Healing my Heart: Book 2 - My Heart Series

by Michelle, Aleya

  Chapter 11

  Jemma’s Birthday

  I can’t help but wonder to myself if Dylan has noticed the distance I’m keeping from him. I’ve even gone as far as lying about anything and everything to avoid sex.

  I just can’t get Kade out of my head, not since our heated moment at the club. Damn if the guy can get me that hot from a little touch. It’s showing me the love and passion I still have for him.

  After a long busy week at work, it’s finally Friday night. We order pizza and watch Fast & the Furious just relaxing on the lounge. Dylan being his smothering self has his arms firmly around me.

  I am secretly admiring the sight of Vin Diesel, he is one hot dude!

  Jemma is staying at Dan’s as per usual and picking me up for shopping in the morning. I head quietly into bed just before the end of the movie to ensure I’m snoring soundly before Dylan comes in, success as I don’t even hear him climb into the bed.

  I wake still feeling sleepy and roll over spreading out in my bed enjoying the extra room. But wait, it’s only three am according to my flashing alarm clock.

  Dylan did stay over, so where is he?

  My guess is in the bathroom? I creep out as my curiosity gets the better of me. Nope he’s not in bathroom.

  Hmm he’s not here, it’s the middle of the night where the hell is he?

  I sit on the lounge for the next ten minutes wondering where he’s gone, when I hear the front door creak open. I see Dylan creep in the doorway.

  “Where have you been?” I demand angrily.

  His head jerks backwards as he jumps. “Shit you scared the crap outta me Roxy! I heard noises so I went to check them out, he replies with a ‘where do you think I was’ kind of look.

  “Oh god really? Must be the burglar Mrs. Quinten mentioned,” I answer him shocked and now a little frightened with the thought of a creeper around the apartment.

  “Did you see anything?” I ask him eager to know the details.

  “No nothing, they must have taken off. It was definitely a loud noise though,” he informs me.

  “Shit, I think maybe we should get the police involved. I’ll go see Mrs. Quinten in the morning and the other tenants that live here and see if they heard or saw anything,” I say anxiously.

  Dylan pulls me in for an embrace obviously noticing my scared reaction. “It’s okay Roxy I am here. I will protect you and beat the crap outta anyone who tries anything baby, I promise,” he tells me sincerely and kisses my forehead.

  It does make me feel safe and protected. Damn it now I feel guilty about my feelings. Fuck. If he could just stay this way each day and not have those wacky mood swings I might just keep him around.

  I wake feeling toasty warm from the glorious sun shining through my blinds. Thank god it’s Saturday.

  After a much needed and leisurely sleep in I enjoy a casual brekkie of Orange Juice and vegemite on toast. Dylan has already left for work so the house is nice and quiet.

  I take a minute to recall what happened with the noise last night, still worried about the possibility of a burglar roaming around. Now I’m a little bit on edge.

  Thirty minutes later I shower and dress in capris and a V-neck top, black cardigan and my black thongs, nice and casual.

  “Yo bitch, I’m home,” Jemma’s sweet and not so innocent voice comes from the front door as she unlocks it and enters.

  “Hi hunny,” I call out to her. “Just let me grab my bag and put my shoes on girlfriend and we can go”

  I lock up the apartment, and climb into Jemma’s sporty hatchback as we drive to the mall to buy the last minute items for her Seventies fancy dress party. Tonight is the night finally. I swear if I have to listen to Jemma’s daily countdowns any longer I may be institutionalised.

  I fill her in on the noises Dylan heard last night and we both decide to chat to the others in the building when we get home, safety in numbers right.

  “I’m so freaking excited Roxy. You know how much I love parties, especially with the focus on me and costume parties are so much more fun!” Jemma squeals as we head into the fancy dress shop to pick up our fabulous outfits.

  “Dancing and drinks with all my favourite peeps. This will be a birthday to remember, what more could a girl like me ask for?” she adds squeezing my shoulders tightly with her fingers.

  I really admire all the qualities in my best friend, she is gorgeous without a doubt, but her friendly personality and bubbly nature is what makes her sensational. It is contagious.

