Wheat Golden Love

Chapter 2

Classes the next morning go by slow. I never have hangovers. My body is used to the alcohol by now, but I woke up with a massive headache and can barely hold my eyes open. Even though I didn't have much to drink the night before, I feel like I had been hit in the head with a hammer.

As I was rummaging through my medicine cabinet in my dorm room, I remembered my night had taken an unusual course. I wasn't usually the designated driver.

Pete had gotten smashed. Nina and Ashley kept daring him to slam shots of tequila. Pete had stammered back to his truck insisting he was driving. "I'm sober. See," he said as he tried to walk a straight line. Forest had to catch most of his weight to keep him from tripping into the fire.

"You fall into that fire, then you'll think sober," Sam said. "Let's get you to your truck and Forest can drive you to your apartment."

After we finally convinced Pete to get in the backseat, I tossed the keys to Forest. "He ain't driving me home. He don't know where the hell he's going. He's too used to straight roads and no trees. He'll hit a tree driving these windy roads. Why don't you drive me back, Pear?"

"Alright. Fine. But I'm taking your truck to my apartment afterwards. I'm not walking across campus alone." There was no reply besides the sounds of snoring.

Forest had already had the truck started and in the passenger seat. I climbed in and put the truck in reverse and slowly made it back to town not wanting to draw too much attention to us with a passed out Pete in the backseat. The last thing he needed was a ticket for underage drinking.

Waking Pete up wasn't easy, but the worst part was keeping him in an upright position as we climbed 3 flights of stairs to his apartment. We got Pete into his bed as best we could, and I let out a deep sigh filled with exhaustion. I was too sober for this. I spun on my heels glancing up at Forest who was already staring at me. I suddenly felt awkward so I gave him a slight smile, "I guess I'll see you later," placing my hands in my pockets.

As soon as my hand touched the front door handle, I heard him ask, "do you want me to walk you to your dorm?" He cleared his throat, "you know? So Pete will have his truck to get to practice in the morning."

I didn't move or say anything for a moment surprised by his offer. I'd only heard the guy say his name the entire night. Finally, I turned my head, looking over my shoulder, "sure." I tossed the truck keys on the coffee table before walking out the door leaving it open for Forest to follow.

It was about a ten minute walk across campus to my dorm. We didn't say anything for half the walk. It wasn't awkward like I thought it would be. The early spring breeze was nice. I needed some fresh air after breathing in the smoke from the fire all night with hints of weed every now and then.

I spoke first. "How long are you staying in Alabama?" He just shrugged his shoulders.

"So, you're back to this not talking thing I guess." He was watching the ground when he slowly rolled his head toward me giving me a slight grin. I could see a glimpse of his dimples, and for a second I saw his green eyes light up.

"Sorry. I'm not much for words."

"That's okay. Pete says most people don't need words around me. That I usually talk enough for a whole group of people."

He laughed. "You and Pete sound a lot alike."

We had reached the front of my dorm. I fumbled around in my purse for my key while he watched from the bottom of the steps. Getting the door unlocked, I turned and waved, "thanks for walking me. See you around." He just nodded, put a hand up, and went back toward the other side of campus.