Exchanging Lies

10. Drunk Della is the best Della

I have to hand it to the Vomit Ponies, they are really good.
We've been here for about 45 minutes and I catch a glimpse of Nate looking at me every now and again. I've had about 6 drinks and I'm feeling reallyyyy good.

Drunk Della is the best Della.
Nate's looking really really good right now. He just wanted to fuck me? That's what he'll get.

"And now I'd like to welcome a special guest, Della!"

I look up wide eyed and Jake is on the mic. He's motioning me to come up on stage and I'm profusely shaking my head.
No no no, this can't be happening. I'm drunk off my ass!

"Della, Della, Della," the whole bar is chanting now.

Fuck it.

I stand up from my chair and wobble to the stage. Nate sees me struggling and goes toward me to help me up the steps.

"Del, please don't do this you're drunk."

"You can't tell me what to do, you're not my boyfriend."

Nate rolls his eyes and helps me up the steps to Jake.

"You're a prick for this, Jake," Nate goes back to his seat behind his drums.
Jake completely ignores his comment and looks at me.

"Nate told me you could sing. Want to?" Jake holds the mic out to me and I hesitate.
I'm about to sound like complete shit because of all those drinks I had. I shrug and take the mic.
I'm drunk and heartless I really don't give a shit what people think about me. I won't know any of these people in 5 years so who cares.
"Hiiiiiii, I'm Della. Um, Jake wanted me to sing for you. I hope that's okay. Go Vomit Ponies!" I shout and the crowd laughs.
I turn to Jake and Isaac.
"I want to sing this song," I show them my phone and they nod.

They start playing the music and I start singing.

////////////

"Della! That was fucking amazing!" Jake picks me up and I laugh. The whole room is cheering.
I can't believe I just sang in front of a crowd drunk off my ass.
Jake puts me down and looks at me.

"You're really cool. Do you maybe want to go out sometime?" Jake scratches the back of his neck.
I look around before answering him and see Nate watching us.

"Yeah, I'd love to."

Sorry Nate, but I don't want to hurt you and if I don't. I don't even want to think about it.

"Great, here's my number. Just give me a call and we can set up a day."
I nod and walk down the steps of stage and stumble back to Jen's table. They all are wide eyed with mouths agape. When I sit down, the first one to say something is Emily.

"Oh. My. God. Did we all just witness that?"
Jen and Brayden nod but their mouths are still open.

"Guys stop! Was it that bad?" I cover my face.

"No! It was amazing! You were so great up there!" Jen screams and smiles at me. I smile back.

I'm going to miss you guys.

"Also, to change the subject of what just happened," I point to Jen and Brayden. "What is going on with you two?"

They both look at each other and smile. Brayden puts his hand on top of Jen's and they look at each other.

"Okay! Totally missed a chapter. Jen you have to tell me everything!"

I still feel a little tipsy but not as bad as on stage. The crowd kind of sobered me up. I'm still feeling a little frisky though.

"Del, let's go." I turn around to see Nate standing behind me.

"Actually, we talked about it and she's going to stay at my house," Emily pipes up. I look at her because we did not discuss this.

"I don't know, Emily. I think I need to get her home."

"What do you want to do. Del?" Emily looks at me one more time to try and convince me to go.

"As much as I want to Em, I promised Stella I'd have a movie night with her when I got home. Rain check?" I stand up and grab my purse from off the chair.

"Of course babes! Anytime, just wanted you to know you're always welcome to stay at my house if someone makes you uncomfortable."

"How heroic Emily, I'm not going to make a move on her. Just driving her home. Our house," he grabs my hand and pulls me away from them.

I wave bye to them and follow Nate.

"What the fuck is your problem? I thought you said you would be nicer to me. Why are you treating me like a child?" I stumble behind him as we get to his car.

"I wasn't being mean to you. I was trying to protect you," Nate opens the door for me and I reluctantly get in. I wait for him to get into the drivers seat and I blow up.

"Protecting me? From who? Jake? Emily? It actually just seemed like you were jealous. Not protective. I'm so sick of you being so damn confusing. I knew your apology wouldn't last long. Fuck this, just drive!" Nate steps on the gas pedal and races back to the house.

"I'm not jealous of anyone."

Oh that's all he has to say?
Neither of us say a word after that the entire ride home.
/////////////
When we get in, I slam the door behind me and run upstairs to my room. I hate him. He's so damn confusing. Flirting with me, being a complete dick, then he's sweet , then he makes a move on me? Then he's a complete dick again. I hate him!
I sigh and sit on my bed and run my fingers through my hair.
At least now this makes it easier. I don't have to worry about liking him or developing feelings. I can just hate him and he can just hate me.

There's a knock at my door. I pause. Nate couldn't possibly already be here to apologize.
I walk over to the door and open it to see Stella standing there with popcorn and dvds.

"Ready? I have mean girls, jurassic park, and titanic." She comes in and plops on the bed.

"That's a wide assortment. Let's do Titanic, I'm in the mood to cry."

She nods and grabs my laptop from under my bed. But before I can say anything she picks something up.

"What the hell is this, Della?"
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Shorter chapter, I know I'm just trying to get all the major plot points framed and ready to go. I have a vague understanding of how this will end but I don't think you will like it (:
-E
p.s. This is going to be a multi novel series though (;