First Kiss (Heavy Influence) (18 page)

“Good for you, Aly,” Nadine said approvingly. “Let’s see the outfit.” She spun around, stuffing the mascara wand back in its hole.

“I had to raid Allison’s clothes. If she finds out she’ll kill me,” I warned, pulling out my sister’s shorts and the blousy black low-cut top. With my hand still in the bag, I paused for effect. The devil inside me cheering me on, I pulled out the lace bra-vest with theatrical flare.

“Shut up, hook
er!” Nadine yelped grabbing it out of my hands. She looked at me with animated fire. “Gahh, I wanna wear this! You’re gonna look hot, and Rachel will have to step off!”

We all squealed in unified excitement. I begged for Nicole to do my hair. She was the one who subscribed to every fashion magazine and
had every beauty product known to man. She’d know what to do.

“Sit there and put your makeup on
.” Nicole instructed, pointing to the Asian inspired throw rug lying in front of her wall of mirrors. “You’re gonna wear makeup, right?”

“Uh, duh, of course,” I said sarcastically. “It’s now or never.”

I stared at myself for a long moment, wondering where to start.

18

Alyssa

Nicole and Nadine stood behind me facing my reflection in the wall of mirrors. We stared at the revamped me, in awe. I by far was the most dramatic change. Their faces were lit up, looking more excited than I did.

“Suck on that
, Rachel Schaffer.” Nadine hugged my shoulders.

***

              We arrived at one of the many mini mansions that lined Circle Avenue. It had a waterfall pouring down the front of the house. The lights reflected off the water shimmering like diamonds. There were lights all around lit up like a Hawaiian resort at night. The landscape was lush with tropical plants. The house was three stories tall with, windows everywhere. It was obvious during the daytime it would have an insane ocean view. We were only a few blocks away from the beach, a top of one of its small rolling hills in Hermosa Beach. You could hear the thumping of music as we parked the car. Chris turned to us, his tight stare bouncing back and forth between us.

             
“Ok, here’s the deal, you guys stick together,” he told us. “You’ll need some cash to get in. It’s not free, so I hope you have money. If the cops show up, leave and walk down to the Green Store on twenty-second
street and I’ll pick you up there. If something happens, text.”

             
“Why do we have to pay to get in?” I asked curiously, wondering why he’d failed to mention this until now.

             
“For the beer n’stuff,” Chris explained. “Speaking of, Nadine, you don’t need to pay me for the ride – just cover me getting in.”

             
“Does that mean I don’t have to do your laundry?” Nicole asked, hopeful.

             
“Uh, no. You still have to do my laundry,” Chris said, laughing as he got out of the car.

             
“You bitch,” Nicole whined to Nadine, “You’re gonna help me do his effing laundry!”

             
“Dude, I’ll do all of it.” She smiled, shoving at Nicole to get out of the car.

             
My heart thudded so hard I could feel it in my fingertips. As soon as Nadine and Nicole got out, we were all shining like beacons. Chris came around the car to meet us, amusement painted his face.

             
“This’ll be interesting. I feel kinda lucky. Hate to say it, but you three may make my game a little better with the ladies,” Chris said, rubbing his hands together.

             
“Oh, get over yourself already,” Nadine said, rolling her eyes. “Nobody wants you.”

             
“Oh, shit, snap.” Nicole laughed in Chris’ face.

             
“Come on Nadine, you know you want me,” Chris purred in her ear and practically draping his 200 pound, 6’3 frame over her.

Nadine tried
to shove him off and walk away but he stayed attached to her laughing. They actually made a cute couple. Chris may have met his match in Nadine – especially if he liked being slapped around.

             
We paid five bucks a head to get in and Chris knew every single person we passed as we made our way toward a crowd of people holding big red cups.

“I’ll be right back, I’m
gonna find me a cup,” he said, and disappeared into the crowd.

             
“Hey, hello! Get me one!” Nadine shouted after him then turned to us. “He better get me one, or I’ll kick his ass.”

             
“Oh, my God, I’m so freaking nervous,” I whispered loudly. “I don’t wanna obviously be looking for Jake, but do you guys see him?”

             
“I’m looking,” Nicole said. “I can’t believe how many hot guys are here! It’s like an Abercrombie candy store.”

             
“I know!” I giggled, “Can you freaking believe we’re here?”

I was w
ound up tight and totally trippin’.

             
“Ok – I see Jake,” Nadine murmured into my ear. “He’s way over on the other side of the pool. Ugh, Rachel is there too, along with a million other girls.”

“Shit. I’m freaking out.” I panicked and shook my hands violently
, trying to distract myself.

             
“Calm down, Aly! You can do this. You look hot –stop slouching,” Nicole ordered, slapping my shoulder.

             
Chris appeared through the crowd holding a stack of cups, and to my surprise he handed one to each of us. “One beer,” he instructed pointing his finger in our faces.

             
I looked at Nicole pursing my lips. I didn’t really want to drink beer, but I’d better fill my cup to fit in, I thought. Nadine and Chris were already in line following the horde of other teens. Their arms extended forward in hopes that their cup would be filled next. Nicole and I followed the crowd. I hoped Jake would notice me. I glanced in his direction from time to time. He kept looking around too. Looking for me? I couldn’t believe how many girls were hanging around him and his band mates. The one standing the closest to him was Rachel.

             
Nicole finally joined us. “I see Jake way over there. And what a surprise! Not one girl is vying for his attention,” she said sarcastically.

             
“Do you think I’ll have trouble with those girls at school because of Jake?”

