Xander

Heading Home Quickly (6)

       My breathing became shallow once I spotted him. I watch him as Jason Lancaster approaches, says something to him, and how an easy smile graces his face as he responds. He looks different from the last time I saw him, the same as he used to before. But I know that our friendship must've been a lie to him. Sadly, it wasn't to me.

       "Gail!" I hear Char's bubbly voice slur.

Great. Why do I have to have friends that like to party?

          I glance at Xander, and make a split second decision.

"I'm leaving. You coming?" I rush out to Char who has a huge smile on her face. Her smile transforms into one of confusion.

      "But why?" she drags out the word in a whiny tone, making me wince at the sound.

"Because this party sucks, that's why. And I can't exactly leave you, now can I? So you're coming with,"  I hiss in her ear.

         She stomps her foot like a child, causing some of her drink to slosh around in her cup.

   "Gail, I never knew you were a debbie downer!" her eyes light up at a realization, "I'm going to call you Debbie from now on!"

       I glance back at Xander who still hasn't noticed me standing several feet away from me and my palms become sweaty in fear of that occurring.

   "Let's go!" I order as I latch onto her arm and pull, but she's not budging.

I lick my lips in frustration and give her a hard stare.

      Her eyes become glossy and mine widen at the sight. "But- but Jimmy-"

"Who's Jimmy?" I cut in, hoping I'm not to late to make a run for it.

             "My boyfriend. He's around here somewhere," she says to herself as she scans the crowd rather slowly. I roll my eyes.

    "Quit lying to me, Char! Come on! I can't just leave you here alone while you're intoxicated." Although we didn't know each other that well, I've heard enough stories about what happens to girls alone at a party, and I wasn't going to let that happen to a new friend.

           "But I'm not lying!"

"Sure you aren't. Just-" I cut off as masculine arms wrap around Char, and a guy with brown hair rests his chin on her shoulder.

     Char giggles in satisfaction the sticks her tongue out at me in a childish manner. "Ha! I told you I had a boyfriend. Jimmy, she thought you were fictional!"

        He smiles adoringly and says, "Hi. I'm Jimmy."

He seems nice enough. "Abigail." I smile tightly and look back at the corner Xander is in- or was in- and discover it to be vacant.

      My eyes widen in panic.

"I call her Gail," Char attempts to whisper, but sounds more like a siren.

          Jimmy chuckles and says, "I got this. You can go if you want."

I raise my eyebrows. "How do I know you didn't barely just meet her tonight and are trying to take advantage of her?"

     I'm the type to think about every circumstance that can occur.

He looks slightly surprised, but amused. He pulls out his cell, turns it on, and shows me the screen.

      It's a picture of him with Char on his back, piggy-back style. They're both smiling like goofballs, and look to be about a year or two younger.