He Doesn't Know

Twenty Three

                  

It's been three days since the ball and I know I shouldn't drag this on any longer, but I'm afraid to admit the truth. The truth that I can't get Fallon off my mind. Feeling his lips on mine. Feeling his hand in mine. Secretly knowing all the times he was sneaking glances at me. Except I also need to accept the fact that Foster was the one who got me to laugh and smile after all this time away from Fallon and after everything with Connor. It was all Foster and I don't think I have it in me to ever hurt him. So I'm back at square one, I'll just ignore my longing for the blue eyed blonde.

"Woo! Go seniors!" Connor yells out while driving down the road. "Jeez Conn watch where you're driving," I comment while glancing at him. We're on our way to a party after our big football win and right now it's just Connor, Fallon, and I in the car. "I get to be excited about this babe. There was college recruiters there tonight and I played a perfect game. Senior year is already amazing," he tells me while reaching over to grab my hand and place a kiss on it. As we reach the house I can already see people on the lawn making out or with red solo cups in their hands. Connor gets out of the car and rushes to the house, he pauses and looks back at me who is barley getting out of the car. "Are you drinking tonight Vera?" he asks. The thought hasn't even crossed my mind if I was or not to be honest. "Are you?" I question back. A sly smile appears on his face to where I don't even need to hear him say yes to know he is. "It's ok man, I got her if she does," Fallon speaks up. Right. I forget he was here for a second. "Thanks Fallon you're the best. Always are," Connor tells us right before he disappears into the house.

I roll my eyes at him and slowly make my way into the house as well, except Fallon's words make me stop, "Be careful Vera." I stop and look behind me at Fallon, his face is filled with sincere concern. "Don't worry about me all the time Fallon. Have some fun too," I inform him before I also enter the house. I already hear Connor right away, my guess him and some of the other football players are taking shots of some kind. I swear it's the same thing every time. I make my way to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of my favorite fruity vodka. "Vera! You're finally here!" I hear my best friend's voice behind me yell. "Geisel already drunk are we?" I ask her while still pouring my own drink. "Always judgmental are we?" she mocks me. I roll my eyes at her, she gets an attitude when she's drinking. I turn around and take the shot glass she had in her hand and chug it down. "Hey that was mine. It had something special in it," she pouts. My eyes shoot open and I ask, "Something special?" She laughs and squishes my face while replying, "Yes princess." Then she starts to walk away into the other room where I saw her boyfriend minutes ago. "Wait Geisel what was in there?" I call after her. She only glances behind her at me and shrugs. "Don't drink other people's drinks next time," she answers with a smirk.

It's been twenty minutes and whatever was in that drink is taking affect. Dammit. I even drank two water bottles to help it. I want to find Connor, then I see his letterman from behind and make my way towards him. I snake my arms around him and lean my head against his back. He's sitting on a table and clearly in the middle of a conversation so I don't say anything. With one of his hands he grabs mine and holds them while continuing to talk, but then after a couple of minutes my mouth gets dry and I need something to drink right away. I release my grip from around him, but then I feel him grab one of my hands. "What's wrong?" he asks me and turning his attention towards me now. "I'm really thirsty," I tell him while he begins to blur in my vision. "I can get it. Stay right here," he demands while getting up and placing a quick kiss on my lips then leaving towards the kitchen.

"Vera what did you drink?" I hear someone ask that's clearly not Connor. "I don't know," I truthfully tell the unknown voice. Then I see Fallon's blonde hair off to the side. Jeez am I that gone? He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a secluded area of the house where there's a passed out girl. "How can I enjoy myself if you can't take care of yourself Ver. Huh?" he asks me with slight irritation. "I'm sorry. It was an accident. I don't want to make you unhappy," I reply. He sighs and teases, "What will I do with you?" I try to smile, well I think I'm smiling, but the action feels wrong on my face. "What are you doing?" Fallon questions. "What do you mean?" I bring myself to concentrate on him now. He laughs slightly and answers, "You're moving you're mouth in all weird movements." I playfully push him, but my strength is none existent so I end up leaning against his shoulder. He ends up wrapping his arm around me to make my awkward position more comfortable.

"I never had the courage to ask you or Connor why you don't drink," I bluntly say out loud. Fallon laughs and asks, "Which means it's the alcohol that's giving you the courage now, but I don't mind telling you. My aunt and cousins were killed by a drunk driver when I was younger and I vouched to never drink after that." A gasp escapes me and a part of me feels for Fallon. He's had some rough things happen to him. "You're one of the bravest people I know Fallon," I tell him. "Thank you Vera. That means a lot to me, but I think you're pretty brave as well. You go against any obstacle thrown at you to achieve what you want. I don't know anybody else like that, well maybe except Connor," he informs me. "Is that why Connor and I are meant to be together?" I tease. I feel Fallon go stiff underneath me and it's quiet for a minute. "Vera the way you are now I don't know if you'll remember anything in the morning, but I'm going to say it just this once anyway. There's something about Connor that's changing. He's not the person you fell in love with freshman year. He's definitely not the person I met in elementary school. I know people change as they get older, but there's something about Connor that's for the worse. He's cockier, more arrogant. When that day comes when he actually does change, just know I'll be there for you. Even through all the pain I'll still be there for you. I always will," he finally speaks up. I have no idea what he's talking about and I can't process what the message was within that speech, so I just agree, "I know."

"There you are my wondering princess," Connor's voice pulls my attention away from Fallon. I try to get up, but stumble towards Fallon once I'm on my feet. Luckily his hands are on my waist to help me with my balance. "Thanks Fallon boy," I tell him with a laugh at the nickname I just gave him. Connor is right there in front of me and pulls me towards him. "Here's some water," he informs me while holding up the cup. I drink it down and place it on the shelf behind him, before getting on my tippy toes to smash my lips against his. "I love you so much," I utter between kisses. Connor smirks and pulls me against him while slipping his tongue in my mouth. "I love you more than anything Vera," he tells me while pulling away for a second to look me in the eye. I smile at him and take a step away. "Now go back to the party. I'm going to stay here with Fallon. I'm quite beat already and I don't think I can handle anything else right now," I blurt out. Connor raises his eyebrow and asks, "Are you sure?" I nod and go to sit back down next to Fallon. I look back over at Connor and he stands there staring at me, then leaves the room seconds later. "What was that Ver?" Fallon asks me. I look at him and answer truthfully, "I'd rather be next to you right now. You make me feel safe."

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Thank you everyone reading! The last chapter will be posted next week, as much as I love this story the end is near. Remember after the last chapter I'll be posting my new book called, The Truth.

Also I couldn't help myself from writing another flashback with Vera and Fallon. Now Vera didn't know Fallon had feelings for her, but I hope you caught little things he said and did for Vera to where you knew that he's had feelings for Vera the whole time.

Well until next week :)