Just Friends

39

୪𝚃𝚎𝚜𝚜୪

Music pumps through the house loudly but not loud enough to where it makes me nervous from the outside.

Sometimes, Cass chooses to allow the neighbors to sleep. I'm glad tonight is one of those times.

Levi reaches forward for the doorknob when we stop in front of it, aware that it's unlocked and we're welcome to simply walk in. I told him as much earlier.

I quickly stop him when I notice a little glimmer in the light. Levi pauses, just about to push the door open. "What?" He frowns.

I reach up to swipe my thumb across his lips, getting rid of the sparkly lipstick that I accidentally smeared on him before we left.

We got a little sidetracked on the way out the door.

Levi still frowns. "I liked it." He playfully protests as I rub my fingers together to get it off my hands.

I smile at that. "It did go well with your mascara." I agree, nodding at his more defined lashes.

"Well," Levi sighs as he looks away to open the door up. This time, I walk in before him instead of stopping him again.

He shuts the door softly behind me. I almost don't know where to go first, fully aware that I'm line leader tonight.

Luckily, this party isn't some stupidly packed party like the ones Cass used to take me to around college time.

There are a lot of people here but Levi and I would be able to hear each other with a little higher volume tone of voice, and we wouldn't have to squeeze past people just to walk.

It sounds like the tv is on too. Probably the count down even though it's still early. I reach back to find Levi's hand before I start further into the house.

We navigate our way to the living room first. I curiously look around the room, wondering if I know anyone in here. Levi stands quietly behind me, seemingly content.

I perk up when I spot Tara sitting on the floor in a circle with some people I know vaguely. Happily, I tug Levi on over to say hi.

Tara catches my eyes before I fully get over there. She smiles at us and distances herself from the conversation of the circle, standing up from the ground so we can talk for a second.

"Hey!" Tara beams. She opens up her arms, so I let Levi's hand go just briefly to step into her friendly hug. "Hey, Levi." Tara greets Levi too when we pull away after just a few seconds.

I reach back to find Levi's hand again. "Hi." Levi offers a kind but pretty much neutral greeting.

"Who else is here?" I curiously ask her, still peering around the room.

"Um.." Tara glances around too. "Well, I saw Cass in one of the rooms when I got here." She offers. "But I think Luna and her fiancé were going to get some drinks in the kitchen." She quickly offers.

I nod at that and offer more of an awkward smile. "Have you seen Jasper?" I ask. I haven't seen or talked to Jasper since Christmas. I'm starting to miss him.

Tara shakes her head. "Not yet. Cass said he didn't really answer her, so I don't even know if he's coming." She shrugs me off, not all that concerned about him. "But hey, if I see I'm I'll steer him in your direction." She offers with a smile.