Over You

3

I made it outside and looked around to see if there was somewhere for me to sit, but saw something better. I walked slowly over to the hammock that was strung up between two trees, and climbed in. I laid on my back, looked up at the stars, and wondered why things never worked out the way I wanted them to. I was one of those girls who read books constantly, making me think that my life should be exactly like the ones in them. Honestly, nothing in my life has ever been like the books I've read. My family was normal, with two normal parents and two normal big sisters. I had my best friends and I did okay in school, but nothing extraordinary ever happened to me. I'd never even had a normal conversation with a boy before, with the exception of Brody when we were younger, but that doesn't really count.

All of a sudden, I felt the hammock tip as someone laid down next to me. I turned to see who it was, assuming it would be one of my friends, but was shocked to see Luke. "What'cha doin'?" he questioned while looking up at the sky. Still in shock, it took me a minute to respond, but finally said, "Nothing, I just needed some time alone. It was getting a little crowded in there."

He didn't respond right away, and we were now both looking up and enjoying the quiet company of one another. After what felt like hours, but in reality was probably only five minutes, he spoke. "This is my favorite place to come to when I need to be alone. Just to clear my head and think, you know?" I glanced over at him to see that his eyes were closed, but he kept going. "When I'm laying here alone, I don't have to make the effort to be who everyone else wants me to be. It just gets exhausting sometimes."

I was confused as to why he was telling me all of this. I mean, we've never really talked until recently, and now he's spilling his guts to me. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting with myself about being who I really am and who everyone wants me to be. I think because of that I just end up being uncomfortably awkward."

Surprisingly, he chuckled at what I'd said. "What? Why is that funny?" I asked, kind of annoyed that that had been his reaction to me opening up.

"I'm sorry, but I thought that was just how you acted around Brody," he continued to laugh and looked at me, afraid of how'd I react. I started blushing like crazy and attempted to avoid eye contact. 

"Am I that obvious?" I asked, hinting at my feelings for Brody. He laughed again and started to climb out of the hammock and walk away.

When he was almost to the back door, he turned around. "Don't worry, he has no idea," he stated with a smirk on his face, and proceeded to walk inside and blend into the crowd.

                                                                                        ----

 When I finally went back inside, I headed for the kitchen. I glanced around and immediately saw a familiar head of blonde hair. Brooke was leaning against the island, holding a red solo cup, and talking to a few short boys who looked extremely in awe. I recognized them from school, knowing they were in the grade below me, making them three years younger than Brooke. I could see her smirk from across the room. She enjoyed being admired, but in a completely innocent way. It made her feel more confident, which to me, made it completely okay.

Brooke looked up for a second, and as soon as she saw me she pushed the boys out of the way and ran over. "Blair! I'm so happy you're here, I desperately need someone to do shots with me!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me to where she had previously been standing. She poured two shots, handed me one, and we both knocked them back in a second. "You have no idea how bored I've been. Please tell me why I bother to come to high school parties."

"Because you enjoy attention, that's why," I said with a laugh as we both took another shot.

"True," she giggled and surprised me by climbing up onto the counter and dragging me with her.

"What the hell, Brooke? Everyone's staring!" I started to fidget and attempted to climb back down, but she held tight to my hand.

"Oh no you don't, Blair. We're having a good time tonight, and that starts with some dancing!" I could tell she had drunk a lot more than I had so far. At first I thought that this was a terrible idea, but then realized that this is what I had wanted. I grabbed the bottle of vodka off the counter and took a drink. "Now that's the spirit!" Brooke yelled as we started to dance like crazy, not caring what anyone thought.

A few minutes later, after taking more than a few more shots, a couple of guys decided to join us up on the counter. Before we really even go to dance with them, we heard a familiar voice, and it was pissed. "Brooklyn Marie Becker get off that counter now." Brody said with clenched teeth. I could tell he was trying his best not to yell, but that could change any second.

"Brodes, don't be such a buzzkill, we're just having funnnn!" she slurred, making the both of us break into a fit of giggles.He didn't seem to find it quite as funny as we did.

He stomped over and pulled both of us off the counter. "You two are done for the night, I'm taking you both to Luke's room to sleep it off," he said sternly, dragging us up the stairs and into an unfamiliar bedroom. Brooke immediately fell onto the bed, but before I go the chance, Brody turned me towards him.

"I expect this from her, but you? I expect so much more," and with that, he walked out and closed the door with a loud slam.