Chapter 13

-Zoey's Party-

When I was in the mall I went through different sections but I didn't find something suitable, until later I remembered that Zoey loves jewelry accessories, so I bought a friendship necklace, it's a heart that says "Best Friends Forever" I will give her a half and I will keep the other one.

Taking advantage of the fact that I was in the mall I bought some things for wear at the party, I decided to buy a short black dress with a gold waist ribbon, gold heels that will match with my dress, a bracelet, some glitter makeup and a matte lipstick.

In the afternoon when I finished taking a shower, I start to get ready and while I'm doing my makeup, my phone rings.

I turn to see who's calling and left the lipstick in place to pick up.

—Hey Sarah, are you coming?—Asks desperate my best friend on the other side of the phone—. I want you to help me with the desserts, please come quickly.

—Take it easy, I'm going in some minutes just done with my hair and I'm done—I say dismissing the situation.

—No, please come, it's a disaster!—She exclaims—, If you come now you would save me to much—she pleads—. I promise I'll make you a sensational hairstyle that Chris will fall in love with you, definitely— laughs victorious at last.

—That's not the point!— I exclaim irritably—, Okay I'm going!

—Please hurry up!

—Yeah, chill out!—I say annoyed as I hang up the call

I took a taxi to Zoey's house, it only takes me few minutes to get there. She opens the door and literally pushes me inside to get in as soon as possible.

My best friend is wearing a beautiful navy blue dress with her hair straight

—Zoey!! What's wrong with you?—I exclaim

—Hey, I'm sorry but it's an emergency—says at the same time she leads me to the kitchen—. The cupcakes are disgusting, you're good at making desserts so that's why I called you, I didn't know how to fix it

—What are they supposed to be of?—I ask examining the appearance of the cupcakes.

—Chocolate...—she says trying to convince herself that the appearance of these looks tasty

—Just give me all the utensils and I will decorate them in a better way that will look sensational

—Thank you very much. Meanwhile I will see how the decoration goes—says smiling and regaining her composure

It's amazing that I have to do this and knowing all the time Zoey spend complaining she would have made another cupcakes in all the wasted.

I just hope I don't mess up my dress, I'll be as cautious as possible.

When I finish decorating the cupcakes, I take one last look to be sure of my work and I'm satisfied with it. They look more tasty and beautiful than before.

I go to the living room and I am amazed, literally her whole house is decorated with transparent balloons and metallic purple, there are lights everywhere, everything looks great.

—Zoey! Zoey?—I exclaim looking at her around the house.

—I'm in the pool!—my best friend yells and in a few seconds I join her.

As soon as I enter I observe that everything looks sensational, the pool, decoration, the neon lights, music and atmosphere. Everything it's amazing.

—Woooow Zoey— I say amazed—, looks so great—I exclaim

—Thank you—she laughs briefly—. I didn't do it, it wouldn't give me time—shakes her head—,Hire someone to do it, of course I gave the specifications of how I wanted the place—says looking at the place with satisfaction—. By the way did you see the main entrance? My boyfriend is there helping me fix some things, he placed some silver metallic balloons and…Come on, let's see!—She says excitedly pulling me by the hand leading me to the mentioned place.

Seeing the decoration I can agree with Zoey, everything is wonderful, there are balloons letters that form the name of my best friend.

—My love, come, I want to introduce you to my best friend—says with great joy.

—Hi, I'm Jake, your best friend's boyfriend—the boy says gently approaching where we are.

—I am Sarah, it's a pleasure to meet you—I smiled kindly and he nods—. Looks beautiful—I say looking at the decoration

—Thank you—he says laughing briefly.

—Well, Sarah and I will be in the kitchen—said Zoey with a smile from ear to ear—, Tell me when the party is 5 minutes away to start, please—she comes closer to his boyfriend and I move away a little for not be a bad third

—Okay pretty—he says giving her a quick kiss on her lips

When we are in the kitchen I remember that Zoey promised to help me with my hair

—I must admit that you are the best, you saved the desserts— says my best friend so happy

—It's nothing—I smiled slightly—. Zoey, you said you would help me with my hair—I protest.

—Okay, okay, let's go to my room, I'll help you.

When we go upstairs, Jake calls Zoey.

—Pretty, are 5 minutes away to start the party, I'm going to change—she just nods and we enter to her room.

—Don't worry, I'm an expert, I do magic with hairstyles in less than 5 minutes—says, downplaying my hair issue.

—And tell me how you doing with Jake?—I ask after few seconds of silence

—Everything is great, I like him very much—I don't hear her very convinced in the tone of her voice, honestly. I don't know if it's because she's focusing on my hairstyle or if is because she doesn't really feels an attraction for him.

—You only like him?—I inquire

—Sarah, you're going to start...—looks at me irritated and I interrupt her

—I didn't say anything—I say shrugging and laughing at the same time and she rolls her eyes.

—And how are you doing with Chris?— says radically changing the topic

—I'm not dating him—I reply indignantly.

