“How come they’re all better than us?” Isabelle asked, clinging on to my hand so tightly I thought she’d shut off my blood supply.
“I don’t know. I think they’re just less afraid than we are. We’re taking tiny steps, but they’re less cautious.”
“Story of my life.”
I looked down at her for a second, wondering what else she meant. I didn’t push it though. I was happy with the pace we were going. Slow and steady.
We survived the skating, all completely unscathed. It was almost time for Janet to pick us up though, so we walked towards the exit. On the way, Hunter pulled me to one side.
“What are you doing?” I asked, as he ripped me away from Isabelle’s side and dragged me away from the others.
“Sorry, man. But I need some guy time after being with girls all day.”
“Oh come on, like you didn’t love it!”
Hunter laughed. “Shut up and listen. I’m bringing Willow to the party tonight.”
“You’re what?” I asked, my eyes bulging out of my head. “Wh … How did that happen?”
“Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but she is a kick-ass chick! So, I asked her to come with me. As my date.”
“I thought you wanted to hook up with Mischa?”
Hunter shrugged. “I did. But Willow’s more … I don’t know … I just like her better.”
I knew from Isabelle that Mischa and Willow hated each other, but telling Hunter would only have made him more determined to bring her. I chose to stay quiet, and let the fireworks unfold later.
Chapter Ten – The Sound Of Sirens
Isabelle
“What the hell is she doing here?”
I warned Hunter that Willow would not be welcome at Mischa’s house, and while Willow was prepared to leave if she had to, Hunter didn’t believe Mischa would attempt to turn her away.
“I’m with Hunter,” Willow said, boldly.
“I don’t care who you’re with, you’re not coming in.”
Mischa stood defiantly, wearing the dress she’d pointed out in the fashion magazine a few weeks ago. She looked stunning, her curves filling out the dress in all the right places. Glancing down at my knee length black and white dress, I felt wholly inadequate.
“Okay,” Jesse said. “We’ll all go. I’m sure we can find something else to do tonight.”
We shuddered from the cold out on the doorstep while Mischa made her decision. She wanted to tell everyone that a famous footballer was at her party, but she didn’t want Willow. Vanity winning, she begrudgingly opened the door and we filed inside.
It was much warmer in the heavily decorated hallway, and I could see the kitchen was already crammed with people. In the living room, bodies were squished together, dancing to loud club tunes.
Mischa snapped her fingers, and a smaller version of herself ran down the stairs. Her ten year old sister, Marnie wore a scowl on her face as Mischa said, “More coats to take to the bedroom.”
“Yes madam,” Marnie said, rolling her eyes.
I gave the young girl a warm smile as I handed her my coat. “Thank you. If I were you, I’d get a friend to phone you and ask you to spend the night at their place.”
Marnie shrugged. “I would, but Mischa would make me regret it.”
The poor girl could barely see over the pile of coats she carried up the stairs, and I wondered what possessed her parents to leave her at home with someone as irresponsible as Mischa.
“Should we go and mingle,” Willow said, giggling with joy at having successfully annoyed the party’s host.