An Unexpected Roommate

Chapter 9: I doubt you'll remember

JADE:

"And here we are," Ryder said, putting the car in park along the side of the road near Marcus's house.

We got out of the car, the air thick with muffled music and the smell of alcohol. There were already beer bottles on the front lawn.

"You alright there, Jade?" Ryder asked.

I swallowed. "I'm nervous," I whispered.

He put an arm around my waist, which didn't help any. "You'll be alright," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "It's a party, not a recital." I clenched my teeth as I thought about the nerves I got before a recital. That definitely didn't help.

Ryder kept his fingertips pressed to my back as we walked in.

"Breathe, kiddo," he said. "And drink this." He handed me a cup. I looked up at him with a question on my face. "Just think of it as... juice," he said. The drink smelled fruity. "It's vodka," he whispered in my ear.

I pressed my lips together.

"It'll steady the nerves," he said, smiling. I took a sip.

"RYDER!" Ryder and I looked over to where Marcus's voice boomed. Ryder laughed, patted me on the back, and slipped over to a group of Marcus and his friends.

"Um-" I started, but the music was so loud, there was no way Ryder heard me.

I looked around, lost, not wanting to follow Ryder. I didn't want to stick at his side. He wasn't obligated to take care of me.

I straightened my shoulders, and took in the house, its dim lighting and dancing bodies. I gritted my teeth. Noah, how could you have ever convinced me to come here? I took another sip, just for something to do.

"Jade?" I felt a hand on my shoulder. Julia, from my calculus class was smiling at me. She was always smiley, but now her smile was mega-watt as she leaned on me. "I didn't know you would be here!"

I nodded. "Kinda a first for me," I said.

"Come get a drink with me!" she said happily. I nodded and followed her to the kitchen, watching her make something that smelled like orange juice. She handed me a cup.

"I have two," I said.

"Well, then drink that one, Silly!" she said.

I nodded, downing one drink and starting on the next.

"Good! Now let's go dance!"

+++

RYDER:

"Nah, not tonight," I said, as Marcus offered me a drink yet again.

"That's right," Marcus laughed. "You've gotta protect the abs." He punched me lightly in the stomach. "We'll go to a party after the movie's done."

"Sounds great." I laughed. "I'll be back in a minute."

I walked through the crowd, hearing Katie calling me. I smiled but only waved when she tried to call me over. I was headed toward the door, needing some air, it was really hot inside. Then I saw Jade.

She was dancing with a friend, laughing and singing. She tilted up a drink, draining the last of it.

I knew she could dance, I'd seen her in class. But I didn't know that she could dance. Not like that. I'd thought she was beautiful. But I couldn't remember a time before this that I thought she was hot.

"Ryder!" She waved when I walked toward her, cutting through the crowd.

"How are you?" I asked. She turned and grinned a dazzling grin at me. Her eyes were sparkling, but glazed over with drunkenness.

"Good!" she yelled over the music. She stumbled a bit, and I held on to her waist to keep her from falling. She looked down at my hands like she was confused, a quick, sad smile flickering on her face before looking up at me. What was that about? "Thanks," she murmured.

"Of course," I said, pulling her closer to me. "We should probably get going, it's a bit late."

She pouted. "I want to stay, I'm having fun."

"I'm glad," I said, laughing. "But I don't think you've got a strong tolerance, you're a bit of a lightweight."

She glared at me and I had to suppress a laugh.

"Just a while longer," she whined.

"I doubt you'll remember it anyway, Sweetheart," I said, slipping my hand into hers.

"I think I will," she whispered, her lips tickling the bottom of my ear as she leaned up into me. "I've only been to this party, I couldn't get it confused with any other ones."

I laughed, sliding my arm around her to make our way out of the house and towards my car.

I helped her up into the passenger seat. "I don't know why this car has no doors," Jade said, though it sounded like she was talking to herself, not to me. "But I think this is pretty close to flying." As we exited the neighborhood, she ran her fingers through her hair, tossing it behind her, where it caught in the wind.

She threw her arms out to her sides, singing to the radio as we drove home.

A/N:

Hey lovelies! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments and remember to click the star if you're enjoying the story!

Love,

Katelyn