Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Forty Eight - Party time.

I'm ready in just under half an hour. The before and after transformation is pretty impressive, even I have to say so myself. I've changed out of my pink pyjamas and I'm now wearing a red dress with a scoop neck and long sleeves.

My legs are bare and I take a moment to gaze at them. They aren't covered in bruises or cuts for the first time in years however if you look closely, you could still see the scars. I wear nude heels on my feet and decide I'm happy with my entire outfit choice.

My hair is pulled down from my usual messy and is now curled to perfection, framing my face prettily. I wear a dark smokey eye with a nude lip and when I glance at myself in the mirror, I have to do a double take. I barely recognise the girl staring back.

The last few weeks consisted of me makeup free, messy hair and lying around in jogging bottoms. So this is definitely a change. Ivory grins widely at me from behind —

"You look hot."

"Thanks, it's a little much for a house party though, right?"

Ivory shakes her head. "No, we told everyone to dress up. No casual outfits tonight."

The door opens and Trish walks in, her blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders. She's wearing a bright pink sparkly dress with sky high heels, just her usual attire. She squeals when she lays eyes on me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"You look amazing Em!" She says before giving Ivory a hug. I smile back at her, examining her once again.

How did I manage to have two beautiful best friends?

"You look great too. Girl, you're body is smoking." I compliment her and Trish beams back at me, winking. She lifts her finger and places it on her hip before making a sizzling noise. All three of us burst out laughing, taking one another's hand as we make our way downstairs.

The music blares through the room loudly and I grimace, walking over to the speakers to tone it down a little. Within minutes the living room and hallway are packed with people I recognise and some I don't. I haven't seen Jake yet and keep peering over crowds of people to try and spot him.

I sigh, not catching a glimpse of him and walk back up to Ivory and Trish who are talking to another girl from college. I join them, handing Ivory a drink I'd picked up for her.

"Thanks babe," Ivory grins knocking the drink back easily.

"Go easy, we have all night for that." I chuckle, shaking my head at her. I take a sip of own drink and looked around distractedly. The place is packed full of people and there's still no sign of Jake or even Tobias for that matter. I shrug it off and instead let myself be dragged by Trish towards the circle of people dancing. Ivory follows us giggling and throwing her arms around everywhere. She's the heart and soul of every party and knows it as she thrashes her arms around to the music, swaying her hips.

"Dance Em!" Trish demands, bouncing up and down as the beat blare: from the speakers. I hold my drink tightly before finally letting loose, my hips swaying to the music. I close my eyes and lose myself into the drowning sound of people laughing, chatting and dancing.

Within seconds I'm beaming from ear to ear as a sense of freedom washed over my body. I'm actually having fun and it feels amazing. Any painful memories are pushed right to the back of my mind and I focus on having a good time with my girlfriends.

The song ends and I groan loudly, Trish and Ivory are equally as disappointed. We wonder over to the table in the far corner that's covered with party food.

"Food!" Ivory yells loudly, charging towards the table with her hands outstretched. I burst out laughing, shaking my head at her tipsy state.

"Hey Ivory, who's your friend?"

I turn to see who the voice belongs to and instantly recognised him. The same dark hair that was once holding a gun at Jones.

Brett.

"Hey Brett. . . These are my friends, Emily and Trisha." Ivory giggles, stuffing a cheese stick into her mouth. I smile at him as I realise he probably doesn't recognise me. The last time he'd seen me, I was bleeding out on an abandoned house floor with a bullet lodged into my stomach.

"Hi Brett," I smile at him warmly. He's clutching a can of beer and walks closer to me, his eyes wondering over my body.

"Hello Emily," he whistles quietly and I roll my eyes at the flirty tone to his voice. My heart does a little somersault as I notice Jake, Tobias and another one of Jake's friends heading our way.

Jake looks amazing and I close my gawking mouth, realising how unattractive I must look drooling over him. He's wearing a black shirt that matches his hair perfectly, it's sculpted tightly against his body showing off his defined shoulders. A black leather jacket completes his look and I have to admit, he looks hot. Numerous girls eyes are fixed on to the boys as they walk over to us, the aura around them screaming authority.

They own the place and they definitely know it.

My eyes meet Jake's and he looks away instantly causing me to frown. Instead he walks up to Ivory, grabbing a pastry bite before popping it into his mouth.

"Having fun?" He asks her, nudging her shoulder a little. She grins back before attempting to elbow him.

"God, you're built like bricks." Ivory says, rolling her eyes playfully. I turn back towards Brett, confused that Jake didn't even acknowledged me at all. My heart sunk a little as a fear creeped inside my head.

Did Jake already know of the lie?

Is that why he's ignoring me?

"Enjoying the party Brett?" I ask him tightly and he nods, taking a large gulp from his can. He puts his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tighter to him before turning to Tobias and Jake.

