That Night
AJ had called Amanda and told her that he was going to pick her up at around 6:30 and after they went bowling he was going to take her to a party, since she seemed so interested before. Amanda took a shower and changed into some tight, dark blue jeans and a tank top with a long sleeve gray shirt over it. She threw her hair up into a curly ponytail and put her make up on and by the time she was done getting ready it was almost 6:30.
*Hey, I hear you're going bowling with AJ...* Marc said as Amanda sat on the couch and started flipping through the channels.
*Yep.* She said not taking her focus off the TV.
*Manda I think I should warn you, I mean I don't know him that well but I know him just as good as you and people talk a lotta shit about him. I just want you to be careful.* He explained as he sat on the couch next to her.
*Don't worry, I hear everything you hear. I'll be alright, it's not a date, there's gonna be a bunch of people there.* She explained and he sighed.
*Oh, alright.* Marc replied and Amanda laughed at him and then heard a knock on the door and stood up quickly. It was AJ and she didn't even let him in, she just left with him in his old Trans Am. They met up with people that didn't go to their school at the bowling ally. She was introduced to them and couldn't help noticing how different they were from the people at her school. They seemed more outgoing and punkish which Amanda liked, in the guys at least. Like AJ. They had fun bowling and by the time they were done it was about 8:30.
*So do you still want to go to a party with me?* AJ asked her as they sat in his car in the parking lot.
*Yeah, but I thought you said none started until 11?* Amanda asked him as she brought her knees to her chest and smiled at him. He couldn't help thinking how cute she was, she looked so innocent but he could tell by looking into her eyes there was a past there. A past that she was hiding from everyone and a past that would probably take a lot of trust from anyone for her to tell them.
*Yeah I know, so what do you wanna do until then?* He asked her and she looked at him with clueless eyes and he laughed. *We could go watch a movie at my house... oh no wait, damn. My mom had a date or something tonight.* He said and she smiled.
*Tell me about your family.* Amanda asked sweetly as she rested her head on her knees.
*Well it's just me and my mom. My dad left a while ago, like when I was 4.* He explained.
*How old are you?* She asked him.
*18.* He replied. He already knew she was 17, he had asked her brother. *What about your family?* He asked and immediately knew that that was her secret and he regretted asking her. She put her feet back on the floor and started fidgeting with her fingers.
*Well, it's just me, my brother, and my dad.* Amanda said and she didn't want to go further and he didn't push. He really liked her... the rumors around his school were right though. He liked to sleep around, he didn't like relationships, and he really didn't do good in school. But there was something about Amanda that made him want to just hold her and that's it. Not kiss her or touch her in that way, just comfort her and feel her in his arms and it scared him in a way. He never felt that way about anyone. *Well, we can go back to my house if you want.* She said and he looked at her, forgetting what she was talking about.
*Huh?* He said cocking an eyebrow and she giggled at him. *Oh yeah, to watch the movie. If you want.* He told her and she smiled. He started the car and drove back to Amanda's house and they walked into the house.
*Hello?!* She yelled as she put her house key on the table next to the door. They waited for a second and then Amanda walked into the kitchen. *No one home.* She told him and he smiled at her. *Are you hungry?* She asked him as she looked in the fridge.
*Yeah,* He told her as he stood behind her.
*I can make you a sandwich, or... a sandwich.* She said and he laughed and said that it was fine. So she made him and herself a sandwich while he sat at the kitchen table and watched her. She didn't know it but he was looking at her and thinking about how much he liked her. He watched her hips as she walked back and forth, and her full lips as she licked them unconsciously and then he licked his. They went into the living room and Amanda picked out the movie The Fifth Element and they ate their sandwiches as they sat on the couch and watched the movie. A little into the movie Amanda felt AJ move closer to her, but slowly, he didn't want her to think he was making a move on her. She smiled at him and slid right up against him and laid her head on his shoulder as he put his arm around her waist. When the movie was over it was a little past 11.
*Let's go party.* AJ said jumping up and Amanda laughed at him. They went out to his car and got in it and as he started to back out the driveway he picked up his cell phone and dialed someones number. *Yo, I'm comin over, you guys ravin?* AJ asked and then laughed and hung up. He looked over at Amanda and smiled at her as he shifted his car and sped down the dark road.
The Party
They showed up at the party at around 11:30 together and started partying. They danced a little together but it was so crowded that you couldn't really dance. And they both drank... Amanda drank a lot and at one point AJ was worried about her. It seemed she was trying to drink her problems away and it scared him.
*Hey...* Marc said to Amanda, running into her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty room. *What's goin on? Are you here with AJ?* He asked her.
*Uh huh.* She responded, shaking her head.
*How much have you had to drink?* He asked her, holding on to her arms so she could balance.
*I duuuunno.* She slurred smiling at him. He brought her back out and found AJ talking to some of his friends.
*Dude, can you take her home?! I know you're havin fun but I'm worried about her.* Marc asked AJ and AJ agreed without hesitation. He put his arm around her and helped her walk out to the car. As they walked out they saw people puking and making out all over the yard and they laughed together.
*Oh my god... it's so quiet in here...* Amanda said as AJ got in next to her.
*Damn girl, you didn't tell me you could party like that.* He said to her and she smiled. He wasn't drunk at all and felt confident about driving her home so he started the car. She put the seat back and laid down, curling up and as AJ drove he watched her from time to time and smiled at her. *Yo, is your dad home?* He asked her as he helped her out of his car once they were at her house.
*No...* Amanda replied looking around for his car. She started to walk but her knees failed and so AJ picked her up without trouble and carried her inside, taking the key out of her back pocket to unlock the door.
*Where's your room baby?* He whispered, being quiet even though there was no one home.
