Heartstrings

Chapter 10: End Game

Jake's Perspective

I shook my head loose of Kelsey's grip and her disgusting kiss. I frantically stood up and looked around - Emma was nowhere to be seen. "Fuck," I thought, as I turned, waiting for her to appear.

Kelsey writhed on the floor with fits of giggles and Jalen walked forward and helped her up off of the ground. I was so livid with her - she had ruined everything.

- Kelsey what the fuck is your problem?!

- Oh Jakey - hic - come daaaance...

She leaned forward towards me again, but Jalen caught her and helped her sit down. Of course "Mr. Nice Guy" had to take care of the damsel in distress.

- Kelsey - is it?

She nodded at him incoherently and attempted to respond

- You're pretty. Do I know you?

- Kelsey, do you know where you are?

- I'm spinning - spinny - hic.

She began to doze off. As I watched Jalen help her, I realized what he must've noticed from the start. There was no way Kelsey was just drunk. Jalen put his hand on the back of her neck to keep her head straight up.

- Kelsey, what have you had to drink tonight?

- Hmm? Umm drink? I just had a drink.

- Did someone give it to you?

- Uhh yeah I just had a drink.

Sam and Lucía came over to our table - Sam put his hand on my shoulder and surveyed the scene.

- What's going on?

- We think Kelsey has either had some drugs or someone roofied her

- There's a cop out front, do you want me to go get him?

- Yeah, do that.

Sam turned and left. Jalen eased Kelsey down into a comfortable position then walked up to me. I felt bad. I'd been such an ass to him all night.

- Hey man... I'm sorry.

- Listen, Jake. I like you, but you've kind of been an idiot. Emma is my friend and I can tell by the way she looks at you that you're really special to her. But you're fucking it up - getting tangled in stupid loose ends and not keeping your priorities straight. I've been trying to give you and her some space this entire night but you keep doing things that push her away. Emma is end game material, so fucking treat her like that or get out of line.

I stared at him completely dumbfounded. He was right, though. I'd started the night out strong, but the last few hours I'd been a prick.

- You're... so right.

- I've got Kelsey. You go find Emma.

I turned before he finished the sentence and started for the door. I checked the bathroom, the courtyard, the front of the school, the gyms, and the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be found. My hair stood on end and my gut wrenched with each place I didn't find her.

As I walked back inside from the parking lot, I saw a few teammates.

- Yo, have you guys seen Emma Knight?

- Uh... pink dress?

- Yes!

- I thought I saw her inside with Dillon.

- Dillon??

- When?

- Uh... I don't know dude. Maybe 5...7 minutes ago?