The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "No, I don't and no, I'm not. You always go to parties without me." I argued, knowing that I had a valid point.

  "Not until you came out of your shell and became the hottest nobody at the school."

  I frowned. It was fine me calling myself a nobody, but I didn't appreciate others saying so. I guess that sounded lame, but it was how I felt. It was technically okay though, since it was my best friend who had said it. If it had been anyone else, I would have gotten more offended.

  "Nobody?" I asked anyway.

  She continued like I hadn't interrupted. "Come on, it'll be fun. We can get wasted."

  "No thank you." I flashbacked to my first and only party where I had ended up vomiting in a gutter with Jason witnessing the entire thing. I suppose it did end up working in my favour since I got to spend more time with him and get to know him better.

  But now he was the reason I wouldn’t be going to this one. It was funny how so much can change within a short amount of time.

  She frowned deeply at me, placing her hands on her hips. "Jason will be there."

  "Which is exactly why I am not going. We're on a break. I don't want him to think I'm going there just for him." I then muttered, "He already thinks I'm clingy."

  This break had been going for four days by the way. It was making me completely and utterly miserable not being with him. I know that sounds so cliché, but that's how I feel. I really missed him. It wasn’t even the fact that I had had a boyfriend. It was the long talks, the moments we shared. I had never experienced anything like that before and now it was over. Or could be over. I don’t even know anymore. Luckily, I had Charlie to keep me company. He seemed to like Hairspray too.

  "Pfft," she said dismissively with a roll of her eyes. "That's not true. Come on, please."

  "No." I said, grumpily.

  "You're such a party pooper."

  "Cool. Now you go have fun. Text me all about it. I'm going back to singing along with Zac Efron. Bye now."

  "I don't want to go without you." She pouted.

  "Don't go then. We'll have a hang sesh."

  "I have to go. Everyone is expecting me there."

  "Then go," I said, exasperated, throwing my hands up in the air in annoyance. "You'll be fine without me."

  "It's not me I'm worried about."

  I sighed deeply. "Look, I'm fine, okay? Go have fun for me. I'd like to just stay at home tonight. Thanks for asking though."

  She pulled me into a hug. "Okay. I'll text you. Love ya,"

  "Love you too."

  She grinned before departing to say bye to Luke and Dad. I noticed she spent a little longer in Luke's room. I ignored the fact and played the movie, wrapping the blankets around myself.

  I was okay.

  Yep, definitely okay.

  Melanie Stewart

  Luke was so hot. I couldn't help have a quick make-out session with him before leaving. He was just so tempting. I rushed home, and straight up into my room. I threw on a short, thin dress. My make-up and hair was already done. I was expecting to spend the rest of my time doing up Emma, but no, she ditched of course. Well, I sort of expected her to, really. She just wasn't okay at the moment.

  Really, I should have stayed with her, but it was a party. Come on, like I could miss it. I slipped on my heels and checked myself in the mirror.

  I looked good.

  Really good. I puffed up my hair a little more and checked my make-up, ensuring that it was still al where it was supposed to be. Grabbing my phone and lip gloss and slipping them in my carry bag, which so happened to match my dress perfectly, I called out to mum loudly. I slowly descended down the stairs, the heels were high you know. Need to be cautious.

  "Let's go!"

  It wasn’t long before we pulled to a smooth stop, right at the entrance of the party. I could hear the music already, the bottom of the car vibrating from the consistent beat of the music. I beamed in approval, just what I liked to hear.

  "I'll text you, either I'll crash at a friend’s, or I'll ring you. Bye, love ya."

  I didn't muck around.

  Well, did I ever?

  I grabbed a drink and danced around. I was having a really good time, admittedly, Emma and her broodiness slipping from my mind. I threw another drink back, grinding with this hottie from Emma's school. Not quite Luke though, but I didn’t mind at the moment, I was just having fun dancing.

  He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "Hey, wanna get a room?"

  "With you?" I responded flirtatiously. "Not a chance."

