We all awoke to a loud techno song at 6am that morning. "Wh-what is that?" I said groggily, startled by the sudden break in the silence.
"An alarm, of course." Emma said. "I set it so we wouldn't get in trouble when the next shift comes through."
"Brilliant, but what do you expect for us to do? Walk?" I said sarcastically. Actually, I was pretty sure that Jakob could easily run home, but we weren't all superstuds like him.
"Well genius, we could call a cab like normal people." Emma said, sticking out her tongue sourly.
"Great plan! We'll probably get kidnapped in the process!" I retorted. Lilja, Anna, and Jakob stifled a laugh.
"You're so cute that you probably would get kidnapped." Jakob whispered in my ear before pulling me towards the bathrooms.
"You guys can figure it out!" He said loudly so they could hear.
"I've never had to piss so badly in my life." Jakob sighed. It was pretty awkward; I was just standing there looking at myself in the mirror.
"Ten years later." I said impatiently.
"I think you're making the mirror jealous." He said, ignoring my comment.
"Obviously... oh my god! Is that a blackhead!?" I started to freak out.
"Chill. It' s just a bit of dirt on the mirror." He said, rolling his eyes. As fate would have it, we saw the radical Christian on our way out. He glanced at Jakob before backing away. I assumed he didn't want to risk another unconscious spell. Jakob winked at the guy playfully before reaching around and putting his left hand in my back left pocket. I had to admit; it was pretty cute.
"Isn't it eerie how this place has been dead since we got here?" I asked.
"Yeah, especially since you're here. I'd expect the paparazzi to be swarming around us."
"Haha, but seriously."
"Yeah, I guess. But really, who goes to Wal-Mart so early anyway?"
"Freaks like us?" I suggested.
"Yeah yeah." He snickered, pulling me closer to him.
"A cab's on its way." Anna said as we approached the girls.
"Awesome! Anyway, I guess it's good that we got suspended, because we'll need a lot of time to plan this party." I said.
"Yeah, really. I guess we can discuss it now as we wait." Lilja said, as we walked outside. I shivered, and Jakob gave me his furry H&M hoodie. It was huge on me, but it kept me warm.
"Yeah, so, when should we do it?" Jakob asked, seemingly unaffected by the chilling weather.
"Well, my host family is going out of state for a whole week starting the first Monday of Christmas break." Lilja said.
"So, we could schedule the party on that Tuesday...?" I suggested.
"Sounds good."
"And alcohol...?" I asked.
"Jake knows a guy who'd buy it for us. What do you all say?" Emma asked.
"Sounds great." The Icelanders responded. I was relieved that Jakob didn't find me disgusting because I drank.
"What about food?" Emma asked casually. "I mean, should we just order a million pizzas, or set out a lot of different stuff?"
"Well, it'd be easier to order pizzas, but more expensive." I said.
"We should just order pizza, since everyone loves pizza." Lilja said matte-of-factly.
"Cool. I'll see if my mom can get me any money, and y'all do the same." I said.
"Um, what types of pizza though?" Lilja asked skeptically.
"Four sausage, four pepperonis; large. Anyone who doesn't like it just won't eat." Jakob said, but quickly adding, "Unless you guys want something else, of course." He went red, and I doubted it was because of the weather.
"No, that sounds fine." Emma said, deciding for everyone.
"Non alcoholic drinks? Yay or neigh?" Anna asked.
"Of course. But nothing like juice, okay?" I said jokingly.
"Yeah yeah, okay, so like, the usual soda then?"
"Sounds great. Don't forget the condoms." Grinned Jakob.
"Why would we need condoms?" asked Lilja suspiciously.
"Uh, hello! The atmosphere's gonna be thick with hormones, and a lot of those people are gonna be getting freaky." Emma answered for him.
"Oh my god! People are going to do it in my house?"
"Well, Jakob and Nathan already covered that for you." Anna said, giggling.
"Hey! We didn't have sex!" Jakob interjected.
"Whatever whatever. Okay, sure, get condoms. We should probably clean the pool too." Said Lilja.
"Who the hell would swim in this weather?" I asked, snuggling against Jakob's warm chest.
"Icelanders!" Anna said, giving Lilja a highfive. Jakob just stared at them awkwardly.
"Well come ON! I'm sure there are some people willing to swim in this weather." Lilja said.
"Yeah, I guess so. We might as well clean it just in case. " Emma said.
"There's our cab." I said, pointing towards a yellow car that was pulling in near us. We all got inside and told the driver, a short plump woman, Lilja's address. I leaned up against Jakob's strong arm as we continued discussing the party.
"What else then?" Lilja asked.
"Well, we could use your host parent's room for a 'movie room', and the basement as a dance room." Jakob said.
"That works. I just hope nothing gets broken." Lilja said.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that." Jakob said. I felt his biceps flex, which in turn caused my head to rise up with them.
"Stud." I whispered in his ear, to which he grinned.
"If you two are done..." Emma said, mildly annoyed.
"Wait, we need more time." I said, putting a hand on Jakob's hard abs.
"Anyway! I guess we only have Friday to put up invitations." Lilja said.
"Yeah, but how should we make them?" Emma asked. For whatever reason, everyone looked at me.
