Chapter 28

            I walked around the party with a Mike’s Hard Lemonade in one hand and my gun in the other. Savannah was dressed as a slutty cop and I couldn’t help but to giggle at the sight of her. “This Could Be Love” by Alkaline Trio was playing in the background. Ricky knew how to pick the best music.

            “So what are you supposed to be?” She asked and twirled her handcuffs around on her index finger.

            “I’m Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.” I lied.

            “Oh my God!! That’s so cool! I love her!” Savannah giggled. “But shouldn’t you’re hair be in a braid?”

            “I didn’t know how to do a braid.”

            Bullshit! I knew how to do braids but I was not going to admit that I was someone from Star Wars damnit! I shrugged and turned to see David walking towards me.

            “Someone’s looking sexy.” Savannah giggled and patted my back lightly. “I think someone is gonna be having some fun tonight!” I went to give Savannah a look but she walked away before I could.

            I hadn’t seen him in forever and I nearly died when I saw what he was dressed up as. David dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He had even grown a slight beard for the costume and slicked his brown hair back. He looked so hot in the brown long cloak, a white tunic and tan pants.

            “What a fucking coincidence.” He said with a laugh. “I didn’t know you were a Star Wars freak?”

            “I’m not!! Ricky used the force to make me dress up.” I was hiding a smile and turned away quickly.

            “Yeah, I’m a Star Wars geek through and through.” David laughed and I shook my head, laughing with him.

            “So are Justin and Ricky.”

            “Justin.” David sneered while saying his name. “How is the drug dealing, Mafia lord, son of a bitch anyway?”

            Damn. Someone was jealous. I just shrugged and took a sip of my Mike’s hard lemonade. I really didn’t want to deal with that. Did he have to be such an ass? I started to walk away when he grabbed my arm and sighed.

            “I’m sorry… I’m jealous and intimidated.”

            “That’s for damn sure.” I glared at him and was thankfully removed from that conversation when the twins ran at us.

            “Uncle David!” He bent down and hugged them tightly.

            “Would you look at that!! It’s Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia!” He kissed the both of them on the cheek and grinned.

            “Yep!!” Samantha said proudly and then turned around to see someone behind David. “DADDY!!”

            Samantha wiggled out of David’s arms and ran to her father who was to my “surprise” dressed as Anakin Skywalker. He had the black leather vest with the black shirt underneath, the black pants, boots and the long flowing cape. He had the scar on his right eye and the black gloved hand.

            God he looked gorgeous. Did Ricky need to make this all harder on me by inviting Justin?

            Justin hugged and kissed the twins while I just took it as my cue to walk away from both Justin and David. I walked to get another Mike’s Hard Lemonade when I saw the funniest thing in the world.

            Tommy was dressed up as the Lucky Charms Leprechaun. I dropped the Mike’s Hard Lemonade to the floor and cracked up. He was dressed in a bright green suit just like the Lucky Charms guy!! He even had the hat and everything!

            “They’re after me Lucky Charms!” He screamed in his Irish accent and ran up to me with a box of Lucky Charms in his hand.

            Who the hell would have known that the great Thomas Ryan would have a sense of humor? Hope just watched him with anguish. That was her husband and he had cheated on her and now he was having so much fun.

            Tommy suggestively winked at me and I couldn’t help but to laugh. I wasn’t supposed to be laughing at him!! I was supposed to be yelling at him for being such an ass to Esperanza!

            “What are you supposed to be?”

            “I’m Britney Spears from the “Oops I Did It Again” video, except I have white leather on. I’m her if she would have fucked that Astronaut in the video.”

            Tommy just looked at me confused. He probably didn’t know what the hell I was talking about but oh well. He shrugged it off and went crazy again.

            “IT’S MAGICALLY DELICIOUS!!” He had jumped on the table and pointed at his crotch.

            The whole party fell into hysterics. Well, everyone except for Hope was laughing. She just glared at Tommy. She felt her blood boil at the sight of him laughing and acting like nothing happened.

