The Silence Between Names

Chapter Twelve: Bucks

"ID please." The bouncer gave me a skeptical look.

I nervously pulled up my v-neck dress, and clicked my boots together. Handing him my fake with a trembling hand, he saw my last name, and immediately changed his tune.

"Have a good night, miss." He said, in a sing-song voice. 

The bar was dark, and neon lights flooded every space. Music blared around me as I tripped over my feet, trying to push past the sea of people. The floor was sticky, and I had to fight for each step. I spun around to the sound of my name being called.

"Ava!" Shawn motioned over to me at a small black circular table booth.

I played with the ends of my ponytail, and headed over to the seat. His arm rested upon the top of the seat, and I quietly slid in next to him. There was a tray in front of us, heavily decorated with drinks and shot glasses. He pulled two shots off; One for me and one for him. Slamming the glass down on the table, we lifted it back up, and swallowed down the stomach burning liquid. I could practically feel it climbing down my throat and into my stomach, and I clutched my neck in pain. 

"Never gets easier, does it?" I laughed at him.

He didn't seem bothered, he shrugged and got back to his drink. Annie and Jack followed in shortly after us. Jack sat beside me, his hand softly placed on my thigh. It felt weird knowing where his hands had been just last week. I began to imagine them, his hand tracing up her thigh and under her skirt. His eyes staring deep into hers, and his lips pursing together, as their mouths soon pressed into one. I imagined his tongue slipping down her throat, and her laughs escaping from her mouth. It was all too much. I imagined-

I stood up aggressively. The entire table seemed to be caught off guard by my sudden change of positioning. Jack looked at me worriedly, and I squeezed past him out of the booth. 

"You okay?" He asked.

"Just need the bathroom." I said quickly, and sped away. 

The group of three began to whisper amongst themselves, trying to figure out why I was acting so off. I raced to the bathroom, pushing and shouldering each person next to me. My eyes were stung by the change of a dark neon blue to the light bathroom lights as I pushed open the restroom door. I pressed my palms against the sink and my head drooped down, I felt tears begin to fall down my cheek. I had never felt as upset as I had in the past week. It was all too much. I barely felt like I could take it. I wanted to stay with Jack, it was just so hard to get past. My mind kept tracing back to him and Lily. Every time he touched me, it felt like he was touching her. I couldn't let my thoughts destroy our relationship. I had to get past it. 

After a few calm breaths, I fixed my hair, and brushed down my tight navy dress. Pushing the door back open, my eyes scanned over the bar, trying to find where our booth was. As I walked back into the traffic of people, I felt a force knock me over. There was nothing to catch me, so I came tumbling down onto the hard concrete floor. I stood up, fast, and in a daze. Walker Davidson towered over me, reaching his hand over to my shoulder.

"You really should watch where you're going." he said cooly.

I rolled my eyes "Yeah? Likewise."

A smirk crossed his face he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes glowed in the neon light, and his dark jacket collar rose to his jaw. 

"Aren't you a little young to be in a bar?" He asked skeptically.

"Aren't you a little old to be at a high-school like you were today?"

He laughed, staring me up and down. 

"So you're my brother's girl." 

My face got hot. I stamped my foot down angrily. Who did he think he was?

"Hardly. What are you even doing here? Don't you have an Ivy League School to attend?"

He hunched down a bit. I felt so small next to him. He was one of the tallest boys I'd ever seen. We were suddenly interrupted by a girl I'd never seen before who happily scampered up beside him, grabbing his bicep with her hand. She had on a light blue slip-dress, and her blonde hair was straight fell over her shoulders. 

"Who is this cute little thing?" She laughed, leaning her head on Walker's shoulder. 

"One of Shawn's classmates I guess." He shrugged.

My eyes furrowed together, and my foot tapped on the floor.

"It's nice to meet you, uh, what did you say your name was?" He asked, his voice thick with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes, brushing past him angrily. I heard the girl's loud cackle as they both teased me as I walked away. My arms were still crossed over my bare shoulders as I slid back in beside Shawn. He gave me a curious look.

"What happened to you?"

"Your brother." I scowled.

A laugh escaped Shawn's mouth, and he seemed perfectly amused. He motioned for the bartender to bring us some more shots. Annie perked up like a dog to a squirrel. Her eyes wandered across the room, desperately searching for Walker. My eyes met him across the bar, where he stood with the girl. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, and his large hands covered both sides of her waist. His hands moved around her waist and onto her ass, where she laughed and whispered something into his ear. I didn't even realize I was staring until Jack snapped his fingers in front of me.

"You okay?" He asked.

I nodded and grabbed his hand. It irritated me to see someone so immature call me a child. I was far more mature than he ever was. 

"Let's go get a drink." Annie said, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the main bar. 

We both sat at the table, and waited for the bartender, our credit cards outreached. I realized we had inched closer to Walker. He was sitting now, the girl placed comfortably standing between his legs. She kept her hands on either side of his thigh, breathing down his neck. I scowled at him, as his eyes met him. Startled, I quickly looked back at the bar, trying to ignore him. I felt a new pair of eyes on me. A pair I'd never met before. 

"I've never seen you here before." The boy sitting next to me said.

I looked him up and down. He was a bit taller than me, with sandy hair and sun kissed skin. His hair messily fell over his eyes, and he wore a collared white button-up.

He slid a drink across to me. I stared at it. Annie's hand pressed on my shoulder.

"Don't be an idiot. Free drink."

Without a second thought, I snatched it and gulped it down. I was trying to get fucked up tonight anyways. He looked at me, vividly entertained. He laughed, and moved closer to me. I turned to face Annie, but shock electrified my body when I realized she was gone, and talking to a random guy across the bar. Frantic, I turned back to face the boy, who was now several inches closer to me. 

"I'm Mitch." He held out his hand.

"I'm.. not available." I stammered.

"That's okay, I like a challenge." His voice was low and smooth.

I felt my body begin to shake. I couldn't move. I could feel the booze rush to my head, and my legs felt weak, like jello. I pressed my hand against my forehead.

"You okay, sweetheart?" he asked, the smile eerily still on his face.

"Yeah I just don't feel.." I stumbled for a moment.

I glanced around the room that was now starting to spin. I felt like I was on a carousal and couldn't get off. My eyes soon locked on Walker, who was locked on me. A look of concern was painted on his face, and he started towards me. That was the the last thing I remembered before everything went black.