by Ruth Houston
I turned to face Ashley and her group – including Veronica. I placed my hands firmly on my hips and narrowed my eyes at her.
"What do you want, Jones?" Ashley said, stopping and flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"I want to tell you to shut your freakin' mouth," I hissed in a much quieter voice than I had hoped – hey, those girls were freaky in their Paris Hilton stance.
Ashley raised one perfectly-shaped eyebrow and studied me with a smirk. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I said, still glaring at her while, inside, I shook with fear and anticipation, waiting for Ashley's next move.
Ashley simply glanced at her friends who all let out little girly giggles. She turned back to me and advanced, her heels clicking against the floor.
I tensed, wondering what she was going to do.
Stopping so that our faces were about two inches from each other, Ashley glanced over my shoulder at where my friends all stood before looking back at me, eyes flashing.
"Remember Year Ten, Amber. This year, you might not be so lucky. This year, it might be your leg that is broken," Ashley snarled. "You just watch yourself."
She then gestured for her 'friends' to follow her and headed out of the school, her clones in tow. Veronica shot me a dirty look as she passed, brushing past me roughly.
I let out a deep breath when they were gone.
"Amber, you know not to insult Ashley. You'll regret it," Georgia said.
I sighed. "Someone had to."
* * *
"Amber's got nits! Amber's got nits! Amber's got nits!"
"I do not! Stop lying! I don't have nits!" Amber's bottom lip began to tremble as she glared up at the boys standing before her, her eyes filling with tears.
"Awww. Is poor, itty-bitty baby Amber crying?" Trent Gardener said in a baby voice, earning a laugh from his friends.
"No, I'm not crying!" Amber protested even though hot, wet tears were splashing down her cheeks.
Suddenly, Darcy West darted forward, snatching Amber's broad-brimmed hat from her head and messing up her pigtails. He threw it to Luke Prowl, calling, "Think quick! Nits!"
Laughing, Luke threw the hat to Trent and he threw it to Luke. Sobbing, Amber jumped in the air, attempting to grab the hat as they threw it around.
After a few minutes of futile attempts at getting her hat back, Amber sank to the ground, her face in her hands and her shoulders trembling with emotion. She heard running footsteps approaching and she raised her tear-stained face to see Tristan skidding to a stop in front of her, glaring at the bullies.
"You leave her alone, losers," Tristan snapped, his arms crossed protectively as he stood in between Amber and the boys.
"Oooh, Amber, is this your boyfriend?" Darcy teased, laughing.
"Leave her alone," Tristan repeated, his eye flashing.
"Hey, I know you," Trent suddenly said. "You're that pussy that hangs out with all the girls. Do you like their tea parties, huh?"
The bullies laughed.
"Come on, guys, let's get out of here before this girl beats us up," Luke said, in a fake scared voice as he gestured toward Tristan. "I'm shaking in my boots!"
Laughing, the boys began to walk off. Trent turned around and threw Amber's hat in the dirt, stomping on it before disappearing around the bend with his mates.
Amber staggered to her feet and fell into Tristan's arms, sobbing. Tristan wrapped his arms around her shaking shoulders.
"Don't worry, Amber. They're gone now." Even though his words were calm and comforting, Tristan's eyes conveyed a great degree of uncertainness and he looked unsure as he patted Amber's back.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I swept my hair into a ponytail and pouted at my reflection. Shaking my head, I pulled the hair tie out of my hair and let my locks fall gently around my shoulders. I bit my lip as I pulled my hair into two ponytails before pulling them out again.
Oh Christ, I can't even make up my mind about my hair style? I thought, exasperated as I threw the hair ties onto my dresser.
I had spent enough time picking my current outfit – a white shirt underneath a stylish black vest, jeans and boots – and now I didn't have any more time to waste on my hair. I had to get my make-up done before Georgia and Harry arrived to pick me up, which would be in about ten minutes.
As I was stressing over my different shades of eye shadow, I heard my bedroom door open and close again. I turned to see Tristan walking over to his bed dressed in a black three-quarter sleeved button-up shirt and dark jeans.
