Chapter 43 House Party
JESSICA
A DAY EARLIER
I stared at myself in the mirror dressed in my scrubs. I am currently in the bathroom of the nurses' locker room. I am standing close to the counter, staring at myself in the mirror as my thoughts start all over the place.
I have no idea why inviting Uncle Xavier to my party is giving me a lot of mental stress.
Since mom asked me to invite him, I haven't stopped thinking about it.
Why is that?
It is not a big deal, is it?
Gosh, it is. After the kiss, it really is a big deal.
God, what am I going to do?
I covered my face with my palms as the thought filled my head all over again.
He doesn't even remember the kiss.
Why am I getting worked up?
I let out a sigh as I lowered my gaze. I deep my hand into my pocket and took out my hair band.
I wrapped it on my wrist, returned my gaze to the mirror, and tied up my hair in a slightly neat bun.
I put down my hands and stared at myself in the mirror.
No need to be this worked up, Jessica. He doesn't remember that he kissed you. Just invite him.
That's all.
I let out a sigh, calming my nerves.
Time to go to work.
We will deal with the invite later.
I have spoken to Alex already. Kendra's line is not going to do I asked Alex to tell her for me.
I will go and see Uncle Brad tomorrow after my shift.
And then.......
Uncle Xavier.
It is going to be easy and swift.
I nodded at my thoughts and grabbed my bag which I had left on the counter. I headed into the locker room.
Only to be greeted by Ashley and her boyfriend making out shamelessly at Ashley's locker which is right opposite mine.
I stopped in my tracks, staring at them as I got that familiar tiny feeling between my legs.
They are holding each other like their lives depend on it and kissing like there is no tomorrow.
I lowered my gaze and held onto my bag as I walked towards my locker.
Their kissing sounds, moans, and groans weren't any help to my ears. I took out my keys from my bag and unlocked my locker as they went on.
I wonder how they can do this without feeling embarrassed. I am in here with them. Yet, they are still eating each other up regardless.
Geez.
They must like each other so much.
Or maybe lusting.
I can't tell.
Ashley might be genuine. Her face lights up anytime she talks to him.
I don't know for him.
He seems different and unpleasant.
Whatever. It doesn't concern me.
I grabbed my fast mask and phone.
I scrolled through my phone for some texts.
I got one from Alex.
It says his dad is not in town but he will be around on my party day.
I moved my fingers on my phone, typing a text.
"That was hot," Ashley said, stopping me halfway.
Justin chuckled. "Your lips are fire."
Ashley chuckled, making me look over my shoulder slightly, and returned my attention to my phone.
"I have to go check up on some relentless patients," Justin said.
"No, don't go yet," Ashley whined.
Justin chuckled. "I wish I could buy I have to go. I will see you later, okay?"
"Okay." She said and I heard another kiss sound.
"Bye,"
"Bye babe," he said, heading towards the door. I looked his way.
He is walking out the door.
Ashley opened her locker room and caught my attention as well.
She is brushing her messy hair.
I returned my gaze to my phone and typed a quick text to Alex.
I put my phone in my pocket, closed and locked my locker before turning to Ashley.
She is tying up her hair.
Mom wants me to invite my friends. Funny thing is, I don't have any friends.
Ashley is the only person who has done as much as say hi and offer me a seat at our post. She is nice to an extent.
Even though she is not a very social type. She is okay and I will be glad to have her at my party.
She closed her locker and turned around, catching me off guard.
"Hey," I said, smiling nervously as I walked closer to her.
"Jessica," she simply called with a blank face, killing a part of my courage.
I cleared my throat. "Um, my um....my mom is throwing a small party for me on Saturday at our house."
"A party," she said, sounding like a question.
"Yes. She wants to celebrate my..."
"Saturday? I can't do Saturday, sorry." she retorted, taking out her phone from her pocket and began scrolling.
I furrowed my brows slightly. "Are you busy on Saturday?"
She gave me a look.
"Will you be working all through?"
"No. Justin and I are going on a romantic trip."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Plus I won't be available all week from that Saturday," she said without looking at me.
I stared at her.
She looked at me. "So whatever it is you are celebrating, happy that. Excuse me," she said, walking away and placing her phone to her ear.
"Hey, Mom," she said, walking out the door and closing it.
I let out a sigh.
So much for friends.
We aren't even one, are we?
My phone beeped and I took it out of my pocket.
It was a reply from Alex to my last text.
It says, "I will let my dad know about your party. And you can call him later. I am sure he will love to be there. He doesn't joke with you, remember?😌
I smiled a bit and switched off my phone.
I guess I will just have Alex, his dad, maybe Kendra, and Uncle...