             
“No, they’ll probably kiss your ass and wanna be your best friend,” Nadine broke in.

“Beware of fake friend
s,” Nicole warned, her eyes going wide. “Shit, Jake sees us…it’s registering. Oh my God, you should see his face, Aly.”

             
“Oh man, does Rachel see me?” I forced myself not to look in their direction in an attempt to play it cool.

             
“Does who see what?” Chris butted in, leaning in closer to us.

             
Nadine shook her head at Chris, ignoring his question.

“No, Jake’s just standing
there, staring. Let’s go over there and get this over with,” Nadine decided. “No chicken shit shyness, Alyssa Montgomery. You’re doing this for all of us! Chris, lead the way over to Jake,” she ordered, shoving him forward.

             
I went numb. I couldn’t feel myself move as I followed Chris, Nadine and Nicole. I focused only on Jake’s face and anxiously waited for him to realize it was
me
. His eyes moved over each one of us and settled back on me. His mouth fell slightly open and a smile spread across his picture-perfect face. He squeezed past the crowd around him coming toward us. My heart was pounding harder than ever. He was dressed in all black, his hair was messy and sort of spiky; not the usual relaxed, fluffy way I’d seen over the past several days. He looked the part of everything a rock star should be. He didn’t acknowledge any of the others and stopped close in front of me, placing his hand at the small of my back.

             
“Wow, I think I’m in a dream sequence,” he whispered in my ear. I looked over at Nadine and she was smiling from ear to ear. She looked over in the other direction and I followed her glance. Rachel and the rest of the Envies were watching us. I looked back into Jake’s eyes. “I’m speechless,” he added. “You look amazing.”

Jake compliments made
me woozy.

             
I giggled nervously. “Thanks. Um…everyone’s staring at us.”

             
“Yeah, so what? They’re just wondering who you are, and to be honest, so am I.”

             
“What?”

             
“What do you mean what? You look like a completely different person,” he said. His eyes roamed over my new appearance. “Uh, you’re owning right now.”

             
“So, you’re not embarrassed to be seen with me? The super under classman?”

             
“Aw, come on, shut it with that. Most definitely not. You’re amazing no matter what, but you just look tremendous all done up.” He smiled. “What gives? I’m curious.”

I hung my head
, embarrassed. “Well, it’s my first, you know, high school party, so I thought I’d dress the part.” I leaned in closer to him, as if someone would hear me over the loud music. “You know, you’re embarrassing me.”

             
“Don’t be. Lighten up, and please tell me you’re not drinking that,” he asked, pointing at my cup.

“Uh, you are, so why can’t I?” I challenged.

              “You’re too young, that’s why.”

             
I didn’t like that he always pointed out my age. I rebelled, bringing the cup to my lips and took the biggest gulp I could muster. I swallowed, staring defiantly at him with a smirk of triumph. 

His eyes narrowed.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’m not gonna preach.”

“Good.” I took another big swig
, finishing it off. My first beer and I immediately began to feel light-headed and less nervous. I hadn’t had any dinner, so I knew it was the beer. “You know Jake, everyone here is doing the same thing. It’s not like I’m any different.”

“I still don’t like it. I don’t wa
nt you gettin’ all sloppy drunk.” He looked in the direction of Rachel and her friends. “See those girls? You don’t wanna be them.”

“Speaking of
which,” I said, eager to change the subject. “Has she said anything else about…the situation?”

“She’s acting like nothing happened, but as you can see the others are catching on.” He
casually glanced over at them. “They’re the fringe girls, the ones to the left. Do you want to come over and meet everyone?”

“You’re not serious
!” I choked.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but we
wanna walk around,” Nadine announced.

“Um,” I couldn’t spit any words out. I just wanted to be with Jake and now I had to follow my stupid friends through this stupid party.

I jutted my chin towards Rachel. “You wanna walk with us, or are you gonna stay here with Almost Famous?”

I couldn’t believe the words and the sassy tone that came up from my throat and out of my mouth. Jake’s eyes widened and his eyebrows rose slightly. A crooked grin appeared on his face.

“Aly, you fascinate me,” he said, looking at Nadine, Chris and Nicole. He proceeded to drape his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s walk, screw them.”

“You don’t have to…”

He interrupted, “Aly, I don’t give a shit about them. Bobby and Mike will manage fine on their own.”

I wanted so bad
ly to turn and see the look on Rachel’s face as I walked away with Jake and my crew.

19

Alyssa

             
The house, if you wanted to call it that, was a set piece. It was something out of one of those decorator magazines plantation style with dark hues and green leafy plants everywhere. The beamed ceilings were at least 14 feet high and the floor plan was wide open. Jake led the way to a room that was as big as a 3-car garage. It had a pool table and a small movie theater like sitting area with an actual movie screen. Growing up in this town, I’d seen my share of nice homes, but this home was definitely the most impressive of them all.

             
I leaned against the pool table and Jake stepped over standing directly in front of me. He moved in closer to where his hips pressed against mine and he wrapped his hands around my waist. “Let’s walk to the beach.”

             
His eyes were tender and penetrating, they made my blood rush. “Um, I’d feel weird leaving the girls here.” I hedged, my inner baby started to fuss. I glanced around not knowing what to do with myself. I changed the subject. “So, who lives here?”

             
Jake nodded slowly at me, conscious of my detour. I was thankful he didn’t call me out on it. “Alright, let’s warm up this pool table then,” he said kindly, slapping it. “And as for who lives here, Brandon and Sarah Miller do. Brandon’s a senior volley guy and Sarah is in Nadine’s class.”