“What kind of celebration?” I ask as we make our way to my locker to meet everyone.
“The party kind. At Rick’s house. He’s a senior on the basketball team. We’re celebrating our win tonight.”
I say hi to the guys as I exchange my books and stuff my gym bag into my locker. “Is everyone going?” I ask, closing my locker, turning to face them.
“Yup, they are, Sunshine. You’ll come with us, right? You gotta celebrate our victory too,” Seb says, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I look at the rest of the guys. “Um, I haven’t gone to a party before.”
“You don’t have to go, Summer,” E assures me. “No pressure.” He raises a brow at Seb.
Going to a party is a normal high school experience, though.Bravery Summer.With all the guys there, it should be all right. “Uh…how crowded will it be?”
“Some areas will have crowds, but it’s a big place. Lots of people will be outside too,” Bay says.
“We will keep an eye out for you, as we did at the tournament, if you would like to attend Summer,” Alex offers.
“Okay,” I nod. “I’ll try it. Will someone be able to take me home if I need to leave? Or are you all going to be drinking?”
“Alex and I won’t be drinking, so we can take you home at any point if you need to leave,” Bay responds. Looks like I’m going to my first party tonight, if Zander approves. Excitement and nerves war within.
As Zander and I are eating dinner that evening, I bring up the party. “So the guys are going to a party tonight to celebrate the basketball team. Would it be okay if I went with them?”
“All of them are going, including Nick?” He asks. I’m guessing he wants the MMA fighter with me. I tell him they’re all going, and he blows out a big breath. “Okay. I trust you, and I trust the guys to take care of you. Be home by midnight, please.”
“Sure,” I agree. After dinner, I decide to look in my closet. I don’t know what I’m supposed to wear to one of these things. Freaking out a bit, I call Gabby.
“Hey Summer,” she greets. She’s quick to answer. I don’t think there was a full ring there.
“Hi Gabby. I need some help.” I explain my predicament with my clothes, being new to the party scene. She tells me it’ll be a mixed crowd tonight. The rich girls will doll themselves up in skimpy dresses, while others will wear slightly nicer clothes than they wear to school. Something cute but comfortable. That helps, but I still don’t know what to wear.
“Put me on video and show me your clothes,” she offers. I do just that. She picks out a pair of jeans and a fitted Henley, a belt, and my leather jacket. “Hair and makeup?” Gabby asks.
“I’ve never really worn makeup,” I shrug. “I was planning to put my hair up in a ponytail.”
“Oh, can I do your hair and makeup? Please?” She seems really excited about it. Gabby must be into cosmetology and fashion.She’s been so nice, and I could use all the help I can get, so I agree. “I’ll send Seb to get you right now. I’m so happy!”
I chuckle. “Okay, see you soon, Gabby.” I let Zander know Seb is coming to pick me up so Gabby can do my hair, then quickly change into my party clothes.
When Seb arrives, Zander makes him promise to look out for me and tells him to turn his phone on vibrate in case it’s too loud to hear at the party. We’re on the road quickly after that.
“You look hot, Sunshine,” Seb tells me when we get in the Jeep. I blush, but give him a smile. He asks to see my driver’s permit, complaining my picture looks good, and it’s not fair.
Gabby drags me straight to her room when we get there, and I wave at Troy on the couch as I pass him. She’s got a small vanity in her room beside the window she tells me to sit at. There’s a ton of makeup and hair stuff lined up on top. Taking a deep breath, I watch Gabby in the mirror as she touches my head. It’s stressful at first, but I refrain from flinching, and it gets easier as the minutes go by. Easier, but still uncomfortable. “Have you thought of getting a trim? You have dry ends, Summer,” she tells me.
“Not really, but I probably need a haircut,” I admit. My hair reaches my waist.
“I can do that right now for you.”
Oh wow. That’s unexpected. This would be my first haircut since…before. “No offense, but do you have experience?” I ask her.
She laughs at me. “Of course, I wouldn’t offer otherwise. I cut my hair, and I cut Nick and Seb’s hair, too.”
“Wow. Well, okay then.”
“How much do you want to cut off?”
“I’ve always worn it long, so cut the unhealthy parts off. Maybe around the bottom of my shoulder blades when dry.”
