Run

Part One | 6

Chapter 6

"The one thing I could say about Marie confidently is that she didn't give a shit about anything. She really didn't. I think that's what drew me to her. Marie wasn't scary, but people knew when to approach her and when not to, and I liked that. 

When she finally acknowledged me... I'm not sure if it was intentional for her or just to get away from that kid or if she actually wanted my company. It could've gone either way, really, but she always threw me curveballs. I never knew what to expect with her. I think part of me was attracted to that.

It was the end of my freedom, though, when I met her. I never knew how crazy things would get just by that one night."

...

I ended up deciding to go to Sawyer's keg later that night. I can't explain what made me want to come because earlier I had no intention. Jorden said he'd be here, but why was I? I didn't know Sawyer, but I was getting to know his house first. I guess that's how it always was at parties, but this felt different and I couldn't tell why.

Marie wasn't lying when she said the party was down the street from the high school. It was just like back in Jefferson. The garage was open with a number of boys playing beer pong. Some girls were talking on the lawn with beer cans in hand. Numerous old vehicles lined the neighborhood, some people leaving and some people barely arriving. It looked like your casual party. 

I scanned the people in my line of vision, pushing away the fact that I was searching for her. I didn't know why. Just like Jorden said, there was nothing special about Marie, and yet I was looking for her. 

"Bryson?"

I turned, hearing Jorden's voice. He came out from the garage, his eyebrows furrowed as he drank from his can of bud light. "You're here."

I shrugged, already annoyed. "Marie told me about it."

He drank again. "Yeah, I saw you guys sit together at the assembly."

I laughed. "There was only one seat available."

Jorden didn't believe me, but I didn't really care. He nudged toward the garage. "Wanna play?"

"I just kinda want a drink."

Jorden pointed in the direction of the front door. "Help yourself. There's anything and everything in the kitchen."

I didn't say anything back to him as I climbed the steps to Sawyer's front door. Just as I entered, I leaned against the wall as a couple held hands and tried to pass me. I rolled my eyes at them. I can't believe I'm actually fucking here right now. 

It was like I was invisible as I made my way through Sawyer's house, searching for kitchen for a damn beer, but every few seconds someone would get in my way or I'd enter a room that wasn't what I was looking for. I noticed some of these people from my classes, though I hadn't talked to any of them. I never planned to either. 

Finally, I found the kitchen. Stacks and stacks of beer boxes sat on the kitchen counter. Gladly, I took a can and opened it. No one bothered to say anything to me as they helped themselves to their own preferred beverages. I just stood in the kitchen, drinking a bud light as if it was the most casual thing to do. When I grew bored, I left and found another room filled with students, that I hadn't been in before. I leaned against the wall and noticed as girls and boys got up together, and went on their way to vacant rooms.

Then I saw her. 

She was wearing the exact same thing she had been wearing at school. In fact, it was almost like she went straight from the assembly to here. She stood against a fireplace, talking to someone I had never seen before. He looked to be younger, maybe a sophomore. Her face was bored, and I could tell that he was flirting poorly and hopelessly. When she met my eyes across the room, it almost looked like she asked "What's your problem?"