"Hey lads! Meet Emily." He drawls out, his eyes drinking me in once again. I feel Jake's head snap towards us and his eyebrows scrunch up in confusion as he searches my own.

"Emily?" Jake says uneasily and I bite back a laugh as it finally dawns on me . . . He didn't recognise me at first glance.

"Hey Jake, it's nice to meet you." I respond back at him sarcastically, an amused expression on my face. His mouth falls open in shock and I feel his eyes burn with desire as they drift down my body before landing back on my face. I feel Tobias' burning gaze from next to him and I glance at him quickly to see that he is also stood there in shock.

"Dude, get your filthy hands off my girl."

Brett's head turn towards me confused and his eyes widen as it suddenly dawns on him who I am.

"Holy shit, this is Emily?" He asks quickly, tearing his arm away from my shoulders. Jake nods at him, eyebrows raised.

"It's erm, g-good to see you looking so well." Brett says nervously and I smile at him, feeling amused.

"Thanks Brett."

He nods at me before turning around and quickly heading off as Jake's eyes burned daggers through the back of his head. Once he disappears into the crowd, Jake's attention lands back on me. He whistles quietly, his arms circling around my waist before he pulls me tightly against his body. I smile as I feel his face nuzzle into my hair, his teeth grazing my ear. I inhale his scent feeling my brain turn slightly mushy from having him so close to me.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he breathes out pulling backwards and resting his head against mine.

"Thank you," I breathe out, a giddy feeling rising in my chest. I notice Tobias standing a few feet away from us —

"It's a good party Tobias." I turn towards him, feeling Jake's hands wrap around my waist from behind me. He's standing so close, I can feel his intoxicating scent mix with mine and I have to focus hard to stop myself getting distracted.

"Thanks," he mutters quietly and I notice his gaze land on my hips where Jake's hands are settled. I shuffle uncomfortably and hear Jake clear his throat from behind me, causing Tobias' eyes to snap back up to meet my face.

His cheeks redden a little before he turns and continued his conversation with someone I don't recognise.

"All eyes are on you Muffin." Jake whispers in my ear from behind, his words sending goosebumps trailing from my neck down to my whole body. I turn and lace my arms around his neck before replying —

"I only want your eyes on me."

Jake grins widely before his hands started stroking my sides gently. I raise a brow at him but can't stop the way my body reacts from a simple touch. He leans forwards, his lips hovering dangerously close over mine.

"Let's go upstairs and forget the party. . . " his voice is husky and low and I feel myself grow warm at his words.

"But the party has just started. We can't leave now, everyone will know." I tease him, pecking his lips softly. My lipstick stains his lips and I lift my hand, gently wiping it away.

Jake watches me intently, dark eyes burning with a flame full of desire. I can feel his chest rising and falling against mine, his breathing becoming shallow. Jake always has the ability to make me feel like we're the only ones in the room despite it being full of people. When I'm around him, he's all I see.

"You're insanely beautiful, you know that?" Jake breathes out, blue eyes twinkling in my direction. I breathe in sharply, looking up at him from under my lashes.

"Really?"

"Hell yes," Jake mutters, pulling my body closer against his. He inches down, his lips pressing against mine in a hungry kiss. I kiss him back eagerly, my arms tightening around his neck.

Ivory clearing her throat beside me snaps me out of the trance Jake sucked me into. I pull back slowly, realising we're both still at the party with everyone watching us. A hot blush begins to crawl up the nape of my neck, spreading through to the tips of my ears.

"Sorry," I apologise sheepishly, attempting to put some distance between Jake and I. He doesn't seem phased by the sets of eyes staring at us. Instead of pulling back, I feel his arms wrap around me tightly, keeping me close.

"That is some serious PDA, break it up." Ivory grimaces jokingly.

"Shut up and walk." Jake hits back at her, reaching over to give her a playful punch in the arm. Ivory rolls her eyes before wondering back into crowds. I let out a small giggle, the blush on my cheeks still burning brightly. When I glance back up at Jake, he's watching me intently, blue eyes shining.

I could spend forever looking into his eyes.

"Should we dance?" I ask him, taking hold of his hand in mine. Jake smiles and nods as I led him straight to the middle of the dance floor, everyone parting a little to give us space. I begin moving to the music, aware of Jake's presence right behind me. His hands rest on my hips and I smile, a warm feeling settling inside my chest. From behind, Jake places his head into the crook of my neck. Every few seconds, he'd place a soft kiss on the bare skin, just below my ear.

"Spend the night with me," Jake whispers, his voice a low rumble. I find myself nodding, biting down on my lower lip. The remaining hours of the party are spent with Jake directly by my side, whispering sweet words to me the entire night.