Chapter 30: Chapter 30

"Look, it is almost 8pm. Mom will go to her workplace. Better tell her about the party, before it is too late."

I re-read the text I was about to send to my best friend, Joey. I clicked on "send" when I was satisfied with the content of the text.

Joey's phone beeped instantly. I jerked my head toward the direction she was sitting, waiting for her to look at me. Her gaze was fixed on her phone for a while, before she looked up. I knew she was reading the text.

Joey shot me a glare, giving me a sign that she was nervous. Well, she was nervous about talking to my mom. I have never seen my friend like this before, except when she was crushing on boyfriend.

It was her plan, anyway. She should be the one to execute the plan.

It was Friday night. The weekend I've been looking forward to. Not because of the party organized by Romeo's football teammates. This week has been so stressful and filled with a lot of drama. I deserve a rest.

So, the night party will take place tonight. Initially, I thought I wouldn't attend the party. I even told my boyfriend that I wouldn't attend the party because of my mother.

But presently, I would love to attend the party. It would be an opportunity for me to spend more time with my boyfriend. We need to have our moments. I have been longing for his touch and sweet kisses. I really want his lips on mine.

Going to the party wouldn't be a disaster. I shouldn't bother about Romeo's friends. It is not like they would focus their attention on me. Joey would be there with me also. I wouldn't feel lonely, even if Romeo decides to be with his friends. I knew that wouldn't be the case. Romeo prefers spending time with me than his friends.

I was sure Romeo would be happy and surprised if he saw me at the party. I couldn't

wait to surprise him. I couldn't wait to see his eyes gleaming brightly when he saw me at the party.

First of all, Joey and I have to convince my mother to let me attend the party.

Mom thought my best friend was here for a sleepover with me. Little did she know that we had something else on our mind.

My phone beeped, indicating a new text message. I clicked on the text. Joey was the sender of the text.

I gave a knowing look, before reading her text.

It said:

"Give me a few minutes. God! I don't know how to tell her or where to start from. I need to take a deep breath first."

She added millions of crying emojis at the end of the text.

I couldn't help but to let out the laughter that has been choking me. Joey threw me a deadly glare, that even made me laugh harder.I already told her that it wouldn't be easy to talk to my mother. She thought I was messing around. Now, she has to convince my mother or else both of us wouldn't have the opportunity to attend the party.

Mom stole a quick glance at me, then turned to Joey. She cleared her throat.

"I know both of you are definitely up to something. Tell me, what's going on?" She questioned me and my best friend, gazing at us with her eagle eyes.

Joey lifted her eyebrows. "Tell her, Ivy. " She blurted out.

I glared at her."Are you not the one with the plan? You should be the one to tell her." I voiced out.

Joey started."You know I'm - "

Mom cut short her words, hitting her forehead with her palm."I'm having this banging headache. Please, don't add to it. Joey, what's up?"

I swallowed a gulp down my throat, hoping that Joey would be able to convince my mom with her words. I hope my best friend won't act like a dummy.

"Both of us want to go to a party. It is a very important party and we have to attend." Joey finally said.

"Is the party related to your academics? Will it help you with your studies?" Mom bombarded Joey with questions.

When Joey was unable to mutter something, my mother turned to me."Young lady, did you attend a party last Friday?" She asked me.

I shook my head."No, mom. That was a sleepover with my…my boyfriend." I replied to my mom.

"You didn't mention he had become your boyfriend the other day. I thought you and your so-called boyfriend had a huge misunderstanding." Mom uttered.

"We've settled our quarrel misunderstanding. Mom, please let us attend this party. Most of our classmates will be there. It's just to have fun." I tried to convince my mother, my eyes were pleading with her.

"Please, Mrs Young." Joey chimed in.

Mom rolled her eyes at me. She kept quiet for a few seconds, as if she was thinking whether she should grant us permission to attend the party or not.

My fingers were crossed. I had a feeling that my mother would allow us to attend the party. She had always wanted me to socialize with people and act like a normal teenager. The only thing she hated was lying. She hated being lied to. That was the reason she got pissed off with me last week.

"Both of you must be back before 7am in the morning. No alcohol. No smoking. No taking of drugs or weeds. Kissing is allowed, but nothing intense. No sex. Trust me, it won't be funny if I find out you disobey my rules." Mom said, letting her words sink in.

