CHAPTER 69: a teenage dream

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Us girls had all arrived at Kelly's house with our bags. She showed us into the main room where we were going to sleep. We didn't need to bring any blankets because Kelly said she already had some that we could just use, but I noticed Coco had brought a smaller blanket, the same kind a baby would've used.

"Uh, Coco, what's that?" Nicole asked, picking the blanket up and tracing her fingers over three different initials. I walked over to them and saw the intricate sewing done to the blanket and how it was still in good care, slightly fluffy and soft to the touch. When I looked at Coco, a small blush fell on her cheeks and she looked away quickly before reaching out and taking it, her own fingers tracing over the sewing.

A.O.

K.B.O

C.A.O

"It's my blanket from when I was a baby. My parents' initials are sewn onto it as well as mine. I never sleep without it," she spoke, her voice quiet before she looked at us and smiled sadly, "it was a present from my uncle Damien and aunt Jessica. It was the only present I didn't immediately cry to when mentioned or scooped up."

The blanket she had must've been the only thing she had to remember of her aunt and uncle. They weren't around for long after she was born. She wasn't the only person to have things that we keep around even when we're apparently too old to have them.

"That's so precious," I said as she hugged it close to her. I can tell it means a lot to her to hold onto the things that we've had for years. It seemed she also wasn't the only one who held onto something so meaningful. As if we were all thinking the same thing, we all pulled out an item from our bags.

Nicole's was a black and white toy cat given to her as a toddler. A family on the next street owned a black and white cat that passed by Nicole's house every evening. Her mother would give her some tinned cat food or cat treats and she'd go out and feed it. When the cat died, the family found out Nicole's family were feeding him and decided to give her a toy version of their cat so she won't ever forget him.

Cassidy held up a small pink giraffe with an excited smile. It was slightly worn out and the ribbon around its neck was torn slightly, but she still treasured it. Hang on, I thought she told me her mother got rid of it, I thought.

"Cass, I thought your mother threw it away." she shook her head in response and placed it on the floor in front of her. She fiddled with the ribbon before rolling her eyes and sighing.

"She was going to, but father knew how much I loved it and also because he gave it to me on my first birthday. He ended up distracting her whilst I went to get it from their room and I even persuaded the butler to tell mother he threw it away for her." she paused for a second with a slight smirk on her face, "and she thought I was stupid. It's been three years and she still doesn't know I have it."

I released a small laugh, the others joining after me. I must admit, I'm surprised her mother even had Cassidy if she would grow to dislike her this much. She truly was on another level of strictness when it comes to her children.

"What about you, Brielle? Where's Buttons?" Kelly asked, settling on the couch behind Nicole and I turned to reach into my bag and pulled out Buttons, a grey spotty seal that my mom had bought for me as a child. There wasn't much I remember about getting it, but I remember showing it off to both my parents when we got home.

"Awe, that's adorable," Kelly cooed as I settled him on my blanket for tonight before patting his head. Turns out, we all had our little items that either comforted us when we were upset or things we just kept from people who meant the world to us, "most of the toys that I slept with growing up were just items my mother bought me to shut me up when I cried in public. I only hugged them and slept with them because I missed mom, but when I grew up and started to resent my mother, I decided to get rid of them. When me and dad did a yard sale, I sold them to little kids and their parents in the hopes that they'd mean something more to them than they did to me."

"O-Oh, Kelly," Cassidy spoke before Kelly simply shook her head in response. Well, this took a sad turn, I thought. As cute as these stories were, they were all incredibly sad in a way. It's a shame, but there's nothing we can do to change things. Even if we want to change how things have become, we can't. It's just how it is.

"Enough about sob stories. Ladies, we're here to enjoy ourselves, correct? Okay, shall I order pizza? My treat," Kelly said, grabbing her phone and looking to all of us. Yeah, enough sad stories. We came here to enjoy ourselves and if that means having knocking ourselves out with endless movies, pizza and girl talk then I'm all for it. I've had a shit few weeks and I just want to have fun. Going out wasn't really an option because it was cold out at night, which isn't all that fun so staying in is really our only option.

Whilst we waited for the pizza to arrive, we settled together on the couch. Me, Cassidy and Coco were squeezed tight against each other, our shoulders constantly bumping into one another as Kelly and Nicole sat on the floor setting the film up.

We didn't know what film they were picking, but all I knew is that it was going to be scary. Kelly and her dad basically only owned horror movies because they both liked the thrill of scaring themselves. Well, that's what she told me anyway. I've watched films at their house but could never survive through the whole thing. Blood wasn't really a nice sight to see.

Kelly flicked the lights off and settled back next to Nicole, covering herself with a blanket. Cassidy reached for her bag and collected a big bag of popcorn, opening it before pointing the bag to each of us if we wanted any. As I kept my eyes on the screen, I reached in to grab a handful of popcorn, making sure I get as much as I can.

"Do you know what this film is?" Coco whispered to me as I shook my head. Kelly and her dad owned a lot of horror movies that I've never actually heard of. She sat back against the couch and pulled her blanket closer to her. In the warmth of the heating in the house, I felt cosy, but that quickly changes when I'm watching this film.