*Upstairs,* She said groggily and he carried her up the stairs and she pointed his way to her room. He laid her down on the bed and took her shoes and her long sleeve shirt off for her so she'd be more comfortable. He sat next to her for a while and watched her and she started to come around. *Look I know I'm being dumb but I had a really good time.* Amanda said to him smiling and he smiled back.
*Me too,* He whispered. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and let his lips linger there for a while, thinking about how much he cared for her when he only just met her. He found it amazing that anyone could have such an affect on him so quickly but he was happy he knew her.
*Mmm.* She said hugging him tight and then he said goodnight and left, closing her door behind him.
When Amanda woke up she had the worst headache in the world and she walked downstairs, complaining.
*That's what you get.* Marc said to her and she smiled.
*AJ's so cute.* She said sitting at the table and sighing. She put her hair up in a ponytail and smiled at her brother. *He really is, and he's a lot sweeter then everyone says he is.* She explained and Marc smiled.
*Sure,* He said and then walked out of the kitchen. Amanda heard the doorbell ring and walked to the door slowly, opening it.
*Oh my god, hi.* She said quickly as she thought about what she must look like.
*Hey,* AJ said laughing. She let him in and he smiled at her, looking her up and down. *I took this out of your pocket last night and I thought I should return it.* He said handing her key to her.
*Oh, what are you doing here so early?* She asked and he laughed again.
*It's 1.* He told her and she gasped, making him laugh more. *Now that I'm here I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to this barbeque at my house?* He asked her and she smiled.
*Yeah sure...* Amanda replied and he smiled happily. *You can wait here if you want and I'll get ready quick.* She said so he sat on the couch and watched TV with Marc while Amanda took a shower. She got dressed in a plain, tight white t-shirt with an unbuttoned, pinstriped light green shirt over it. She wore light bell-bottom jeans and left her hair down and wavy.
*Okay, hi.* She said walking down the stairs and putting her hands on her legs.
*Kay...* AJ said turning around and as he looked at her he got chills that he couldn't explain. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. They said goodbye to Marc and then left in AJ's car and drove to his house. There were a million cars all around his house and Amanda all of a sudden got scared. What if people thought they were dating? She wouldn't mind but... she was going to meet his mom?!
*Is all your family gonna be here?* She asked shyly before he got out of the car.
*Yeah, but don't worry. You're gonna have fun.* He assured her and they both got out of the car and walked up his driveway.
*Damn AJ... this is like a really big house.* Amanda said and he laughed. *It's beautiful.*
*Thank you...* He said and debated whether or not to say what he was thinking. *So are you...* He said and she looked at him smiling and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. He took her hand in his and they walked out back and through the fence gate. *Hey ma, this is my friend Amanda.* He introduced them and she smiled. She looked surprised that he had brought someone with him, especially a girl. She knew her son liked girls and she knew the way he was with them and there was no doubt in her mind that he had more then a handful to pick from but she had never met any of them.
*Hi.* Amanda said sweetly as she shook his mother's hand.
*I'm Denise, nice to meet you.* She said and they smiled at each other.
*Yo dude! We've been waitin for you. We wanna play basketball!!* A guy yelled to AJ so he took Amanda's hand and brought her over to the basketball court in his backyard.
*You have a basketball court in your back yard... you're spoiled.* She said and they both laughed.
*Hey everyone this is Amanda! Amanda this is Brian, Nick, Jeff, and Ryan.* He introduced them all and she gave them all a little wave. *You wanna play some ball?* He asked her and she smiled.
*Of course,* She agreed emphatically. She took her button down shirt off and threw it on a chair and then joined them back on the court. The teams were Amanda, Brian, and Nick and AJ, Jeff, and Ryan. They started playing and Amanda kept getting most of the shots.
*Damn woman... you never said you were good.* AJ said bending over and resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
*You never asked...* She said smirking and he smiled at her. *I played at my old school but when I got here it was too late to join the team.* She explained. AJ took his shirt off and she wanted to shout. He had the most beautiful upper body she had ever seen and she raised her eyebrows at him, making him laugh. They played for a little bit longer and Brian threw Amanda the ball, and as she went up for the shot a big figure blocked her way and she was knocked over.
*Damn...* Brian said as he walked over to them. Amanda had been knocked over by AJ who fell on top of her.
*Sorry... you okay?* AJ asked, still laying on top of her. She looked at him and they both started laughing hysterically. She got up and AJ noticed that her arm was bleeding so he brought her inside and they decided that Amanda's team had won. *Are you sure you're okay?* He asked once they were inside where it was quiet.
*Yeah I'm fine. I'm not a sissy.* She said and he smiled at her.
*I know,* He said.
*Hey, about last night... I don't want you thinking I'm like some drunk... I usually don't do that,* Amanda explained and he smiled at her as he closed the freezer with ice in his hand.
*Don't worry about it.* He told her and noticed her looking at his chest, trying to hide it. AJ walked closer to her and handed her the ice and she put it on her arm not breaking his eye contact. He gently placed his hand on her face and searched her eyes for some sign, any sign. She smiled and he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a firm but sweet kiss. They kissed for a moment and then pulled away and smiled at each other.
*Dude, what is this? Did you just decide to change on us?* Nick asked AJ while Amanda was getting food with his mother.
*No man, I don't know. She's different, there's something about her...* AJ explained staring at her from far away and watching her smile and laugh with his family. *I like her...* He admitted openly and they looked at him.
*Well there's a first.* Brian said and AJ hit him laughing.
*Shut up! I've liked girls before...* AJ said and they laughed even harder.
*Name one.* Brian said and AJ sat there, thinking hard.
*I know!* He said jumping up. *Christen Landers... First grade.* He said shaking his head and they all started laughing.