—Yes of course—she replies wryly and I turn to look at her directly when she ends up with my hair

—We are just friends—I say as I get up from the chair where I was—. Besides, he would never notice me—I raise my arms in the air

—You like him?—question me

—N... No, I never said I like him—I say irritated but at the same time hesitating

—And you either deny you do—I roll my eyes when she say that—.When you start to doubt is because you're lying, I know you Sarah—she cross her shoulders—, You like him or not?—arches an eyebrow

—Yes...—I sigh—. But it doesn't make sense anyway—I say accepting my feelings finally

—He would be very idiot if he doesn't realize the kind of girl you are Sarah—she says encouraging me—, And I'm not stupid, I see how he looks at you and I can assure you that he likes you too—affirms with great confidence

—You think so?—I say with a voice barely audible

—No—jokes and teases me as she goes downstairs.

—Thanks for your support Zoey!—I roll my eyes and walk down the stairs after her.

—Anytime— laughs—. Jake! Jake! My love, are you ready?—She says as she enters in a room and then comes out smiling—. Sarah, can you open the doors for the guests to start entering? Please— this time she address me asking that favor kindly

—Yeah, sure—I do what she asks me for and surprisingly Chris is getting out of his car, I get very nervous so I went back into the house as if nothing had happened— Zoey! Zoey!—I yell looking for her quickly—Zoey, damn it!—I say exalted.

—Yes? What's going on?—says when I enter in the room she is

—Chris arrived and I don't know what to do—I say pathetically

—Just act normal—says rolling her eyes at my childish attitude—Just friends, right?—she says with a mocking tone.

—Hello? Is anyone here?—Chris asks and for my good luck, Zoey forces me to get out.

—Hi Chris sorry I was with my boyfriend—says Zoey speaking first as she sees that I don't want to do it.

—Hey girls, don't worry Zoey it's okay—gives her a small present—. I hope you like it— he smiles kindly with that beautiful smile that characterizes him.

—Thank you very much, you wouldn't have bothered—says my best friend with gratitude.

—It's nothing—he says gently—. Sarah, I was calling you but you didn't answer me— says referring to me this time.

—Really? Excuse me— I didn't honestly realize that fact

Before long time Jake leaves the room and stands next to his girlfriend.

—Oh well Chris, this is my boyfriend, Jake—Zoey says introducing the boys while little by little people start to arrive to the party

—Hi, nice to meet you—Jake says extending his hand

—Nice to meet you too—Chris shakes his

—Well guys, we're going back soon—Zoey says pulling me into another room next to the stairs

—What's wrong?—I ask confused

—Nothing, only that you look super nervous—answers my best friend—, Calm down, relax!—rolls her eyes

—I know!—I finally sigh, this is pathetic—. By the way I also wanted to give you this gift— I extend the box and when she opens she hugs me immediately

—Aww, it's beautiful. And the other half?—I show here the necklace I am wearing that surprisingly she didn't notice that—. It's amazing Sarah, thank you so much, I love it—says with enthusiasm while she wears it

—No problem, I knew you would like it— I say satisfied

—To thank you about my gift I left this room for you in case you need it, you know for an emergency—she laughs

—Emergency? What do you mean?—I ask confused.

—In case you and Chris...will need it—she says mischievously raising her eyebrows

—Zoey!—I exclaim irritated since she still insists on the same topic

—You never know when you can use it—she exclaims raising her arms as if she were innocent.

—Let's go to the party now, more people are coming—I say shaking my head at the insinuations of my best friend—. Let's enjoy!—I exclaimed enthusiastically.

We left the room and then we started to dance and enjoy the party while more people come, this is awesome.

The pool would be a good idea but now I don't have the right clothes for that.

Chris and I were also dancing for a long time, we went outside to be able to talk since the music didn't let us listen very well.

—Hey Sarah...—I turn to him to pay attention—I like spending time with you—Chris admits.

—Me too...I really like it—I confess more in a whisper than out loud

He approaches me slowly and I can't resist anymore, he pulls me closer to him and we kiss, he takes my face in his hands while I take him by the neck and we kiss delicately until he separates.

What happened? Didn't he like it?

—I'm sorry Sarah, maybe I was very fast and I bother you, I didn't wanted to…—I didn't let him continue since I kissed him again, for some reason I can't hold this anymore and I have to admit that he kiss very well.

—No, everything is fine—we smile each other—. Come on let's dance—i say trying to change this awkward moment

We enter again and everything is going great, dancing, drinking laughing. Everything around us went by with normality, the things that normally happen at party.

Chris and I entered to the room Zoey left for us, we kissed one more time and then I have only blurred memories of that night caused by alcohol.

***

When I wake up my head hurts too much, it must be because of everything I drank yesterday.

I turn on the other side of the bed and I find out with Chris that is shirtless, I get up immediately and realize that I'm only wearing Chris's shirt and my underwear. But what did we do last night? It could be that…. No, no, that cannot be either think about it.

I go to the bathroom in the same room we are, I take a shower with very cold water. I need to remember everything that happened, I hardly remember anything.