If it gets too scary for me, I can always hide under the blanket Kelly gave me. I mean, we are only ten minutes into the film which means only one hundred and ten minutes to go until it's over. It's fine, I can get through this. A jump next to me caused me to look at Cass as she shrugged, pulling a fluffy jumper out of her bag.

"Sorry, I've got the shivers," she whispered and I rolled my eyes slightly thinking we had already reached a scary part of the movie. We all settled down and remained silent as our eyes glued themselves on the screen. Sometimes, I'd see Kelly check her phone for the pizzas she ordered for us, the cold glow of her screen lighting up the room before the lights would dim again.

By the middle of the film, both Coco and Cassidy were clinging onto my arms like leeches whereas Nicole and Kelly were completely living for this film. I'm surprised I'm even alive right now to all the jump scares and gory details I've seen. Why did I agree to come here? I thought.

As well as that, but the damn pizza hasn't arrived yet. What kind of sick year is this? Horror movies and late pizza. What a time to be alive right now. I could tell I also wasn't the only person getting agitated about the pizza because even Kelly was checking her phone more freuqently, her brows furrowing. After all, we did finish the popcorn in the first twenty minutes of the film and I'm pretty sure none of us have had dinner yet.

A sudden noise made my eyes snap over to the window on my left. When I looked back, Kelly was also staring, confused and growing even more impatient with our current situation. There was a sudden thud again and this time, we all heard it, Coco's grip tightening on my arm. Nicole stood up, looking around as Kelly joined after her.

"Bitch, what the fuck?" she snapped, lowering the volume of the film and looking around as well. The curtains were shut on every window in the house and because of the darkness we were in, it heightened our senses more. The noises we made were noises I mistook for someone else making the sounds, but when another thud rang through, Kelly snapped, "tonight is not the night I want to be burgled, thank you very much."

She stormed off up the stairs and turned on the lights upstairs, the warm glow flooding through to what it can reach and avoiding places more hidden like the door leading to the hallway. We all stood there and I couldn't move. My feet were practically glued onto the floor which probably won't do me much good if I have to run from someone...

...or something—oh my—I just love to do this to myself, don't I?

"What's going on? I swear, I am too young to die. I refuse to die before that mother of mine," Cassidy spoke sharply as I quickly covered her mouth to stop her from speaking again. There were voices coming from somewhere—outside, maybe? Oh, hell nah. I wanted to have a good night.

Kelly returned and as she got to the bottom of the stairs, her steps slowed as she heard the voices as well. They were coming from somewhere, but where? I turned to the window on my left and saw a flash of cold light from a flashlight from under the closed curtains. Kelly must've noticed it too because she now coming over to me, Nicole closely behind her.

We all stared at the moving light before Kelly leaned in to whisper to me.

"My house isn't even the fanciest on the street," she muttered before my eyes widened when I looked over to her, "okay, okay, I'll find out who's trying to have a disco outside my house. It might just be the pizza guy, you know?"

"So suddenly the pizza guy has become friends with himself and is just having a conversation with himself," Nicole spoke as Kelly nodded, making her way over to the window, calm and collected as if someone wasn't trying to break in or whatever they're doing.

"Yep—wait, can't one of you do it? I don't want to piss myself if it isn't the pizza guy—"

"Nope," Cassidy said simply. We were all denying doing it, too scared to even step an inch near that window. Kelly rolled her eyes at our terrified behaviour before she grabbed onto the cloth, gulping slightly before gripping onto it harder, "hurry up, they might be gone by now."

Kelly ripped open the curtains and the sight of three men looking through the window caused her to release a scream, tripping backwards and falling onto the floor. She grasped onto her shirt where her heart was as she gasped for breath.

When I looked at the window, Darren was staring through the window at us strangely, pointing to Kelly in confusion. I think it's safe to say I'm going to murder them. Owen was stood looking around the street with his brother, but they all looked sketchy. Everyone was trying to calm themselves down and Kelly stumbled to her feet before flipping Darren off and going into the hallway and turning the lights on.

"You. Dick!" she exclaimed, harshly pulling the door open and meeting Darren's eyes as he stood in the doorway, Owen and Jaxon behind him.

I could've had a heart attack, I thought, opening the door and stood there, in all his confused glory was Darren Oakley. He gazed down at me worried before I jabbed him in the chest, glaring up at him as he moved back a step.

"Why are you looking through my window like some creep?" I snapped, feeling his arms wound round my waist, "have you ever heard of knocking on a door, for fuck's sake? I told you I was having a sleepover the other girls without any distractions such as boys. Can't you survive with the chain of selfies and pictures I sent you earlier?"

"You weren't answering my texts," he said and I scoffed before looking behind him and seeing Owen and Jaxon stood there awkwardly. Darren's gaze soon followed and he smiled, leaning down to whisper in my ear, "and Owen wants to talk to Brielle. You know how he is."

