"Celebrate your life, you are your own light" – Lailah Gifty Akita

Chapter 38|Part 2
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I continued to clutch the very edges of the sink. My fingers shook as I heard their laughter. Her laughter.

I didn't expect for it to happen so quickly. I thought that I would at least have a couple of days, or even weeks to process her arrival. But, instead, she was in the kitchen right now. Being the 'mother' to Ryland that she should have been all along.

"Kimberly, come on!" I heard my dad shout.

I scowled at myself in the mirror. How could he, of all people, be alright with this? Him and Ryland were the ones she hurt most, yet she was forgiven so easily. But, I had said yes to her returning so I was partially to blame here.

Right on time, I thought as I heard the sound of Raven's horn outside. Immediately, I grabbed the things I needed, and returned to the hallway.

I barely caught Ryland's voice behind me. "Where you headed so late?"

I cringed as I remembered that I failed to mention the party to him. Dad did as well, since he knew his reaction would decipher the conversation very quickly. Ever since I came to live with them, he'd been protective. I figured it was him trying to make up for all of the years I had to endure with my mother and brothers, but perhaps he could have stopped this party thing before it even started. Even though I wanted to tell him so many times, my dad always persuaded me otherwise.

"Just going out," I lied.

Rylands' eyes ran over me, searching for any signs of dishonesty. "Where?"

My mind jumped until I found, "To a pizza parlor," I tried to sound convincing.

"With—" he began before my dad curved the conversation.

"Boy, she's a teenager, let her leave," my dad said to him as he stepped from around the corner.

I heard Raven slam her hand down on the horn, again. "Well, that's my cue," I rushed before kissing my dad's cheek.

"Wait a minute," Ryland began before I felt his arms embrace me.

"Try to have fun," he said as he hugged me.

I smiled, leaning back from his overprotective stance. "I think I'll make it."

I smothered my scowl as I heard her enter the room. "Wait, you're not staying for the tater tot casserole? Your brother told me it's your favorite."

"No thanks, Teresa," I emphasized her name with disgust, arms over my chest.

She frowned. "Well, I'll make sure to save you a piece, then. If these two don't eat it all first though." I had to stop myself from throwing up at her chuckle.

I'd give it to her; Teresa did play the part very well. Her once golden blonde locks were darkening at the roots, though it still curled upwards at her slightly narrowed chin. Her oblong face structure was often accompanied by cherry, red lipstick, sharp green eyes, and a slightly crooked nose. Her clothes were usually carefully chosen and stylish. Ryland was a spitting image of her, though they were nothing alike, not to me. My brother wasn't one to leave when things got tough, something his mother obviously did.

I heard dad mention a couple of times of her drug addiction. How when she left, she got mixed up with the wrong people and spent the past four years strung out on whatever she could get. It wasn't very surprising once you saw her up close. If you went past the carefully plastered makeup, you could see a pair of cracked lips, wrinkled corners of her face, and a slightly crinkled forehead.

"Yeah, thanks," I mumbled before walking towards the door.

I rolled my eyes as I heard their conversation drift away behind me. Like the small family Ryland, dad, and I had formed. Our family.

"My phone is on me at all times, dad!" I called out before shutting the door.

I contemplated on turning around, walking back inside, and pretending I was deceased. Even though staying home with dad was a good excuse, I actually was worried about his health. Every time I asked him how he felt, he would give a short answer, and dismiss the subject. I couldn't help but let it worry me.

As soon as I looked toward Raven's car, I knew there was no running. Not without being chased, or tackled until I gave up, and went to the party.

Raven rolled down the window, but not very far since it was so chilly. "Oh, c'mon, at least smile!" she shouted.

I scowled in return. "Let's just get this over with." Once I was in, I shut the car door behind me.

Raven began to pull off. "You won't be saying that when we're dancing our asses off," Maggie said from the backseat. "Don't get me started on the amount of shots I'm doing tonight."

I chuckled at that. "There is no way I'm dancing," I murmured, head against the window.

"Then, we bought these for no reason?" I turned at Jax's voice.

