Read Chapters

1.Help? Chapter 1- OllieRead it Now
2.Help? Chapter 2- AndyRead it Now
3.Help? Chapter 3- The PartySee below
4.Help? Chapter 4- HomeRead it Now
5.Help? Chapter 5- Trying to HideRead it Now
6.Help? Chapter 6 - Sunset LagoonRead it Now
7.Help? Chapter 7- What About you?Read it Now
8.Help? Chapter 8 -ConfessingRead it Now
9.Help? Chapter 9 - ConsequencesRead it Now
10.Help? Chapter 10-Will the Truth Set Me Free?Read it Now

Help? Chapter 3- The Party
 
I knocked on the door to Rachel’s house. Her mum answered. “Hello Casey, dear.” she said, “Go on up to Rachel’s room.” As I climbed the stairs, I pushed all the thought of what had happened at home to the back of my mind. Tonight was supposed to be fun, I needed to enjoy myself. I reached the second floor and knocked on Rachel’s door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Casey, you told me to be here at six. Guess what time it is?” Rachel rushed to the door and unlocked it.
“Shit! It’s six o’clock already. The party starts in a half an hour and I’m nowhere near ready.” she said as she ran into the bathroom to finish her make up. I sat down on her bed. Her room was immaculate; it’s always been that way since I have known her. I’ve always felt safe at Rachel’s house; her parents were always kind to me. I would come here when my parents were arguing, and I was always welcomed with open arms. I would confide in Rachel. We had no secrets between each other, I would tell her everything. Well….almost everything.
“Hun, would you get my black dress from the wardrobe please?” Rachel said as she poked her head out the door of the bathroom. I walked over to the wardrobe. I glanced quickly, through the vast amount of clothes that filled Rachel’s wardrobe to the brim. I pulled out a fitted a-line mini dress, which Rachel’s mother bought her for he sweet sixteenth birthday. I caressed the expensive material as I brought it to the bathroom. Thinking about my sweet sixteenth brought back tearful memories. It was the day my dad died. The fifteenth of April. My birthday.
“Casey, do you have my dress?” When I heard Rachel’s voice I quickly forgot the bad times and focused on the upcoming party. I handed the dress to Rachel. She pulled it on and grabbed her handbag.
“It’s time to party,” Rachel sang as she danced down the stairs. Her mother was waiting for us at the bottom.
“Have a nice time, be back at midnight. No Later” she said and gave us both a hug. We walked to the end of the street. A silver car pulled up beside us. The window opened.
“Hey guys, need a lift?” said Ollie looking as gorgeous as ever. We climbed into the car. As we drove through the town I could hear the faint sound of conversation as Jake, Ollie and Rachel chatted about normal everyday life. Rachel nudged me breaking me free from my daze.
“Ollie is looking at you,” she whispered in my ear. I looked in the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of Ollie’s hypnotising eyes. He was looking at me, I didn’t know how long he had been staring, but it felt very reassuring. His eyes were soft; it was as if he wanted to say something to me. The car stopped outside a busy house.
From inside the car all I could hear was the rhythmic thumping of the music. I opened the door and stepped out. When I turned around Ollie was standing there. I smiled at him and he answered my smile by taking my hand and leading me into the party. The thump of the music grew louder as we passed by the main party room. Ollie guided me to a quiet area of the house. We sat in a smaller living room where various groups of people were talking. The music was quieter in this room; this would give me my chance to talk to Ollie, to get to know him better.
“You look great,” said Ollie after a few minutes.
“Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself.”
“I was looking forward to seeing you again. I looked for you at your locker but you had left with Rachel before I got there.”
“Yeah….we take the bus home.” I said. There was an awkward moment of silence. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I wanted to ask Ollie what he wanted to tell me in the car, but I didn’t feel comfortable breaking the silence. We sat in the room without speaking for five full minutes. Then I finally acquired the confidence to ask him. I turned to face Ollie and before I could let a word leave my lips Ollie blurted out the question I’d wanted him to ask me. “Will you go out to dinner with my on Sunday night?”
I was so stunned by the question that the words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t say anything. Ollie was looking at me expectantly. I wanted to say yes, I wanted to shout it from the rafters but the words just wouldn’t come out. Ollie’s face fell.
“If you don’t like me it’s ok. I was just wondering. I mean I asked you beca---“
“Yes, I’d love to go to dinner” I shouted interrupting him mid sentence. The whole room turned to look at me. I covered my face with my hands and shook my head in embarrassment. I could hear Ollie snigger.
“That was so not funny,” I said turning to face Ollie, giving him a joke evil eye.
“No, not a bit funny,” said Ollie trying to suppress his laughter.
“If you want to laugh you can” I said starting to giggle.
Ollie broke out into full blown laughter. As we both laughed Rachel and Jake came into the room. Rachel grabbed me by the arm and pulled me out into the corridor. I strained to see Ollie inside the room with Jake, but Rachel wouldn’t let me stay focused.
“Listen, Jake wants to go out with me. He asked me to dinner on tomorrow. I can’t believe it. I like him sooooo much. Thank God we are going shopping, I need to buy a new outfit.” she said eagerly.
“Ollie asked me out too,” I said quietly not sure if Rachel heard me.
“We are going to La Ciocciara, it’s my fav-- Did you say Ollie asked you out! Ahhhh, I’m so excited for both of us.” Rachel squealed. She grabbed my hands and jumped up and down. I began to feel the excitement surging through my body. Rachel stopped and took a deep breath she needed to compose herself before we joined the guys again. We stepped into the room looking cool and collected. What the guys would never know was my stomach was in knots, but not from fear or nervousness, but from pure happiness.
“Let’s dance,” Ollie suggested. He quickly grabbed hold of my hand and led me to the main party room. The music had slowed down and everywhere I looked, couples were swaying slowly to the light soft music. Ollie put his arms around my waist. Nervously I reached up and put my arms around his neck. As we danced I could feel my heart beat in my chest. It was fast and slow and every time Ollie looked at me it skipped a beat. I never imagined being so happy. I felt so safe, so carefree in his arms, like nothing could ever hurt me. As the song changed I quickly glanced at my watch. It was midnight. I didn’t want to leave mum alone all night in case anything happened.
“Ollie? I need to find Rachel for a minute.” I said loud enough so he could hear me over the music. He let me go and I went in search of Rachel. I wanted so much to go back and stay wrapped in Ollie’s arms forever, but I knew I had to leave. I found Rachel in another room talking to Jake.
“Rach, it’s time to leave.”
“Sure hun, five more minutes.” she replied not looking away from Jake once.
“No, Rach, really I have to leave now.” I urged. She wasn’t paying attention to me anymore. I had only one choice. I walked around the house and found Ollie sitting in the hall.
“I was waiting for you, ready to dance.” He said standing up. I looked at him. He smiled.
“Sorry, but I promised my mum I’d be back soon, and Rachel doesn’t want to leave. So I was wondering if you could give me a ride home.” I asked.
In the car, we were silent. I glanced at him briefly to see if I could guess what he was thinking, but his expression was blank. As we arrived at my house, Ollie turned to me. I looked longingly into his eyes.
“See you tomorrow at school” he said. I stepped out of the car.
Review this Story >>>