  I smiled sweetly before disappearing through the crowd. I spotted him. He wasn't hard to miss. He was one of the hottest guys at this party.

  Well, he always was.

  He was drunk, I could tell. Jeremy was giving him worried glances as he downed another vodka shot. That sl*t Britney was all over him like a rash. I wanted to gag. I made an obvious disgusted face in her direction as she could not be more desperate and pathetic if she tried.

  "Hey b*tch," I snapped at her, when she came my way. "Back off Emma's boyfriend."

  "Ex-boyfriend," she sneered, her annoyingly pretty hair, perfectly straightened. I hated that she was pretty. She had a good body too, unfortunately. She damn knew it as well. Her dress was so tiny, it made mine look like a gown. I narrowed my eyes at her, not backing down.

  "Not quite," I sneered back, challengingly.

  "By tonight, yes."

  She pushed me out of the way. I tried to reef her back but I was pulled away.

  "Let me go!" I cried out angrily, elbowing the person who just saved her butt. My arms were pinned to my side as I was dragged off the floor. I squirmed under the grip, trying to see who it was, but I was unsuccessful. I stood awkwardly whilst forced to witness, first hand, what Britney meant.

  Jason had collapsed on a chair, his head lolling back. An angry, drunk teenage boy, well, smoldering, sexy teenage boy, was not good.

  Clingy ex-girlfriend taking advantage, also not good. I stomped my heel on the guy’s foot, but he just slammed me against the wall, still shielding his face. I tried to get him to let go, but he wouldn't budge. What was his deal? And how had no one else noticed I was pretty much being held hostage here?

  Britney straddled him, sitting on his lap. He seemed so out of it that I wasn't even sure he realised she was there. She pulled his face to hers and well and to me it looked like she was sucking on his face, but maybe that's just how she kissed. She kissed his neck roughly. It angered me so much that I tried hit my attacker, but yet again, I was still unsuccessful.

  I tried yelling out, but no one heard me over the pulsing music and loud talking. I wanted to cry out in frustration. I was so mad! Please Jason, I begged in my mind. Don't let her do this to you. To Emma!

  He put an arm around her back, pulling her close.

  I wanted to vomit. On my attacker. I couldn't take it anymore. Pivoting as much as I could in the situation I was in, I began to scream at him.

  "LET ME GO YOU SON OF A-"

  I was let go so suddenly that I propelled onto the floor, my hands barely stopping me. I landed in a painful sprawl, my left wrist tingling in pain. I was slightly breathless from the sudden fall and completely winded. A few people glanced over. Now they see something going on.

  "Oh my God, are you okay, Mel?" some short, brunette asked, shocked. I had no idea who she was.

  "Obviously not. Help me up."

  She obeyed, studying me. "You okay?"

  I shoved her away and stormed over to them. I pulled Britney off him, literally, by her stupid hair. Jason stared at me, in a daze.

  He was so blind. (Blind drunk, I mean).

  I reefed him up by his shirt and slapped him. Hard. My hand stung from the impact so I could imagine how his face felt right now. A bright, red mark sashed the right side of his cheek and I was a little smug at how effective my slap was.

  He staggered backwards, knocking over the chair. A few people looked over to see what all the commotion was about. If
only they realised about a minute ago, they could have saved this whole situation from happening in the first place.

  "How could you?" I growled savagely.

  "What?" He slurred, squinting, as if trying to place who I was. "What's happening?"

  I could hardly blame him, other than the stupid amount of alcohol he'd consumed. I guess it wasn't his fault Britney was all over him, but still, he'd drunk this much to let it happen.

  Shoving him backwards, I marched out of the party, pushing people away. I didn't care who I hit, anyone copped a blow if they were in my way.

  I fished out my phone and dialed her number, which I had known off-by-heart since I was old enough to own a phone.

  I had to. She had a right to know. She answered on the second ring, like I knew she would. I sighed as I heard her innocent voice.

  "Hey Mel, how's the party?" she asked.