"Fine, but I wanna make them with a group picture of us." I said.
"Perfect!" they said. Eventually, we made it to Lilja's house.
"Okay, let's get that picture out of the way first. Lilja, do you have photoshop?" I said.
"Yeah, but only CS2. Why?"
"That's the program I'll use to make the invitiatons."
"I'll go get my camera then." Anna said, running inside. As she went inside, Jakob ripped off his shirt.
"All for the pose." He said, rubbing his bare chest.
"How can you guys stand this weather?" I asked, my teeth chattering.
"We're from ICEland." Jakob said, grinning.
"Okay guys, get together." Anna said, emerging from the house. Jakob pulled me into a hug against his chest, and at the same time, the girls gathered around in front of us.
"Three... two... one!" Anna said, as the camera she had placed on a ledge went off with a bright flash.
"Wow, what a perfect picture." Lilja said, fascinated. I had to agree with her; it had captured our emotions perfectly.
"I'll totally make copies." I said, taking the camera.
"I'll help." Jakob said, grinning as he pulled me into the house, leaving the girls to get started on cleaning the pool.
"Er, I'll clean the hot tubs." Emma said, apparently not wanting to get in the water.
I hooked the camera up to the computer and opened up photoshop as Jakob played with my hair. "You're too silly." I giggled.
"Only when you're around." He grinned, his cool breath on my neck. I was finding it difficult to concentrate with Jakob's strong hands massaging my sore shoulders. Apparently, sleeping on the floor of Wal-Mart was not as comfortable as I had thought.
"Baby, I need to concentrate." I said reluctantly. He didn't seem to mind though, because he just kissed my neck and said, "Your wish is my command." He proceeded to start working out thereafter.
I put the picture on a white background, with "Christmas Party on 1428 Main Street, from 8pm to whenever you want to leave, all on the first Tuesday of Christmas break! For any questions, ask Jakob Eriksson, Emma Storvall, Lilja Flosadottir, Anna Arnardottir, or Nathan Enzy. See you there!"
"How does it look?" I asked Jakob, who now smelled extremely sexy. He stood over me, examining the screen.
"Looks awesome!" He smiled, his scent becoming even stronger.
"Thanks. You know, you should make a cologne out of your scent." I said, grinning awkwardly.
"I will when you do." He snickered, going back to his workouts.
"Yeah yeah. Well anyway, Mr. Bouncer, we should go help the girls clean." I said, printing out the flyers.
"Bouncer? Me?" he asked, confused.
"Well yeah! If there's any chaos, you'll be in charge of clearing it up." I said, winking.
"Fine, but only for you." He said, pulling me against his sweat covered body. I may just be a freak, but I found it extremely sexy.
"Let's shower before we go down there." He said, picking me up.
"Together?" I asked, startled.
"Yeah. Come on, it'll be totally innocent." For some reason, I totally doubted his words. "Seriously. You don't have to do anything with me if you don't want to." He said. "I swear."
"Okay, let's get it over with so the girls don't find out though." I said. "Wait! Clothes?" suddenly thinking.
"Oh, yeah." He said glumly. "Later then." He added, dashing downstairs with me still in his arms.
"Need any help?" he asked Emma.
"Sure."
"Okay, Nate-dawg can help you." he said, grinning at my stupid nickname.
"Nate-dawg?" she laughed.
"Shut up." I told them.
"You're too cute when you're mad." He said, kissing my forehead. "Anyway, I'm gonna go help Anna and Lilja. Lata!"
"So, how's y'all's relationship?" Emma asked me as Jakob went outside.
"Pretty good. He's energetic, so it's all fun. I can't wait til the party though. What about you and Jake?"
"Not so good." She said. "People have been telling me he's been flirting with other girls lately. You know, the normal jock thing."
"Emma, I don't care what he is; even if he's a jock, that doesn't mean he can sneak around behind your back like that."
"Yeah, but I don't even know if the rumors are true or not." She said in his defense.
"Yeah, I guess so. Let's hope not."
"Yeah, anyway, he said he could get his friend to get the alcohol; he's paying."
"Awesome! Beer or hard liquor?"
"Both, since a lot of people will be coming. Have you made the flyers?"
"Yeah, they're upstairs."
"Cool. Anyway, wasn't Jakob gonna join the soccer team?"
"He decided not to. Although he did say that their parents are contemplating moving here."
"Wow! Really??"
"Yeah! I'm just as excited. I was rather stumped at the thought of having Jakob leave, but if he can stay, that'll rock!"
"Perfect!" she grinned.
"Anyway, how's Lilja been doing?"
"Better. Anna and I are always there for her, you know. Then Jakob is always making sure no guy gets too physical with her, but you know how that is."
"Yeah, I see. Well, hopefully this party helps her. Hell, it'll help everyone with exams and all."
"Seriously."
"Hey slowpokes!" called out Jakob, now fully wet due to cleaning the pool. "We still have a lot more to do!"
"Damn, look at that body. You're one lucky kid." Emma said.
"Gee, thanks." I said, then not knowing what fun the next few days would bring.
Author's Note: If anyone is fluent in another language besides English and would like to help spread this story's contents through other languages, please e-mail me [: I also always love feedback, whether it be positive or negative.