Salty Licorice

Chapter 57

Avery's POV

I get dragged into the kitchen by the mob like group of footballers and basketballers alike. They take me to the counter where they've lined up shots and I just stare at the line and feel my face pale watching them pour each shot. Before I know it I hear my name getting chanted over and over. But the only thing I can think about is Spencer holding Liz's hand. I clench my jaw and try to push that to the back of my mind, this party is to celebrate my acceptance letter.

I take a deep breath and with a wary smirk I grab the first shot and throw it back, learning quickly that it's vodka. I feel my face wince for a second at the burn going straight into my stomach. The same burn I felt seeing Spencer with Liz on her arm. I take a second and let the cheering calm for a second before downing the second one, before taking the third one and already having a heavy feeling that I'm going to regret this later. But I don't hesitate to take the last and final shot. I shake my head and take a deep breath before pushing away from the counter before wandering back towards the living room. I pass the stairs noticing a hold in the wall and cringing at the thought of the parents of the dude hosting this party.

When I walk in I see Spencer sitting on the couch with a half empty plastic cup while Liz is leaning against the side of the couch talking to a group of guys who can't seem to learn how to keep their hands to themselves. You can see her shifting uncomfortably from here and yet Spencer isn't doing anything even after one of the dudes puts his hand on her lower back, and by lower I mean lower then her lower back basically grabbing her ass.

I meet Spencer's gaze and glare hard at her, probably harder than I have ever before. She leans back slightly in her seat before glancing at Liz seeing where the guy is grabbing her. She pushes his hand away and wraps an arm around Liz's waist pulling her over the arm of the couch and right into her lap. I feel the flame in my abdomen light again and have to grind my teeth to keep from yelling at her to keep away from Liz. I feel a hand run down my arm pulling my attention away from them for a second and see it's only Emily, deciding that watching over Liz's safety is more important I turn back to them. Spencer has a hand on Liz's upper thigh making me tighten my fists as I watch her lean in and whisper something to Liz making her giggle adorably with a hand over her mouth trying to cover her laugh.

"Avery," Emily's voice catches my ears but I ignore her as I strain my hearing to listen to Liz as she laughs.

I feel like it's been years since I've last heard it but realistically it's probably only been a few weeks at most.

"Avery," Emily repeats louder next to my ear.

Spencer uses her pinky to push a few strands of Liz's hair from in front of her face and behind her adorable elf ear. I feel my fists are tight and tighten even more as I feel a hand over my closed fist.

"Avery, look at me please," Emily's voice has turned more into a plea. "Pay attention to me, please."

"Spencer shouldn't be touching her like that," I growl.

"Elizabeth doesn't even want you talking to her so why do you care?" Emily reminds me.

"Lizzie deserves better than that snake," I snap.

"Like you?"

"No, she deserves better than me," I breathe out. "She deserves the world and all I gave her was pain."

I don't even wait for a reply and just turn away before I do something I will regret later. I walk out the back door and see a bunch of people sitting outside smoking. I don't even want to know what other drugs they have under this single roof so I just pick a lawn chair away from the circle around the fire pit. I sit and stare out at the grass of the lawn. I don't know how long I'm sitting here for but I feel a hand drag across my shoulder over to my chest followed by another hand holding out a cup from my other shoulder but I just silently shake my head. But the presence doesn't leave and they move closer to me but all I do is try to lean away.