The corners of my mouth curved into a wide smile. I glanced at my best friend, a big smile was also plastered on her face.

Now, we have the chance to see our boyfriends and party till morning.

We did it!

"Thank you mom!" Both of us screamed happily.

"I really hate when people lie to me and you know it, Ivy. I was really disappointed in you last week." Mom uttered.

My eyelids dropped."I am sorry, mother. I promise I'll never lie to you anymore." I apologized to her.

"I apologize on her behalf. She won't do that anymore." Joey chimed in.

Mom gave a half shrug."Anyway, remember my rules. Come - "

"Come back before 7am. No alcohol. No smoking. No taking of drugs or weeds. No sex." Joey and I cut her words, saying it at the top of our lungs.

***

The party was hosted by Ronald, Romeo's friend. The one who had a house close to Freya's restaurant. His parents weren't around for the weekend, he had the house to himself.

Joey and I got to the party a few minutes ago and I was already feeling lost. I think it was normal for me to feel that way. This wasn't my usual crowd.

The living room was filled to the brim. Music was being played in the background. People were either dancing, drinking alcoholic drinks or making out with themselves.

I was unable to see any familiar faces.

Could it be that Romeo didn't come to the party? Maybe, he changed his mind because I told him I wouldn't be able to attend the party.

No. That wouldn't be the case.

Romeo would never miss a party organized by his close friends.

Should I text him?

No. I wanted it to be a surprise. I wanted to surprise him by coming to the party, even though I had told him I wouldn't be chanced.

"Oh my goodness! Where is Jake?" Joey screamed out loudly.

Her voice was a bit loud. I knew she spoke out loud so that I could hear her. It was difficult to hear anything because of the music.

"I don't know. Where is Romeo?" I asked back.

Joey lifted her shoulder in a half shrug."Do I know? I didn't know this place would be crowded. I would have texted Jake before coming. I don't even know how to look for him." She ranted.

"Didn't we plan to make it a surprise? Don't call them. I think we should rather look for them." I told her.

"That is a good idea. I can't wait to see a smile on my boyfriend's face when he sees me. The smile that is going to expose his beautiful dimples." Joey said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Shut up," I snapped at her. "Don't let imagination destroy you."

Her brows snapped together."What do you mean? Are you saying my boyfriend won't be happy to see me?" She queried me.

I shrugged."Maybe, you should keep quiet. I didn't say anything related to that. Let's look for our boyfriends."

"Should we go together or go in a different direction?" Joey questioned me, changing the topic of our direction.

"Different direction is okay. Make sure you text me about your location, when you see your boyfriend." I answered.

With that, both of us went differently.

I went upstairs. Maybe, I would see my boyfriend in one of those rooms, playing games with his friends.

I had to cover my nose with a handkerchief. I hated the smell of cigarettes. I felt like vomiting. I didn't know why the smell was making me have that kind of irritation.

I could feel people's stares on me. Their lustful eyes were digging holes in my body.

I wasn't even putting on a skimpy dress, yet I was getting their attention. I was wearing denim jeans and a crop top. Joey tried to force me into wearing a short gown but I didn't answer her. I wasn't here to impress anyone or attract men. I had a boyfriend who was deeply in love with me. He didn't care about how I dress. He knew I was a nerd before asking to be my boyfriend. He fell in love with my soul, not my physical appearance.

Ronald's house was really huge. I reached a part where I couldn't hear the music anymore. It was kind of quiet, except from the chatters of the people partying there.

Something was telling me that I would see my boyfriend around this place.

"Ivy." Someone called my name.

I turned to the back. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw that it was Xander. I ignored him.

I was about to move an inch when Xander grabbed my wrist.

"What do you want?" I barked.

"Let's talk, please." Xander said gently.

"I'm not interested in having a discussion with you." I replied coldly.

I tried to break free from his hold, in order to continue looking for my boyfriend. But, his grip on my wrist was so tight.

"Just a few minutes, please."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Let's go somewhere else. I don't think this place is right to have this kind of conversation." He muttered.

I hissed."So, you can kiss me again."

"Kiss?"

I heard a familiar voice behind me. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that it was the person on my mind.

I spun to face the direction the voice came from. It was him.

Romeo Sparks. My boyfriend.