He raised an outfit up by the hanger, and my mouth fell at the sight of it. It was a burgundy cropped top, one that should reach just below the matching skirt, one with a slit at the bottom. It looked like it should reach the middle of my thigh, but I shouldn't have to worry about the scars as long as I find a pair of tights. It was more than out of my comfort zone, but that didn't matter right now. It was beautiful.

I glanced over at Maggie, who held her hand up. In it were burgundy booties, low heel.

"We didn't know what type of shoes you would like, so I settled on something smaller than the last time," Raven joked, turning into her driveway.

"What the fuck," I whispered.

"I said you had to show Kade what he was missing, didn't I?" Maggie grinned at me. "He's going to flip his shit when he sees your fine ass in this!" Jax and Raven nodded in agreement, both grinning at me.

I couldn't help the smile that crossed my lips as I nodded. I blinked a couple of times to get rid of my shock that I was actually kind of excited to try the outfit on.

"This outfit will look absolutely perfect on that ass of yours," Raven reached over to squeeze my hand. "I'm gonna have to fight to get a dance with you before the nights over."

I giggled at her, despite the blush in my cheeks. I knew that she was trying so hard to make tonight enjoyable, and I did have to give her points for effort.

"What about you guys?" I asked as I realized they weren't dressed yet either.

"Our outfits are in the back, now come on!" Raven yelled with glee, before hopping out of her car. For a moment, I had to double check that she put the car in park.

I listened to Jax go on about his 'friend' from last night. By the blush of his cheeks, I knew that the guy was far more than that. I was happy for him, and I could tell the others' were as well by their engaged attention.

I thanked Maggie as she handed me my outfit. "Did you tell Jax about last night?" I whispered to her.

She pushed at Raven's door, before laying her dress down on the bed. "Hell yeah, and he laughed his ass off. Then, he warned me to get checked for a disease since I touched the place the same place their vaginas were on." I chuckled at this. Typical Jax.

I sat down on the bed as she entered the bathroom. Raven and Jax decided to get ready in the other rooms. "So, how do you feel? From last night?" she asked me through the bathroom door.

I shrugged my shoulders, though she couldn't see. "Pretty good, I guess. It doesn't feel very real, sometimes."

I heard her chuckle. "Well, it was very real."

"So was the rush," I smiled.

I was telling the truth. I did feel different since last night. I couldn't describe the rush I was feeling, though. It was more of a confidence boost, instead of an adrenaline rush. Either way, I felt good.

But, those good emotions melted to mush as I thought of Kade and I's conversation. As embarrassing as it was, I did cry last night. I did find myself swiping at the tears in my bedroom. No matter how hard I tried not to.

I didn't know the labored connection I shared with him was so...intense. One minute we were on our cloud nine, then the next, we weren't. We were back to square one, without any type of communication, or understanding of the others' feelings. Even if I were inexperienced in relationships, I knew that we weren't meant to be in one yet. There were too many road blocks to face, ones that would be the cause of our crash and fall.

I raised my head at the sound of the bathroom door opening. "How do I look?"

I was at lost for words at the sight of Maggie. She wore a lace, black low-cut top that pushed at her cleavage, with straps that went behind her shoulders. As my eyes ran over her, I got to the black skirt, which hugged her bottom beautifully. It reached below her waist, and right at the beginning of her thighs. She didn't go with tights like I would, but instead finished the look with a pair of black boots, as well as a short black jacket.

Her light-makeup face lit at my reaction. "Hot, right?" she gloated, a grin on her face.

Before I could respond, Raven barged through her bedroom door. "I wanna see your jaws drop, bitches!"

Mine did at the sight of her. Raven wore a thin-strapped, royal blue mini dress. Her shoulders, as well as her chest were open on display. The dress hugged her waist and hips effectively, and it reached the beginning of her thigh as well. To finish it off, she added a pair of matching shoes: blue, strapped heels with straps that curled around her ankle. Her porcelain skin was lightly beat with makeup, and she added a couple of jewelry pieces to her neck and earrings that would shine throughout the night.

Maggie nodded appreciatively. "Damn," she chuckled. "If I were into girls, I'd hit right here, right now."

