Chapter Thirty Two: Party?
XANDER'S POV
"Max."
"Hey, dude. I'm thinking of throwing a party tomorrow night."
"And why would I be interested?" I asked.
"Because it's going to be one of a kind."
"I'm not coming. Don't bother," I said, already about to hang up.
"Don't hang up," he rushed. "I know that's exactly what you're about to do. It's going to be next to Ben's maze thing. I know you like it."
I paused.
"…I'm still not coming."
"Oh, come on, Alex—"
My fist tightened instantly.
"Don't," I said, my voice going flat. "Don't ever call me that again."
"Alright, alright," he said quickly. "Relax.
Just… be there. That's all."
I sighed, ending the call.
He knew I agreed.
—
"Alex…"
I muttered under my breath, my jaw tightening.
"Disgusting."
RILEY'S POV
"Hey, Mom," I said, finally answering my phone that had been ringing for a while.
"Hey, baby girl. How are you doing? Should I call back later?"
"I'm fine, Mom. You don't have to worry—I'm free now."
I was literally standing outside with five shopping bags in my hands.
We talked for more than five minutes, with me telling her about my stay here, even though she had called the day I arrived.
"How's Grandma?" I asked.
There was a pause, then—
"There's some improvement," she said.
But I could tell she was lying.
"She'll get better."
"Alright, baby. I don't know how long we're still going to be here, so be a good girl. Love you."
That made me smile.
"Love you too, Mom."
I pushed the door open, trying to steady the bags in my hands.
"Hey, Riley," Kayla greeted.
"Hey," Mason waved before going back to what he was doing.
"Hey, guys," I greeted back.
Kayla, Mason, and a guy I didn't recognize were seated in the living room.
"Hey, I'm Theo," the guy introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Theo."
"Did you go shopping?" Kayla asked.
"Kind of."
Dropping the bags on the floor, I slumped onto the bed, only for my phone to start ringing again.
It was a video call from Harleen and Amber.
I stared at my phone for a second before answering.
Harleen's face filled the screen immediately.
Then Amber's.
"What?" I asked.
"Where are you?" Harleen asked.
"In my room."
A pause.
Then Harleen grinned.
Too widely.
I narrowed my eyes. "…What?"
"There's a party tomorrow night," Harleen said.
I frowned slightly. "Okay?"
"Max's party," Amber added.
Oh.
Still—
"I'm not going."
"You are," Harleen said immediately.
"No, I'm not."
Amber sighed softly. "Riley—"
"I just got back," I cut in. "I'm not in the mood for anything."
Harleen rolled her eyes. "It's tomorrow."
"I still don't want to go."
"You will," she said.
"I won't."
Amber spoke calmly. "Just come for a bit."
I shook my head. "No."
Harleen leaned closer to the camera. "Lily."
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't 'Lily' me."
"Lily," she repeated. "You're coming. Pretty please?"
"No, I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not!"
Amber sighed again. "We'll talk about it tomorrow."
"That's not a yes."
"It will be."
Before I could respond—
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
"…Wow."
—
The room was quiet again.
I dropped my phone on the bed and lay back, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow.
…
"I'm not going," I muttered.
—
But even as I said it—
I didn't sound convinced.