Christine and Lori pulled up in front of a huge, white house that had music blaring through it. People covered the lawn and you could tell this was a huge party. Both girls got out and walked in through the front door. Lori could tell that the owner of this house was rich. Teenagers were everywhere, some were dancing, some were having a drink, some were making out, and some were just talking. They zig zagged through the crowd until Christine found the guy she had gotten th invitation from.
“Martin, hey!” she squealed as she gave him a hug.
There was no doubt this guy was hot. He had a muscular build, blond hair that was swept to the side and green eyes, but to Lori, his eyes were nothing compared to Harry's. His eyes scanned Lori up and down like they had with Christine a moment before. A half smirk appeared acrossed his face and Lori rolled her eyes.
“So you ended up bringing a friend,” he practically shouted because of the loud music, “that's cool. What's your name, sweetheart?”
“Well it sure as hell isn't sweetheart,” Lori shot at him.
“Fiesty, I like it.”
“Her name's Lori,” Christine said, sensing the tension between the two, “Where's the bathroom?” Martin pointed down the hallway and Christine pulled Lori with her until they were alone in the bathroom. “You really don't like that guy, do you?” Christine asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
“We talked to him for thirty seconds and I can already tell he's an asshole.”
“Calm down. It's a party, if you want to avoid him I'm sure there's at least a hundred other people here you can talk to. Besides you have Harry, let me have this one.”
Lori put her hands up, showing she was backing off. “Trust me, I don't want him.”
Frustrated, Lori quickly got out of the bathroom and walked around the huge, crowded, loud house. She recognized some people from high school, probably trying to get in one last party before school officially started. The air was a little too stuffy for Lori so she went out on the porch. She was leaning against one of the white pillars that was holding up the front of the house when a girl with short, black choppy hair came up to her.
“Hey, do I know you?” she asked.
Lori shook her head. “Nope sorry, I think you've got me mistaken for someone else.”
“Are you sure? You look really familiar. Does the name Patty Geans mean anything to you?” Again Lori shook her head. “Oh well,” the girl shrugged and walked away.
“That was weird,” Lori said to herself. Her phone went off and Lori looked down at the screen to see she had gotten a text from Harry. She smiled, but before she could open it a body became extremely close to her; sandwiching her against the pillar.
“So we meet again, Sweetheart,” said a familiar arrogant voice.
Lori cringed and looked up to see Martin leaning over her, staring down at her with his dull green eyes. She saw right away he was drunk, her parents constantly had the same far away look on their faces, and his breath reeked of beer. All of his weight was being supported by his arm, the palm of his hand pressed against the white pillar.
“Where's Christine?” Lori asked.
He shrugged. “Don't know, don't care. The only person I'm interested in is you.”
“Lucky me,” Lori said sarcastically under her breath. “Look, I have to go.”
“The only place you need to go is in my room which is right up there.” Martin glanced up towards the roof to show Lori.
“Thanks, but no thanks. You can go up to your room by yourself and sit there and think about how pathetic you are.”
“You think you're better than me?” Martin asked angrily, lowering his head so his squinted eyes were the same level as Lori's calm ones.
“Considering what I'm about to do? Then yeah.”
Lori pushed his support arm off the pillar and watch him stumble and then fall off his porch into the green shrubs. People in the yard began to laugh and Lori triumphantly walked away. She decided just to walk to Martha's since it wasn't that far and she'd just be getting home since she must've closed up the store about ten minutes ago. Within twenty minutes Lori was knocking on Martha's front door. The little old lady opened the door and beamed at the familiar face.
“Sometimes I forget just how grown up you are,” Martha said as she stared up at Lori. “It just so hard to forget that little girl all alone in my store and now look at you; a young woman.”
Lori blushed and snickered “Nice to see you too Martha.”
They walked inside and sat on Martha's floral couch in her livingroom.
“So what are you doing here, Pumpkin?”
Lori shrugged. “I was in the neighborhood. Christine took me to some party and a guy there tried to hit on me so I left.”
“Boys will be boys,” Martha said. “I know you can take care of yourself, Honey, but you've got to be careful of the situations you get yourself in. You're strong, Lori, there's no doubt about that, but you can't always be on your own; it's not safe. Trust is very important in life, you've got to learn to trust people.”
“I trust you and Bill,” Lori said.
“I know you do, but you've known us since you were a child. Do you even trust Christine? Your own best friend?” Lori looked down at the floor and shook her head. “See? There's nothing wrong with letting someone love you.”
Lori looked up at Martha and smiled. This little old lady always knew what to do or what to say to make Lori feel better; she had been doing it for nearly ten years.
“Thanks Martha, I can always count on you.” Lori hugged Martha, wrapping her arms around her small, fragile body.
“Anytime, Honey.”
“I think I better go, it's getting late,” Lori said as she got up from the couch.
“Do you want a ride home?”
“No it's okay, I can walk.”
“Don't be rediculous, it's dark and late and cold! I'll drive you, let me go get my keys,” Martha began to get up, but Lori made her sit down.
“Martha, I'll be fine,” Lori said while laughing. “I promise, I'll stay on the sidewalk and everything.”
“Oh alright, but can I ask you one last question before you go?”
“Sure.”
“That Harry boy, do you plan on seeing him again?”
Lori began to blush and shrugged. “Only time will tell. Goodnight Martha.” Then Lori left.
Martha was right, it was dark and cold outside. Lori cursed Christine out in her head for making her wear such a skimpy dress. The wind blowing against her thighs felt like little daggers of ice. Her house was only about thirty minutes away, but it seemed farther and farther as Lori walked on. An idea popped into her head and she pulled out her phone. She quickly dialed a familiar number and put it up to her cold ear.
“Hello?” a familiar deep voice said through the speaker.
“Hi Harry,” Lori said.
“Hey Lori, you alright?”
“Yeah, I'm good. How was your day?”
“My day was lovely. I got to spend the morning with my family and then in the afternoon, me and the boys did some interviews. We went to the recording studio for a bit and we had a water fight. It was pretty normal. When I was leaving my house I saw this one fan who had put purple streaks in her hair like you. I think you've started a trend.”
“Haha, maybe. Before long everyone will want purple streaked hair. So what are you doing now?”
“At me mum's house. And you?”
“Just walking home.”
“From where?”
“Well first Christine took me to a party, but then I left and went to Martha's for a bit. Now I'm just walking home and not going to lie, I'm cold.”
“I'm sorry, I wish I was there to warm you up. Why'd you leave the party without Christine?”
“Let's just say I was kind of in a hurry.”
“Meaning?”
“Well, while I was at the party a guy was kind of hitting on me and he go a little too close.”
“What happened?”
“So, he was leaning against a pillar and I moved his hand and he fell into some shrubs. It was funny to watch him dive head first,” Lori snickered to herself.
Harry chuckled through the phone. “That's what he gets. What else did you do? Besides make guys fall into bushes.”
“I helped Christine move into her new apartment and I had soccer practice this morning. So, um, when do you think you're going to come back?”
“Soon, hopefully in about two days, but I'd only be able to stay the weekend. I miss you, Lori.”
Lori smiled and blush even though Harry couldn't see her. “I miss you too, Harry.”