  "Oh God..." I trailed off, hanging my head.

  "Mel?" she asked, worried. "What's happened?"

  "I've got something really bad to tell you..."

  20

  My hands shook slightly as I placed my phone down. My heart beat had been racing as soon as I heard the distraught in her voice. I had been watching a movie in my room. Whatever I'd been watching was lost from my mind as I processed her words through my sluggish brain.

  I felt numb.

  I sighed, feeling tears surface in my eyes, knowing I couldn’t avoid the truth any longer. He hooked up with Britney. His ex-girlfriend and someone who I’d consider my arched enemy. Well, if not that someone I strongly disliked.

  Does that mean he cheated on me?

  Like... We were on a break, but I wasn't aware that meant we could date or see other people. Not that I intended too. Duh, it was me, who else would I be able to date anyway? Rubbing my face, feeling suddenly exhausted, I curled up in a ball which was my typical upset position.

  I didn't know what to think.

  I'm glad I heard it from Mel though, rather than gossip and rumors when I went to school on Monday. Or on Facebook tomorrow, if I dare even face it. I’m sure the girls would make a status, ensuring that it is well known and publicly rubbed in my face.

  Someone knocked on my door and then I heard it open slowly.

  "Hey Em, I'm going off to bed." Dad said as he came in. He kissed me on the cheek. "Love you."

  "Love you too," I said, trying not to sniffle.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing."

  "Doesn't look like nothing." he answered with a frown, sitting beside me. Concern was etched onto his face. I hadn’t been upset in front of him for a long time. If I had a rough day at school, I would let out my cries in the shower, wash away my tears and pretend nothing had happened. Today, he caught me red-handed and I couldn’t hide it from him.

  "It's alright. I don't really want to talk about it. Thanks anyway."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Positive." I replied with a small smile although it was hard.

  He sighed. "Alright. You know you can always talk to me if you need to."

  "I know. Thanks."

  Well, I'd always talked to Dad about things. Well, not overly boys, but other girly things. I had to, as Mum wasn't around and I didn’t always want to pester Lindsay, Mel’s mum, every second. I gave him one more forced smile, which he returned, before he left my room.

  My phone lit up beside me, informing me that I had a new text. My stomach clenched as I thought it could be Jason, but it wasn’t. It was Mel, asking if I was okay.

  I chose not to answer, but to go to sleep.

  And just try to forget about everything.

  I was hoping I'd be sick so that I didn't have to go to school on Monday.

  But, of course I wasn't and Dad knew something was up and told me it'd be better to face it and show everyone I was fine. Darn Dad and his ‘words of wisdom’. Reluctantly, I hitched my bag on my shoulder, taking a bite out of my apple as I began my walk to school. I took my time, dragging my feet the entire way. (It was a really bad habit which resulted in holes in my shoes and lectures from Dad).

  I threw my apple core into the bin on my way in. Straight away I noticed a few people staring at me, whispering. I kept my face blank. I attempted to be devoid of emotion, but since I found that hard, I wasn't sure if I was successful or not. I'd worn a skirt today, and done myself up a bit. I don't know why, I just did. It made me feel a little more confident to walk through the school hallway.

  Saved by the bell, I hurried into the classroom, finding my table at the back, right hand corner. Instead of sinking in my chair and trying to hide away, I sat up tall and met everyone's stares. I wanted them to know that I wasn’t going to cower away from their stares.

  "So, did you go to the party on Saturday?" A girl asked innocently. By when I say innocently, I more mean sadistically but on the outside it appeared like she was asking a genuine question. But she would never have spoken to me otherwise, if it wasn’t to attempt to humiliate me. Numerous people turned around to stare at me, awaiting my response.

  They obviously weren't sure that I knew what had happened.

  "No." I answered, flicking my hair over my shoulder. "But I heard it was pretty good. I also heard Britney had fun."

