Chapter Twenty Two

They didn't know that he knew about the date, but Evan knew that something was wrong.
"Okay, what's wrong with you? You've been very standoffish lately and you have been ignoring everybody, including me."
They had been walking home from school that day and Evan had to keep up with Jared's fast pace. He adjusted his backpack and hugged it close to his body.
"Nothing is wrong. It's just one of those days that's all."
"Dude, slow down. What is this, a speed walking race?" Evan huffed out trying to catch up.
Jared forced himself to slow his strides and waited for him.
"I need to stay home for a few days." Evan stated flatly.
He looked at him then and saw the grim look on his face. "What's going on?" he asked with a hint of concern.
"It's my dad. He came back and is giving my mom a hard ass time like he always fucking does. I can't leave her alone with him. He might do what he did last time she was by herself with him."
Jared clenched his teeth in suppressed rage. He knew exactly what his friend meant. A few years ago, his dad had beaten his mother so badly that he had put her in the hospital. She nearly died that night, but she wouldn't press any charges against him. And since they were married there wasn't anything that anyone could do about it. He had skipped town and only came back when he didn't have any money or a place to stay. He never lasted more than four days until he leaves again repeating the whole cycle over.
But every time he came back, he would beat Evan's mother. Unless Evan was there with her. For Evan could hold his own now and nearly beat the life out of him when he kept beating his mom even when she was unconscious.
"You going to be alright?" Jared asked him, a little worried like he always was when news of his dead-beat father was in town.
"Yeah, you know me." He chuckled and sobered up again in the space of a few seconds. "See you at the party then?"
Jared looked away, hiding the hard look on his face. "Maybe. I have a lot of things to do. I might not make it."
"What?! What do you mean? You said that you were going this morning. You even told Mila that you were going to get that DJ for her for free since you knew the guy." He looked disappointed and a bit confused at his sudden change of heart.
"And I did. So, she doesn't have to worry about that. It's just some things came up that's all." He shrugs acting like it wasn't such a big deal.
He wanted to end the subject because with every word being spoken with his friend was like a knife through his gut.
"Well, I guess I'll let her know since we're a couple now."
Jared stopped and stared at him. "Couple? I thought it was just one date?"
Evan shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, it is. But I'm pretty sure its going to be more than that so." He grins.
"How do you know? You haven't even gone on the date yet." He demanded, his tone almost harsh.
"Just a feeling. I mean everyone knows she likes me." He gave off another grin and didn't notice the look on Jared's face.
He hated him. He was actually beginning to hate him. "I got to go." He didn't even bother to say anything else to his comment as he walked off.
That was the last time he had spoken to him and was glad of it. He sighed as he sat back down on his bed. Well, now what? He looked around his room to where his clock was, showing that it was just barely past five thirty in the evening. He yawned thinking that maybe a nap didn't sound too bad.
He laid himself down with a hand behind his head looking up at the ceiling. He didn't feel like thinking anymore, especially of a green-eyed beauty that kept haunting his waking moments. Soon he closed his eyes and sleep had taken over.
***
Everyone showed up. Well almost everyone.
Selena and Jared still weren't there but it was still early in the party. The place was packed, there was music from the DJ that Jared had asked a favor of and there was plenty of food and drinks. Even though there was no alcohol everyone was enjoying themselves.
"Hey." Evan said loudly over the music.
Mila smiled at him. She was near the front door waiting for anybody else who may have yet to make an appearance. "Hey." She yells back.
"Turned out pretty well." He was very close, moving in next to her ear so she could hear him better.
"Yeah, it did, didn't it." She looked over when she saw the front door open to reveal Selena and Ian.
Her best friend smiled at her as she quickly gave her a hug. "Happy birthday! Wow, this is so amazing! Everyone showed up!" She stated enthusiastically, looking around the house.
Mila frowned as she looked behind them just to see no one else coming in. "Where's Jared?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. He told me that he might not make it since something else more important came up." Evan stated matter of fact.
Selena gave him an irritated look with that statement. "Sorry, but he couldn't come."
"Oh...well, that's okay. It doesn't matter I guess." She forced a smile, trying hard not to show her disappointment and hurt.
"Here, he got you this though." Selena said sweetly, making sure Evan saw her hand over the gift that Jared had gotten for Mila, his date.
He gave a scowl in her direction.
"Oh, he didn't have to do that." Mila smiled as she took the small box from her friend's outstretched hand.
She felt her body go warm with happiness as it spreads throughout her chest. She didn't get any other presents from anyone else, except for her family, not even Evan had given her a gift. She suddenly didn't want to open it in front of everyone. So, she just put it in her pocket for later.
"Well, he felt bad for not making it. So, he thought that maybe that would count for something anyways." Selena shrugged giving a little smile of her own seeing how her friend lit up just a bit at seeing the small box.
"I got you something as well, but that's for later okay." She hugged her again and took hold of Ian's hand, then dragged him towards where people were dancing and having fun.
"Happy birthday, Mila." He quickly said to her before he disappeared into the crowd.
Evan takes her hand. "Let's go join in." He too dragged her after him.
Some people called out to them as they merged into the moving bodies, and she felt happy about her party with how well it was going. But the disappointment wouldn't go away and suddenly she just wanted everyone to go home.