Chapter 9

Now Emma was alone with Tom on the other side eagerly waiting for results. She did ‘get’ what Carlos meant but that didn’t mean she was going to do it. Her friendship could only go so far. Emma signalled Tom. She shrugged. Tom’s face became crestfallen. She had never seen him so keen on a girl before and it broke her heart to see the one girl that he had ever expressed interest in turn him down.
Emma took a deep breath, skulled the rest of her punch, wiped her mouth and walked over to Tom. She made sure that Lacey was definitely watching.
‘Now before I do this, I just wanted to say that this was Carlos’ idea. So make sure you thank him as well.’
‘Do what? And who’s Carlos?’
Emma placed a hand on each of Tom’s shoulders.
‘Emma…’
Let’s get this over and done with. Rip it off, like a bandaid.
She dragged him closer until her lips were pressed firmly against his. Emma closed her eyes and counted to three Mississippis whilst trying very hard to think happy thoughts. When it was over she pushed him away just as roughly as she had dragged him in.
‘There you go. You can open your eyes now,’ she said and walked off before he could say anything, passing Lacey who was already on her way to Tom.
Now what? Thought Emma. Her ride was busy and she was in a party with people who were either too drunk to hold a conversation, occupied with their dates or total strangers to Emma.
‘Em-ma-ma-ma,’ said a voice behind her. She turned around.
‘Oh, hi Damon.’
‘Wowzers d-you get hotter or some-fing’ he slurred. Damon was swaying from side to side, struggling to stand. Emma took a step back, knowing what was about to come. Damon’s vomit had just missed Emma’s shoes. She sighed in relief.
‘Do you need help or something?’
‘I won the drinking game Woo for Damo. D-you wanna seee mah woom? I show you mah woom.’
‘Yeah, no thanks.’
‘Ca monn I can show you a good time. Didn’t you hear? I won the drinking game,’ he said. His eyes rolled back and he was on the floor. A few people crowded around. Emma saw this as an opportunity to slip away.
She decided to head to the kitchen away from the deafening music. She ignored all the wolf whistles as she passed a group of guys with cups of beer in their hands in the hallway. Okay yeah, maybe Tom was right. Damn it where did I leave his jacket?
In the kitchen she could see someone looking through the fridge. The figure began to turn around.
Oh crud muffins, it’s him. Run, Run, run.
‘Emma?’
She quietly groaned to herself. The last time she had seen him her blood was all over his tshirt and she was screaming swear words so explicit that it would put an MTV rap song to shame. The last thing she wanted was to see Eric ever again, he was a constant reminder of how much of a dickhead she could be. She swivelled around and greeted Eric with a smile.
‘Oh hey Eric, fancy seeing you around here,’
‘I could say the same for you. I usually don’t see you at parties. How are you? I tried visiting you a few times but your little sister kept telling me that you were busy. Cute kid by the way.’
‘Oh, yeah lots of homework and stuff,’ and avoiding you. Eric put down the ingredients he had taken out of the fridge onto the kitchen bench. ‘Sorry about your jacket. The doctor said you showed great initiative when you used it for my injury if it makes you feel any better’
‘That’s fine just keep it,’ he looked at her, ‘You know I was just about to make a…a,’ he stammered. Eric had finally noticed Emma’s attire. He looked bashfully away and distracted himself with the food on the table.
‘A sub?’ Emma guessed.
‘Do you want one?’
‘Thank God I am starving!’ she exclaimed and sat on the kitchen counter. Eric placed the two baguettes on the chopping board and began filling them.
‘So why aren’t you out there getting smashed with everyone else?’ she asked, curious.
‘Designated driver,’ he said ‘As always. Honey mustard or mayo?’
‘Mayo. Well that sucks.’
Eric shrugged. ‘I’m okay with it. These sort of parties aren’t my thing anyway. I don’t think alcohol could make it any better.’
‘Then why do you go?’
‘I’m sort of obligated to, as Soccer Captain. You know, to be part of the team.’
Emma nodded, as if he had said something profound.
‘What’s your excuse?’ he asked, then handed over the sub to Emma.
‘Helping best friend get with the school’s biggest boobs while I’m stuck here because my ride is some Latino guy doing God knows what with my other friend upstairs. Wow! This is so good,’ she said pointing to her sub then giving Eric a thumbs up. She took another big bite.
Eric raised an eyebrow. ‘Emma, how much have you had to drink?’
‘None. I had punch!’ she said then laughed hysterically. Eric palmed his forehead.
‘Emma, you should never drink anything here that you didn’t see come straight from a can. The punch bowl is probably spiked.’
‘OOooh so that explains why I can talk to you so easily and not have images of you making out with Gemma in the bathroom mirror.’
‘How do you even know about Gemm- you know, I think we should get you home.’