In the Middle of Nowhere by Julie Ann Knudsen Page A

sized me up.
    I added, “And if this works out tonight,
there might be other new video games in your future if I ever
decide to sneak out again.”
    He didn’t hesitate and stuck out his hand.
“Deal.”
    I shook his hand and said, “Deal,” at the
exact same moment Tessa blared her car horn. I grabbed my coat, ran
outta there as fast as I could and, fearing regret, didn’t dare
look back.

CHAPTER
EIGHTTEEN
     
     
     
     
    I had to pinch myself a couple of times. I
couldn’t believe I was on my way over to Rocky Johnson’s house with
Tessa, at what was sure to be a memorable and exciting night. Kids
would talk about various parties throughout the school year and
Rocky’s always seemed to be the most legendary.
    His parties were different. Unlike most
teenagers, who waited until their parents were away, Rocky’s
parents were always in attendance and encouraged kids to hang at
their house and party, as long as they didn’t drive home. They were
really cool.
    I had to take slow, deep breaths once I
climbed inside Tessa’s car. I wanted to act all casual in front of
her and not let her see how extremely nervous I was, not only for
going to Rocky’s, but also in hopes of being able to sneak back
into my house after escaping.
    Tessa glanced at me. “You look nice.”
    “Thanks,” I said. “You do, too.”
    Tessa cracked the car window and lit up a
cigarette.
    “I thought you weren’t supposed to smoke in
your mom’s car?”
    “I’m not, but she barely drives it and if she
ever did say it smelled like smoke, I would just blame you.”
    Tessa smiled and gave me a wink.
    “Thanks a lot,” I said.
    I wanted some questions answered about the
big night. I needed to remain calm and act unaffected by her
answers.
    “So, who else is going?”
    “Not sure.”
    “His parents are gonna be there, right?”
    “Dunno.” She blew a mouthful of smoke out the
window. “Who cares who’s gonna be there as long as we are?”
    “Where does Rocky live?”
    “Over on North Shore.”
    “Where’s that?”
    Tessa looked at me, appalled. “On the north
shore. Duh!”
    “I can’t help it if I don’t know my way
around the island.”
    “Well you better get familiar with it soon or
you’re gonna end up driving into the ocean by mistake some
day.”
    “I’m not that stupid,” I shot back.
    Tessa took a deep drag and let it out slowly.
“We’ll see about that.”
    I shook my head at her rudeness and stared
out the window at the darkness that surrounded us, while on my way
to a high school party at Rocky “The God’s” house, a high school
party I had absolutely no business attending.
    • • •
    If it was even possible, Rocky’s house was
bigger than Tessa’s. I couldn’t tell for sure how much, but we had
to be buzzed in at a stunning wrought iron gate before traveling up
the steep driveway.
    The house was so huge, it seemed as if it
were actually three separate houses all connected. The only way I
could tell in the dark was from the glowing windows scattered
throughout the massive residence. What the heck was I doing here
and when was the appropriate time to text Erica and Taylor about my
adventure? As Tessa parked the car, I decided I’d wait and see how
the night unfolded before I told the girls all about it.
    I followed Tessa up the cobblestone walkway.
The moonlit sky illuminated the expansive front lawn revealing
colossal contemporary sculptures made from bent steel and wood.
Some even seemed to stand taller and wider than my uncle’s tiny
house.
    We stood and waited in an enclosed brick
entryway as Tessa rang the doorbell. We could hear loud music
coming from beyond the gigantic, weathered double doors.
    Just when Tessa was about to ring the bell
again, the front door flew open and a very tall man greeted us with
a wave and a huge grin. I knew immediately it was Rocky’s father.
He was a handsome, older version of his son.
    “Welcome to the Johnsons’, young ladies! I am
Mr. Johnson, but all the