"Why are you so dressed up?" I asked, frowning.
Tristan raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm dressed up?" He looked me up and down and smirked.
"Well, usually you're just wearing an old T-shirt by this time at night," I said, shrugging.
Tristan laughed. "Glad to know you're so informed about my outfits."
I rolled my eyes. "I simply make observations," I said, deciding not to wear eye shadow at all and instead picking up my eyeliner.
"It just so happens I am going out," Tristan said.
"Is that so?" I muttered, trying not to move as I applied eyeliner to my bottom lid. I had learned from past experience to avoid poking myself in the eye with an eyeliner pencil at all costs. It hurt like hell.
"Yeah. One of my mates from the basketball team invited me to James Matherson's party tonight," Tristan explained.
I frowned. Where had I heard that name before? Then my heart stopped. I turned slowly to face Tristan, setting my eyeliner pencil on my dresser.
"James Matherson as in 28 Harvard Street?" I asked quietly.
Tristan frowned with thought for a moment before nodding. "Yep, that's it." He glanced at me and smirked. "You look like you have a black eye."
"That's only because I haven't done the other eye yet, stupid," I snapped, snatching up the eyeliner and returning to my beauty routine.
This is going to stuff up my night, I thought to myself. With Tristan at the party it's going to be totally weird with Lucas.
Why should it be? asked a voice in my head. It's not like you and Tristan have anything more than friendship, right?
I thought for a moment. "Yeah… Just because he's going to be there doesn't mean I have to let it ruin my night."
"Let what ruin your night?" Tristan asked, turning to me with a frown.
Oh crap, I said that out loud.
I jumped, sending the eyeliner straight into my eye. Howling with pain, I held a hand over my eyes and stumbled around, trying to find a tissue while trying to ignore Tristan's laughter.
After dabbing away at the moisture underneath my eye, I returned to the mirror to find that my waterproof eyeliner had done the trick. Good, I wouldn't have to go through that again.
"So, let what ruin your night?" Tristan asked after recovering from his fit of laughter.
"You being at the party," I said without thinking first.
"Wait… Are you going to James's party?"
I nodded slowly, turning to face him.
"Great!" Tristan grinned. "I can catch a ride with you and your friends so I can drink tonight." Before I could protest, there was a knock at the door and he cried, "I'll get it; it's probably our ride." He bounded out of the room.
I groaned and quickly put on some mascara before hurrying downstairs after him. I walked outside to see Tristan climbing into Harry's car. Georgia looked confused but Harry looked simply ecstatic that Tristan was now sitting in his backseat.
This is going to be a long drive, I thought darkly as I walked over to the car.
* * *
As soon as we arrived at James's house, I leapt out of the car, eager to be out of the presence of Tristan. I waited for Georgia and Harry before quickly striding off toward the house but, of course, Tristan just had to catch up with us and throw an arm around my shoulders.
"I'm so happy we're such good friends, Amber. Just think, if you hated me, you would have just had the intention of leaving me by myself at the car and going to the party wi
thout me!" Tristan faked a laugh. "Imagine that, Ambs, imagine that."
I shrugged Tristan's arm off me and snapped, "Don't ever call me 'Ambs' again."
"I think it's cute," Harry said quickly, staring at Tristan.
"See Amber? Harry likes it, why can't you?" Tristan said brightly.
I glared at him, warning him silently that if he ever took Tristan's side over mine again I would never speak to him again.
"Alright, well here we are," Georgia said, dragging me out of my brooding session. "Happy faces, Amber, he's going to be here."
I instantly brightened at the idea of escaping Tristan with Lucas and charged forward into the party in front of my friends, looking around for Lucas.
"Who's 'he'?" Tristan asked curiously, following Harry, Georgia and I through the packed rooms until we came to a stop in the lounge room.
"Don't you have somewhere to go? Friends to meet… as hard as it may be to believe you have any," I said, frustrated.
"Oh, I love you too Ambs," Tristan said happily. "So who is this guy?" He turned to Harry, knowing he was the only one who would give in to him.
