Tangled Love

CHAPTER 51

"Wow girl, you really do work miracles." I murmur in Ivory's direction, inspecting myself in the mirror. My hair is curled in soft bouncy waves, resting on my shoulders. Ivory applied my makeup perfectly, a dark smokey eye to compliment my brown eyes finished off with a pink nude lip. I have on a thin diamanté choker and some simple stud earrings. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

She persuaded me to wear tight a white fitted halter-neck top that exposes my arms but covers my stomach. 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 and the drama I had this morning with Jake is beginning to be pushed to the back of my mind. I'm so ready to 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 waves her 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 soft scent 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." She giggles, 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 people already 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 denim jeans, 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 single teenager in town. Everyone is in good spirits, music bouncing off the walls. After speaking to a few friends, I decide to take a break and sit at the far end of the room. I didn't feel like socialising much, I simply 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 heart stops for a moment as I catch a glimpse of dark hair from opposite the room. He walks in with a few of his 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 clung to his toned torso and arms perfectly. My eyes drifted down, roaming his body. He wore dark jeans and an 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 eyelashes at them, trying to dig their claws in as soon as possible. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at them. I lean back and watch Jake, studying the way he moves. He always appears so cool and laid back, full of confidence. 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 his gaze falls on me and our eyes lock together. His expression appears apologetic for a few seconds before 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 party anymore 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 a small 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 these before." 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 flirting with me?

"Not that there's anything wrong with that! I mean —" Mike stutters, noticing me looking at him intently. I giggle 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 covered his 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 to accept the drink from him, I know how silly it is to take a drink from a potential stranger. I simply accept because I don't want to be rude. I close my eyes and lean back, probably looking like the least sociable person in the room.

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

"Yeah, sure," I mumble, allowing Ivory to drag me up off the couch. She clutches my hand tightly as we weave through the crowd and into the centre of the room. Someone turns the music up higher until the beats 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 feel my stomach tighten in knots.

"He is?"

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