heartstrings

Chapter 7

Evangeline
October 6th 2017

Once I stepped into the loud party, I knew this was going to get interesting.

I haven't been to a single party without Cass since, well ever. But I know I could do it, I could be on my own. It couldn't be that hard right?

The dance floor was filled with drunk teens, I for once didn't recognise at all, but what ever. At least that didn't matter anymore when I was ten shots deep in the party.

The booze made my vision blur, the sounds were starting to haze into the background. That's why I like alcohol, I love the feeling it gives me, the thrill, the sounds aren't as loud when I drink and it kind of gives me comfort.
I don't depend on it like a lot of people do, that's also why I've never tried drugs, or why I didn't like to smoke, it made me feel like I had no power over the amount I took.

Loosing control is my biggest fear, and I'm not afraid to admit that.

My thoughts were once again interrupted my someone yelling into my ear. "Hey Eve, Liam and I are going to leave now, I'm like really tired."
"Oh, that's okay, do you know where Lacy's at?"

"I really don't know Eve, but do you need a ride home, or are you gonna be good with Lacy?"

I answered Emmas question. "Oh no, I'll be okay, I'm just gonna look for Lacy. You guys can go. Good night."

"Night." They both said in unison and after that they took off, which left me standing alone in a room full of people I didn't know.

The party was really loud and for most people probably fun.
For me it wasn't.
In this moment I was all by myself, no one to keep me company, no one to care if I was okay or not.

"This is not the type of party you enjoy huh?" Nic's voice had the effect of pulling me out of any trance.

"I was just thinking about taking off. You looked a bit bored, so if you need a ride home, I could drive you."

"Why so nervous Nic?"
He did in fact not take the joke.
"Hey, wait, it was a joke okay. I really do need a ride home, and I'd rather have it from you than some rapist or drug dealer."

He slightly flinched at that statement.

He took my wrist and led me towards the exit. That's when I had the realisation. "Nic! Hold up! I have to tell Lacy I'm leaving and ask her how she'll get home."
"Don't worry, the girl has been upstairs with Matt for like half an hour, she'll probably sleep over too. I've talked to them. She's in good hands."

When we reached his luxurious black car, I got into the passenger seat, right next to him.

"Do you think Matt actually loves her?"

I could tell that he was startled by this question but surprisingly he answered.

"Yes. I do think so, I mean they're still young, it's not like they need to settle down right now."
The conversation was left by that, probably for the better, after all it was none of our business.

"If you don't enjoy parties, why do I only ever meet you there?
He took a sharp breath before giving me an answer.

"I just don't enjoy the entire principle. It's exhausting. And most times I don't choose to go to these parties, Matt just always drags me along."
Wow, that does make sense, even at my birthday he was invited by Matt.

"My brother is that friend, he always drags all his friends to places, that's also probably the only thing I know about his life. My parents too, he's going through his ignorant phase, so trying to talk to him is hell."
His eyes were still fixated on the road and he didn't show much reaction.

"He's like eleven, do you think that's a complicated age?"
"I don't have siblings, so no idea."

I giggled to myself before I shared this part of my home life.
"You know, a few weeks ago my parents wanted a movie night with Alex and I. I love the movie 'The Notebook', and since Alex always makes fun of that we decided to watch it with him, he'll never admit it but he LOVED it. You know when you see that spark in peoples eyes when they enjoy something, he definitely had that spark.
Do you like The Notebook?"

He took a sharp breath. "I've never seen it. I'm not big on romance, never enjoyed it much."

Who doesn't like romance? "Oh, so you're one of those huh? Those guys who want to be all tough and not believe in love."

"It's not that, I've just never really been in love."

Never.

"Really? You've never been in a relationship before?"

He shook his head. "No, no, I've been in plenty, but either ended after a week or two. I didn't mind, I didn't really love them, you know? There weren't all those feelings."

"I get it." I've never been in that situation, I would never step a foot into a relationship I'm not ready for, or where there aren't 'all those feelings'.

"But now for real, how haven't you seen The Notebook? It's like the best movie of all time!"

Now he did laugh, but it wasn't a 'I'm making fun of your laugh but more like a chuckle.
"Don't you think you're exaggerating? It can't be THAT good."

"Oh trust me it is THAT good. Maybe we could watch it sometime."
 
He didn't use his words to answer, instead he just nodded.

His car came to a stop right in front of my house. Thank god I was scared that another weird thing was about to escape my mouth.
And sadly it did.

"So you're a really good taxi driver, huh. Maybe." I took thins pause to once really think about what I was going to say. "I mean if I need a ride home again it would be nice if I could call you."

He looked a bit hesitant but then he reached for his pocket and pulled his phone out.
"Yeah sure, just type your number in."

I took his phone, slightly grazing his surprisingly warm hand.
I typed my number into his phone.

The most important part of giving someone your number is giving yourself a good contact name.
I handed him his phone back before I said the last thing.

"Can you please wait here until I'm inside? It's just that the walk up there really scares me."

"Don't worry, I'll wait here for as long as you need me to."

And with that I walked up the stairs toward my house. Before I unlocked the front door I turned around and gave him a quick wave.