he gets to her, the faster I can find a quiet spot.

He laughs and grabs his phone. I still can't get over how quiet this place is. No one can hear us, no one cares. Silent parties are my new favourite. We get to the kitchen and there are drinks and sprawled everywhere. People here don't seem to have their headphone. There is a couple making out heavily by the steps. Just your typical rager.

I grab a beer from a bucket filled with ice and Jack collects it from me. His phone is in his ear as he takes a sip from the drink "It's ringing," he announces.

I nod getting another drink for myself. His voice fades out as I focus on my environment. The place is packed and already a mess. Cleaning it will be a hassle. Jack is muttering but I don't pay attention to his conversation. After he ends the call, I look at him. I know what is next and I eagerly wait.

"She said I should meet her by the pool."

"Enjoy." I smile.

He scratches the back of his neck. He thinks I am sad that he is leaving. There is always this guilty expression on his face whenever he has to leave me at parties. "You should come to meet her." he tries to drag me with him.

I shake my head immediately. "Allow me to see this place for myself. I will be fine" I wave my hands in the air, brushing his offer off.

He laughs "You sure?"

I nod "Yes"

"We meet here in an hour. No disappearing on me" he points his finger warning me. I roll my eyes because he Is more likely the one to disappear. I have nothing to do at this party so I'll be waiting for him.

I finally find an empty room without people trying to have sex and I sit down on the bed. The mattress presses down as my weight gets on it and the feeling is blissfully enticing, it is soft and comforting. This must be one expensive mattress. The room is large and grand looking. It is dark and I don't attempt to look for a light switch. I drop the headphones beside me and lie flat on my back. Today has been an exhausting day, first I had to meet John and now I am here, against my own will.

I rest for a couple of minutes before sitting with my back pressed to the headboard. I open my game and start playing away the night. I don't know how long I play but I am so engrossed that I don't hear the door open. I don't hear anyone come to the bed until the person is lying down next to me. He smells of alcohol and I stiffen as I feel his presence.

Shit.

I really wanted to be alone.

The room is so dark to even make out whoever is next to me. His arm brushes against my leg and I freeze afraid that he will notice that someone else is on the bed. He doesn't seem to notice; I watch him.

He grabs a pillow and hugs it tightly. His eyes are roaming around the room. He is looking at everywhere but right beside him. If he looks, he will see me. I don't want him to think I am some sort of creep. If I don't say something; that is what I will be considered.

"You don't have to be so quiet," he mutters finally.

So he knew I was here. Why is he lying down next to me? I don't even know who this is but all I can make out is his voice. It is deep and very masculine with a little bit of husk. He sounds like he shouldn't be in high school. This is the voice of a man, not some pubescent boy. So unlike mine.

"This room is occupied," I tell him immediately. The fact that he is barging in on my quiet time is getting on my nerves.

He laughs, his voice drawls "Oh, Is this your room?" through the darkness, I can feel him watching me. I still don't know how he looks and he probably can't tell either. We are totally having a whole conversation in the dark and no one seems to want to find a light.

"No."

He laughs again. He is probably drunk and won't remember this in the morning "Then it is fair game." he stands up from the bed and walks to the far end of the room—probably the bathroom. He opens the door and unlike the room, it is bright. I see his back and I must say he has an amazing back. His shoulders are broad; dressed in Black jeans and a light blue shirt. He walks into the bathroom, the door closes before I can get a clearer view.

I shake my head because there is no way he is going to get this room to himself. It took me a while to find an empty room and I don't plan on going back to the party. I hear the sound of water and assume he is either having a shower or is passed out in the bathroom. I ignore him and face my game again. It's none of my business. He is a stranger and probably a prep kid. I have no interest in making friends here. I came for moral support and I have done that.

After a while, the bathroom door opens and I see his face through the light. I knew he was going to be good looking but holy fuck. I take a breath because I wasn't ready for this. From his voice, I could tell he was blessed with gifts from God but his chiselled face and grey eyes that pull me in are not helping matters. He is dressed in a towel and there is water dripping all over his body, his abs are evident through the faint light; he looks like he works out. He stops in front of the bright light and I sit there like a fool gawking. I don't know what is wrong with me but it is like I have never seen a naked man in my life. He smiles and I am unsure if he can actually see me. He dries his hair with a smaller towel.

Who the fuck has a shower in a stranger's room?

"You wanna go next?" he asks like he knows I am watching him unsure of what to say. I don't even know why I am still staring at him. I have no interest in anything that has to do with this stranger but what is this feeling?

"No thanks," I manage with a slightly nervous cough.

He nods and walks over to a drawer. I am confused because he opens it and grabs something from the drawer and I make it out to be underwear. Okay, this guy must be insane. I feel weird even watching him as he wears the boxers and drops the towel on a chair. I stand up from the bed because this is my cue to leave. He is acting like this is his room.

"Do you just go around randomly having showers in strangers' houses?" he clicks a switch as I speak and the room suddenly brightens. I see him clearly and the faint light wasn't doing him justice. Under the bright light, his eyes shine even brighter. Every part of his body becomes clearer and I wonder if the feeling in the pit of my stomach is either jealousy or something else. There is a smile on his face, I notice a dimple on the right side of his cheek. He has only one dimple and I never knew someone could wear a dimple so well. His hair is a sandy brown.

"Well, I stank." he smiles wider and the dimple deepens.

"Okay weirdo." I walk over to the door and he speaks up "You don't have to go if you don't want to." he looks at me with an expectant expression. Does he want my company?

"Why?"

He shrugs "You were here first and it doesn't seem like you want to be at this party." he walks over to the closet and I watch him in disbelief. I walk over to the closet and there are clothes hung everywhere. He is planning on taking someone else's clothes. He grabs a pair of pants from and wears it immediately.

"Dude, this is so wrong on so many levels." I can't help myself. This very good-looking man is doing wrong right now and I won't stand by and watch. It is bad enough that we are in here in the first place.

"I'm just borrowing it," he says as he wears a plain shirt.

"You can't borrow someone's clothes without asking."

He laughs and faces me "Well, I asked and the owner is fine with me wearing them."

"You're lying right now."

He shakes his head. We walk out of the closet and he jumps on the bed, messing up the covers. Lying on his side, he pats the empty side of the bed, urging me to join him. I stand at the end of the bed not obliging. The hour is almost up, I should go and look for Jack. "You look like you want to run out of here," he says.

"I have somewhere to be," I tell him honestly.

He nods "can you stay for a minute?" his eyes are piercing as he watches me and my heart jolts against my chest.

Shit.

What is going on?