Ivan's POV
I was sitting amidst my friends around the bonfire that was set up at the party. James cousin, Jake was throwing a party and James invited us. The party wasn't lame as I expected . It was pretty much fun , considering the cool breeze from the river and the warmth created by the bonfire. Chloe's head laid on my laps and I gently massaged her head while she was busy on her phone. Eric sat next to me trying to woo a girl who I think was in junior year in high school. The girl was all giggly and she kinda liked Eric which I think was a dangerous decision. Eric and I have known each other for like two years and I know he is a player. I used to be a player too but at least I was better when it came to my pick in girls.
"Here!" James passed me a beer
"Thanks man! " I said and placed it beside me. I wasn't my usual self today and I actually didn't feel like drinking. I stared at Chloe who was still focused on her phone and shook my head. She was present but her mind was not. I asked if she wanted something and she asked me to get her a kebab . I excused myself and headed towards the barbecue joint.
I got the kebabs but my gaze fell on someone who looked familiar. It was a group of three girls who were talking with Jake . Their backs were facing me but I was sure the middle girl was Amara. "How on earth is she here!" I thought but I remembered she was in the same school as Jake . I smiled and headed back to my company.
"How is it going with Amara?" I asked Eric, handing the kebabs to Chloe
"Are you sick man! I have a chick here " he whispered angrily.
"Well… looks like you have to let go off her now !" I replied
"What do you mean?" He asked confused
"She is here and you know it's been two weeks already …do you wanna quit!"I said pointing out to where Amara was standing.
"Geez! " he said and sat upright, taking his hands off the girl he was with
"I will win this bet at all cost ! Excuse me!" He said and walked towards her. I smiled knowing Eric will definitely bring her here. It was my intention to approach her but I didn't want her to think I was stalking her . I watched as Eric and her hugged and I don't know why my heart skipped a beat. I didn't like that scene and I was getting worked out about the fact that she was slowly getting closer to him.
Amara's POV
Jake was quite hilarious . He made us feel welcomed by cracking jokes here and there and he really clicked well with Alice. Madi on the other hand was too shy to speak even though I could tell she was admiring him.
"It's getting hot here Amara!" She whispered into my ears and I laughed
"It's actually cool babes!" I teased and she cursed.
"Make yourself comfortable… have fun and mingle!" Jake said
"Sure and your party is lit!" Alice said sipping onto her vodka.
"You are definitely going to be drunk tonight!" I laughed
"I will be more proud of myself!" She laughed
"Are you having fun?" Madi asked
"Yeah kinda it's not boring as I thought " I smiled
"Cool … let's go and find people from our class" she replied and before we could move someone blindfolded me from behind to my surprise. Who on earth could this person be. The only person who could have done this was Madi but she was with me . I tried to unfold his hands but they were too strong . The cologne smelled familiar but I just couldn't tell.
"It's Eric!" Madi said and I sighed
"Jeez! How are you here!" I smiled and hugged him.
"Well I'm actually famous " he bragged.
"Ain't you gonna introduce me to this cutie!" Alice said
"Sorry ..Eric this is my best friend Alice…Alice this is Eric,a friend " I said
"Nice meeting you Alice " Eric shook her hands and she smiled.
"She is getting tipsy " I teased and she hit me playfully.
"Excuse me " Madison said and left quickly. It was as if she didn't want to be present.
"Come with me…it's more fun with my friends!" He said and led us to his company. I knew Ivan must be present the moment I saw Eric and true to my thoughts Ivan was among his group of friends. I wanted to ignore him but considering how our gaze was locked in each other's I went for a hi . He nodded without saying a word and leaned in to kiss her girlfriend who seemed surprised with the unexpected kiss.
"Have a seat !" Eric said sitting me between him and Ivan and Alice next to James.
"Not again!" I thought remembering how I ended up kissing Ivan because of this same sitting position.
"You don't have to worry about anything "Ivan said as if he was reading my thoughts
"Is there something to worry about anyways?" I asked , acting ignorant.
"What's going on?" Chloe raised up her head and realized my presence.
"Are you not the girl…"
"Yeah it's me !" I cut her off with a fake smile.
"Oh cool!" She said but I could tell she was anxious.
"So what is fun…!" Alice broke the silence
"Nothing really got anything in mind?" James asked.
"Let's play never have I ever … who's in !" She replied
"Cool I'm in !" Chloe responded, shifting closer to Ivan, as if I didn't notice the gab that was between them earlier.
"I'm in " Ivan said looking at me.
"I'm in … what about you Amara?" Eric asked
"Sure " I smiled, grabbing my bottle of beer as everyone else.
"So what's the rules!" One girl from James' side asked.
"Yeah I was coming to that… drink if you haven't and don't if you have… will you do us the honor of reading out the questions to us Jake " Alice said and he accepted. I stared at Alice and wondered if she was actually meeting these people for the first time. She was having a great time and getting along so well with everyone.
"So the first question is …" Jake said and Ivan smirked at me . I glared and focused on Jake.
"Never have I run away from home " he said and it seems everyone had . There were giggles and chuckling here and there so Jake had to pause for a while before he moved on.
"Never have I been in love " he said and I alongside Timothy drunk .
"You've never been in love?" Ivan questioned.
"No I'm a player " I rolled my eyes and avoided Chloe's intense look. Ivan should realize by now his girlfriend was insecure and shouldn't be talking to me but it seems with the least chance he got, he wanted to provoke me.
"You've never loved!" Eric said
"Yeah " I smiled and paid attention to Jake . There were a few more rounds of questions and I happened to drink more often. Ivan never drunk and I wondered to what extent was he a bad boy.
"So the final question is … never have I had sex !" Jake said smiling. The question was deep and it actually got to me. I watched as nobody drunk and I could feel Ivan's gaze on me. I dropped my bottle and started to feel anxious…yeah that's me ,anytime I had to lie I will naturally get anxious and that was what made me a pretty bad liar. I thought I was successful in lying not until Alice opened her drunken mouth.
"Why ain't you drinking!" She said in her drunk state , drawing attention to me
"Allie!" I tried to prevent her from going too far but my effort was fruitless.
"No lying babe it's part of the rules… you've never had sex so you have to finish that bottle!" She said and rushed out to puke …like why didn't the need for her to puke come earlier.My heart missed a beat. All eyes were on me and I felt so embarrassed. I felt like disappearing into thin air with the looks everyone was giving me. Since when did I regret being a virgin but now I just wish I wasn't a virgin.
"You're a virgin?" Chloe and Eric chorused?
"Yeah it's that a bad thing?" I said trying not to show my embarrassment.
"You know what… we've already heard a lot of those lies … don't worry she can't deceive us !" Ivan interrupted and they laughed. I can't say if I was happy or mad with what he said. On one side everyone believed him and that saved me from all the side eyes and questions but on the other hand he called me a liar. Who is he and does he think everyone is as naughty as he is. I thought and got up to assist Alice. She was so wasted and Madison was nowhere to be found.