"Your car smells like-"

"Sex?"

"That's a way to put it."

"What can I say... I'm a sex god."

"Sure... whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Well, I mean... sex does-"

"Okay, this conversation is over."

・・・

As Jullian parked, I looked ahead to see a good amount of cars around the cul-de-sac as well as people playing beer pong in the open garage of the only house with its lights on. 

Which one could only assume was the party house.

It was a little on the bigger size, not overbearing though. Jullian and I walked out of his partially beaten down truck, walking a few houses to get to the main house. When we got there a few girls gave glances, while the guys all just said hi to Jullian, which was no surprise.

I hated nearly everyone on earth, meaning I didn't socialize or want to be near people unless I genuinely liked them or in this case... was forced to be with them.

"Hey girl, you want to play?" Someone spoke up, making me turn around. I had assumed 'girl' was me, being that I'm the only one basically nobody knows.

"I'm good- thanks," I mutter, leaning against the garage wall.

"Suit yourself, Jullian?"

"No- you know I don't drink anymore," He says, waving him off as he heads towards me.

"Well well well, looks like you've become the party pooper," he jokes, Jullian giving him the finger, then turning to me.

"I'm gonna go inside and grab a water, care to join?" he asks, which I nod before following him through the hallway. It wasn't overly crowded like many cliche parties seem to be,  there were just a few people socializing here and there, some on their phones dreading this party just like me. 

When we reach the kitchen Jullian talks to the guy leaning against the fridge on his phone, who hands him two water bottles.

"Shouldn't he move since people are going to want drinks?" I whisper to Jullian who chuckles.

"He's hosting this, he doesn't want people putting stuff in the water, or anything for that matter," he says, which I respond with a quiet 'oh.'

"Hey babe and- Eleanor," Veronica says, walking up to us, "they're playing games downstairs, care to join?" she asks Jullian, giving me a side-eye.

"Um-" he mutters, looking to me, which I shrug, "I guess, come on Norie," he says, grabbing me gently by the arm as Veronica leads the way. When we finally reach the basement there's a circle of people, one of those people including Anthony, who's too distracted by his phone to notice the new players. "You two can just sit there," she says, pointing to an empty spot in the circle, directly across from him. "I'm staying out of this one," she sighs, standing to the side. "Okay everyone may I have your attention! We're going to be playing spin the bottle, quick kiss style," she smiles, which many of the people begin to mutter. "I'll pick who spins, then whoever it lands on they have to kiss!"

"This should be fun," I mutter, watching her place the bottle in the middle.

"Lauren- you can start," she says bittersweetly, which Lauren rolls her eyes, spinning the bottle. Everyone watches it carefully as it begins to slow down- finally landing on the boy dreadfully sitting a few people down from her.

"Aw how cute- you get to kiss your ex! Alex!" She laughs, pointing at them, "come on you two, share a quick kiss... maybe the past will reinvent itself."

"You little-"

"Lauren let's just get this over with," Alex interrupts her, which she glares at him, but does none-the-less. The room goes quiet for a second once they go back to their spots, Lauren darting lasers at Veronica.

"Well- let's continue!" 

・・・

"Eleanor, why don't you go?" She suggests, which I shrug, looking around.

"Um okay," I say grabbing the glass bottle, quickly spinning it, watching it go in circles, then slow down and land on the boy across from me.

"Anthony! Aw, how adorable, childhood best friends finally kiss!" She cheers, clasping her hands together, "too bad the third decided he was too good for you." she snickers, obviously enjoying this a little too much. The rest of the people begin to whisper as I remain in my spot, ignoring his gaze.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I mutter, which Veronica just smiles.

"Well I guess if you won't kiss him, I will," she shrugs, slowly making her way to Anthony, who just keeps his eyes focused on me. When she makes it behind Anthony she begins to lean towards him, grinning towards me the entire way. Anthony shakes his head and sighs... slowly turning his head towards Veronica and-

"Okay fine I'll do it," I sigh, making her grin more viciously than ever, like she'd just outsmarted Albert Einstein. I slowly make my way over to him, taking a deep breath before looking at him to see his eyes slowly set on my lips, which I stay intensely still. He begins looking up to me, which I start to look down at the floor, before I let out a quick breath of air, pulling his face quickly towards mine, catching him by surprise. Before he can react I press my lips against his, nearly automatically separating us afterwards. The group begins to cheer as I begin to look back at the ground, feeling Anthony's eyes burning into my skin.

"Well, that was quite steamy if you ask me," Veronica giggles as she takes the spot I had next to Jullian, who's staring directly at me, paying no attention to Veronica. I slowly lock my eyes to his, seeing the tinge of hurt that I caused, making me look back down, "Well that was a boring game, so let's play another one," she says, placing her hand on Jullian's leg, who doesn't respond. "What about... 7 minutes?" she suggest which some of the boys cheer. "Okay then it's decided, let's begin."

・・・

As the 5th pair of people walk out with blushes evident on their face Veronica grabs the bottle, looking towards me, "My turn," she grins, spinning the bottle, which nearly all of the guys watch carefully, as it begins to slow down, landing right on Jullian. "Wow this is just luck... or I guess I should say it was meant to happen," she says mischievously, which some of the boys whistle at as she grabs Jullian by the arm, which he slowly stands up, ignoring my eyes. "7 minutes on the clock, this should be fun," she says, giving me a quick smile before closing the door to the empty room, the rest of the group going into mumbles.