            Never piss off a Spanish girl. We have the Ricky Ricardo tempers.

            “It’s too small to be magically delicious!!” Hope screamed out. More laughter ensued after that. Tommy just shrugged with a smug smirk on his face, but obviously upset at the sight of Hope and Kip together.

            “You never complained before.”

            “That’s only because I never knew what a real man was until I met Kip!”

            Tommy just looked annoyed and jumped off the table and stormed off to where Justin, Ricky and Louis were talking. Justin. God, I was going to avoid him like the fucking plague.

            I chugged down my alcohol and talked to more people around the party. A lot of them were people I had been friends with when I lived in New York like Hollie and Tim. They were such an adorable couple and I was happy that they were still together.

            “Hello.” I heard a monotone voice say. I turned around and saw Napoleon standing behind me dressed up in a suit of armor.

            “Hi…”

            “What are you supposed to be?” He asked. Napoleon had two friends with him, a Spanish-looking guy with a mustache and a girl with a ponytail on the side of her head. I just smiled politely.

            “Oh I’m an Alien Hunter.” It was the first thing that popped into my head. Napoleon just nodded knowingly.

            “I’m a medieval warrior.” Napoleon informed me and then proceeded to introduce me to his friends. “These are my friends Pedro and Deb. This is my woman, Natalia.”

            HIS WOMAN?! I wanted to die laughing. He had to be kidding right?! I made some excuse about having to go check on Ricky and walked away quickly.

            “Someone’s in a rush.” Justin said with an amused smile. I just rolled my eyes at him.

            “Yes, that’s thanks to Ricky for hooking me up with weirdoes.” I motioned to Napoleon who had gotten hit in the face with a steak that Ricky was serving as part of the food. Napoleon just screamed at the man dressed as a football player, who I heard him call Rico.

            Justin laughed at me and I smacked his arm. He could be such an ass sometimes.

            “Speaking of weirdoes, you’re wonderful friend David is here.” Justin said sarcastically. I turned and saw David talking to Savannah. I wondered what they could be saying to each other. Was it about me?

            “David is a nice guy, Justin. He was there for me in a time of need and I don’t care if you’re jealous of him or not. Be nice.”

            “Whatever.” He dismissed the subject we were speaking of quickly and smirked. “How did Ricky get you to wear the Padme costume?”

            “He had my Mom threaten me.” I rolled my eyes and Justin just laughed.

            “Yeah, your Mom can be really frightening.”

            “Tell me about it.”

            “You look hot as Padme.” Justin was grinning at me. He ran his hand down my bare stomach making me shiver at his touch. “I’m glad Ricky had the idea for this costume.”

            I bit at my lip and looked up to see David walking towards Justin and I. I was feeling nervous so I stared down at my gun. This was really really awkward.

            “Don’t you know it’s against the Jedi code to annoy beautiful girls. Now go away.” David hissed and grabbed my arm tightly. He pulled me away from Justin and I let out a yelp.

            “That hurt!! David get off me!”

            David was thrown into a wall and I was in Justin’s arms. The expression on his face was of pure anger and rage. No one fucked with Justin Timberlake’s woman.

            “Don’t ever touch her again!” Justin said through clenched teeth.

            “You can’t tell me what to do.” David replied with an angry tone to his voice. I was getting really nervous at the damn situation.

            Why did this fucking drama always have to happen to me? Thank God for Ricky though.

            “Guys… stop okay? This is my apartment and my party and if you’re going to act stupid and fight like children then you can both leave right now. I will not have you guys ruin my party and I’m sure, Natalia won’t forgive either of you if you do.” Ricky folded his arms and although his funny fairy appearance, he looked dead serious and mad.

            “I’m sorry, Ricky, but he hurt Natalia.” Justin pointed out. “He grabbed her arm and she screamed.”

            “Alright fuck this. David, I’m sorry but you’ve gotta leave.” Ricky said angrily and led David to the door. David just turned around and glared at Justin and I.

