I'm Bad. You're Worse.

Five: Gathering Wood

~~~~~~~~~~~~~5~~~~~~~~~~~

As promised, Natalie picks me up at eight o' clock sharp. I grumble to myself as I walk slowly toward her car, parked across from my house.

"Took you long enough." She mutters, shifting into drive. "Sorry." I mumble, fiddling with her stereo.

"You look hot." She says nonchalantly. "I always look hot." I retort, turning up the volume.

Natalie drives for nearly twenty minutes. I ask her so many times where we're going, I lose count. Eventually though, I give up because she refuses to answer, no matter how many times I ask.

"Are we there yet?" I finally ask after what seems like forever. "Wait for it..." She trails off and continues to drive. "Annnd..."

A few seconds later the car slows down and idles.

Natalie puts it in park and turns happily to me. "Yes, we are!" She exclaims excitedly, and jumps out of the car. I follow suit, though not as eagerly.

We walk for a few minutes on a dirt path in the forest near where Natalie parked.

Right when I begin to feel like we're NEVER going to get there, we get there.

Natalie and I emerge onto a small beach, just barely lit by the moon.

I immediately tear my shoes off and dig my feet into the sand.

The swish and swash of the tide gives me a peaceful feeling, and I immediately smile.

"Happy End of Summer." Natalie says, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

"There's a celebration for that?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "With me there is." She laughs, leading me further down the beach, where I can hear people screaming and laughing.

We stop smack in the middle of the beach and I gasp at the sight that greets me.

A large bonfire is blazing in the center of a loose circle of people.

All from different years at Rushmore.

I run over to the fire and sit as near to it as I can, loving the thrill and warmth.

"There's food over there." Natalie says, pointing to a large table near the fire.

I nod and continue to stare into the flames. "I'll be right back. You alright here?" Natalie asks with concern. "Yeah." I mumble distractedly.

***

Natalie is all over the place tonight. One minute she's with me, chatting up a storm of questions, and the next she's with some random group of people who just arrived, chatting up a storm of questions with THEM.

Some time later, after I've filled myself with too much food and lifted so much wood my arms are sore, I move away from the bonfire and settle facing the water.

I close my eyes, listening to the calm sound of the sea. I smile dreamily.

I am broken out of my stupor, however, when someone nudges me roughly with their foot.

I look up in annoyance.

It only takes one look to see who it is.

I immediately growl to myself and get up to leave.

I suppose I don't move fast enough though, because Jake grabs my wrist tightly and pulls me back.

"Ah!" I hiss in pain. "What the FUCK? Let go of me you moron!" I exclaim, pushing against him as hard as I can.

He only chuckles and pulls me closer. The smell hits me before it even registers in my mind.

Jake stinks of alcohol and his eyes are tired-looking and slightly red.

"Lilllly..." He slurs, leaning into me. "You're drunk, Holter. Get the FUCK off of me, or I'll fucking kick your ass." I snap, trying to pull away.

He lets go of my wrist and plants both hands firmly on my waist instead.

"What the HELL?" I mutter to myself. "I know you like this." He says, his voice seductively soft.

I lean in closer and inhale his scent. The alcohol makes his smell even more intoxicating.

I am now tightly pressed against his chest.

I close my eyes, liking the feel of his solid build against mine.

He lifts a hand to brush the hair away from my face and tucks it behind my ear.

"Lily..." He whispers. "Mmm?" Is the only coherent reply I can manage.

"Lily!" Someone is calling my name. Should I go talk to them? They can wait. Let them wait.

"Lily!" The distant voice is nearer now. It sounds familiar...

"Lily! HEY, ASSHOLE! Get your hands off of her!" Natalie yells, lashing out angrily.

Jake and I immediately spring apart.

He looks me over for a few seconds, then mutters something to himself, walking away.

"Are you okay?" Natalie asks breathlessly. "Yeah," I reply, slightly annoyed with Natalie. I know she meant well, but it was just getting good.

We spend a few more minutes at the bonfire, then decide to leave.

I look around for Jake as Natalie says her good-byes.

I sigh in disappointment when it's clear he's left.

Or maybe hiding from Natalie. Either way, the fun's over.

For now.