"Oh, they're talking about Lucas Thorn from Wilson's Private," Harry instantly rattled off. "He's the one that invited us here. Amber and he went out for a coffee the other day and Amber really likes him."
"Thanks Harry," I muttered, waiting for Tristan's inevitable comment.
It didn't come.
Confused at Tristan's lack of wit, I turned to see him frowning and staring into space. What the heck was with him? I sighed.
What do I care? I'm here to have fun and that's just what I'll do, I thought, turning away from Tristan and scanning the crowded room for Lucas.
"Oh, Amber, is that him?" Georgia asked excitedly.
I whirled around but my excitement faltered as I saw the unfamiliar guy Georgia was pointing to.
"No," I said, but then I brightened. "But that is."
Lucas was making his way over to us, grinning widely. I heard Georgia gasp as she caught sight of him and couldn't help but smile.
"Hey," Lucas said, stopping in front of us.
"Who are you?" Tristan demanded before I could get a word out.
I turned and glared at him.
"I'm Lucas… who are you?" Lucas asked, frowning.
"Tristan," Tristan said shortly, his expression darkening. "So you're the guy who took Amber out?"
"How do you know –?"
I cut across Lucas before Tristan could stuff up the night any more than he had already done. "Lucas," I said loudly, touching his arm to get his attention, "this is Georgia and Harry."
Lucas smiled at them. "Nice to meet you," he said before turning back to me. "Um… Would you like to dance?"
I grinned. "Ye –"
"Actually," Tristan interrupted loudly, grabbing my arm, "Amber and I were just about to get a drink, weren't we?" He made to pull me away.
"No, we weren't," I said firmly, throwing his hand off my arm and turning back to Lucas. "Yes, Lucas, I would love to dance with you."
Lucas frowned in confusion for a moment before smiling and leading me away from Georgia, Harry and Tristan – thank God. I smiled at the grinning Georgia and Harry before shooting a filthy look at Tristan as we walked off.
What the hell was making him act so strangely? Even if he wanted to embarrass me in front of the guy I liked, surely he could wait for another time. What was wrong with him?
Lucas and I came to a stop and I forgot about Tristan as I stared up into his endless brown eyes and started to dance. We talked and joked as we danced for so long that I lost track of the time.
Suddenly, Lucas seemed to become slightly embarrassed as he moved closer toward me. I felt my breath catch as I stared up at him… his eyes… his smile… everything about him was so breath-taking.
"Amber?" Lucas asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Would you… Would you mind if I kissed you right now?" Lucas asked nervously.
I pretended to think for a moment before a grin crept onto my lips. "Not at all," I said.
Smiling, Lucas raised a hand to cup my chin as his lips moved down toward mine…
"Oh God, I'm so sorry!"
My eyes flicked open at the familiar voice. Lucas had drawn away from me and was now staring down at his white shirt, which was now drenched with alcohol. Tristan was standing in front of him with an empty cup in his hand and a 'horrified' look on his face. Horrified here meaning he was faking a grimace of apology while his eyes glinted with humour.
"Tristan, what the hell is your problem?" I shouted angrily.
"It's OK, Amber, really. It's just a bit of Bourbon," Lucas said, smiling reassuringly. "I'm fine."
"Hey, I'm really sorry, man," Tristan said. "I don't know how I got so clumsy."
"It's OK, really," Lucas said.
"Well, if you're sure…" Tristan glanced at me before walking off.
I glared after him. Oh, if that boy thought that was all that was coming to him, he was so wrong.
* * *
I sat on my bedspread later that night, staring out my window and waiting for Tristan to come in from the bathroom. My parents were out and Veronica was sleeping over a friend's place so my 'discussion' with Tristan wouldn't wake anyone up.
I heard footsteps approaching my bedroom door and took a deep breath, trying to calm my anger.
Remember, you're not going to yell at him. The doorknob twisted. You're too good to sink to that level. The door began to open. You're going to keep a calm, cool and collected head while you talk to him about what he did tonight. Tristan stepped into the room. Talk to him…
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!"
