Make Me Better

"Oh, honey," She smiled, "You look so cute, now, be careful, ok?" She pulled my jacket up and zipped it, making me feel as if I was going off to pre-school. Mom leaned down to kiss my forehead, causing me to smile up at her.

"That hem-line is way too low, Ellen!" My dad appeared next to my mom as he gave her a look. She shushed him before pulling me away. We both ignored my dad as he went on and on about my shirt being too revealing. I said bye to them as I opened the front door,

"Hey, where are you going?" I heard mom's voice, I turned to see my dad marching after me. I rolled my eyes as I followed his gaze, he was staring directly at Frank's car.

"Mom!" I crossed my arms over my chest as my dad passed me by, she gave me an apologetic look before motioning me to go after him. I jogged over to him and grasped onto his arm,

"What are you doing, dad?" By the time he looked down at me, we were at Frank's car. I sighed loudly when Frank rolled down his window. My dad was so dramatic, there was no need for any of this.

"Where exactly are you two going?"

"New York," Frank answered.

My dad nearly jumped, "New York?!"

"I told you that." I said quickly. My dad looked down at me for a moment, "Oh, yeah. You're right." He nodded. He turned back to look down at Frank. I kept my gaze on the floor because I was far too embarrassed to make eye contact with Frank. I bet he was tired of my dad breathing down his back every chance he got.

"You keep your hands off my daughter, understand? Don't let anything happen to her either, 'cause if you do, I will -"

"Let's go inside, honey." My mom's soft voice murmured, my dad instantly relaxed and looked over at her.

My dad turned as my mom tried to drag him off, "You got that, Iero?"
Frank gave him a wide grin before saying ," Yes, sir!" My dad grumbled something incoherent and I chose to ignore it as I went to the passenger side of the car. I covered my face with my hands when Frank started to laugh.

"He's so embarrassing." I muttered. Frank's laughter and my embarrassment soon died down.
"Is that a new shirt?" Frank asked, glancing over at me, "Guess New year's eve is a big deal, huh?"

I glanced down at my shirt, "My mom took me out shopping, she insisted that I wear a dress, but I disagreed and so did my dad. So, I stuck with this. I don't look to fancy, do I?" He shook his head, "Ok, good." Of course I didn't look too fancy, I was wearing my converse for crying out loud.

"Wait, wait," I could hear the smile in Frank's voice, "Look at me," I glanced over at him slowly, " You're wearing make-up!" I groaned, I was hoping no one would notice, like I said my mom went a little crazy when I told her I was going to a party for new years. She even made me straighten my naturally wavy hair.

"Yeah, I know. This crap is really annoying though, I want to rub my eyes but my mom forbade me." I frowned.

"Makes your eye color pop out."

"Is that a good thing? All she did was apply eyeliner and mascara."

"I don't know, I'm a guy, I mean, you look beautiful, as always. But you don't need make-up to prove that." My heart fluttered and I turned my head to look out the window, my lame excuse to hide the creeping blush forming on my cheeks.

The rest of the group was hitching with a ride or Gerard or Bob. We got to New York pretty quick, to my amazement. We sat in the car, waiting for Gerard, since we didn't really know exactly where the party was. Frank sang along to The Red Hot Chili Peppers as I watched the busy streets. Mostly filled with taxis.I would watch as the countless people would walk through the dark streets. A honk broke me out of daze, it was Gee who wouldn't stop honking. Frank rolled down his window to flip him off. Gee got in front of us as he lead the way. Gerard was probably the craziest driver ever, I was starting to wonder if he was already drunk. We stopped on a dark street, the streetlights didn't seem to be working, I could hear faint music as I got out the car.

"How do you know this guy?" I asked Gerard as he hopped out his car, followed by Lindsey and Mikey. Bob and Ray had gotten here before us, so they were inside.

Gerard ran a hand through his messy black hair, he lit a cigarette and then looked over at me, "Art school. He's really rad, born and raised in England. Then moved out here for school, spends all day drawing, listening to the Sex Pistols, drinking, and doing drugs."

"Seems like the life." I replied sarcastically. Once Gee was done smoking we headed inside.

"Olive, are you wearing make-up?" I turned to look at Lindsey, "Oh my god, you are! You look so grown up!" She clapped.

"Ugh." The last thing I wanted to look was grown-up. I moved my hand up to wipe away the make-up before Lindsey grabbed my hands, pulling them back down. We wrestled for a minute before we had to head up some stairs, I let her win and I left my clown face on. The place was pretty big, typical loft, filed with tons of books and countless drawings. Let's not leave out the numerous half drunk people.

I stayed close to Frank as we walked away from the foyer, when we got to a less crowded area Gee and Frank went off to get drinks.
Mikey pushed up his glasses as he looked down at me, a small smile forming on his lips. "What?" I asked.

"Make-up." He grinned. I slapped his chest playfully before glaring at him.

"Virgin rum and coke for Mikey, beer for Lindsey, two beers for me." Gee said as he handed the drinks out.

"Virgin rum and coke? Isn't that just coke without the rum?" Mikey asked taking the can of soda from Gerard. Gerard nodded before he took a huge gulp of his beer.

"I got you soda, since you don't really like beer." Frank said, I thanked him and laughed when I spotted Ray and Bob. Ray had tiny margarita umbrellas in his fro. They joined the group and much more sooner than later, half the group was drunk. I wasn't planning on getting drunk since I told Frank he could drink all the booze he wanted. The only 100 percent sober ones were Mikey and I. Gerard and Lindsey, and Ray had, had countless beers. While Frank was only tipsy.

"I want another beer." Frank mumbled,

"There isn't anymore!" Gerard slurred.

"There's a keg, you want me to go get you another drink?" I looked over at Frank who was attempting to take Mikey's glasses off. Frank nodded quickly. I walked through the half dazed people and to the keg. I had never used a keg before, so when I actually got to it I was bit confused on how to use it. I tapped it and nothing seemed to be happening.

"I thought taught you better than that, Olive." I turned quickly, looking behind me, trying to find the owner of the oh so familiar voice. But I didn't see him. When I turned back to the keg, there he was, right next to me with his hand over mine,

"You have to pump it before you tap it." He smirked down at me and I couldn't do anything but glare.

"What the hell are you doing here, Cooke?" I asked in a hushed tone, looking over my shoulder, hoping that Frank wasn't looking our way.