  She stared at me with wide eyes and I smiled politely at her. The teacher than began speaking and I completely ignored them all although my palms were getting clammier by the second. It wasn't so bad the rest of the day. I didn't see him at all and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. I gazed around the school at lunch and even then I didn’t see his sun-bleached her and bronzed skin.

  Maybe he wasn't here?

  Did I even want to see him?

  I guess I did, but then again, I didn't. It was a weird feeling. I’d like to talk to him about things, to hear it from his point of view before I go listening to everything I heard, but I don’t want the confrontation that will have to come with it. I was never good at those.

  I stared glumly out the windows as the clouds formed together and I could hear thunder. I hoped the rain would hold off long enough for me to get home. Last period finally rolled around and I gladly sped out of school, beginning my trek home. It was more than just sprinkling now. I placed my hand above my eyes, trying to shield myself so I could see the way.

  A car pulled up beside me and I glanced over, recognising it immediately.

  It was Jason's car.

  "Emma," he called out to me, causing my heart rate to increase. "Hop in."

  "No thank you," I replied, continuing to walk and remain calm.

  "Please. We need to talk."

  Oh, those horrid words.

  "I know, but not right now. I have places to be."

  "Where?" he asked, the car creeping forward, keeping up with me.

  "I'm going to dinner at my Nan's house tonight, if you must know."

  "Oh cool. I'll drive you home."

  "It's okay."

  The car came to a sudden stop and he leaped out, racing over to me. He stopped and placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing.

  "Don't be mad," he pleaded. "Give me a chance to explain."

  "I'm cold and wet and I just want to go home." I argued, my body beginning to sag against him. "You can explain later."

  "I was really drunk. I know that's no excuse, but honestly, I had no idea what was going on."

  "You shouldn't have drank that much."

  "I know. It was stupid. I was just upset and angry."

  I sighed. "Still-"

  He grabbed me, pulling me towards him. He kissed me.

  In the rain.

  I forgot the argument and wrapped my arms around him. It was a stupid thing to do, I know, but despite everything I still couldn’t change the way I felt about him. I was absolutely drenched now, my hair and clothes clinging to me and the cold seeping through them. I tangled my fingers through his damp hair. His body heat pressed against me, making me temporarily warm. Panting, we both stepped away.

  "Can I come?"

>   "Come where?" I asked, still breathless.

  "To dinner, with your Nan."

  "Oh."

  "Please? We can spend some time together and I can explain everything."

  "Are you going to break up with me?" I blurted.

  I know he just kissed me, and he wants to go to dinner and everything, but I couldn't help ask. It had been a thought that had been circling around inside my head for the past day. I really, really didn't want him to. I’d had enough time away from him.

  "No!"

  A wave of relief hit me and I smiled.

  "I was really worried."

  "I thought you'd be the one who wanted to break up with me."

  I sighed. I guess I should be angrier, but I found it so hard to be mad at him. It was so confusing. We were still together but we hadn’t really been for the last week. I still wasn’t sure whether he had actually cheated on me or not?

  "Come on, hop in. I'll drive you home."

  I slipped inside, finally escaping the heavy rain and ignoring the millions of question buzzing in my mind. I buckled myself and turned the radio up. The song, Never Let Me Go by Florence and the Machine, blasted out of the speakers. Jason turned it down laughing.

  "Hey, that's a good song." I protested.

  "What do I wear tonight?" He asked, changing the subject.

  "Anything, it's not formal or whatever." I laughed, a little surprised that he actually thought in advance about what he was going to wear.

  "Sweet as."

  We drove in silence for a while but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I stared out the window as the rain gathered in puddles. I wish Dad could just fix the car already. He'd been pretty busy lately and hadn't had a chance to work on the engine, much to my irritation.

  "I love you."

  He said it in a rush. It was so... random. What I mean is that I had not seen that coming. Yeah we’d been together (and not…?) for a few weeks now but still, that was pretty soon. I know people in movies fall madly in love within a few days, but it was just… soon.

  I stared at him, my mouth hanging unattractively open. It took me around a minute to actually process what he had said.