Infinitely

ii

If it were socially acceptable, I would stay inside until the sun set and there were no people outside. Of course that kind of behavior is said to need professional attention and is overall seen as 'creepy'.
I love walks at night. There is probably nothing else I enjoy more than walking in the dark. I mean, sure, there are weird men and flickering lights but at the same time it's peaceful and calming. My mother says it's stupid and by no means is she wrong. My hobby is dangerous and moronic but it is the only time of the day I can isolate myself and not get told off.
So I made my way down the deserted street, surrounded by tall lamp posts and taller houses.
This wasn't my neighborhood. Where I live, there's the occasional Creep and high teenagers sitting on the street.

About one hundred meters away, a house was crowded with people and blaring music. You could tell it was about to get shut down. I could smell the weed from where I was standing and decided to cross the street. Before I even set my foot on to the road, a voice was calling my name and viciously waving their arms.

"LENA?" The person stopped for a second and tilted their head. "LENA! YOU CAME." They began to cheer and soon enough, the entire crowd was cheering with them.

Did I know this person? The voice sounded familiar but I couldn't seem to remember a face.
The figure beckoned me to walk up to them and I did.
In the dark, I could already recognize the trait which seemed to run in the family. His fiery, red hair almost glowed in the dark and illuminated his entire face, which was goofily grinning. His hand reach up and wiped away the remainder of his beer mustache with the jacket sleeve. "I'm so glad you came." He paused for a second and furrowed his eyebrows, "I did just meet you, but you seem nice."

"Wyatt?"

"At your service." He curtsied and giggled.

"Are you drunk?"

"Define drunk." He crossed his arms and looked as if he were ready to start an argument, "I'm so smart, she'll never guess that I'm drunk." He giggled under his breath and looked extremely proud with himself.

"I can hear you, dumbass." I tried my best to look serious and concerned but it was near impossible with the ginger in front of me . "It's been like, thirty minutes." I snorted quietly, "what a lightweight."

"I can hear you, dumbass."

I rolled my eyes, "you are in no state to sass me right now." Should I offer to drive him home? "Do you have a ride home?"

"Psh." He waved dismissively at me and grabbed my wrist, tugging we to the entrance of the house.

"Wyatt."

"Hm."

"Wyatt."

"Hm."

"Wyatt."

"Lena."

He's impossible. "Wyatt, I need to head home."

He continued pulling me to the party and giggling to himself. "you're gonna meet all my friends." He sounded like an overly excited 6th grade girl who just got her first makeup kit.

"Wyatt, I really need to go home."

"You'll go home, after you meet my friends."

I sighed and surrendered, "sure, but fast."

He brought me to the centre of the party. People playing beer pong, the 'high' corner, the 'spin the bottle' corner, others dancing and grinding to the music. I didn't know anybody. I've seen them around, our schools love to compete in football and other sports but other than that - they were all new faces.

"This is Calum, my bro." In front of me stood a rather scrawny Indian boy. He was around my height and looked lighter than a feather.

"Wyatt, bro, who's this lovely lady?" He extended his hand and puckered his lips. No.

"This is Lena." Wyatt exclaimed. "My nanny."

Calum froze and frowned at Wyatt, "you lightweight." He muttered under his breath, "it's been half an hour. Pleasure meeting you, Lena." He then leaned closer to me and whispered into my ear, "could you drive him home? If he keeps drinking he'll pass out in like ten minutes."

I whispered back, "sure, cool party you have here. It was nice meeting you, Calum." And with a last smile and nod, I escorted the drunk to the exit.

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

"You home or my home? I don't really mind." He attempted to wink but instead had an eye spasm.

"I'm taking you to bed."

"You know, you're a really good nanny." His eyed began to droop and his words turned into slurs.

"Thanks, I try." I was already carrying half his weight and with the amount of food that he consumes, I doubt I'd make it to the car. "Wyatt, don't sleep. Which car is yours?"

"The shiny one." And he closed his eyes.

"You fucking idiot, get up, your mum just hired me. Goddammit Wyatt, I can't bring her passed out son to the doorstep - I need the money!" The Sasquatch wouldn't budge, so I was left with my only choice.

"OW WHAT THE FUCK." He sprung up, clutching his cheek and glaring at me. "Why did you slap me?!"

"You wouldn't wake up." I raised my hands in defense.

"I'm telling my mum." He mumbled and rubbed his cheek.

"You do that big boy." I barely picked myself up from the ground and followed Wyatt to his car. His steps were messy and all over the place, I am not letting him drive. "Get out."

"This is my car." He was leaning on his elbows against the wheel and flaring his nostrils at me.

"Well, I don't want to die tonight." I motioned with my hands for him to scooch over to the passenger seat and he did so, his head hit the ceiling and his legs barely got past the glove compartment.

As I started the engine I could hear him quietly snoring beside me. Wyatt probably won't remember any of this tomorrow and frankly, I don't want him to. I do not want to be his friend, I simply need the money.
I don't want to be his friend.
I need the money.
Not his friend.
I will not be his friend.

We made it to the house and the only problem now would be getting him into the house. On the other hand, I could leave him on the steps, the welcome mat looks warm. "Wyatt, we're here." I shook him awake.

"Huh?" He rubbed his eyes and squinted at me, "Lena? What's going on?"

"Just go to bed, Wyatt." I smiled and could feel my own eyelids getting heavier.

"Yeah, bed sounds nice." He smiled at me and fought to keep his eyes open. "Goodnight, Lena, thank you." He nearly tripped at the porch and fumbled for five minutes before opening the door and stumbling inside. I got out of the car and fixed my jacket.
This will be a long walk home, not that I mind.