The High Road

Chapter Five

 The past 96 hours have been leading up to the big upcoming football game and Zach's party. It seemed fitting that he would have the party at his house, he was a major asset to the football team. Although I'm sure Erin wanted to go to the game, she decided against it. Mostly because of me, which I feel bad for. We were currently at her house, getting ready for the party. "Hold still." Erin commanded, focused on the curling iron sizzling through my hair. "Are you almost done?" I ask, though the question came out more like a plea. I had been sitting still on Erin's bed for almost half an hour as she tightly curled my hair. "Almost. I could've been done already if you didn't fidget every five seconds." I roll my eyes at her response. Five minutes later, she announced that she was done. She added in some hair spray to give my hair volume before she began to work on her own hair. I put on my outfit; A dark blue and green flannel over a gray knit crop-topped halter with ripped denim shorts. I went with a simple look for my makeup, toasty brown tones for my eyeshadow with mascara and some light bronzer for my cheekbones. My lips were already a nice dark pink color, so I decided to not add lipstick. "You look hot," Erin comments, continuing, "Speaking of hot, did I tell you that a few days ago Luke and I kissed?" Erin asks.

"I know, Luke told me," I cringe at the mention of his name, "How was it?"

"It was amazing. He's such a good kisser I-"

"I don't need to know the rest." I interject, my voice hinting at some immodesty.

"I'm hoping for round two at the party," she giggles, continuing "But anyway, are you going to tell me what's going on with you and Luke?" I remember I meant to tell her that day Luke and I went to Cincinnati.

"Um..." I try to think of something to say. I can't tell her the reason. If I told her that I'm helping Luke deal drugs so he can give me half of the money he's making so I can feed my family, well, I don't know how she'd take the news. She can barely grasp the understanding that my family is struggling to pay bills.

"Well?" she queries. "Oh my God, do you guys have a 'thing' going on?"

"What? No." I knot my eyebrows together, as I think of something to say. Come on, Chloe. Think. "He's just uh... h-helping me babysit my brothers while I work at the diner." Nice save, Chloe.

"That's so sweet of him! Who knew a guy like that would willingly help babysit your brothers."

"Yeah, he really is something." I force a smile.

Erin finally finishes getting ready, wearing a dark red bodice dress, hugging tightly at her curves and pushing up her boobs. She pairs that with matching heels. It wasn't surprising that she'd wear something like that. We get into her car, driving to Zach's house.

A few beers later, I was tipsily leaning against a refreshment table talking to Erin. The house was filled with teenagers, some of which didn't even attend our school. "Look at all the hot guys," Erin snickers, eyeing each and every one of them who passes by. One of them finally asks her to dance, and she happily accepts. She saunters off with him, flashing me a wink before turning back to him. I sigh, sipping more alcohol from my red solo cup. I shake my head to myself, I knew I shouldn't have come. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Chloe Willis," A familiar, masculine voice gawks. I looked up, seeing as the familiar voice belong to the one and only Zach Kowalski. "That's me." I purse my lips, attempting to control my schoolgirl smile.

"Haven't seen you at my parties in awhile, I've missed you." He smirks. I just smiled back, confused as to what I should say next.

"Do you wanna come chill upstairs?" He asks. Chill? "Yeah, sure." I respond, not putting much thought into my answer. Maybe it was because the alcohol was doing the talking for me, maybe it was because I really wanted to 'chill' with Zach. Whatever the hell chill meant. He takes my arm, linking it with his a little too proudly. He reeks of alcohol, seemingly just as drunk as I, maybe even a little more. Once we get upstairs, he leads me into one of the rooms. I confusingly walk in, looking to see if there are other people around, but they aren't. We're not actually going to 'chill', are we? I mentally shake my head. "We won the game." Zach announces to me, attempting to make small talk. I'm assuming he's talking about the football game.