"Yes, I do and I also know he's her ex. Look, I'm not sure if she wants to see him. She wanted to enjoy herself tonight, baby and if that means not seeing or talking to Owen until tomorrow then that's what's going to happen," I mumbled back to him, checking behind him to see Owen stood patiently with his brother.

As much as I want those two back together, I didn't want to hurt Brielle and I knew that what she felt for Owen whether it was love or heartbreak, I knew either way it was going to make her upset. She's had a rough time since her father died and I arranged this night to make her feel better and also because dad was out of town so I could bring all the girls round to talk about this year's senior prom.

"Come on, baby girl. You want them together as much as I do." oh, don't you even dare use that card on me, Mr Oakley. I'm not that stupid, "I'll get you whatever you want if you ask Brielle about Owen."

"Whatever I want?" I asked as he nodded. A smirk made its way to my face before I used my finger to lift up his chin slightly. If he really thinks giving me whatever I want is going to make me do whatever he wished, he's clearly underestimated me. I'm a lot better than that like come on, it's the twenty first century. You don't have to bribe me with this shit, "what I want is..."

"Anything. Just to get her to talk to him," he spoke quietly before I flicked his chin and gazed devilishly at him, "he's desperate and I'm tired of him talking about her like she's a goddess."

"What I want is a little bit more faith, Darren," I said, pulling back as he stared down at me in surprise, "you can't just buy things for me if you want something from me, but I'll ask. She'll say the same thing though, you know that right?"

"Yeah, I know. To be honest, I'm expecting it, but he's desperate and it's clear he's got it bad for her." I nodded before groaning in annoyance and heading back inside with the other girls. Before closing the door, I held my hand out and signalled him to wait before I closed it once again and faced the others.

They all looked at me, expecting an answer of some sort as to why the boys were here and ruining our night. My eyes passed each of them before landing on Brielle, biting my lip and wondering how I could word this without her getting mad, getting upset or start crying because even though I know Owen's intentions are good, she doesn't.

"Brie, come here a sec," I mumbled, beckoning her to sit down on the couch with me. I sat myself on the leather as she followed after me, "right, I'm just going to ask you something. If you don't want to do it, we won't force you and I'll tell them to fuck off."

"Okay..." she stared at me strangely and a knock on the window made my gaze harden and my head snap over where Darren was stood waiting, giving us an expectant look. If he could just give me—.

"One fucking second!" I shouted before rolling my eyes and facing Brielle again, "Owen's here and he wants to talk to you about something—by something, I mean, he wants to talk about your relationship. If you don't want to then that's fine. I'll just tell them—"

"I don't know if I could talk to him," she mumbled, biting her lip as I sighed and gave her a supportive smile. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Coco sneak away into the hallway and the sound of the door opening again caught my attention. There was quiet mumbling going on outside, but I couldn't tell what was going on out there, "it still hurts and anyway, we were all supposed to enjoy ourselves tonight, right? I-I don't wanna ruin it for you guys."

I told Nicole to comfort her whilst I went out to see Coco talking to her cousins. At the sight of me, they all rushed to me like puppies. My eyes widened before I quickly shut them all up and I turned to Owen and with a whisper said,

"Why did you come here tonight? Do you realise what you're doing? Did Darren not tell you we were having a sleep over with absolutely no distractions?" I asked, whispering sharply, my hands on my hips before I turned my head to check if Brielle could hear. Oh, what the hell, of course she can. I paused before sighing, leaning my head on the doorway, "she's not sure about whether she could talk to you, idiot. You have to give her space so stop wasting your time."

I still loved him and there was no denying that like hell, the whole school knew it. They knew he was still in my heart even after the relentless talking of guys in my classes. In a way, they were disheartened by it because they knew they didn't stand a chance, but at the same time, they always asked me why I still attached myself to a guy who simply didn't care.

Anyway, last time we went out, I was nothing but a distraction to him. Liam was right. He could've become something great if it hadn't been for me. Not having me around could've meant no kidnapping and no kidnapping meant Owen would still be at home or using that time for a better plan.

"No, Kelly, I love her. I wanna talk to her, just for a minute. I'll leave her alone after." my eyes snapped up as I heard that. I can't be selfish, I thought, because I've already ruined one relationship and then another; I can't go ruining any more, "please, I have to tell her everything—I was stressed out, okay? I wasn't thinking straight!"

"Stop shouting, you fool," I heard Kelly whisper sharply, "do you know how much your breakup tore her apart? She was already going through losing her fucked up father and then seeing Ivy with you—you lied to your own brother and told him you visited her when really, you ignored her messages and calls. She made a mistake. Everyone does."

"That's why I didn't want to go out with her in the first place because I knew I would only hurt her in the end. I promised to treat her better than Jordan ever could, but my life is tough so I'm sorry I fucked up—I just want to see her so I could properly talk to her. I want to make it up to her."

"You know what? She was the one worried about you and whilst you spent your time with some other girl, she was hurting even before you broke it off with her. I'm sorry, Owen, but she's my best friend and she's been hurt enough times by the people she thought cared." she paused and I stood by the doorway to the hallway, clenching my jaw as I felt my eyes sting as much as they did when I left