Free Friendship on Fire by Danielle Weiler Page B

her were five girls from Grammar, as drunk as she was, standing like penguins around a flapping fish.
    The blonde bimbos were covered in fake tan; faces caked in orange make-up, and dressed to the nines — like Skye. Hell, they may as well be sisters.
    Skye started laughing hysterically as the girls tried to get her back on her feet. Rach folded her arms in disgust. Roman laughed politely and told them to come inside before they hurt themselves any more. I wasn’t so friendly.
    â€˜This isn’t happy hour at the local brothel, girls,’ I said sharply.
    One by one the girls turned around to look at the person who dared make them feel unwelcome at a party they had been invited to — by the host, no doubt.
    One of Skye’s friends clasped Roman’s arm. She somehow managed to ignore me yet address me in the same sentence. ‘Thanks, gorgeous, we always appreciate a gentleman.’ Stumbling through the front door, she added, ‘More than a size twelve red-headed girl who should know when to keep her mouth shut.’
    â€˜Yeah,’ Skye drawled, picking her hair out of her eyes. The others chimed in with laughter while yet again, Roman didn’t come to my defence. He let himself be led to the slaughter instead. This girl didn’t know him and she was already throwing herself at him. And he didn’t shut her down. He was dropping his standards and I intended to tell him that as soon as I had the chance.
    I was heading to warn the Brigade off our alcohol when I heard someone call my name from the front garden. It was hard to see through the darkness so I stood at the front door and squinted at the cars parked on the lawn. I waited for a minute but began to feel like I was hearing things. I might as well give up and close the door.
    â€˜Where was my special invite?’ Nate appeared on the porch and leant against a wooden post with his arms folded.
    Heat tingled up my spine; he was the most gorgeous thing out of his school uniform. He was wearing tailored dark jeans with a fitted black t-shirt. His slip-on shoes matched his shirt and his dark hair had been messily styled. Nate was smiling at me now; a disarming smile that I wanted to look away from but couldn’t.
    â€˜Didn’t think you’d want to come,’ I said, trying not to show my excitement at seeing him. I stood nervously in the doorway, not sure what to do with my hands except fidget.
    â€˜Why wouldn’t I want to use any opportunity to see you again? This is your best friend’s house isn’t it?’ His eyes were mocking me.
    Still enchanted. ‘Yeah. But how did you know?’
    â€˜I have my sources. As luck has it, you have a loudmouth at your school. She invited our whole class,’ he laughed, and shifted his weight from foot to foot.
    â€˜She does have a habit of opening it too often,’ I agreed, ‘But you are more than welcome, if you think you will like it here.’
    â€˜Don’t be humble, Daisy. I can imagine you’ve set up an awesome gig. You can hear the music from down the street. You should have told me about this yesterday afternoon. Why didn’t you walk home with me? Did I bore you that much in the morning?’ he teased.
    â€˜No,’ I gasped, mind racing.
    â€˜Then you could have called me?’ His frown was unsteadying.
    â€˜I kind of lost your number …’ I stammered.
    â€˜ “Lost”, hey,’ he murmured.
    â€˜I had to visit a friend. He needed my help,’ I said too quickly.
    He raised his eyebrows. ‘Oh. Do I have competition already?’
    â€˜Do you what?’
    â€˜Aren’t you going to show me around?’
    He brushed past my arm even though there was plenty of room for both of us in the doorway. When I didn’t immediately follow, he turned around and grabbed my arm. Dragging me through the house like he owned it, he addressed each room as if he was the one showing me