Chapter Eight:

I thought about soaking in a bath but decided it was too much effort. To hell with school and everything else that sucks in the universe. Consider this my universal, ‘fuck you’ to the world. Screw everybody. I’m tired of bullshit and people who want to bring me down. Fuck ‘em. They’re not bringing me down – not today.

I grabbed my iPod and put on my headphones. I cranked the volume and closed my bedroom door. I started to dance when the music turned on. Sometimes, a girl just has to let loose.

When I walk in the club, all eyes on me…
I’m with the party rock crew – all drinks are free.
We like Ciroc; we love Patron.
We came to party rock.
Everybody, it’s on.

I ran my hands up my body and shook my ass. I bounced around the room, dancing without a care, letting my worries fall away.

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots…
Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots…
Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots…
Everybody!

I was mid-twirl when I noticed an amused Brian watching me. I stopped and pulled off my headphones.

“Stalk much?” I asked him.

“I was just enjoying the show.”

“It’s nice to know that I could help you get your creep on.” I sighed. I sank, unceremoniously to the bed. He laughed.

“Feel better?” He asked me. I nodded.

“Much, actually,” I mused.

“I don’t know how you can listen to that.” He shook his head. I scoffed.

“What’s wrong with what I was listening to? Don’t tell me you’re a music snob. Everyone needs they’re happy music to get them pumped. LMFAO just happens to be my ‘get-pumped-up-for-the-day’ music. Not that I’m overly picky… I’ll listen to pretty much some of everything, just not much country.” I shuddered. He laughed, again.

“Not country?” He asked.

“God, no. My mother went through a country phase. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.”

“What are you doing tonight?” He asked me.

“Not you,” I retorted before I could stop myself. I clamped a hand over my mouth, giggling. He rolled his eyes, smirking.

“You need to get out of the house.”

“What did you have in mind?” I asked him.

“A night out of the town?” He offered.

“With who?” I asked.

“Me.” He shrugged.

“Just you? You mean you’re gracing me with some one on one time with the great Brian?” I gasped.

“Well, when you say it like that, I’d say you’re pretty lucky.” He smirked.

“Well, then I guess I have to say yes.” I told him.

“Yes!” He said with mock-enthusiasm, fist-pumping. I laughed.

“Let’s go, funny-boy.”

---

“Out of everything that we could be doing, this is really what you want to be doing?” Brian asked me as I snuggled into his side. I nodded as I gazed at the stars. We found a clearing on the beach and brought a blanket to star-gaze.

“It’s peaceful and I like the company.” I mused. I felt his chest shake with laughter.

“Trust me, Ace. The feeling is mutual.” He wrapped his arms around me as we laid there. Our friendship is starting to feel more and more like a relationship. I’m not really sure if I want that, yet. I’m looking to be in a relationship right now. It’s just nice to be drama-less with guys, at this point in my life. As long as we don’t take about it, it’s just being friendly… I just have to keep telling myself that. “What are you thinking about?” He whispered.

“You,” I answered, honestly.

“What about me?”

“How awesome you are and how happy I am that I met you.” I told him, truthfully.

“You know, I’ve never really had any close female friends. It’s nice.”

“Girls are awesome.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

---

“You really don’t have to stay.” I told Brian as I threw myself onto my bed.

“I know I don’t have to.”

“You just like sleeping with me.” I teased.

“You’ve got me there, Ace.” He smiled.

“Let’s go to bed, old man. One of us has school tomorrow and it’s not me.”

“You’re skipping.”

“Yep, mama’s had enough drama to last forever… or at least Wednesday.” I admitted.

“I’m not old.” He pressed.

“You’re older than me.”

“Like that’s hard?” He teased.

“I’m beat. No joke.”

“Let’s get some shut-eye, Ace.”

“Deal.” I agreed, turning off the light. “Brian?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for being here.”

“Anytime, Ace.”

Notes

SO, this turned out a bit short. And, to be honest, I seriously have no idea who Lydia is going to end up with. I'll try for a new update tomorrow or Sunday. Comments would be greatly appreciated.
Stay excellent!
-Katie