Comfortable Liar

party; a social gathering especially for pleasure or amusement

"Are you sure you can't just come straight to my house?" Aiden asked.

"Yeah, are you sure?" Johnny asked. Raynee was already at her house, so she could get ready for the party tonight. The guys were going to meet us there.

"Yes, I'm sure. Chris will freak if I don't come home," I said.

"Okay, but only because you're sure. You better be at the party or I'm breaking you out," Aiden said seriously.

"I'll be there," I said and smiled. I climbed out of her car, and Johnny happily took my place in the passenger seat. I waved to them as they drove off, and then I walked inside my house. It was quiet, and I could hear the TV in the living room. I had planned on going straight to my room, but a hand on my arm stopped me as I reached my door.

"Where have you been?" Chris asked.

"Oh, hey, Dad. I hung out with Alex yesterday, and it got late, so I just stayed at his house. I hope that's okay?" I asked quietly. Chris and I were still on unsteady ground.

"Yeah, that's fine. Have any plans for tonight?" Chris asked.

"Me and a few girls were going to get together, since it's Saturday night and everything," I said.

"I guess that's okay. Is it like a slumber party?" Chris asked.

"Yeah, something like that. I'll be back tomorrow morning," I said.

"Okay. Have fun," he said. He looked like he wanted to hug me or something, but then he changed his mind and walked down the hallway. I smiled to myself and walked into my room. I wouldn't have to worry about being hungover or anything like that, because I didn't drink. I didn't really like lying to Chris, but it was for the better. What father would believe his teenage daughter when she says she doesn't drink?

"Okay. Time to get ready," I mumbled to myself.

I took a quick shower and then fished around in my closet for something to wear. A pair of jeans and a tee shirt was fine with me, it was just deciding which pair of jeans and tee shirt I wanted. As I finished getting ready, I thought about the night before. The guys while they were drunk was a funny sight. Aiden was the same as me, and we had been the only sober ones in the whole group at the end of the night. Raynee drank a little, but she wasn't nearly as wasted as the guys. Johnny had just been as wasted, but he miraculously didn't have a hangover like everyone else.

I threw some pajamas into a bag, and I grabbed some random clothes for the next day. I slung the bag over my shoulder and stopped by the living room. Chris and Karen were curled up together on the couch, watching a movie and sharing a bowl of popcorn.

"I'm leaving!" I called.

"Okay. Be safe!" Chris yelled.

"And have fun!" Karen added.

"Will do!" I said before turning to leave. I locked the door behind me, and then I started walking. The house wasn't too far from my own, and I liked walking around at night. The sun couldn't blind you, and it was more peaceful at night. I was about halfway there when a car stopped beside me. I ignored and continued to walk.

"Erika." The voice was quiet and deep, and I instantly knew it.

"How's it hanging?" I asked as I finally stopped. Hazel eyes rolled as he breathed a sigh. I looked deeper into the car and saw no one else.

"What? Riding friendless tonight?" I asked.

"Where are you going?" Matt asked, seemingly annoyed.

"What's it to you?"

"Because if we're going to the same place, I was going to offer you a ride."

"And if we're not?"

"I might still give you a ride."

"How touching. I'm on my way to Caleb's party," I said.

"Same here."

"Does that mean those idiots are already there?"

"Yeah," he said.

"Giving me a ride won't mess up your rep now, will it?" I asked. He smiled, and I was almost scared.

"I think my rep will be safe. Now get in," he said.

"Sir yes sir," I said and walked around the car. I slid into the passenger seat, dropped my bag between my feet, and smiled over at my...companion.

"So, why don't you talk as much as your friends?" I asked. Matt glanced over at me and then looked back at the road.

"Actions speak louder than words," he said.

"You should teach them that."

"Who would entertain you? You'd probably get lonely if there wasn't anyone to mess with you," Matt said.

"I think that's the longest sentence I've ever heard you say. Congratulations," I said.

"What's my prize?" Matt asked and looked at me again. I just smiled at him.

"A lifetime supply of being a jackass," I said.

"You don't fool me," Matt said and glanced over at me.

"You've lost me," I said.

"You act tough, but you're not. Deep down, something's eating away at you. I don't know what it is, but you might want to handle it. And soon," Matt said.

