Unseen Strings

Chapter 7

Angelina

It was only thanks to God above that I managed to finish my exam. I had studied a lot the day before, but that night out with Stella and her friends ruined my brain.

It was another reason I hated going out.

As I handed my test booklet into the professor, I felt a sense of calmness waft over me. That calmness fluttered away when I walked out of the classroom and nearly ran straight into Stella and Johnny.

"There you are!" Stella smiled as she threw her arms around me. "I knew this was your class!"

I just smiled as I returned her hug.

"Why are you out so early?" She pulled back and eyed me.

"We had an exam." I laughed a bit at her.

"Oh! Amazing!" She took a hold of my arm. "Come with John and I! We were just going to meet Marcus and Amanda."

"Oh really I don't-," I began.

Stella just smacked her lips at me and pulled me with her. Johnny was at her other side, hands in his pockets, quiet as a mouse.

The sun beamed down as we crossed onto the grass outside. I could make out Marcus and Amanda at a table just a few feet away.

"Mandy!" Stella shouted, waving at the pair.

"Look at that!" Amanda laughed loudly. "It's Angie!" She threw her arms out like Stella had and wrapped them around me just as Stella freed my arm.

"Hello Amanda," I forced myself to smile more. I felt terrible, but I didn't wanna show it. Amanda and Marcus were still basically strangers to me.

"It's great to see you again," Marcus came up as Amanda released and gave me a half hug.

"You know you're pretty fun when you relax," Amanda quipped.

"Who?" I asked.

"You!" She sat down at the table.

"Me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! You were so much fun yesterday night!" She talked with her hands.

Stella basically herded me to the bench seat and I landed on my cushy behind.

"Uhm...I don't-," I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Don't tell me you don't remember!" Stella elbowed me in the side.

"I-I don't!" I jerked a bit.

"She did drink a bit," Johnny added nonchalantly.

"She only had one!" Stella spoke a bit louder than she should've.

"Maybe she can't hold it!" Amanda spoke as if I wasn't there.

"Hey!" I shouted somewhat, reminding them of my presence.

"Don't worry Angelina," Marcus chuckled. "You didn't go too wild. You just danced and ran around like a kid." He smiled slyly.

I will admit to feeling the chills as he did that.

"I don't suppose that's...too bad." I shrugged, unsure of how to react to what they were telling me. It was then I realized I had to the power to question them, "so...how did I get home exactly?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well..." Amanda began. "Stella and Johnny were still dancing...but you said you needed to go home, so Marcus and I called a taxi for you."

"Oh!" I sighed with relief.

"Marcus took you outside..." Amanda trailed off, her eyes glancing to Marcus.

I felt a but coming.

"You weren't walking right so I had to hoist you up a bit, the taxi was already there..." he rubbed his hand on the back of my neck. "But one of your friends stopped me about half way to the taxi. He picked you up and carried you to it himself...he put you in and everything, got in with you too." He shrugged.