  We walk enthusiastically through the doors of Dazzling Fancy Dress and are greeted by a young blonde employee with a wide smile.

  “Good morning ladies, how can I help you?” the young blonde asks us with her cheerful grin and joyous demeanour.

  “Hi there, we are picking up costumes for Jemma Donovan and Roxy Thorne,” Jemma announces to her and from the pitch in her voice I can tell she is just itching to see her outfit again.

  Nodding her head and grinning showing us her pearly white teeth the blonde who’s name tag reads Rosie answers Jemma, “Sure ladies give me a sec and I’ll grab your outfits from the back,” And off she goes bouncing through a well-lit hallway.

  I find myself gazing around the bright and colourful store, taking in the amazing costumes from witches to angels, clowns and even a Michael Jackson dress ups.

  My mind wanders when I see the Hawaiian shirts and leis, fake palm trees and blow up surfboards. Taking my thoughts ironically back to Kade and our intense moment at the club. That fresh saltiness of his aroma, the sparks his touch ignited in every ounce of me…

  Then my thoughts are brought back to reality and to Dylan Mr Schizophrenia himself.

  “Do you think they have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide costume for Dylan?” I joke playfully to Jemma and I watch as her smile beams and she breaks into a hysterical laughter.

  “That is brilliant Roxanne. That sums him up alright, let’s ask the girl,” she replies sarcastically and winks at me.

  Rosie walks out holding four large black bags all on hangers, obviously our costumes.

  “Okay here are the two for Jemma Donovan, we have Sandy and Danny from Grease,” she tells us as she places them on the glass counter next to the cash register.

  “They are mine, show me show me. I can’t wait to put this on again.” Jemma answers her gleefully and it makes me smile, knowing how happy Jemma is about being able to be in character for the night.

  Jemma pulls out the black satin pants, black off the shoulder top and belt to match, then the red heels while smiling like a little kid.

  “If you could just check the sizing is right and all items are in there I’ll get you to sign for them,”

  Rosie tells us informatively.

  “These two must be yours,” she says looking in my direction as she hands me the outfits.

  “Yes, thank you,” I say as I unzip them and check it is correct and as ordered.

  I do love the bright array of colours in my hippie dress. It’s pink with purple and green flowers of all different shapes and sizes. Then I see the yellow knee high boots again.

  “Okay Jem, now I’m excited. Look at these funky god damn boots!” I squeal to her and do a little hip wiggle.

  We sign the forms and head out to the car smiling and eager for the night’s events to start, after one more stop to pick up some more mirror balls and two lava lamps we head to the club to decorate.

  I’m hoping the night is a success but I’m also feeling a little apprehensive with my stomach doing backflips. I’m just waiting for the next stunt Mr. Unpredictable is going to pull.

  Jemma’s wealthy parents have hired out the spacious function room at North Sydney Leagues Club for her party, this is their gift to her and she is beyond thrilled about their present. With a thousand dollars of alcohol on the bar and all food catered for.

  Jemma has been spoilt over the years. She has her fair share of name brand clothes, nice bags, jewellery - you name it, so a tangible present makes better sense
.

  We arrive promptly at the club at two pm like the event co-ordinator requested with the awesome decorations and centrepieces Jemma let me use my imagination and choose. The room is so spacious and modern looking with around ten round tables and chairs that surround the dance floor in the middle.

  The long rectangular table is positioned against the side wall and will be for the caterers to put the food and cutlery.

  “I will start decorating with the tablecloths Jem. I’ll get that out of the way first okay,” I tell her and get to work as I’m planning to make this as stress free for her as possible.

  Pink, blue, green, and purple are the colours of choice with of course black and they certainly brighten the place up that’s for sure. I alternate with the coloured tablecloths, showing the seventies vibe of the more colour the better.

  I carefully pull the shiny glass flutes out of the box for each table centrepiece. I fill them with multi-coloured tissue paper and silver tinsel and finish them off with a silver mirror ball to the top as a feature.

  Looks awesome so far.

