In Too Deep [BXB]

IX

Hudson

There wasn't really any point to the three of us being at that anymore party, not when we hidden round the back.

Anvi and Liam, mingled with people on our way into the house. Liam had his friends, teammates from the hockey team and spoke to them. Anvi apparently, is actually liked by her peers, and so chatted away with the people she knew from school. Anvi was always encouraging me to talk to people and make new friends, but I sort of just stood there, engaging in nothing more than small talk.

Surprisingly, it had been mine idea for us to go to the party. Mainly because there was no way I was turning down free booze, plus I didn't think I could stand the emptiness of my house any longer.

The hallways echoed, and although my parents had returned from their last trip, it was the briefest of visits, and they were out of house only a few days later.

I think I felt a sense of relief, watching them pack up and leave the house. The first night after they came back was fine. But with the list of conversation topics running thin, each evening dinner was getting all the more awkward. There's only so many ways I can answer 'How's school?' or how they can answer 'How's work?'.

I clung to the beer bottle in my hand, it's glass felt cold against my fingers. It was my second - or third bottle that night, I was losing count. I hadn't set out to get wasted - I just needed enough to numb me for the evening.

My dad had been feeling a bit adventurous with the questions and had asked if I'd been talking to any girls. Other than Anvi, who's like a sister to me, the answer to that was a hard no. I think he would've choked on his steak, had I told him I was talking to a boy.

So eventually, the only sound that could be heard at the dinner table, was the sounds of silver cutlery scraping the plates, and the ticking of the old grand clock at the back of the dining room. After enough minutes of silence passed, mum would give up trying to hold a family conversation. I'd sit faded into the background as she and dad would talk about work.

Liam had met my parents quite a few times. There'd been a few unfortunate run ins where I'd invited him over, and they'd come home just as he was leaving the house.

Out of my parents, Liam was the most 'freaked out' by mum. I couldn't blame him though, her icy gaze and expressionless face meant she often came across rather soulless. The dislike seemed to be mutual, as the first thing she did when he left was complain about how badly his 'cheap' trainers had scuffed her marble floor.

I hadn't come out to either of my parents - I didn't really plan on doing so. It wasn't so much that I was scared to, I didn't think they'd be too bothered by it. It was more that I didn't feel like they needed to know - I wasn't bringing anyone home to them. And frankly I didn't think my sex life was any of their business.

Half an hour passed, before I was able to drag Anvi and Liam away from the party and into the back garden. I was beginning to wish we'd stayed inside - that we'd hung out in the kitchen or something. Lending my coat to Anvi, was part of a bargain to get her to come outside with us. Because, for someone who complained about England's climate so profusely - she hardly ever wore a coat.

I felt nothing but pity for myself now - as the November wasn't the best time to be out at night with nothing but a sweatshirt on.
My jeans offered little cushioning between myself and the ground. I knew my back would kill the next day, the brick wall I was leaning against wasn't the most comfortable either.

I took another sip from the bottle.

Liam yawned, his head dropping onto Anvi's shoulder. His eyes were squeezed shut, his  brown hair flopped over his forehead. I found watching hockey matches rather boring, but watching Liam run around wearing his little headband holding his hair back was top notch entertainment.