Chapter 7
It's been seven days since we arrived at Grace's house. Yes, seven days. Time passed fast because we were distracted getting to know each other better, and that made us unite even more. We had no problem with the infected. Yes, we call them that now. Grace gave us some very useful tips on how to protect ourselves and how to kill them. Nothing else, until June came up with an idea "What if we had a party?". I turn and stop what I'm doing.
"What do you mean, a party?". I ask curiously.
"Yes! A thank you party... I was thinking about making one for Grace, like... look at everything she's doing for us. We wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been for her... so I wanted to do something cool for her."
"I don't know...". I'm interrupted.
"I think it's a good idea... I mean we could use a little distraction." Says Morgan.
"I also agree... we don't have anything better to do anyway." Luci agrees.
"Alright then... so I'm in too. What harm can happen right?" I smile.
"Great! I'll tell the others and remember... don't tell Grace. It's a surprise!". June says going to the door. This is going to be interesting!
Our plan is going very well. Morgan is taking up Grace's time with some tasks that we stop doing on purpose to give us more time organizing the party. We took everything out of the living room to make room for people to dance, we decorate a little, pick up some food and drinks without exaggerating, put on our best clothes we had. I'm wearing jeans and a plaid shirt. The others are using something similar, but there's someone who catches my attention as soon as they get down the stairs. I feel like I'm in a very cliché romance movie, it's like she's going down in slow motion. She looks so beautiful! Alicia descends accompanied by Luci who is dressed almost like her, laughing at something that was said between them, but I can't take my eyes off her. She's perfect! With a blue flowery dress that comes a little above her knees and her hair all thrown on one side with a braid. My God! How beautiful she is! Wait... I already said that... aahhh... I can't help it! I'm just stating facts!
"Hey Al! You look beautiful." I hear Luci saying taking me out of my trance.
"Oh! This?!... it's nothing compared to you two... I mean... you guys look beautiful!". I mean smiling.
"Oh come on Al! You're not totally bad... Luci is right... you do look beautiful." Alicia says passing by me and heading towards the table.
"Thank you...". I say awkwardly. She just said I'm beautiful! Holy shit! I don't know if... come on Al! Control yourself! What's wrong with you?! I roll my eyes and go across the room where I find Strand "Hey, do you know anything about Grace?".
"Yes. Morgan has already taken her to change, in a little while they're here." He turns around and looks at me with a strange look "Why are you blushed my friend? Are you feeling hot?". He smiles, squeezing my cheek.
"Hey! Stop it! I'm not blushed... it was just a thing of the moment." I hit on his hand, rubbing my cheek.
"Right... and this thing of the moment is called... ahh... Alicia?". He laughs ironically.
“Jesus! Speak low... what's wrong with you?! Do you want the world to listen to you?". I whisper looking around to see if someone listened to what he said. I see they're all talking and laughing. I'm glad.
"No... just one actually. Come on Al?! When are you going to tell her how you feel, huh?". He now whispers.
"What?... what are you talking about?... how did you?...". I'm interrupted.
"What's going on here?!". I hear Grace and Morgan down the stairs.
"Surprise! We wanted to thank you for everything you did for us! So we decided to make you a surprise party!". Answers June.
"What?! Oh my God!... you guys didn't have to do that! This a lot!". She says hugging each one of us.
"This..." John says pointing to the decorated room "It's not even half compared to what you did for us."
"Thank you guys! You're amazing!". She says with her eyes full of tears.
"Hey! No crying! This is the time to be cheerful! Let's party!" Janis says putting on a lively song. Then the party starts.
A slow music is playing now, ever since we got together inside this house all of us started to connect and get even more closer. Like John and June, who are now dancing together. I also see Strand and Luci and Tom and Laura doing the same, along with Morgan and Grace. But I see Alicia sitting on the table on one side and Janis sitting on the sofa on the other. Shit! And now what do I do?! The others have already gone to sleep because it's already too late and they wanted to wake up early so they could enjoy the day. I see Strand looking at me. Go to her, you idiot! I read his lips. I shake my head. It's now or never! Go to her! He looks at me seriously. I'll sit there for a few more seconds. Fuck it! I get up and go towards her. I stop in front of her and extend my hand "Do you want to dance?".
