Chasing You

9

BRADEN

This has gone from a chill pregame to a literal party in under ten minutes. We moved the couch up against the wall, rolled up the rug and shoved it into Carter's room with Sixer. Future is booming over the speakers and Tori is on top of the coffee table.

A typical party for Tori.

People are taking shots in the kitchen and I am sitting on the couch trying not to puncture my eyeballs.

"As advisor of my sorority, I have found that it's-"

Oh my God, I don't even know what the hell an advisor is. I don't even use my academic advisor. Not like I even know what that is either. I watch as Trey and Julie hold hands giggling past what's her face and I on the couch. I try to signal to him to get me the hell out of this situation to no avail.

Sanders has walked past me a couple of times and has laughed in my face. I deserved that considering I saw him talking to Lacey. I'm pretty sure no one knows I blocked her and honestly, I did it because she clearly doesn't want to make an effort so why should I? I bring my cup to my lips chugging it. I wince at the harsh taste of cheap vodka and a lot of it. I told Tori to make me a drink and I'm pretty sure she wants me to die.

I gulp the rest of it down as Jackie continues drowning on and on.

"Hey I'm going to get another drink," I say quickly cutting her off. She finally stops talking as she looks down at her own drink, a Truly.

"I could actually use another drink too," she says going to stand up. I stop her holding up a hand and sending her a charming smile. I hope it looks charming.

"I'll get it for you," I say as she looks at her can and then back at me. She shoots me a smile back nodding her head. I grab the White Claw can from her and stand up from the couch. I slide past the people dancing in front of the TV that is playing some random YouTube video. I duck into the kitchen where most of my friends are. Carter is sitting on the counter talking animatedly to Sanders and Lacey about something with Carter standing in between her legs. I slide past them trying not to keep my eyes on Lacey for too long as I walk to Tori for another drink. She's handing out shots across the counter to Julie, Trey, and Q.

"Braden! Just in time for shots!" Tori slurs throwing an arm around my shoulder. My eyes widen at just how drunk she is. I've seen Tori drunk but this girl is wasted.

"You know, I think I'll take two," I say grabbing the shot in her hand and the shot on the counter. She gasps grabbing onto my neck making whatever the hell is in this shot glass slosh over. I laugh loudly as I turn the two of us around to face Julie, Trey, and Q.

"That's my shot!" she says trying to grab it but I take it as fast as I can. The burn is unbelievable as I swallow the shot. I let out a cough grimace at the shot of death. Julie gags before darting to the bathroom Trey following in suite. Q doesn't even flinch at the taste of the horrid shot.

"What the hell did you put in that? Lean?" I ask her taking a deep breath. Her eyes bug out of her head at the mention of lean. I see a random dude duck his head into the kitchen just at the mention.

"Oh fuck off we don't have lean," Carter pipes up shooing him away. Tori turns around handing me sweet n' sour mix with pink lemonade Burnett's, no wonder it was so sour.

"Yeah, leave the shot making, to someone else," I tell her setting down the toxic combo. She shoves my shoulder a hint of a smile playing on her dark lips.

"Fuck off Braden," Tori grumbles hopping up onto the counter. I laugh shaking my head as I lean my back against the other side of the kitchen. The music has gotten louder and now people are just straight up yelling in here. I assume Jackie has forgotten all about me and is joining the makeshift dance floor people have made in the girls living room.