Chapter Two

History is my last class, like I said before. My last two periods are free, so I often go to our towns library till it's time to pick up Michael. However, today had different plans. My history teacher decided to keep me late to help pick up the room for him. Finally I got to go to my car. As I walked towards my car I see a girl standing at my car. Ashley, Matteo's girlfriend.

"Luke" she chirps, as if happy to see me.

"Hey Ashley" I whisper walking up to her and my car that she's leaning against.

"How was your day?" She asks sweetly.

"Fine I guess, yours?" I question.

"It was good, until my boyfriend broke up with me" she says crossing her arms over her chest. "You wouldn't happen to know why, would you?" She asks staring at me.

"Uh?" I question, "No? Not really. I don't even know Matteo"

"Mhm" she says pushing herself off my car.

"Well Matteo –" she starts, but gets cut off by Matteo himself

"Ashley" he barks from behind me, making me jump a little, "Leave him alone" he growls.

"What? We were just having a little chat, weren't we Lukey?" She asks sweetly.

"Right–" I start, but get cut off.

"Leave him alone" Matteo growls once again. That makes Ashely scoff and walk away.

"I'm sorry about her" Matteo says now standing in front of me. "She assumes everyone knows we broke up" he shrugs gently, acting as if it's an everyday thing. Though, break-ups usually seem a lot sadder. I wouldn't know though.

"Its fine" I whisper fumbling with my keys.

"Luke, right?" He asks, giving off a charming smile. I can feel my cheeks heating.

"Yeah" I whisper glancing down.

"I'm having a party tonight" Matteo starts.

"Okay?" I question looking at him again raising an eyebrow.

"You're coming, right?" He asks chuckling.

"I didn't know I was invited" I mumble awkwardly.

"Of course you are" he winks "I'll see you there" he says walking away.

"Uh– where's there?" I call after him.

"Masie will let you know" he calls back.

As if Masie knew we were talking about her she's texts me.

'I'll be @ urs 2 pick u up @6'

Sighing I turn off my phone after reading her message. Glancing at the time as I get into my car, I see it's already almost time to pick Michael up. So I start her up and head off. Soon I'm to Michael's school. Waiting in line to pick him up, I couldn't help but be anxious for the party. I've never gone to a party before, let alone be invited by Matteo himself!

"Hey Luke" Michael mumbles getting in.

"Hey Michael, how was school?" I asks, heading back home.

"It was alright" he shrugs small, "I'm ready for the weekend" he admits.

"Me too" I chuckle. "Do you want me to stop and pick us up some food? I won't be able to cook tonight"

"Why not?" He asks.

"I'm going to be out tonight" I shrug.

"Okay, sure" Michael mumbles shrugging back.

On the way home I stopped and grabbed him some food. By time we got there I didn't want any because my anxiety is kicking my ass. Once home we head inside, Michael immediately went to his room.

"Luke?" My mother calls walking down stairs.

"Yeah?" I ask, frowning small.

"Can you watch your brother tonight?" She asks, staring at me with a bored facial expression.

"I can't, I'm going out. I already fed him though" I respond walking away.

"Luke!" My mother hisses grabbing my arm. "You need to listen to me"

"I said I can't" I grumble.

"Luke" I hear my step-father's voice boom. "You aren't going anywhere tonight"

"Watch me" I mumble pulling from my mom. "I do everything you two ask, I want to do one thing! What's so wrong with that?"

SLAP

I feel the sting of my step-father's hand against my cheek.

"Oh my –" my mom starts

"Let's go Lindsey" he says grabbing my moms hand and pulling her out of the house. I hear footsteps going up stairs and a door slamming shut. Shit, Michael heard. Slowly I grab some ice, placing it on my cheek before heading upstairs.

"Michael?" I call knocking at his door.

"Go away" I hear him scoff.

"Michael.." I sigh slowly opening his door. "You know I don't mind hanging out with you. You know I prefer it"

"Then why did you argue with them? Why did you let him slap you?" He asks staring at me. "You hate going out anyways"

"I know I know" I mumble sitting next to him staring down "Its important though, I got invited by someone I really want to impress"

"Oh" Michael mumbles, I can feel him staring at me as I stare down.

"But it's fine" I shrug. "Maybe next time"

"What if I was to go to a friend's house until the party is over?" Michael asks.

"You'd do that?" I ask looking at him.

"Well yeah, if it's that important" he laughs.

"Thank you! Text your friend and I'll drop you off" I nod small.

"On it" Michael laughs out.

I head to my room. It's four thirty now. Masie will be here at six. I'll drop Michael off and then come home to wait for her. Shit. I don't even know what to wear? Maybe all black? That's what I always wear anyways. But it's a party! Maybe I should wear–

"I'm ready" Michael says walking inside my room as I stare into my closet, "You need help don't you?" He asks laughing small.

"Its just, I really want to impress them. And I usually just wear all black whatever. But maybe I should change my style for the party?" I ask, making him laugh once again.

"You make things so complicated" he says shaking his head. He peers into my closet before grabbing out black skinny jeans, a blue v-neck tee, and a black jacket. "Wear your converse's with this"

Nodding I watch him leave. Quickly I change, putting on more deodorant and a quick spray of colon. I fix my hair and head downstairs.

"How do I look?" I ask awkwardly.

"Better then most days" he laughs. I guess I walked into that one.

"Let's get you dropped off" I mumble with a huff. As we get into my car I get a text from Masie. She said I have an hour till she'll be here. Quickly I start my car and head off. Once Michael is dropped off I head back to ours, waiting outside for Masie. About ten minutes later she pulls up. Quickly and nervously I get in.

"Hey Luke" she chirps, smiling at me.

"Hey Masie. Thank you for taking me" I nod at her buckling up.

"Of course. Anything for you" she giggles heading off. We make small talk as she drives. But eventually we get to a huge cabin like house on the edge of town. People and cars are everywhere. Slowly and carefully she parks before she gets out. Slowly I get out as well. She leads me inside were there is even more people. Maybe this was a bad idea. I just remembered, I don't like people.

"Masie!" Someone calls out, making Masie disappear into the crowd, leaving me alone to defend myself. Slowly I make my way towards the back yard, where less people are. This should be interesting.