Page 41 of I Don't Need Your Protection
“I’m glad I was able to provide you with this experience,” I tell her with a wry smile. “Now you can tell your grandchildren you lived like a queen for one evening.”
“I’m already getting a headache,” Raven complains as she rubs her forehead. “Why does the music have to be so freakin’ loud?”
“Ooh, is that food?” Carly sprints over to the side of the room, where a large table is set up with every snack a person can imagine. Potato chips, Cheetos, Doritos, pretzels, gummy worms, baked goods—you name it, it’s here. Carly grabs a plate and starts loading it up with all the goodies, then turns around and waves us to join her. Sophie and Raven rush over, but I wrap my arms around myself. I’m still nervous about hanging out with Warner and I doubt I can get anything down my throat.
My eyes trek around the room, soaking everything in. Mostkids are dancing to the upbeat music, some are sitting on sofas and chatting while others make out, and there’s a crowd by another table, which is obviously the alcohol table. I guess it looks like any other teen party, minus the rich mansion, of course.
“Hey, you made it!”
I turn around and find Warner standing before me. He’s dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, his hair a little messy, unlike super neat like he wears it at school. It makes him look younger and not so…rich, I guess. But the way he lifts his chin makes it hard to forget that he really is indeed rich.
He’s holding two cups in his hands and offers me one. “Drink?”
I shake my head. “No thanks. I don’t drink.”
“Ah.” He takes a swig and lifts a brow. “You sure? Might take the edge off.”
“What edge?”
He shrugs. “You look nervous.”
“Oh, um…” I glance around as I rub my arm. “I guess I’m not used to attending a party thrown by rich people.”
He grins. “No worries. Trust me, you’ll have nothing but fun. Wait here and I’ll get you a different drink. Water? Soda?”
“Um, Coke is fine. Thanks.”
He winks as he points at me. “You got it.” And then he walks away with his head held high in importance, slapping and high-fiving various kids as he passes. I guess confidence comes with being rich? For some reason, he doesn’t come off as arrogant or snobby. He looks really cute.
I wrap my arms around myself as I survey the room again. Most of the kids seem to be having a lot of fun. My friends are still at the food table. My eyes come to a stop when I catch the familiar dark-haired and blue-eyed guy sitting at one of the tables. Caleb’s eyes are pinned on me, but they roam around the room every so often, as though he’s ready to pounce the second he senses any sign of danger.
I wonder if he’s ever been to a high school party before. Will he try to join the fun? I doubt it. He seems determined to focus on his job and his job only. I offer him a smile and am about to wave, but I squeeze my hand to my side. He told me explicitly that I shouldn’t bring attention to him. But does he really expect to just sit there and not be noticed? Every so often, a girl tries to talk to him. Maybe if he wasn’t so darn good-looking…
“Here ya go,” Warner says as he holds out a cup before me. “Coke, just like the lady ordered.”
“Thanks.” I take a sip, enjoying the bubbly liquid sliding down my throat. I didn’t realize how parched I was.
“You look great, by the way,” Warner tells me. “I love every chance we get to throw off our lame uniforms and dress however we want. Those uniforms have to be the ugliest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Thanks. And I think our uniforms are pretty good, compared to other schools.”
He lifts a brow. “You really think so?”
“Sure. I mean, I don’t know kids from other boarding schools, but I’ve seen a lot of shows on TV…” My voice trails off when I realize how lame I sound.
Warner chuckles. “You’re cute. But sure, I guess our uniforms aren’t as bad as other schools, but they’re still ugly.”
I’m about to respond, but a group of kids from the popular crowd, including his friend Hudson, pass.
“Yo, what’s up, guys!” he calls after them.
They must not hear him because they continue on.
“One sec. Be right back,” he tells me before chasing after them.
I wait for him to return, but he goofs off with his friends. I’m not upset with him for wanting to hang out with his friends. He’s popular and has lots of them. I guess if he and I…well, if there is a he and me in the future, I’d have to get used to the fact that he has a lot of friends. I have no idea if they would accept someone like me into their circle, but that’s thinking way ahead of myself.
I walk to my friends, who are still eating from the snack table. “Addie!” Carly says. She plucks a cookie off the table and hands it to me. “You have to try this. I have no idea what it’s made of, but it’s the best cookie I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
