Page 35 of Life of the Party

“I’m going back to bed,” I announced quickly. “I feel my headache coming back.”

“Don’t you want something to eat?” Mom gazed at me with concern. “It might help. I could make us some nice pasta or something.” She suggested hopefully.

I looked from her to Marcy. “No, I’m good, thanks.” I decided.

“Oh, okay…” She sounded doubtful, but then her attention was diverted by a sample Marcy held up. I took the sudden opportunity to make my escape, back to the quiet of my room.

CHAPTER 16

I was dying for a cigarette. I sat cross-legged on my bed, painting my nails to keep from biting them. I had no excuse to leave the house, and no way could I light up without my mom finding out. I blew on the black lacquer, tapping my foot impatiently. It was Friday night. I wondered what everyone was doing. I wanted to call Charlie, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t want her to view me as a little, annoying kid always tagging along. If she wanted to hang out with me, I’d wait for her to call.

I just might be waiting forever.

I thought about Ben and Toby and Jessie. I wondered if they were sitting in the same spots on Ben’s nice leather sectional, eating handfuls of munchies and smoking weed and laughing soundlessly asHalf Bakedplayed on the big screen. Even that would be better than staying alone in my bedroom all night.

Just then—like an answer from heaven—my cell phone started to ring, lost in the bottom reaches of my purse. I fell to my knees, wet nails and all, and dug through the bag until the purple Nokia was safe in my hand. It was Charlie.

“Mac, what happened last night?” She asked. “Why didn’t you come with us?”

“Oh…” I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. “I just wanted to walk.”

“How come? What did Grey say to you?”

I groaned.

“Come on, was it bad? I thought you two were going to be something.”

“So did I.” I sighed and took her through the whole conversation. “He just wanted to make sure I didn’t think I was like, his girlfriend or something now.”

“Really? That sucks.”

“I know. I thought we hit it off.”

“Hmmm…” Charlie paused in thought. “Well…why don’t you come out tonight? Take your mind off things?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” I wanted to, I really did, but the thought of seeing Grey again made me uneasy. Still excited, but uneasy. I didn’t know how to act around him now.

“Come on. Just you and me…no boys allowed. We’ll have a slumber party. A tequila slumber party. And tomorrow, you can come with me to see the guys play.”

I laughed out loud. It sounded like a ton of fun, and the thought of seeing Grey with a microphone again made it all the more enticing. “Oh, I’d love to, I really would. I don’t know…I could check with my mom.”

“Do it.”

“I’m in my pyjamas still.” I laughed again.

“That’s perfect. We’re having a slumber party, remember? Go talk to your mom and call me back. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay. Are you sure? You wouldn’t rather go out with your friends or something?”

“Mackenzie, you are my friend. Now shut up and go talk to your mom.”

I was laughing as I hung up the phone. I smiled. I couldn’t believe I’d ever thought badly of Charlie. She was so awesome, so cool, and really, really nice.

She wasn’t Riley, but was fast becoming a close second.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

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