Jake

Chapter 4 - Return

"Look!" Melissa screamed over the music with a pointing hand as she leaned her head against mine. I peered into the crowd as I followed her finger when my eyes roamed across Ruby, Chicago and Kai who had just arrived. Ruby was already tipsy, a bottle of whiskey in her hands as she rocked to the music. Chicago was looking around into the crowd, prowling for a girl he'd swoop in and grab like always, the boy had the best style I'd ever seen and he was undeniably attractive with blond short hair and big blue eyes, he was tall and rugged, always a gentleman.

Kai's gaze instantly found us, found me, and his eyes zoomed in on me the second he had taken in what I was wearing in comparison to what I usually wore.

"Wow" He mouthed as he stood in front of us bewildered as Melissa giggled beside me, her elbow pushing into my ribs subtly.

I couldn't help but smile and roll my eyes at the same time as I took another swig of my drink, the raspberry flavour drenching my throat like lolly water. I had to stop myself from drinking the entire bottle all at once in front of Kai, who would instantly tell me to slow it down - Kai's brother was an alcoholic and I had never seen the boy touch a bottle my entire life.

Before I could distract myself or lose myself outside away from the crowds, Kai grabbed me by the arm and tore me away from the kitchen area leaving Melissa with Ruby as they clinked glasses and downed their tequila with lemon shots.

I was dragged to the dance floor where Kai took both my hands and began to push and pull me to the beat of the music. I threw my head back and laughed, feeling idiotic as I attempted to force back my uncoordinated muscles. I wasn't a dancer, I couldn't dance to save my life.

With the help of Kai's patience and confidence, it was within ten minutes of fits of laughter, flirting and stumbles that we were swaying and dancing as rapidly as all the others on the dance floor. I was having fun and I couldn't wipe the smitten smile off my face as Kai and I got closer and closer with our movements.

Our noses almost touched, our fronts brushing against each other as we danced carelessly around with the other drunken teenagers. It was the most fun I'd had in at least three years.

After what felt like hours of dancing, I decided I needed air. I needed to breathe and catch up on reality before our dancing brought our intimacy together, that was not what I needed added on to the drama I had already mustered together.
By this stage, I'd had at least four drinks within my short breaks and I could already feel the effect it was having on my slim small light-weight body.

I managed to lose Kai in the crowd as he talked to another group of his football friends. In that moment I decided to sneak out the front which was now deserted, dark and almost post-apocalyptic.

I soaked in the fresh air and relished in the cold breeze. I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly as the alcohol of what I had quickly absorbed soaked into my blood stream. My head and brain were dizzy, my eyes were aware yet I felt as though I was looking through a colourful kaleidoscope ment to amuse young children. I knew I couldn't drink anymore, I knew that if I did, things would not end well. I leaned my back against the short stone fence at the front of the home, my eyes closed as I tilted my head back to prevent vomit from arising. Gradually, the air soothed my aching body and settled my agitated stomach, but it was soon to emerge again with a vengence when the sudden feeling of being watched overwhelmed me. My eyes darted open and I near jumped at the sight of a tall well-dressed Jake lingering directly in front of me. Sooner or later, I was expecting him to show up, but now that I was far from sober, I was worried what I would do or let slip from my big drunken mouth.

Instantly, his eyes wandered from my face to my dress, to my legs then all the way back up again, his face was straight and composed as he pushed his hands into his jeans pockets.