Chapter 74: Chapter 74

"Do you really think I should let my hair down?" I asked James, a pout forming on my lips as I looked at him through my phone screen.

"I think I look better with it in a ponytail." I added.

"No, baby, you should let it down," James insisted. "You're gorgeous when it's down - like a princess that you are."

A flush crept up my face as I smiled back at him. Was he just saying this to flatter me, or did he genuinely mean what he was saying?

I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug, acting like I was not happy by his compliment. Then, I let my hair fall loose my shoulders.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

A corner of his mouth lifted."You look stunning. Absolutely gorgeous," He said, picking his words one after the other.

James and I were video chatting and I decided to get his input on my hair since he would not be attending the party with me. Well, I had agreed to go to the party with my best friend, Joey because I thought James would follow me. But when I invited James, he had explained that he had a family dinner that night and a football practice.

So yes, I would be going to the party even though I didn't want to. But, I had already promised Joey.

I stood up from the chair in front of my dressing table, turning to give James a full view of my outfit.

"How's this?" I asked, striking a pose like a runway model.

"You know you look amazing. You always do," He replied, sounding amused. "You're effortlessly beautiful."

"Thank you," I muttered, a small smile tugging at my lips.

I sat back down, reaching for my lip gloss. It was still strange to be getting ready for a party without my best friend by my side. I had really changed.

There was a moment of silence as I worked the lip gloss across my lips.

Then, James broke the silence. "So, who is going to be at this party?" He inquired.

"Just my school mates," I replied, without looking away from my phone.

I needed to find my eyeliner. Oh, there it was.

James cleared his throat. "Well…"

I turned to face him, fixing him with a questioning gaze. "Is something wrong?" I questioned him.

"Just be careful," He mumbled.

I chewed on my bottom lip. I knew exactly where he was getting at.

"You mean, because of my ex?" I probed.

James opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"Look, don't worry," He said, giving a half shrug.

I let out a hiss. "I don't really know why you have not trusted me yet. Funny how you think I'm going to mess around with my ex at a party. You think I would invite you to the party if I was going there to cheat on you or whatever!" I rambled.

James slapped his forehead . "I'm sorry. I trust you. I really do," He apologized.

My brows snapped together."But, you don't trust me enough to go to my school party just because you think my ex might be there. And, I might maybe have sex with him, right?" I snapped at him.

"Chill," James muttered.

I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug."Don't tell me that,"

James threaded his fingers through his hair."You know what? Just forget about this," He uttered.

"It's almost time for my football practice, so we should talk later. We will talk later. Have fun," He added, and then he ended the call.

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Had I overreacted? I was just frustrated, and I didn't like that he didn't trust me. I didn't even care whether Romeo was at the party or not. So why did he bring it up?

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of my bedroom door being thrown open. I turned to see my best friend standing in the doorway.

"Your mom's car was not in the driveway, why?" Joey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's working a late shift at the hospital," I replied, getting to my feet. "She won't be home until tomorrow morning."

I stared at her for a moment, studying her outfit.

"Why are we wearing the same outfits?" Both of us said in unison.

Pink crop top. Boyfriend jeans. White sneakers.

Joey shook her head, walking towards me. "This is bad," She mumbled under her breath.

I hissed."I am going to change my clothes," I blurted out.

"Must you be so dramatic?" She grumbled, rolling her eyes.

I laughed softly, and the two of us embraced in a tight hug. We had not planned to wear identical outfits, but it happened anyway.

"So, James is not coming to the party?" Joey asked, releasing me from the hug.

I hesitated. I didn't want to think about our argument, and I definitely didn't want to talk about it.

"Yeah, he has other things to do," I mumbled.

"Something happened between you two?" Joey probed.

"No," I said in a tone that made it clear I didn't want to go into it.

Joey didn't say anything, but I knew my best friend so well. She would surely talk about it later.

****

I hated parties, and I regretted going to this one. I should have stayed home. I couldn't go home now; it was too late and I didn't have a car.

Joey had abandoned me. She'd left me alone. Well, that's what I got for coming to a party with someone who was clearly obsessed with her boyfriend. I didn't want to think about where she might be at the moment, but I was pretty sure she was not around where I was.

This was the worst party I'd ever been to. It was so disorganized.

All other people were either making out or doing other things I had no interest in. This might be the last high school party I would ever attend, except if James invited me to one.

"Why are you here alone, sweetheart?"

I heard a voice behind me.

I turned around to see a person I didn't recognize. From head to toe, it was obvious that he'd had one too many drinks. He smelled of cigarettes and alcohol.

Damn, I didn't have the energy for drama right now.

"Please leave me alone," I told him, holding up a hand. "Just get lost."

"Trust me, I can make this night fun for you," He said, reaching for my arm.

Without thinking, I kicked him hard between the legs.He groaned in pain and scurried off.

"That was quite a kick. The asshole deserves it,"

A voice called out behind me.

I spun around to see the last person I wanted to see. The person who had been living rent-free in my boyfriend's head.