LEARNING TO NAVIGATE LOVE

CHAPTER 2

Earlier when Audrey was talking about how epic the Summers' Before School Bash was, it really was the most epic party around and continued to hold its reputation of being extravagant and cramped. I still had three blocks to go and I could already hear the pounding of the bass from the party; if that didn't spell 'good times' I don't know what would. Maybe a quietly rereading Harry Potter in the window seat of my flat in London? Pulling over on the side of the road I decided to park here and walk the rest of the way as a few cars had already been smart enough to do, plus this game me less of a chance of getting grid locked, puked on, or rear ended by a half sober under aged kid. Arriving at the driveway of the mansion I was overwhelmed by the crowd and potent smell of alcohol. It was only 6:30 and a guy was already smashed and vomiting into one of the bushes. Damn, these people go hardcore. Timidly I made my way up the driveway, contemplating whether or not to jump back into my car and go home, I did after all have a great conspiracy documentary about JFK's assassination in my queue. And just as I turned to go back I heard a familiar voice yell my name.

"Olivia!" Audrey screamed as she ran over to me and nearly knocked me over with a bear hug. "Come, we're going tubing before it gets dark," she exclaimed as she firmly grabbed my arm and dragged me through the crowd and towards the dock where a boat idled and a mixed group of people were standing.

"Oh my word is that Olivia Kingston?!" Emma Summers yelled jumping off the boat and running towards me. "I never thought I see you at one of these things."

"Well Audrey here is pretty convincing, that and I need somewhere to wear this cute bikini I bought other than our neighborhood pool," I replied taking off my shirt to reveal a mustard colored crochet bikini top.

"God Yes! Is that from SHE MADE ME?"

"How did you know? Literally thought I was the only person who even knew that brand existed."

"I have the same top but in black. You pull off the mustard color so well, I'm jealous that color is sooo in right now."

"I'm flattered," I replied as I hopped off the dock and into the boat. Emma sat down next to a guy I'd never seen before and laid her head on his shoulder. He whispered something into her ear that made her smile. Emma patted the seat next to her, I sat and Audrey followed.

"Alright everyone I'm Conner Summers, I'll be driving this beauty. We have a few rules here on this water craft. 1. NO Alcohol: I'm not cleaning up your split beer or vomit tomorrow. 2. Don't ask to drive, I'm always captain. and 3. Don't yell at me, I'll take you however fast or slow I want, but they don't call me Speed Demon for no reason." Conner cocked a grin before sitting down behind the wheel and taking off. The sudden jolt caused everyone to find a seat, smushing everyone closer together.

"So how was your summer?" Emma asked sitting up and propping her head on her hands.

Talking to Emma was like talking to a cream puff; she was so light and fluffy and a breeze to talk too. Everything she said came out fluidly as she talked of her extravagant adventures she had with her cousins in Australia; four wheeling in the desert, hugging koalas, even surfing Bondi Beach. Emma was a die hard athlete. And her three state records in track only proved this statement. In Belfield she had quite a reputation, multiple boyfriends, affairs with married men, abortion rumors, some even said she had gone to Australia to give birth to a baby that she'd pregnant with from one of her many flings. But talking to her in this moment I knew none of it could be true, Emma was sweet, like startling sweet and as we talked about schedules I could tell she was smart and loved to challenge herself. I could see why everyone loved her no matter how many bad things she got involved with. Plus her devotion to the guy on her left seemed pretty unwavering, considering the amount of guys practically drooling over her. Wouldn't she get annoyed having to step over all those puddles?