            “Life often imitates art.” David said softly, looking very sad. “Padme’s death was Anakin’s fault and if Natalia dies it will be your fault Justin.”

            “I’d never let Natalia get hurt! I would die before that happens!”

            “Yeah right.” David scoffed. “That’s why most of her pain comes from you. You will be her downfall, Justin.”

            With those last words David walked out of Ricky’s apartment. I looked at Justin who just seemed pissed off. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t go after David and I wasn’t going to end up with Justin.

            “I would never hurt you. You know that.”

            “Just stop okay.” I walked away from Justin and towards JC who wearing a black speedo and a bow tie. I giggled at the sight of him.

            “Hey Stranger.” I said with a smile. “I’d hug you except there’s a lack of clothes.”

            “Yeah… I’m a Chip and Dales Stripper.” JC laughed. “How’s Savannah doing though?”

            “She’s…” Could I tell him the truth and help JC and Savannah fix their relationship? Or should I just mind my business? I decided to go with the latter. I didn’t need her mad at me again. “She’s doing okay.”

            “I miss her.”

            “She doesn’t think that. You like never call.”

            “I’m busy…” JC avoided my gaze and I knew he was lying.

            “Sure JC, but Justin at least has the time to stalk me. Try another excuse.”

            “There’s things you don’t understand so just forget it okay.”

            “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes at him. He was really pissing me off. I didn’t blame Savannah for fucking Lance. I’d do the same thing if I was in her place.

            “Anyway what’s your costume?”

            “Oh I’m a superhero.” I said with a straight face.

            “Really who?”

            “Uh… Super Sperm Woman. I have the power to make a man cum at the sight of me.”

            “Wonderful, I bet you’ll have fun using that on Justin later.” JC winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

            “I’m not back together with him so shut up.”

            Why the hell did everyone have to annoy me about that damn topic?! I wasn’t with Justin! So what if I slept with him? That didn’t mean anything! Haha, yeah right, it meant a lot.

            “Okaay! Calm down there.” JC raised his hands up in mock defense. “You aren’t back with Justin but who said anything about having fun?”

            “Pervert!! Joshua Chasez, you are a pervert!” I giggled and slapped his bare arm.

            “Excuse me. I have an announcement to make!” Ricky exclaimed and jumped up onto his coffee table. Thank God it was sturdy or else it would have broke and I would have laughed. “I’d like to clear up some of the misconceptions that are going around the party.”

            Misconceptions? What the hell was he talking about? JC and I exchanged confused looks. “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” by My Chemical Romance was lowered and I was a little annoyed, I loved that song! It fit the Halloween spirit!

            “Natalia is indeed a Star Wars nerd and is dressed up as Padme Naberrie Amidala. She is not dressed as Britney Spears, an undercover cop or Lara Croft. NATALIA IS A STAR WARS OBSESSED FREAK!”

            “I HATE YOU!” I screamed out in embarrassment while everyone else just laughed.

            “Isn’t that one of Anakin’s lines? God, Nat! You’re saying the wrong character lines!”

            I gave my gay best friend the dirtiest look I could muster up and then pouted. JC just patted my back and laughed.

            “Don’t worry. I’m a Star Wars freak too.”

            “I’M NOT A STAR WARS FREAK!” I pointed out yet again. This was when Justin came over and smiled.

            “She’s not a Star Wars freak.” He said patronizingly

“I’m noooott!!” I whined and JC patted my back yet again. I turned and gave him a look of death. JC looked scared and took this as his cue to walk away.

“Natalia, you know I’d never hurt you… I love you and it kills me inside that I’m not with you…”

“Oh just fucking save it.” I shook my head. “I’m leaving so just stop you’re fucking declarations of love. I don’t want to hear them. I told you I need my space so just accept that and leave me alone. So Happy fucking Halloween and good night.”

I picked up my sleeping kids from my old bedroom and walked out of the apartment. I didn’t want to deal with my life and avoiding it all was just going to bite me in the ass in the end.