Pennyroyal Tea [k. cobain]

three.

Kelsi

I watched the events of the party unfolding around me in Krist and Shelli's tiny living room. I was tucked into the corner of a loveseat, drink in hand. I was vaguely aware of Michelle sitting across the room, chatting flirtatiously with a guy with a spiked Mohawk.
The seat next to me was vacant. I normally wasn't this antisocial at parties, so I leaned forward, turning my head around and looking for someone to talk to.
I was startled by the lurch of someone taking a seat next to me. I glanced over and froze. It was him—Kurt.
"Hi," he said to me, meeting my gaze with his electric blue eyes.
"Hi," I stammered, taken aback by the gorgeous man sitting in front of me. This normally never happened to me around guys—even the hot ones—but there was something different about Kurt. When he smiled at me, my stomach fluttered.
"So, how do you know Krist and Shelli?" Kurt asked.
"Well, my best friend Michelle, who is over there..." I motioned vaguely across the room. "She used to work with Shelli. We ran into her at the show and she invited us both."
"Well that explains why I've never seen you around before," Kurt said quietly. "Anyway, I'm Kurt."
"I'm Kelsi," I answered.
"I like that name," Kurt replied.
"I like your band," I blurted out. God, how stupid did I sound?
"Thanks," Kurt answered. I thought I saw the hint of a blush on his cheeks. I guessed Shelli was right about him being a little shy.
"You're really talented," I continued, feeling a bit more confident.
"Thanks," Kurt answered again with a little smirk as he looked towards the ground. He was so cute! "You play any instruments?" He asked.
"No, actually," I answered. "But I just graduated today with a degree in journalism, and I have a job lined up with The Rocket."
"So, you're going to be a journalist?" Kurt scrunched up his face.
"Yeah," I answered. "What's wrong with that?"
"It's just that most of the journalists I've dealt with have been douchebags." I raised my eyebrows, surprised that Kurt was saying this to me.
"Well, to be fair, tons of musicians are douchebags too." Kurt looked at me and chuckled.
"Fair enough," he answered. "Congratulations on graduating, by the way. This high school drop-out is feeling slightly inadequate." He laughed darkly.
"You're a musician though," I pointed out. "Your band is super talented. You're going to do just fine."
"Well, thanks for being so sure of that," Kurt answered. "So I take it you're into the music scene since you're writing for The Rocket?"
"I am. I love it. I've been so busy with school that I haven't been following as closely as I used to. That's probably why I hadn't heard of you guys yet."
"Well, if you're ever looking to interview anyone, I know a lot of the guys in most of those bands."
"Wow, thanks." That could really be helpful to me. And if it kept me in contact with Kurt, I was all for it.
"Hey, I'm gonna grab another drink. You want one?" Kurt reached out for my empty cup.
"Yes please," I answered. Kurt wandered off towards the kitchen. I marveled at how well things seemed to be going between us. I spied Michelle, now making out with Mohawk dude. It was typical Michelle—I wasn't surprised.
Kurt came back with our drinks a moment later and handed mine to me.
"Why thank you sir," I exclaimed grandly.
"You're most welcome, madame." We dissolved into laughter. We were so drunk. And I was about to be a lot more drunk. The drink Kurt had made was strong.
I drank quickly anyway. I loved the numbing sensation of alcohol.
Kurt and I kept talking and talking. I felt like I could talk to him forever. I even ended up telling him about my dad, which was difficult for me to talk about. When a stray tear escaped my eye, he reached out and brushed it from my cheek. I nearly thought I'd pass out when he touched me. He made my heart race.
As we chatted, we gradually moved closer to one another, almost magnetically. Eventually our arms were brushing one another's.
Finally, Kurt tentatively reached out and took my hand, enclosing his long, calloused fingers around it. I felt electricity racing through my body as he held my hand. I was very, very drunk, but I needed to play it cool.
We kept chatting and had two more drinks. I was so drunk that I didn't think I could stand up. I noticed the party was starting to die down. I no longer saw Michelle or the guy she'd been with, which meant that she probably left without me.
Suddenly I felt very sleepy. I leaned my head over on Kurt's shoulder and began to drift off...