A Roller Coaster Ride We're On || (n.j.) || Book 1

30~Taya's 22nd

"Should I wear this tonight?" I twirl around in my red, sparkly dress that's about mid-thigh, for my boyfriend. Tonight is my cousin, Taya's, 22nd birthday and we're all going this club that she likes. It's apparently really chill and they've got a permit that says 20 and up can drink there. Which is weird, considering that in Wisconsin the legal age is 21.

"Looks great." Nick smiles and shuffles through his suitcase.

"Just wear like a dress shirt and maybe jeans." I tell him.

"Got it." Then he takes off his shirt and shorts to change into his outfit for tonight. I catch myself staring at his back muscles. Like legit, guy's muscles are so freaking attractive.

"Staring much?" Nick can feel me staring at him and I can hear the smirk in his voice. I just clear my throat and occupy myself by fixing my dress a little.

"Are we almost ready to go up there?!" My mom yells up the stairs. It's 6:30 and we have to be there by 7:00.

"Almost! Give us 5!" I reply. There's no answer so that must mean okay.

"Ready." Nick turns around and smiles.

"Perfect," I start then I go over to him," except you forgot a couple things." I smile.

"Which is?" I go to straighten out the collar of his shirt and then my lips go crashing on his.

"We have to-" Nick says between every kiss, but I don't let him finish.
He gives in and he turns to push me against the wall. Both hands are on the wall on either side of me and he starts to kiss my neck.

"Charlotte, come on!" Mat yells from the room across the hall. Oh crap.

"Okay." I sigh and break us apart.

"I love you." Nick politely smiles and kisses me nose one last time.

"But I love you more." I give him a quick hug and go to the mirror and check my make up. I have to reapply some lipstick, but other then that I'm good. I look over to Nick and see some extra pink on his lips.

"Uh, Hun." I snicker.

"Hm?" He raises and eyebrow. I go over to him, lick my finger, the clean the lipstick off his face.

"Thanks, mom." He chuckles.

"No problem sweetheart." I proudly smile.

***3 hours later***
"Do you know where Nick is?" I ask my mom. We've been at Taya's party for about 3 hours and she arrived 2 hours ago. I cannot find my boyfriend anywhere, and I just hope he's okay. He's not one for drinking a lot but he'll drink a little.

"No, I'm sorry sweetie, I haven't." My mom apologetically says.

"Okay. I'm going to go look for him." I set my drink down at the bar and go search for my boyfriend.
I've asked about 5 people now, and no one knows where Nick is. Or Taya. Oh no. I go by a back room and hear voices inside. I can't make out what they're saying, but I can tell there's a male and female voice in there.
I crack open the door and see something I didn't want to.

"Taya? Nick? What the hell is going on?" I demand, opening the door a little more to see them. Nick's top dress shirt is off and he's wearing a white shirt and, thank god, his pants too.

"Fun." Taya smirks. I can tell there's something not right with Nick. His pupils look a little bigger then normal and he looks tipsy.

"What...," I start, tears coming to my eyes," did you do to him?" I manage to get out the rest. She could've drugged him for all I know.

"Gave him a few drinks. That's all, swear. He came to this room with me and we made out for a while." She seductivley smiles at him. Clearly thinking that she won over my boyfriend. I knew she liked him, but I didn't think she liked him enough to spike his drink.

"Honey, are you okay?" I go over to Nick and sit on the edge of the bed.

"I...am....fi....fine...." He slurs a lot. Oh god, I don't like seeing him like this.

"Wow, Taya, just wow." I sneer at my cousin.

"Hey, I'm the birthday girl." She gets a snotty tone with me.

"Whatever." I scoff harshly.

"Let's go get you sobered up." I help Nick to his feet and put his shirt back on. I button it up, sneer at Taya, and then guide Nick to the bathroom.

"Oh honey." I fix his hair as we get to the bathroom. Yes, I took him into the Women's restroom.

"You're...pre...pretty..." He smiles like an idiot. Even though he's drunk, his smile is still cute as heck. It's not his fault he's in this condition.
I don't respond, and continue to fix him up. I straighten out his shirt and fluff up his hair a little.

"Okay, sweetie, come on." I grab his hand and guide him to the bar.

"Two waters please." I wave to the bartender.

"You smell pretty." Nick slurs as he sniffs my hair. He still has his face in my hair, when the bartender brings the water.

"Drink." I point Nick to the water.

"Okayyyy." He exaggerates the 'Y' and sticks out his bottom lip a little bit. He chugs both glasses of water before I even blink.

"Two more please." I mouth to the bartender. She gives me a thumbs up and takes the glasses.

"I'm tired." Nick leans his head into my shoulder.

"Yes, I know baby, we'll get you home soon." I stroke his hair. The bartender then comes bank with the water. Nick chugs this was well, and I think he's not as drunk now. But I could be wrong.

"Honey, where are you going?" My mom stops us as Nick and I start waking towards the exit.

"I'll explain tomorrow. Tell Taya she'll get our gift later." I kiss my mom on the cheek.

"Okay honey. I hope he's okay." She gestures toward a falling over Nick.

"Me too." I almost drag him, to the car. I quick unlock the car, and get him in the passenger seat.

"You okay, babe?" I ask, concerning. Nick just nods and I close his door. Then I get in behind the wheel and drive to my parent's house.

"Okay, let's go upstairs and go to sleep." I lock the car and then take Nick in the house.

"Okay." Nick tiredly says.
I eventually get him up the stairs and in my room. I take off his dress shirt and hand him some sweats.

"Put these on, you'll be more comfy." I hand them to him, as I wiggle off my dress.

"I'm sorry." Nick says.

"For what honey?"

"Making you leave early." He drops his head a little.

"It's okay. She's a jerk anyway. What she did to you was not okay." I assure him.

"If you're sure..."

"Positive." I smile and then get on one of his big t-shirts.

"Bedtime?" Nick asks laying on the blankets set out on the floor.

"Doesn't matter to me." I tell him. I lay next to my boyfriend and look into his eyes. He looks so tired and his pupils are still a little bigger then normal.

"Goodnight." I kiss Nick's forehead as he drifts off to sleep.