When I get out Chris still sleeping, although I think that's better for me, I don't know what I'll tell him later or how to act.

I look for my dress I was wearing last night but I can't find it, there are only my shoes and at that moment Chris wakes up, Damn! Now what shall I tell him?

—Good morning Sarah—he says showing his beautiful smile

—Go...Good…Morning Chris—I'm super nervous that I can't even hide it. I don't know how to act in this embarrassing situation—.Chris I have to…ask you something—I say hesitantly but then I recover my composure—, What the hell happened last night? We did… something?—I pointed at both of us

—Sarah sorry for not telling you but you fainted and calm down nothing happened between us, I would never touch you without your consent—Chris says in a reassuring tone

—Wait, what?! Did I fainted?—I ask totally confused.

—Yes, I think you drank too much. You fainted then I asked Zoey for help, she took you to the bathroom, after that she told me that you were not feeling well and that the best thing for you would be rest.

Chris continues telling me a series of events where in summary Zoey took me to bathroom because I wanted to vomit so she helped me to take out my dress before I mess it up and then Chris offered me his shirt so I wouldn't get cold, he was there in bed with me in case something else happened but finally he fell asleep.

—That happened—said Chris to conclude—. If you are looking for your dress ask Zoey, she took it I think, I don't remember—he laughs

—Well at least I feel more relaxed to hear that—I laugh nervously.

—Relax, I'm not that kind of boy—Chris says in a reassuring tone, we smile slightly and then I leave the room to look for Zoey.

In the living room there are two couples sleeping, one side of the pool and in the garden there are 4 other couples who are there.

Luckily, Zoey is in the kitchen, thank goodness, I didn't want to go to her room and find her with her boyfriend doing something

—Hey Zoey—I say surprising her

—Hi Sarah, are you feeling better now?—asks leaving her coffee cup on a table

—I think so—I say trying to convince myself—. Chris told me everything but I don't remember well what happened

—Well the important thing is that you're fine—she says downplaying the fact that I have vague memories of last night—. By the way, your dress is in the closet, let me finish cleaning this and I will give you—says throwing some glasses in the trash and cleaning things that are on the kitchen

—Shall I help you?—I offer

—No, Chris needs you more than me—says mischievously and I look at her annoyed—, What?—She asks, laughing innocently—, I mean, you're not going to send Chris home shirtless, are you?—looks at what I am wearing

—You're right, but first give me my dress—I say irritated

—I told you, I'm must finishing—says Zoey raising her arms in a way that shows that she's not the guilty of this embarrassing situation.

—Don't take long—I say leaving the kitchen to enter to the room I was in.

Chris is no longer in bed, I listen the water dropping inside the bathroom so he's taking a shower, meanwhile I wait sitting in bed.

I don't know what to do in this situation, if should I laugh or be ashamed for thinking badly that something between Chris and me had happened.

But this is not important, what matters now is...what we are? Perhaps we will be something more... like in a relationship? We kissed, we can't ignore that fact and let it be just as if nothing had happened. I know that he also felt something….like me, I felt like a connection when we kiss but I only hope that it wasn't just me that had that feeling and in the end I just let it go like nothing.

At that moment Zoey enters with my dress which interrupts my thoughts.

—Here you go—says my best friend smiling

—Thank you— I say as the same time I took my dress

—Well now I'm going back, have to change— I nod and she leaves the room.

When I finished wearing on my dress Chris comes out of the bathroom and he's just wearing a towel down in his waist and I feel like I'm going to die.

—How do you feel Sarah?—He says showing that beautiful smile that cause something in me.

—Yes...good, better—I say recovering my composure while I direct my look to another place, if I look at it more I will get more nervous.

—You look beautiful— he says approaching me and I blush immediately, I can't avoid it! Damn!

He brings his lips to mines and we kiss again but then I suddenly separated my lips, I need to have something clear first of all.

—Chris, we will still being friends after this?—I questioned

—I want you to be my girlfriend but this is not the way I want to ask you—he admits.

Some time later we left Zoey's house to go mine, as expected Chris offered to bring me.

—I'll come to take you in the afternoon, okay?—Chris says once we arrive to my house

—Okay, yes—I smile—. Thanks for bringing me—I get out of the car saying goodbye to him with a short kiss on the lips.

Once he leaves, I enter to my house.

—Hello, Mom, forgive me, I stayed at Zoey's house and…—she interrupts unexpectedly

—It's okay daughter, don't worry. Zoey talked to me last night and told me that you had run out of battery and you were tired so she warned me that you were going to sleep in her house—says smiling and I am stunned, what a good friend I have and what a good excuse she gave. I didn't even know what I was going to say.

—Oh... yes, of course, I remember now—I say continuing with that little lie—. I'm going to change, this afternoon I'll go out—I inform going upstairs

—Okay daughter, just don't be too late—I don't even know what time I will arrive but I don't think I will arrive the next day like I did today.

Despite of everything it was worth it.

I already want to see Chris and know where he will take me.