I begin playing with my fingers, listening to the dreadful silence as people begin to talk about all the possibilities of what could be happening in that room. I don't know how long it's been but my eyes have been glued to the door for what has felt like hours. Eventually enough the alarm goes off, watching Veronica and Jullian walk out the closet, Jullian's eyes far from mine. They go to sit down and my eyes are still glued to the door, until my name continues to be called, taking me out of the spell I seem to be under. Why am I even upset? I think to myself, we're not together.

"Eleanor, I'm asking you a truth," Veronica says, snapping her fingers in my direction, which my eyes snap up. "Finally... as I was saying," she sighs, "Why did you and Jullian stop being best friends?" 

"I uh-" I mutter, looking to Jullian, who's eyes are looking down, his lips swollen from what could've been an hour before... I lost track of time. After my seconds of silence, he begins to look up causing his eyes locked to mine, my eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"Yeah get lost, freak."

"Just leave me alone Eleanor, okay?"

"I promise."

"Eleanor, are you going to answer?"

"Eleanor- oh my gosh Eleanor! Is there anyone in there?" Veronica stays louder, getting my attention again, "What's up with you? You need to answer the question so we can keep going, you're slowing the game down."

"I don't- I don't know," I say nearly inaudible, looking down, noticing Jullian's eyes widening as I feel a tear slip from my eye, which I quickly wipe it away, looking away from him. I start to look around.. seeing everyone's attention is on me, which I give a quick laugh, "Sorry everyone, it was a fun time playing... I should go, have a fun time," I say standing up and walking out of the basement, trying to keep my composure.

・・・

|| Anthony's POV ||

"Sorry everyone, it was a fun time playing... I should go, have a fun time," Elle says as she begins walking back to the basement stairs, walking up to the main party. I look to Jullian in disgust who's too ashamed or in a daze to look anyone in the eye.

I quickly stand up from the group, which Veronica gives me a look, "And where are you going?"

"To fix what you two did," I scoff, as Jullian looks up, "It's so stupid that she still cares for you," I say as I begin to walk out of the room, then turning around, "And to think... maybe Jullian Wilder has changed." 

"You know well why I did it, Anthony," Jullian glares as I begin to turn back around, quickly making me stop.

"Jealously seems to be something we both have in common, except it looks like you'd rather benefit yourself instead of someone you're supposed to care for," I say, finally walking out of the basement, into the main party. I look around to see barely anybody doing any large activity other than the group of drunks hitting on girls, which I'm sure Jullian will be joining soon. I take out my phone and pull out Elle's contact, quickly trying to get a hold of her.

Eleanor || Anthony

Where are you? I want to make sure you're okay.

I just want to be alone Andy, just leave me alone.

At least tell me you're fine

Fine? How can I be fine, you're all so stupid.

Leave me alone.

Did you at least get home okay?

Can't I get home if I don't have a car can I?

Where are you?

I just said leave me alone.

I let out an audible sigh before leaning against an empty wall, pulling up her contact and pressing call.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Hey it's Eleanor or most of you call me Elle, sorry I can't pick up right now. I'll call you back asap!

I press call again.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Hey it's Eleanor or most of you call me Elle, sorry I can't pick up right now. I'll call you back asap!

I press it again.

Ring. Ring. Click.

Stifled cries pick up on the other side of the line, nearly silent.

"Elle? Please just tell me where you are." 

"Just leave- leave me alone Anthony," She stutters, letting out a light sob.

"Elle please," I sigh, "Just tell me what kind of room you're in at least." I say, which she responds mumbling what sounds like 'no's'. I quickly walk to the nearest room, which I see is a restroom that has a line. "Have you seen a girl here- crying?" I ask to nobody in general but most of them just shrug.

"I dunno, maybe. Some chick darted upstairs when she left the basement, didn't see if she was crying though." Somebody speaks up, which I give a quick nod.

"Anthony please don't come, I just want to be alone," She cries, which I respond by giving a sigh.

"I know you're lying Elle, I'm coming to find you, whether you want me too or not."

"Just don't," she mumbles, hanging up the phone.

I give off another sigh before pocketing my phone and running up the stairs, checking nearly every room that I know of until I come to one that has small... finally nonsexual, sounds coming from the other side. The voice is inaudible but I can tell it was someone crying- Elle crying. "Elle?" I whisper, which she remains quiet. "Elle can I come in?" I ask, which there is still no response. I slowly reach for the handle, turning it to realize it's unlocked, and slowly push it open, seeing her huddled in a corner with her knees up to her chest.

"Leave me alone, Andy," she mutters, her head still faced towards the ground.

"Elle I'm not leaving you alone, you shouldn't be alone right now," I say and as I begin to sit beside her she remains quiet and motionless. I slowly put my arm around her which she responds by leaning her head on my shoulder, falling into a pit of cries. "I'm sorry Elle, it's all going to be okay... it'll all be okay." I whisper, which she remains quiet, starting the battle of silence.

••• Author's Note •••

ta-da? I'm probably going to post chapter 12 very soon because I don't want to forget what I have planned lol... I also want to thank @Kara_Hinton for helping me chose who Eleanor kisses! I was pretty stuck on deciding haha (:  

Thank you all for getting me RANKED and catch you in a bit! x

・originally published on July 30, 2017・updated on July 27, 2019・