My heart picked up again.
And Uncle Xavier at my party.
I put my phone in my pocket and headed out of the locker room.
That kiss was an accident. I have to stop thinking about it already. He was drunk when it happened. He doesn't know what he was doing.
He might have thought of me as one of his girlfriends. Yes, that might be it.
I have heard Dad talking about Uncle's frivolous lifestyle when it comes to women.
I have confirmed it multiple times. Especially when I saw him doing something illicit at his window twice.
Then when he was kissing me......the things he said showed that he thought I was someone else.
I brushed my hair back for no reason but to calm my uneasiness that comes up anytime I think about the kiss.
This shouldn't be a problem for me. He doesn't remember. I just have to try all I can to forget about it.
I really have to forget about it.
It was a wrong act. Very unpleasant to the ears.
I really have to stop.
I got to the front desk and as unlucky as I can be sometimes, Catherine and Ashley are already seated.
Oh boy.
Here goes.
"Wow. The early bird is here." Catherine spoke up the minute she saw me.
"Welcome, your majesty," she said with a smile.
"Sorry, I was...."
"I don't care what you were doing. Just accept my kind welcome, your grace." She said.
I heaved a sigh, walking to my seat.
"You are always late all the freaking time. Newbies can be very annoying, aren't they, Ash?"
"It is not a big deal, Cath. Let her be." Ashley said, eating chips as I sat in my seat.
Catherine scoffed. "She needs to sit up and do better."
I moved my hands randomly on the paper on the desk.
Ashley nudged me, making me look at her.
"Why don't you invite her to your party? She loves parties," she said, gesturing her head at Catherine.
I shook my head slightly.
Catherine scoffed. "What party?"
I lowered my gaze.
"Her mom is throwing a party at their house on Saturday," Ashley said, making me squeeze the book in my hand a bit.
God, why is she telling her? I thought she didn't speak much.
This is the most social she has been since I met her.
"She invited me but I can't go because you know, Justin and I are going for a mini honeymoon," Ashley said.
"She invited you huh?" Catherine asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, Jessica," Catherine began, making me uneasy. "It is a good thing you didn't invite me cause that will be a waste of time. I don't go to ridiculous parties like the one your mother is trying to throw."
I placed the book aside, ignoring her rudeness.
"Cath, come on," Ashley said.
"What? It would be a crap party anyway. Jessica is a freaking nerd." Catherine said, getting on her feet and walking away angrily.
I stared at her as she walked.
I sensed Ashley leaning close to me.
"She is mad."
I lowered my gaze.
"That's how she gets when she feels left out or not included in things," she said, making me furrow my brows as I looked at her.
She leaned away as her phone rang.
"Oh. I need to take this. Excuse me." she said, getting on her feet and walking away.
And as always, I am here alone.
As always.
But what does she mean by Catherine is mad because I didn't.....
She is not my friend and has been nothing but awfully bossy to me since I came here.
How come she is mad at me?
I shook my head, waving the thought off.
"Excuse me, nurse. I need your help."
HOURS LATER........
I moved my pencil on the paper, sketching a rose and helping myself kill boredom.
It is very late right now and quiet. You could only hear some movements of nurses and doctors.
It is usually like this sometimes. No emergencies or many patients. Only the admitted ones.
Nights like this make me feel happy. It means people are safe. No accident or sick people rushing in to save their lives.
But there are busy nights. Dying patients and emergencies. The ER can be flooded and exhausting.
Even though I love the fact that tonight is calm and quiet, I want those busy nights to keep me occupied.
Because right now, I am struggling to keep the unholy kiss out of my mind even while drawing this beautiful rose.
My mom taught me how to draw. She is perfect at it. She would teach me and anything I drew, she would paste on the wall.
It makes me very happy.
Once I am done with this, I will give it to her. I am grown but not too old to gift my mom my drawings.
It will still make me happy.
I let out a sigh as I looked up from drawing, staring around. A nurse is helping a pregnant patient move around.
I can see a few nurses around with some patients.
And I am still seated alone on the desk.
Catherine did show up and had to join the OR team but Ashley didn't show up at all.
I guess she is with Justin, kissing non-stop.
My heart raced as the way Uncle kissed me filled my head all over again.
His scent. His arms are around me.
His needy lips moving on mine.
The sinful way he grabbed my....
I slammed my pencil on the paper instantly, letting out a sigh.
"I need some water." I got on my feet and headed towards the water dispenser.
I picked up one of the disposable cups and took some water.
I let out a breath, calming myself.
I took more till I was satisfied.
I disposed of it and turned to leave but.....
"Jessica?"