Raven chuckled, "You flatter me. We'll see when the alcohol hits." Her eyes averted to me, thrusting my outfit in my hands. "Your turn, pretty girl. Go, go, go." I blushed as I realized that this was actually happening again.

I entered the bathroom with my back to the mirror. I didn't want to see myself until I was finished.

Once I put on the outfit, I turned around. My eyes ran over my appearance in the mirror, nerves on edge. And, I had to say, I was quite satisfied.

As I thought, the skirt reached the middle of my thigh, the slit revealing some of my scars. But, Raven gave me a pair of fishnet tights, so that part of me was hidden from view. The top curved around my breast perfectly, adding a significant push to them. When I turned, as Raven said, the skirt added a sensual curve to my backside. The shoes didn't feel so uncomfortable the longer I walked in them, and they truly finished the outfit effectively.

I smiled at my reflection. Never had I felt so pretty. The only time I'd ever felt the slightest of beautiful was when I had been with Kade. Now, I was on my own and I saw it for myself.

I cursed at myself as he managed to scurry into my head, again. I couldn't think of him, not tonight. Even if he would be at the party, I would only have to hold my head up high, and have a good time. I looked good, and I deserved to feel like it tonight.

I sighed. "Easier said than done," I murmured to myself.

I opened the door to the bathroom, stepping out with a shy smile. I felt their eyes fall on me and for a moment it felt like judgment day, but then, Raven's squeal filled the room.

I jumped as she hopped up. "You look so..." she trailed off as she tried to find the words.

"Fucking hot," Maggie finished for her, nodding appreciatively from the beanbag chair.

"You know what, I get Maggie's' point," Raven chuckled, smoothing her hand over my skirt. "I'm taking a shot at you tonight. You look hotter than us."

I blushed under their gaze. I couldn't help but shake my head in disagreement at their words. We would have to be on another planet for me to look better than they did. They were gorgeous.

"Jax!" Maggie shouted at her very slow-paced brother.

Raven asked if I wanted her to curl my hair and do light makeup. Since I had already gone out of my comfort zone with this outfit, I accepted. She sat me down on her bed, leaning over me to kiss my cheek. "Kade's going to lose his shit when he sees you," she gushed over me as she undid my ponytail.

While she curled my hair, Maggie showed us the result of our 'adventure' last night. She was right, someone had live-streamed the pep rally, just as they always did, but just as the music began, the cheerleaders went crazy. We didn't hit them all, as some of them were innocent. But, I still remembered them individually, as did Raven so those were the ones we touched.

The video snippet of their screams and shocked reactions had gone viral, from Maggie's' word. I even saw some of the girls, specifically Amber and Natasha rip their outfits in order to get it off. It had been reposted and altered into hilarious memes, Raven even started some of them over the last few hours. We all spent the next several minutes giggling over it all.

"What—whoa," Jax stopped as he laid eyes on us. "Look at my children, all grown up." He pretended to swipe a fake tear as he stepped in the room.

I smiled at him before Raven turned my head back towards her. I allowed her to toy with my face; she was astronomical when it came to makeup.

"If you and that Kade guy weren't a thing, I'd try my chance," Jax whistled as he winked at me. "I promise Kimberly, I'd be so good to you."

I rolled my eyes with a blush to follow before teasing, "Keep that confidence and I might let you have your shot."

Jax was handsome, past that actually. His black hair lacked grease, or any other manufactured product, it did its own thing. He wore a short-sleeved gray button-up top, but the first three were undone, casually revealing a muscular chest. His legs were covered with a pair of dark gray jeans, his feet covered with a pair of freshly appearing white shoes. His green eyes only flourished his looks, the pretty orbs flickering back and forth to Raven and I.

Maggie tapped at something on her phone. "You got that right. Kade and Levi are going to regret their shit tonight," Maggie chuckled as the thought passed by her brain. "It's gonna be so much fun to witness. My own personal Days Of Our Lives."

"Done!" Raven said, squeezing my shoulders once. "Look!" She fumbled behind her for a moment before handing me a mirror.

I looked into my reflection, awed at the fact that she managed to make my appearance even better. My hair was done up in a tight ponytail, the brown pieces curled to perfection down my back. My makeup was light, but I could see how flawlessly she had applied it.

