In the Middle of Nowhere (Willow's Journey #1)

by Julie Ann Knudsen

  I had to pinch myself a couple of times. I couldn’t believe I was on my way over to Rocky Johnson’s house with Tessa, at what was sure to be a memorable and exciting night. Kids would talk about various parties throughout the school year and Rocky’s always seemed to be the most legendary.

  His parties were different. Unlike most teenagers, who waited until their parents were away, Rocky’s parents were always in attendance and encouraged kids to hang at their house and party, as long as they didn’t drive home. They were really cool.

  I had to take slow, deep breaths once I climbed inside Tessa’s car. I wanted to act all casual in front of her and not let her see how extremely nervous I was, not only for going to Rocky’s, but also in hopes of being able to sneak back into my house after escaping.

  Tessa glanced at me. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “You do, too.”

  Tessa cracked the car window and lit up a cigarette.

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to smoke in your mom’s car?”

  “I’m not, but she barely drives it and if she ever did say it smelled like smoke, I would just blame you.”

  Tessa smiled and gave me a wink.

  “Thanks a lot,” I said.

  I wanted some questions answered about the big night. I needed to remain calm and act unaffected by her answers.

  “So, who else is going?”

  “Not sure.”

  “His parents are gonna be there, right?”

  “Dunno.” She blew a mouthful of smoke out the window. “Who cares who’s gonna be there as long as we are?”

  “Where does Rocky live?”

  “Over on North Shore.”

  “Where’s that?”

  Tessa looked at me, appalled. “On the north shore. Duh!”

  “I can’t help it if I don’t know my way around the island.”

  “Well you better get familiar with it soon or you’re gonna end up driving into the ocean by mistake some day.”

  “I’m not that stupid,” I shot back.

  Tessa took a deep drag and let it out slowly. “We’ll see about that.”

  I shook my head at her rudeness and stared out the window at the darkness that surrounded us, while on my way to a high school party at Rocky “The God’s” house, a high school party I had absolutely no business attending.

  • • •

  If it was even possible, Rocky’s house was bigger than Tessa’s. I couldn’t tell for sure how much, but we had to be buzzed in at a stunning wrought iron gate before traveling up the steep driveway.

  The house was so huge, it seemed as if it were actually three separate houses all connected. The only way I could tell in the dark was from the glowing windows scattered throughout the massive residence. What the heck was I doing here and when was the appropriate time to text Erica and Taylor about my adventure? As Tessa parked the car, I decided I’d wait and see how the night unfolded before I told the girls all about it.

  I followed Tessa up the cobblestone walkway. The moonlit sky illuminated the expansive front lawn revealing colossal contemporary sculptures made from bent steel and wood. Some even seemed to stand taller and wider than my uncle’s tiny house.

  We stood and waited in an enclosed brick entryway as Tessa rang the doorbell. We could hear loud music coming from beyond the gigantic, weathered double doors.

  Just when Tessa was about to ring the bell again, the front door flew open and a very tall man greeted us with a wave and a huge grin. I knew immediately it was Rocky’s father. He was a handsome, older version of his son.

  “Welcome to the Johnsons’, young ladies! I am Mr. Johnson, but all the kids call me Johnny.”

  Johnny stepped aside so Tessa and I could enter. Rocky’s foyer was, for sure, bigger than my whole house over on Juniper Drive. I looked around and saw kids milling about, boys and girls. I recognized most of them from school and each of them had some sort of drink in their hand.

  As Tessa and I started toward the back of the house, Mr. Johnson stopped us. He tapped Tessa on the shoulder and pointed to a wicker basket he was holding.

  “You know the drill,” he smiled.

  Tessa smiled back and dropped her car keys in the basket before continuing on her search for Rocky.

  I pulled on her sweater. “Hey! How we gonna get home?”

  Tessa stopped and lectured me. “Willow. Chill. Don’t worry about that now. Let’s have some fun first.”

  I rolled my eyes and figured I had no other choice but to stay with Tessa and follow her lead because I had no idea about what I was supposed to do next.

  • • •

  After walking around for what seemed like an hour, Tessa and I finally stumbled upon Rocky and his entourage hanging out in a room with a pool table and arcade games. Tessa pinched his very nice butt and he twirled around to greet us.

  “Hey, Tess! What’s up?” He kissed her cheek. “Glad you could make it.”

  Tessa grabbed his hand and held onto it. “I wouldn’t miss one of your kick-ass parties for the world.”

  Rocky looked at me as I hung behind Tessa like a baby monkey clutching on to its mother’s back for dear life.

  “Who’s your little friend?” he asked.

  I wasn’t sure if I liked that he said “little.” Did it mean I looked young, too young to be there or was it a compliment, like I was little, meaning skinny? I quickly reasoned it was better than if he had asked her, who is your “enormous” friend.

  Tessa turned to me. “Rocky, this is Willow.”

  Rocky checked me out, from head to toe, and nodded his approval. He stuck out his hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Willow.” His eyes sparkled when he spoke and his smile lit up the whole room.

  I shook his hand, which was very big and sweaty. “Nice to meet you and thank you for having me.” I sounded like a dork.

  I couldn’t believe that I was not only staring at “The God” for more than a few seconds, but that I was actually exchanging words with him, too. I could feel my face beginning to get hot. I closed my eyes and tried to think of something sad so I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of this perfect human specimen. My dad’s face popped in my head and could feel myself cooling off, but not for long.

  “So, where do you go to school?”

  Rocky Johnson was talking to me again.

  Before I could answer, Tessa jumped in. “To our school, you big idiot,” she said as she punched Rocky in his muscular shoulder.

  He grabbed his arm and pretended to be hurt. “Ow, you little pisser. That hurt!”

  Tessa leaned into him. “If you play your cards right, I’d be more than happy to hurt you even more later.”

  Rocky threw his head back with laughter as Tessa looked at me and smiled.

  I half-smiled back, feeling really uncomfortable.

  Tessa scanned the room. “Hey, Rock? Where’s the bar?”

  “Behind the kitchen. My parents just built an addition especially for it.”

  Rocky looked at me. “Want me to get you ladies a drink?”

  “No, thanks,” Tessa answered. “It’s cool. I’m gonna head over there and check it out myself.”

  Tessa turned toward me.

  “Willow, why don’t you stay here and talk to Rocky about how much you love our school and I’ll go and grab us both a drink.”

  Tessa and Rocky stared at me. I felt completely on the spot. There was no way I was going to let Tessa walk away and leave me alone. With him.

  “No, that’s okay. I’ll come with you. I need to use the bathroom anyway,” I lied.

  “Suit yourself,” Tessa said before turning and walking toward the glass-paned, game room doors.

  Before I followed her, I turned to smile at Rocky as if to say thanks, but he was already engaged in a conversation with all of his oversized football buddies. They looked like a band of gorillas, as they horsed around and slapped each other on one another’s backs. I guessed everybody acted like members of the animal k
ingdom once in a while.

  CHAPTER

  NINETEEN