"I take my previous statement back. That's the longest sentence you've ever said," I said.

"Say whatever you want. You know I'm telling the truth," Matt said. I turned away from him then and looked outside the window. Trees floated past us, and I smiled to myself.

"I stopped to see a weeping willow, crying on his pillow. I wonder if he's crying for me," I sung/whispered.

"No Patsy Cline, please," Matt said.

"Would you prefer Conway?" I asked. Matt glared over at me, and I smiled triumphantly.

"Hello, darlin. It's nice to see you--"

"Quit singing."

"But darlin..."

"I will throw you out of my car," Matt said. I huffed and crossed my arms.

"You know, most people like having love songs sung to them," I said.

"Do I look like most people?" Matt asked. My eyes soaked in his form, and I shook my head.

"No comment." The next two minutes were silent, and I was out of the car with my bag over my shoulder before Matt had switched the engine off. Matt was reaching for the door handle when I propped myself on his windowsill, and his dark hazel eyes scowled up at me.

"Erika," Matt said in what I was sure was a warning tone.

"I gotta say this. You put up a good front too, Matthew, but I'm not scared of you," I said, whispering the last part. I watched as his eyes darkened even more, and then I smiled before skipping off. I found Aiden's car with ease, and she still had her windows rolled down. I threw my bag into the backseat and started into the house.

"Erika!" some random person yelled. They threw their arms around my neck, and I felt confusion pull my eyebrows together.

"Do I know you?" I asked. She smiled sheepishly, but I think the redness in her cheeks came from the drink in her hand.

"I got my hair re-done today. It was blond and a lot longer," she said. I stared at her face, and then it clicked.

"Jamie! The short, brunette look works for you," I said and smiled at her.

"Thanks, Erika!" Jamie yelled and bounced off to who-knows-where. I shook my head and walked around a bit, still looking for my friends.

"Rik!" I turned around to see Aiden, with Jimmy behind her.

"Hi, Red!" Jimmy yelled and waved his arms. Aiden elbowed him, but his smile remained. It's impossible to make a Jimmy not happy, as I've learned.

"Well, you two look like you've been having a lot of fun," I said as I reached them.

"Tons," Aiden said with a roll of her eyes.

"Ooh, scary ex and one scary brother. Tonight's a fun night, so the Jimmy is out," Jimmy said and turned around.

"What's he blabbering about?" I asked.

"Alex and Brandon are walking over," Aiden said. I looked over my shoulder and sure enough, Alex and Brandon were walking towards us.

"What'd he run off for?" Alex asked.

"He said you looked scary," I answered.

"What about me?" Brandon asked.

"He said you looked scary too," Aiden said quickly. Yeah, she already knew what I was going to say. Darn her and all her mental telepathy. I wasn't going to say anything bad, I just going to say that Jimmy had said "scary brother and scary ex". Brandon and Alex would have gotten a real kick out of that.

"So, where's the other two?" Alex asked. Aiden opened her mouth to answer, but then we heard a yell.

"Take that, Baker-Boy!" I strained to see, but I couldn't. I jumped on Alex's back, and he hoisted me up higher. I found Raynee easily, and then laughter bubbled in my stomach. Johnny was standing beside her, holding onto the back of a couch and laughing. Zacky stood in front of her, covered head-to-toe in some kind of red drink. I leaned forward laughing, and I saw the giant punch bowl in Raynee's hands.

"Oh, you're gonna wish you had never done that," Zacky said slowly.

"Or what?" Raynee asked. Zacky smirked through the red haze that covered his entire face, and the punch bowl fell from Raynee's hand. They both started running at the same time, Zacky right on Raynee's heels.

"Should we help her?" I asked, my laughter dying off.

"Nah, they do this all the time," Alex said.

"How do you know? I thought you guys didn't hang around her until now," I said.

"We didn't, but we've seen her at parties. I thought they might be friends, since they're always doing stuff like that at parties," Aiden said.

"Ah, okay," I said and nodded my head. I rested my chin on Alex's shoulder and swept my eyes over the crowd. A pair of eyes met mine, and I smiled. Dark hazel eyes narrowed, and I winked. He looked away, and I smiled at my small victory.