So much for my calm, cool and collected plan, huh? But who can blame me? The guy had ruined my perfect night!
Tristan simply shot me a look before striding over to his bed and sitting down on the edge, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
"It's going to be a long night, isn't it?" he sighed, scratching his ear.
I glared at him, my temper rising at his calmness. "What do you think, Tristan? You ruined my entire night!" I shouted.
Tristan snorted. "What, your night with that fag? Trust me; I'm doing you a favour. When that guy comes out of the closet you're going to be thanking me."
"You're unbelievable!" I exclaimed, leaping to my feet. "Why can't you just leave me and my life alone? Why do you have to get involved all the time and screw things up?"
Tristan rose to his feet also. "Maybe if you stopped setting yourself up with losers then I would leave you alone!"
"Oh, so this is my fault? It's my fault that you always try to ruin my happiness?"
Tristan rolled his eyes. "Oh, stop being so dramatic. So what if I spilt a tiny bit of drink over your friend?"
"He's not just my friend Tristan, he's my boyfriend! And you just ruined my first kiss!" I cried.
Tristan frowned. "I thought I'd already taken your first kiss," he said.
"Exactly, you took it. Which means it doesn't count! Besides, that's another example. Lucas could have given me my first kiss if you hadn't mauled me!"
"I didn't hear you complaining when you were kissing me back," Tristan said darkly, snatching up his pillow and making to storm from the room.
"Where are you going?" I snapped.
"I'm sleeping in the lounge room," Tristan replied shortly before walking out into the hallway and slamming the door forcefully behind him.
With a cry of frustration, I threw up my hands and slumped down into my bed. Suddenly, a wave of emotion washed over me and tears sprung to my eyes.
I hated fights, even if I was in the right. Besides, I never really wanted to fight with Tristan. We always had fun when we were getting along.
I sighed, rolling onto my side and welcoming the neutral folds of a deep sleep where I wouldn't have to worry about Tristan.
CHAPTER TWELVE
"OK, so there I was, waiting for you and Lucas to finish your love fest �
�� and I'm not complaining, mind you – when the hottest guy in the world comes up to me and asks me to dance!"
I smiled distractedly as Georgia rattled off her tale about Zach Opal for the hundredth time. I had been the first to hear this story, being the first to arrive at school and then I had to witness it over and over again as different members of our group joined us.
My insides twisted as Tristan walked past with a group of friends. He glanced over, caught my eye and looked away again quickly. Sighing, my gaze was drawn to one of the blondes following Tristan. This particular blonde happened to be the oh-so-dreaded Ashley and she had wrapped her arm around Tristan's and was glaring at me.
I simply screwed up my face and stuck my tongue out at her before returning to Georgia's conversation with the 'awe-struck' Jade. Well, OK, Jade was actually following a fly with her eyes and was more awe-struck with that than with Georgia's tale, but I could tell Georgia didn't care anyway. As long as she got to talk about Zach more, she was fine.
I admit that Zach sounds like a really nice guy and that it's great that they hooked up and exchanged phone numbers and stuff. But that feeling kind of wears off after you've heard her describe it intently over and over again.
Suddenly, I saw Haylee come barreling towards us from the school. I silently willed her to turn around and sprint in the opposite direction so that Georgia – whose eyes had lit up at the sight of another potential listener – wouldn't start her story again.
"Hey guys," Haylee panted, skidding to a halt in front of us.
"Hey Haylee, you'll never guess what happened to me the other night," Georgia began.
"Not now, Georgia," Haylee interrupted before saying, "I have excellent news for you guys."
"What is it?" Jade asked, looking away from her insect friend to gaze at her sister curiously.
"There's a basketball game this afternoon after school!" Haylee cried.
No one spoke.
"Er… so?" I said, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"There's heaps of basketball games during the term, Hay. Why is this one so special?" Harry asked.
Haylee rolled her eyes. "Uh, only because Wilson's Private are coming to play against our boys!" she exclaimed.