  “Roxy what in the hell would I do without you girlfriend?” Jem asks rhetorically and kisses my cheek while admiring the tables so far.

  An older looking black haired lady in a skirt suit comes over to where I am busily working.

  “Lovely to see you again Jemma. Come into my office and we will take care of the paperwork,” she tells her and proceeds to lead her through a navy blue door.

  I smile at her and give her the nod. “I’ll have all this done before you know it.”

  My main job is to finish the tables and make the room come to life for her special night, and challenge accepted. Oh I do love a good challenge…

  Onto each circular table I sprinkle a bright pattern of glittered confetti and arrange four more mirror balls evenly around the centrepiece. Lastly I finish off the tables with black napkins that I folded into fans the night before, and each place setting has a little jar of bubbles for later on.

  The rectangular catering table is my next project where I have already placed a large shiny purple tablecloth on it. To liven up the blank wall I stick a bright orange disco poster behind it.

  The larger circle table is for the cake and desserts that the caterers will be bringing. God I hope the cake looks the way it did in the book.

  I remove the lustrous large glass bowls I brought and place them on the table. I will be using them to display marshmallows, liquorice of all sorts and other lollies. I arrange two on either side of the cake display I made earlier in the week by embellishing a cardboard shoe box in hot pink cellophane paper for that shimmery look.

  Using my tape again I stick up the numerous posters of seventies pictures for the backdrop of the walls, making sure the word DISCO is in the middle.

  I secretly had a banner made that says JEMMA’S DISCO PARTY, so I tape it up on the blank wall.

  “Delivery order for a Miss Thorne,” I hear a young male voice state from behind me.

  I turn to see the most beautiful clusters of balloons. I had them ordered perfect to match the bright colours and seventies theme.

  “Oh they are just perfect,” I tell the delivery man as I take the six clusters from him. Two are groups of ten multi coloured balloons on weights to go on either side of the dance floor and the others I will have floating up to the ceiling and tied to the main table for an extra feature.

  “Thanks so much,” I tell him as he hands me the invoice, knowing it’s all been paid for I fold it up and tuck it away.

  “Enjoy your night,” he tells me smiling and heads out the door.

  “Right,” I say out loud and I busy myself to finish the balloons, feature tables and the rest of the decorations that need arranging. I’m hoping to surprise Jemma by the time she gets back.

  Thirty minutes later the masterpiece is almost complete.

  “Oh my god Roxy, are you trying to make me cry?” I hear Jemma’s voice coming up behind me. “You truly are amazing, this looks fucking fantastic,” she tells me as she crash tackles me into a bear hug.

  “Yay I am so glad you love it. Just wait till the DJ has the lights flashing, smoke machine, and strobe lights going, girlfriend. This will be the best seventies party the world has ever seen,” I tell her and I make a mental note to take photos for my graphic design portfolio before I leave.

  “Jemma how many do you think are coming?” I ask her to make sure the settings are right, as I know Jem has a lot of friends being the party girl that she is.

  “Like eighty last count with around five maybes,” she tells me.

  Jemma has worked in the local Veterinary clinic for four years, after completing her degree and has won three awards so far for Valuable Employee, mostly due to her bubbly and relaxed attitude. This girl makes friends everywhere she goes.

  “Our work here is done. Now for the outfits, let’s go home and work our magic,” I tell her as I collect the box and think of the hair and make-up we will need for our characters.

  The DJ is coming at six to set up. We have chosen mostly seventies music, obviously sticking to the theme. Gotta love doing things on the internet these days, clicking each song choice was supper easy.

  But of course we add our own nineties songs as it wouldn’t be a party without our modern dance and pop favourites mixed into the playlist.

  I busily set Jemma’s hair for her in tight rollers, of course going for the sandy from Grease look.

  Thank god mine just needs a few curls with my GHD hair straightener and hair spray. I mean what hippie has perfect hair?

  I hear my phone beep.

  I’ll be over in an hour beautiful, I love you.

  It’s from Dylan.

  Shit its four thirty, he’s cutting it pretty close as he still needs to put his costume on and we need to leave at six.