Alicia looks up and smiles "Are you serious?".
I smile "Yeah... why not...?". I raise my eyebrows.
"Okay, then!". She smiles back and takes my hand. Then I take her to the corner of the room without before looking at Strand and Luci's face smiling and giving me the thumbs up, then I glance and see Janis staring at us with a face that is about to jump on our necks. I roll my eyes to them and avoid Janis’s stare. I get nervous suddenly because I realize I don't know how to dance. Great Al! All right... you ask her to dance and you don't even know how! What now?! She realizes "What is it Al? Do you regret it already?".
"What?! No... never. It's just that... well... I don't know how to do this." I whisper to her.
"Don't know to do what?".
"Dance". I whisper even lower.
"What? I'm sorry I didn't hear it." She smiles softly.
"I said I don't know how to dance!". I almost scream. Everyone takes a look at us, and I murmur an apology. Then everything goes back to normal. Turn my attention to Alicia, who is now laughing at me. Great!
"So you called me to dance but you don't know how... interesting".
"Hahaha very funny... you know what, forget it... I don't even know why I did it." I start leaving but I feel her hand holding mine stopping me.
"Hey! Calm down! I'm sorry... but it's a little funny." She smiles a little. I turn my eyes again.
“Oh great!... are you going to stay here making fun of me now?".
"No... of course not... I'll teach you how to dance silly". She says taking my other hand and putting them on her waist. Is this really happening?! Or am I dreaming?! She smiles at me "You hold it here, and I hold it here." Now she puts her arms around my neck making us even closer "Now just swing slowly." She starts swinging, my eyes automatically go to my feet, worrying not to step on her feet. I feel her hand on my chin raising it slowly until my eyes found hers again "Eyes up at all times".
"But how do I know I won't hurt you?". I ask worried.
"You won't... trust me. Just follow the beat and rhythm, your body will do the rest". She throws a smile at me.
"I trust you... I just don't trust in my body and in my cordenation". I say nervously.
She shakes her head and we stayed like this for a while. Balancing us according to the music, then she comes closer and rests her head on my chest. Jesus Christ! Now I die! I wrap my arms in her waist and hold her, supporting my chin on her head.
"Your heart is beating fast... are you okay?... you won't faint now, huh!". I hear her say laughing softly.
"Hahaha... funny. No... I'm fine... actually more than fine actually". I whisper back.
She separates a little and looks into my eyes. Holly shit! It's now Al! This is your chance! I look at her with the same intensity and feel my face approaching hers like it was a magnet attracting me hard, when I'm about to kiss her I hear "Hey guys! Who wants more drinks?!". Janis.
Then we split up in a jump and see her a little nervous. I almost kissed her! My God! I almost kissed her! What the fuck, Janis? "Well... I know I want! Hey Al! Can you give me a hand?". Janis asks me.
I take a look at Alicia and see her avoiding my eyes. Great! "Aahhhh... sure!". So I move towards the kitchen.
"So how many beers do you want?". I ask by picking up some beers from the refrigerator. Without any answer I turn and I'm surprised by Janis invading my personal space. "Janis... what are you...". She puts her index finger in my lips interrupting me.
"Ssshhhh... I know what you want... and I can give it to you". She's getting closer. What is she talking about? What is she doing? Oh, damn it! My thoughts are interrupted when I feel her lips touching mine. I open my eyes wide and I'm totally shocked, unable to answer.
"Hey guys do you want need...". The voice stops when she sees the scene. Alicia!
My eyes widen even more and I get Janis away from me. I see her smiling at me. This woman is crazy! I turn my attention to Alicia.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know... I didn't want to interrupt". Alicia leaves the kitchen.
"Alicia wait!... wait!" I'm about to follow her when Janis holds me.
"Hey Al... leave her. She just wanted to interrupt us... let's continue".
"What's wrong with you?! Don't you ever come closer to me again!". I remove her hand and go after Alicia. Shit!
To be continued...