As I headed to the kitchen, Mousteff was there in his chef's white apron and he wore a hat too. He brandished a cutting knife and gestured to the table in front of him.
"Sit," he grunted.
I sat.
He sliced up some meat and put it between two pieces of homemade bread. A parsley and tomato were placed on the side before he set the plate in front of me. A knife and fork were plunked beside it, along with a glass of water.
"Eat," he grunted again.
An apple was cut up next. He put the bowl beside me, turned his back, and left. I didn't see him for the rest of the day.
Later in the afternoon, I headed back to the kitchen for some water. When I went past the patio, I peeked out again and saw the group hadn't left. A bonfire had been lit on the beach and most of the people were around that now. Loud bass blared through the windows. It got louder when a door opened and closed.
I didn't glance up, but Mason stepped next to me. He reached around me and pulled out a pitcher. When he moved back to pull out a glass, I let out my breath. I hadn't known I'd been holding it.
I didn't turn around. No way.
Suddenly the door flew open again. Logan's voice carried through as he howled and ran through the house. Then a car door was slammed shut in the front of the house. When I looked over I saw Mason watching through the kitchen window. A small smile was on his face. He looked softer, just a bit.
My stomach kicked a notch.
I spread a hand against it and frowned. What the hell was I doing?
Then the front door was thrown open and we heard Logan holler, "Finally! Dude!"
Male laughter responded. When Mason left the kitchen window, I took his place and saw Logan trying to dry hump some guy. I didn't recognize him, but they had so many friends. He was tall, over six feet and his jet black hair matched with Mason's. The two almost looked like twins. While he went out to greet the new arrival, both gave each other a hug with a smile on their faces. It was so genuine, that I clenched my hands around my glass and turned away.
I didn't come out of my room for the rest of the day. When I did, it was past ten in the evening. The party was still full force outside by the beach. No one was beside the pool and I was surprised by that. Then I checked my phone and regretted it. Lydia sent me a test, 'Jeff said you guys broke up. CALL ME!'
I turned it off and put on a movie.
My body was tired so I did nothing on Sunday, except for the little homework I already had. I heard my mom's voice once when I ventured downstairs, but Mousteff told me, "Mr. and Other are gone for day. Cooking in cities is better than cooking at home. No one cares. You eat." And he dumped a bowl of soup in front of me with some crackers on the side. When he went back to the kitchen I heard him muttering to himself.
It was late when I heard Mason and Logan in the hallway. A third male's voice was with them so I assumed that it was the guy from before.
"Nah, man. That's her room. You're parked in the east wing." Logan's voice carried down the hall.
Two doors shut after that and it was silent for the rest of the night.
When I left for school, Mousteff stuck his hand out as I passed by. He held a brown bag to me and barked, "Eat. Lunch."
I took it and there was more muttering as I left. I couldn't hold back a small grin, but it was gone when Lydia and Jessica caught me at my locker.
"What happened with Jeff?" Lydia sounded breathless.
Jessica frowned and readjusted her hold on her books. "You never reply to my calls anymore. You're not a very good friend."
I slammed my locker shut. "Get away from me you whores."
Lydia gasped, "Me?"
Jessica got red in the face and hurried away.
I watched her go, but when Lydia stayed I snapped, "You covered for them. A disloyal bitch is the same as any other disloyal bitch. Shove off, Lydia. I don't want anything to do with you."
She hung her head, but glanced up quickly. Her feet shuffled in place and she said in a hush before she scampered away, "Adam Quinn is going to ask you out. Everybody's talking about it."
I closed my eyes, not something I wanted to deal with.
When I went to my last class, my lab partner kept glancing at me. After the twelfth time, I sat back. "You got something to say?"
She looked around and then pulled back her red curls from her face. It didn't matter. The frizzy hair clung to her skin. She didn't seem to mind. Her excitement couldn't be contained when she leaned forward. Her pudgy elbow rammed mine off the table. "You and Jeff Sallaway broke up, right?"
I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest.
"Is it true that Adam Quinn asked you out?"
I lifted an eyebrow.
A high-pitched squeal left her. It sounded like laughter. "He was asking your friends about you this weekend."
"They're not my friends."
"Oh." Her eyes kept darting around. "So are you gonna say yes?"
"Who are you?"
"My name's Becky Sallaway."
My mouth quirked up. "You're Jeff's cousin?"
She shifted in her seat. "Only through marriage. My mom married his dad's brother. Are you going to go out with Adam Quinn?"
"Why are you asking me? Did Jeff ask you to?"
Her mouth gaped open a second before her pasty white cheeks matched the color of her hair. "That pipsqueak? He's a loser. Not like Adam Quinn."
And she wasn't one? I rolled my eyes. "Why do you care so much?"