Don't be Chicken (on hold)

Twelve; Guilt

As soon as I woke up guilt washed over me like a gigantic tsunami. I knew I shouldn't have left, but now I realize how stupid I had been at the time. I got up quicker than I ever thought possible and shuffled over to Dusty's room to make sure she returned home okay.

        Her bed was empty.

I gasped. My heart started to beat faster than normal and all I could think about was the guilt and Dusty's well-being.  My mind told me to go get the car and go to the house that the party was at, maybe she would be passed out there, but my eyes caught a glimpse of something from her bedroom window.

In the gravel driveway was Dusty, she was laying there like a bump on a log. Her clothes were torn and her hair was everywhere like a lions mane. I was about to go get her before Noah appeared out of nowhere with a blanket in his hands. He wrapped it around Dusty in way that resembled a caterpillars bed and then he picked her up gently. He treated her like she was a delicate piece of cloth that couldn't get hurt. I admired it kind of before racing downstairs faster than Lightning McQueen.

Noah rushed in with Dusty in his arms. His expression varied from worried to calm, and I suddenly felt the guilt rush over me once again - Except this time it didn't leave. It remained like parasites eating away my insides slowly as I watched my Grandma start freaking out.

"What happened? Did she fall or something?!" My grandma said with voice full of worry. There was so much concern dripping off her words that it made me want to double over with guilt and sorrow.

This was my fault.

"No. She's drunk" Noah said obviously.  He seemed less concerned now, but he was still interested in the situation.  Dusty lay on the floor, she was unconscious but her heart beat was normal and her skin was still a dark shade of tan. I prayed that she would be okay because I honestly don't know what I'd do if she wasn't.

But then in a matter of seconds Dusty sputtered to life like an old engine. She gripped her head and let out a loud groan of pain. I don't know what I expected, but I definitely didn't think she would lay there while the beer spilled from her stomach.

She threw up and I mean everywhere. The bad aroma filled the room but I knew it would be impolite if I ditched.  So I stood there like I always did as she spilled forth the remains. Dusty was a small woman, which means the smallest amount of beer could easily cause such harsh symptoms. It didn't take long for a girl her size to quickly become intoxicated. I wondered how long she stayed up, hopefully it was her friend that brought her back..

Noah glanced at me and I knew what I should do, so I went to the sink and poured Dusty a glass of water. Her eyes were awake and I knew it would be healthy is she became hydrated again. Drinking causes you to be Dehydrated which can lead to headaches in the morning - I figured once again that water could help subside the head pains.

I handed her the glass slowly so she could get a good grip, while grandma retrieved a mop from the back supplies closet. Dusty looked lost, like literally. Her eyes were wavering between open and closed and her body was teetering back in forth on the floor.   As grandma started mopping up the floor and spraying the house with Febreeze, Noah carried Dusty upstairs so she could be in the comfort of her own bed.

A part of me wished that Noah wasn't the one who had to carry her body up the stairs, but I knew he wasn't doing it because he wanted to. He was being kind, and his actions made me realize that he was one of the selfless people I've ever come to know.

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After breakfast I gladly did Dusty's chores. For some reason it helped take away the guilt that consumed me, but unfortunately the freeness didn't last long before it filled me up once again.