Fooled

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

                When Damien left, the party didn’t really go anywhere. There was no more excitement or drama so people just went back to dancing mindlessly drunk and humiliating themselves. Kathryn found herself disgusted and after fifteen more minutes of suffering through this high school disaster, she couldn’t take it anymore. She found herself ready to leave.

                “Dylan,” She pouted lightly, “I’m really sorry but I just can’t be here right now. It’s not my thing.” Shaking her head, she just decided to walk out of the house before he could reply. Music had plugged up her ears so badly that she couldn’t hear Dylan calling after her. The party carried on out on the lawn where more mindlessly drunk teens were grinding up against each other. Surrounding air went from disgusting, muggy heat to cool in a matter of seconds as she made her way through the dancing people. Heat radiated from their sweaty skin; she tried to avoid touching them or nearing them as she made her way out.

                Dylan grabs her shoulder frightening her and on impulse she slapped his stomach. He keeled over slightly with the wind knocked out of him.  He coughed trying to regulate his breathing and she gasped in shock of what she had just done, “I am so sorry!” She repeated over and over until he was able to reply.

                He shook his hand and let his hand wave her off. “It didn’t really hurt all that much,” He promised her, “I was just going to walk you to your car. I mean it’s late and there some idiots that live around here.”

                “You don’t have to,” Kathryn shook her head.

                “It’s really no big deal,” He insisted, “And I think I’d have a better peace of mind if I did walk you to your car. What kind of friend would I be if I just let you get raped?” Dylan spoke so bluntly it caught her by surprised. She was at a loss for words so she just responded with  a nod and began to walk with him by her side.

                “It’s just around the corner,” He asked and she nodded. It wasn’t the response he was looking for but he kept trying to ask questions. “So what are your plans for the weekend?”

                “Nothing really.”

                “Do you have much homework?”

                He pestered her with questions just trying to spark a conversation but she was slightly getting annoyed with his questions. When they finally reached her car, she was grateful but he was disappointed. She saw his face and immediately frowned at how distressed he was. “Are you okay?”

                Ignoring her question, he groaned at himself, “I’m not very good at this Kathryn.”

                “I’m sorry,” She furrowed her eyebrows, obviously confused, “I’m afraid that I don’t understand.”

                “I’m not good at small talk,” He shrugged, “I mean I have my friends that I can talk with constantly, but with you it’s a hell of a challenge and you’re not making it any easier.”

                “Well-“

                “Let me finish,” He hesitated, “I figured that I don’t really want to make small talk with you. I mean you’re not my friend and I don’t want you to be my friend.”

                “Ouch,” She frowned letting the disappointment set in her stomach. Surprisingly, the disappointment was heavy and it was weighing on her heart. “If you didn’t want to talk with me then you didn’t have to walk me.”