Tangled Love
CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 51

"Wow girl, you really do work miracles." I murmur in Ivory's direction, inspecting myself in the mirror. Myhair is curled in soft bouncy waves, resting on my shoulders. Ivory applied my makeup perfectly, a darksmokey eye to compliment my brown eyes finished off with a pink nude lip. I have on a thin diamantéchoker and some simple stud earrings.

She persuaded me to wear tight a white fitted halter-neck top that exposes my arms but covers mystomach. Underneath I wear simple black high waisted jeans and finish my look off with some wedges.

I'm definitely not a heels kind of girl.

After spraying myself with a few spritz of perfume, I'm finally ready. Excitement settles inside me andthe drama I had this morning with Jake is beginning to be pushed to the back of my mind. I'm so readyto let loose and have a good time.

"Thank you for everything you've done Ivory, you're an awesome friend." I tell her truthfully. Ivory wavesher hand around modestly before replying —

"Don't thank me. You're an awesome friend too." she smiles and I leaned in to hug her tightly. Her softscent lingers around her and I step back, impressed.

"You smell good."

"It's my new perfume, its magic in a bottle. It's like a human magnet, I attract both guys and girls." Shegiggles, her face the definition of carefree.

I laugh along with her and we hold hands tightly before walking out the door. I can hear a few peoplealready laughing and chatting downstairs, indicating the party has well and truly started.

"You look amazing by the way," I compliment her. She's dressed in a baby blue crop top and denimjeans, the colour contrasting perfectly against her hair. She wears little makeup beside from some

mascara and lipgloss. Her look is always laid back but she rocks it.

"So do you! Lets forget about Jake and have the best time." Ivory responds and I nod my head,agreeing with her.

The party is now in full swing.

Ivory is bouncing from person to person, laughing and giggling. It seemed like she knows every singleteenager in town. Everyone is in good spirits, music bouncing off the walls. After speaking to a fewfriends, I decide to take a break and sit at the far end of the room. I didn't feel like socialising much, Isimply wasn't in the mood.

My eyes scan the crowd and I know I'm looking for one specific person, Jake. I miss him. My heartstops for a moment as I catch a glimpse of dark hair from opposite the room. He walks in with a few ofhis friends, all of them dressed amazingly. My eyes immediately land on Jake.

He's wearing a plain white shirt underneath a denim button down that he'd left open. The material clungto his toned torso and arms perfectly. My eyes drifted down, roaming his body. He wore dark jeans andan expensive looking watch sat on his wrist. His hair is messy but styled, exactly how I like it.

Urgh, he looks amazing.

Why did the boy have to be so. damn. fine?

Girls watched them move hungrily, giggling behind their hands. Most of them bat their long eyelashesat them, trying to dig their claws in as soon as possible. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at them. I leanback and watch Jake, studying the way he moves. He always appears so cool and laid back, full ofconfidence. Without meaning to, he owns the room.

He's scanning the crowd, looking for someone in particular. Could it be me? I stop breathing as hisgaze falls on me and our eyes lock together. His expression appears apologetic for a few secondsbefore one of his friends speaks to him and he tears his eyes away from me.

I also look away, ignoring the pain that stabs through my chest. I didn't want to be at this silly partyanymore but I'm here for Ivory, no-one else. I silently wish Trish was here to liven things up for me,she's always the heart and soul of every party.

A guy from college sits down next to me, exhaling deeply as he drops himself down.

"Hey Emily," he smiles, running a hand over his messy blonde hair. I give him a sheepish wave and asmall smile in response.

"Hey Mike, are you enjoying the party?"

"It's just like every other one, you know? Only thing different is you. I've never seen you at one of thesebefore." Mike smiles, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"I don't normally party, believe it or not. This is my second one."

"Really? You totally look like a party girl." Mike smirks and I tilt my head at him, smiling. Is he flirtingwith me?

"Not that there's anything wrong with that! I mean —" Mike stutters, noticing me looking at him intently. Igiggle at him, shaking my head.

"Mike, its fine. I know what you mean." I re-assure him, a small smile on my lips. A slight blush coveredhis cheeks and he signals at my cup, changing the subject.

"Want another drink?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I'll be two minutes, don't go anywhere," he grins before disappearing into the crowds. I'm not going toaccept the drink from him, I know how silly it is to take a drink from a potential stranger. I simply acceptbecause I don't want to be rude. I close my eyes and lean back, probably looking like the least sociableperson in the room.

"Emily! Come dance with me," Ivory pouts unhappily, tugging on my hand. I give her a small smile thatdoesn't quite reach my eyes.

"Yeah, sure," I mumble, allowing Ivory to drag me up off the couch. She clutches my hand tightly as weweave through the crowd and into the centre of the room. Someone turns the music up higher until thebeats are bouncing off the walls, vibrating through the floor.

"Jake is watching you," Ivory grins, leaning close to my ear so I can hear her. My eyes widen and I feelmy stomach tighten in knots.

"He is?"

Ivory nods, her auburn hair flying around her shoulders. "Show him what he's missing.”