A Different Kind of Education

Chapter Thirty : Point to Prove

The party is absolutely out of control and wild by the time I arrive, arm in arm with Clara while Tommy and Sam joke from behind us. The four of us look flawless and carefree. You know what they always say looks can be deceiving. When we enter the house, the people, who aren't already too drunk to comprehend their surroundings, stare at us as we walk in with our heads held high. I grip Clara's had a little tighter, causing her to squeeze mine back and grin at me confidently. Her bright expression is the only thing that keeps me from finding a nice corner to hide in. It gives me the confidence I need to walk with a determined stride to the kitchen to grab a shot or two so I could get in the party mod.

It's the first time I've been to Drew's actual house so it takes me a minute to find the kitchen in the masses of sweaty teenagers. As I make my way, a few of my peers say hello to me so it takes me twice as long as it should. When I enter the kitchen I am greeted with the wonderful sight of Justin and some short petite blonde lip locked in a sloppy make out session. I can tell that they were both gone beyond belief so I find some kind of hard liquor as quietly as I can and proceed to make myself scarce. In my rush to exit the kitchen I slam into someone's delicate body, making them fall on their ass.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry." I apologize, helping the girl up with my free hand.

"It's totally okay." The black haired beauty says, glancing up at me. Her face registers shock, "Oh Candy."

"Hey Leslie." I try to act cool, "So sorry about that."

"Oh no, no." Leslie anxiously insists, "I should have watched where I was going."

I laugh reflexively, amused and flattered I can cause such a reaction from a girl as adored as her. Part of my mind is disgusted with her because she and Jay are together, yet another part of me knows she deserves him more than I do and he deserves to be happy.

"Really, Leslie, it was totally my bad. It's just that Justin and some girl are macking hard core and I would rather not witness that right now."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so don't worry about it."

"Okay, then, um, have a great night Candy."

"You too Leslie."

With that we grin at each other and go our separate ways. I find Clara, Tommy, and Sam laughing and joking with the jocks, which included Drew. Clara smiles excitedly when she sees me and the large tequila bottle I have in my hand.

"You do know there's these things called cups, right Candy?" Drew remarks from where he stands talking to Tommy.

"I don't believe in cups."

"So you're just gonna let whoever's lips touch it? What if you get herpes?" One of Drew's teammates comments, clearly intoxicated.

"Who says I intend to share?"

That shuts them up really quick, at loss of any witty comebacks. I take this moment to open the bottle and take a huge swig of it.

"Damn Candy, I almost forgot how well you can put down liquor." Drew says in an impressed tone.

"Just trying to make it like the good old times." I reply, taking another swig.

It does hit me harder and faster since it's been a while since alcoholic beverages touched my lips at this level. For a minute I consider stopping while I'm ahead, but then I think about the past couple weeks and my whole senior year. Those thoughts are enough for me to say fuck it and continue to drink until everything gets hazy. It doesn't take long thanks to my tolerance level having lowered significantly. Soon enough I'm with an equally drunk Clara, gyrating on the dance floor. The song blares through the speakers and I can feel the rhythm in my bones.