Maggie grinned before standing from the beanbag. "Let's go get wasted, motherfuckers," she yelled, slapping her brother on the back as she passed.

I followed behind them in slow steps, my courage tested by every second that passed. Just as we reached the bottom floor, I felt a hand grasp me from behind.

Raven turned me around by my shoulders. "Hey, don't worry. We'll stick together the entire time," she promised me. "You're going to have fun, I swear."

By my flustered expression, I knew that she sensed my nervousness. I nodded my head to reassure her even though my nerves were still on edge.

The sun was beginning to set outside, already. I joined everyone inside of the car, continuously clenching the ends of my outfit.

"You know what we should listen to for our cameo?" Jax said as Raven started up the car, holding onto her headrest.

"Anything Nicki, and I'm in," Maggie suggested, chuckling after her words.

I giggled at her, shaking my head. Raven grinned at this, and hooked up her phone to the radio before feeding into the suggestion.

Before she pulled away, she grabbed my hand in hers, smiling at me. "This will be a night you'll never forget."

My sigh fell into a a smile. "Let's hope I will," I murmured.

***

"What about him?" Raven suggested.

I followed her finger to a red-headed guy, who appeared to be in a complete drunken state. I shook my head. "Way too drunk."

Maggie's arm fell across my shoulder. "Aren't we all, Ki-Kim..." I giggled as her drunken tongue struggled to prononce my name.

"Kimberly," I reminded her.

She pointed at me "Right." My nose scrunched in disgust as she tilted the red cup toward me. "Here."

Raven chuckled, before taking the cup from her. "Nah, Kimberly's not drinking tonight."

I shook my head at her words, though they were true. I wasn't comfortable with alcohol, or consuming it. Raven knew of my reasoning, and quickly dismissed the cup Maggie tried to give me.

The big house was packed with a large handful of teenagers. It was a three story house, though it could barely fit the heavy amount of people continuing to pour in.

I shuddered as I felt another sweaty body brush past mine. As the stranger passed me, I caught a whiff of what smelled like alcohol, and whatever drugs were available tonight. It was hard to decipher the scent specifically, since every passing person smelled the same. The atmosphere did as well, but the longer I was here, the more my nose seemed to grow accustomed.

As soon as we arrived, Maggie dragged Raven and I to the kegs. Jax disappeared from the scene minutes later, though it was no question where he went due to his newfound 'friend.' Raven and Maggie both attempted to get me out on the dance floor, but I still hadn't gotten that far quite yet. When we entered the house, I thought it was Raven or Maggie who attracted the attention of the guys here, but instead, I shared the stares, too.

I blinked a couple of times as I noticed another guy staring at me. Well, at my tits or my legs.

"I think he wants to fuck you," Maggie slurred in my ear.

I blushed. "Well, he'll have to wish a little harder."

"Fuck," Raven mumbled, though if I weren't so close to her, her words would have gone unheard.

I looked at her with confusion. "What—"

"Fuck!" she cursed louder.

I searched around the house before looking back to her. "What?" It could have been the alcohol, but she hadn't drunk that much yet.

Her eyes were wide, arms crossed over her slightly exposed breasts. "He's here," she said.

I followed her eyes, until I finally saw what she was talking about. There he was. There they were.

Maggies' eyes dragged over Kade, who stood with both Luke and Levi. "Time to dance! Let's show them wha-what they're kissing...I mean missing!" Her arms slumped over Raven and I until we were forced to basically carry her. Her lips pinched into a frown as she glanced between us. "Do either of you know how to dance? If not, just stand behind me and catch my shit."

Raven ran a hand over her face, huffing. "I need a shot for this," she mumbled, before downing Maggie's cup.

I was far too concentrated on the walking devil himself. My hands grew sweaty, my heart grew heavy, and my breathing struggled to stay steady.

I felt my head spin as I saw the different girls turn his way. I attempted to regather my being at the sight of attention he was receiving, but to no avail. As bad as it sounded, the aching pain in my heart continued to rebuild as I pinpointed my unwanted jealousy.

I jerked back around from the sight. "I think I'll have one, too," I murmured, to my own surprise.

Never had a drop of liquor touched even