Impossible Possibilities

◥ ▶ twenty two ◀ ◤

(LISTEN TO THE SONG ABOVE^ THANKS) 

"It always shocked me when I realized that I wasn't the only person in the world who thought and felt such strange and awful things." - Looking For Alaska, John Green

here's another chapter, I've been feeling a very strong urge to always write lately, gladly. 

Chapter 22:

The party seemed to flow on with the rhythm of the humid sea air. Further towards the entrance, were little cabins with restrooms and slightly in front sat tables with boxes of snacks and several coolers.

I didn't see anyone I recognized as I walked my way through to the tables. I had no idea where Delilah and Ace went off too and besides Alicia, who I silently prayed I wouldn't have to see, I didn't know anyone. I looked through several coolers to find all that remained in them were bottles of water.   

"Looking for the booze?" I heard someone say and turned around to find a statuesque guy squinting his eyes at me. He was slightly taller than me with water glistening on his torso like miniature goblets of fire. I eyed him carefully as he held out a bottle of beer, a piece of sliced lime holding onto dear life at the north end. 

"Thanks." I grabbed it and took a long slip, a trail of beer piloting down my chin. I didn't care how obnoxious I looked, it wasn't like I was ever going to see him again, or any of these people. Although, there were definitely people from school present. For a split second, I wondered if he had spiked the drink with something, much, stronger. 

I used the heel of my palm to wipe of the remainder and looked back at him. He watched me with amusement written on his face.

"Is the beer good or were you looking for something stronger?" He chuckled as if he knew what was running through my mind. 

"The beer's good." For now.

He held out his hand, "I'm Zander," He introduced himself and grinned. 

I shook his hand but hesitated before telling him my name. "Ashley," I lied. I smiled.

"So Ashley, do you live around here?" His eyes gleamed and spiraled into me like a drill, trying to will me to tell him all my secrets as they took apart the pieces like breaking apart a puzzle.

"Yeah, sure I do." I lied, again.

He was about to say something when we heard a high pitch, squeak call out his name, he turned around to see. There stood Alicia, on the other side of the crowd that lightly danced. Her cream bathing suit a couple sizes too small for her.  She waved and Zander motioned for her to come over. Before he could turn back to me, I ditched. Hauling myself into the restrooms. I don't think she saw me. 

I could lightly hear their conservation. They talked on, Zander completely forgotten about me. I pulled out my phone and checked the time, it was nearing seven thirty. I finished the beer and dropped it in the bathrooms garbage can. Drinking in a bathroom, gross, I know.

I went back out when I heard their voices fade away into the pond of people. I couldn't see in which direction they went so I, too, started walking around. Skimming through all the people I wondered about. That guy with the blue hair, where did he get that scar above his right eyebrow? The girl standing over to the side, what is it that makes her so reserved? 

I was near the water again. I felt a little different from that single bottle of beer. Not a lot a different, just slightly happier. I decided, it was good enough to make me want another one. I turned around and started walking back to the table which I had just retrieved from. 

All the coolers held now were bottles of water and a few cans of soda here and there, I saw another table with a couple of coolers a little off to the side; distant to the party. I only saw glimpses of it through the mass of blurred personalities. 

I started walking through it, only seeing silhouettes the further I veered off from the fire. But stopped in my tracks when I saw Kris. 

His hair was messed to the gods, dark jeans hanging low, the V of his abdomen shining like a beautiful scar; just as prominent as the rest of his bodily features. But he wasn't alone. There was a girl who looked oddly familiar with her long sandy hair, the waves in her hair danced in the sea breeze. They were standing really close, hands lightly interlocked. Something shifted in the pit of my stomach.

I was perplexed and willed myself to not feel hurt but for some reason, my confused feelings got stronger as I realized, this girl was definitely more than a friend. I don't know why I felt the way I did, it wasn't as if I thought he liked me or anything

The air was suddenly really warm even though with every exhale into the open night, came a cloud of carbon dioxide. I didn't need the sweatshirt, cold sweats threatened to break out when he hugged her tightly and my eyes met his. He bore into me, cold and disorientated. It seemed as if he were to realize something too, his eyes widened and his fists clenched at her back.

All the food I ate earlier alarmed me, it wanted to purge back up. I forced it down, bit my lip and made my way back into the crowd. The party was reduced down to a low volume as a song by Years & Years played.

"Follow the marks you left, feel the undertow," I felt sick as I opened the cooler and took out a water bottle. 

"The boy that you thought you knew—he's so hard to hold," Someone called out my name, but I drained the water carelessly. It felt as if the water was just falling through me into oblivion, the more I drank, the thirstier I got. They called out my name again. 

 "So close your heart, you'll never find me." I finished and dropped the now empty water bottle just as Ace came into view. He stood in front of me, his face a complete new puzzle. I wanted to cut up the pieces and burn them.

"Hey." He exhaled, out of breath. I raised an eyebrow, my mood slightly better at the sight of a familiar face I didn't completely hate.

"What are you doing." He grabbed a water bottle from the cooler.

"Breathing." I looked around and asked when I didn't see Delilah, "Where's Delilah?"

"I'm not sure," He answered and paused, looking around the crowd. "Why do you look like that?" He searched my face. 

I tried to hide the jealousy seeing Kris had started in me, I felt like a piece of paper on fire, buzzing with the possibility of spreading the flames, excited for the destruction.

"Like what?" I cocked an eyebrow. 

"I don't know, indifferent." The humor gone from his face as he once again studied me. I shrugged my shoulders. 

We stood for a while, quiet and easy, taking in the content atmosphere of the party. "Do you wanna dance?" I asked out of boredom. I wasn't one for dancing but, at the same time, I wasn't one for a lot of things and that didn't stop me from doing them.

"Sure." He smiled warmly offering me his hand. I took it and he lead the way into the crowd. Some were dancing and some were just standing and conversating. A slow song played now and we pulled in close, our bodies sashaying very modestly. Over Ace's shoulder, I saw the sandy blonde haired girl walk off towards the parking lot. My stomach fell, again. 

I, right then, made an oath to stay away from Kris. I must've been insane to think he kind of liked me. He was a riddle and, I didn't like riddles. 

   ◥ ▶ ◀ ◤  

i hope you enjoyed that short and boring chapter. I'm still testing the waters.

I would love and appreciate it, oh so much, if you can leave a vote and maybe a comment on what your thoughts are on this book? I'd love to hear your feedback and not going to lie, it keeps me motivated to write. thanks for reading, ✈