Eastwood Academy

Chapter 24: Aaron

I've never felt less inclined to go to a party in my life, but brooding in my room isn't going to help me, and ruminating alone sounds like literal hell. So I text Gavin, asking him for a ride to Connell's kickback. He replies in thirty seconds, saying that he's happy to give me a ride and that he'll pick me up at 9:00 PM.

When I thought I was going with River to the kickback, I was planning on putting considerable effort into my appearance. Now, all I want to do is throw on a pair of sweatpants and curl up in my bed. I settle for taking a long shower instead, which relaxes me a fraction.

I do the bare minimum of makeup: foundation, lipstick, and mascara.

My clothing situation isn't great. I own exactly two dresses, a black halter neck with a plunging back and a pale blue floral number meant for summer. The black dress is simple but sexy. Neither option feels like the right vibe for tonight, so I go with straight jeans, ankle boots, and a dark purple henley that looks good with my dark hair and eyes. I leave my hair down, letting it flow down my back in waves. I'm not going to stand out as the best dressed or the most beautiful. The best I can hope for is passable.

At 9:00 PM, I meet Gavin outside of my dorm, and we walk to his car. He's ditched his signature polo shirt and khakis for jeans, a form-fitting t-shirt, and a bomber jacket that he has slung over his arm. It's a good look for him.

Gavin is leaner than River and Tyler, but he's not skinny. With his dark brown hair bringing out the dark blue of his eyes and his summer tan, I have to admit, he looks good. Really good. For the millionth time, I wish that I'd never met River. Or that I'd met Gavin first. Maybe if I had, things would be different. He's easygoing, polite, funny, and good-looking. Total crush material. That thought isn't helpful, though; it just makes me feel worse.

We spend most of the ride making small talk. Gavin can tell I'm not my usual self, but he's too nice to pry. Thankfully, he had no idea that River and I had kissed, and I plan to keep it that way.

"Have you been here before?" I ask Gavin as we pull up to the house. It's pretty secluded, way up in the hills. Having a weekend getaway mansion up in the mountains seems to be a prerequisite for being an Eastwood student. Music blasts from inside the house, and I can see people inside with red solo cups in their hands.

"Nope," he answers me. "I've never hung with the popular crowd before this year. And the only reason I'm invited is because I'm on the sports committee. Most people don't even think that golf is a real sport, so they don't think that I deserve my spot."

"Assholes," I mutter, the ghost of a grin flitting across my face for the first time tonight.

"Kind of ironic since most of their dads spend their days using golf courses instead of offices to conduct their business deals. I think I've learned more from listening to golfers at the bar than I would in business school," Gavin laughs, and I feel the atmosphere lighten. Maybe tonight will actually be fun. A good distraction.

"And here I thought golf courses were just a place for grown men to eat Skittles and get drunk before noon on the weekends," I say, and Gavin laughs again.

"Yeah, that too."

"Hale, Moran!" You made it!" booms a voice from our right and I turn to see Connell making his way towards us. He's cleaned up nicely in jeans and a black t-shirt, his brown hair gelled so it's not falling into his face like it normally does.

"Drinks are in the kitchen," he tells us, grinning like this is the best news in the world. For most high school students, I guess a kitchen loaded with booze is.

Gavin offers to get me a drink, and I accept, not because I really want a drink but because it seems like the socially acceptable thing to do.

"What's this?" I ask him when he hands me a cup.