  Okay no later though as we need to leave x

  I text back to him.

  I take my dress off the hanger and lay it on the bed, admiring the brightness and beaming colours and patterns. Psychedelic, what a fun era it would have been to live in.

  I actually wanted to dress up as Carrie, complete with blood make-up and be all gory. But Jem wasn’t impressed. “Save it for Halloween,” she told me well actually ordered me.

  I spend time and fix my hair adding around ten curls on top and apply plenty of hair spray to make them last the night, and then I add the headband that is the same funky pattern as my dress.

  I do my make up with bright blue and silver shimmers on my lids, and dark liner and add my glue on fake lashes that enhance the length and style of them.

  I hear a knock at the door. I run to let Dylan in so I can get him dressed and ready and throw on my own dress.

  I open it to see him all dressed up in his dark jeans and coloured shirt, wondering why he went to the effort.

  “Hey gorgeous.” I am greeted by a handsome Dylan and those baby blue eyes. “You look nice, but you better go change. Your outfit is hanging on my door,” I say to him kissing his cheek.

  “I’m not dressing up Roxy,” Dylan tells me matter-of-factly.

  “Yes you are. I picked up your outfit earlier so go and change,” I state to him not letting him weasel his way out.

  “Dressing up is stupid and I’m not doing it,” he tells me just adding fuel to the fire.

  “Are you kidding me? My best friend is having a fancy dress party that you already have a costume for and you won’t fucking wear it?” I ask him trying to wrap my head around his negativity.

  “End of story. I’m not wearing the stupid costume!” he shouts.

  “Fine!” I shout back. “No point in you even coming then!” I yell angrily, so annoyed he is spoiling Jemma’s event for me.

  “If that is what you want then I won’t!” he yells and trudges out the front door slamming it behind him. I realise he didn’t even get past the lounge room this time without an episode.

  “Arrrrrhgghh!” I scream. I’m so fucking over his childish and pathetic b
ehaviour.

  “What the hell was that?” Jemma asks me as her and Dam come out of her room in their outfits.

  “Fucking Dylan who else!” I tell her angrily. “He’s not coming tonight,” I tell her trying not to dull her mood. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Oh Rox, all I care about is you sweetheart,” my beautiful BFF tells me hugging me tight.

  I’m in awe of how fantastic she looks. “You look amazing by the way Jem, or is it Sandy?”

  She is looking smoking hot in her black satin jumpsuit, red shoes and belt, cleavage pushed up in her top. Her hair looks perfect, bob style in blonde shorter curls.

  “Tell me about it stud,” she tells me just the way sandy says it in Grease.

  “Ha ha I love it, in character mode!” I answer her giggling. “I hope you are ready to get messy with your bestie tonight Jem, I plan on getting smashed! Let’s celebrate your birthday the best way we know how!” I tell her squealing so excited for tonight and now feeling like I don’t have to answer to anyone.

  “Oh my god Roxy the old you is back in town! I’m stealing the words of the best rock chick in the world. P!nk! “Let’s Get This Party Started!” Jem screams and slaps my butt heading towards the kitchen. I hear the fridge open and bottles clinking together.

  “Shit I gotta get my dress on,” I say as I realise I’m still in my dressing gown. I head into my room where I strip to my underwear and put on my very intense and bright, psychedelic hippie dress. It is extremely short so I have my black boy shorts underneath.

  Grabbing the yellow knee high boots that I am totally in love with I put them on and zip them up.

  Jemma walks in.

  “Damn Roxy, you look hot! Cheers to you smoking hot hippie chick,” Jemma says as she hands me a raspberry cruiser.

  “Cheers to you Jem, to my best friend always and forever,” I tell her as we clink drinks.

  “Can you fucking believe Dylan? I am so sick of his bullshit Jem. I gotta end it with him, but how?” I admit deeply to my rock I’ve known for what feels like forever.

  “Just tell him you can’t put up with his mood swings, he’s’ worse than a fucking hormonal female Rox, I swear,” she tells me and laughs.