Bottoms Up

-Daniella's POV-

"Springsteen" was blaring in my jeep as I entered my small hometown of , Georgia. I haven't been back here since I was 19. I was going to college in upstate NY, and I graduated finally, after 8 years of studying to become a doctor. The dirt roads brought so many memories back. Riding down the road, I drove past the old saloon where Melanie got kicked out for punching some girl in the mouth, breaking her jaw for talking to her boyfriend. I smiled and drove to Melanie's house. She was waiting on the porch, smoking a cigarette, smirking. "Hey bitch." She said smirking and putting the cigarette out. I smirked and she came down the steps, pulling me into a hug. "How've ya been Mel?" I said hugging back. She pulled away from the hug and looked at me with an eyebrow raised. "You're boobs got bigger." She said laughing and I rolled my eyes. "You got hotter, what the hell!" She said pushing me jokingly and I rolled my eyes. "So did you darlin'" I said pushing her back. "Well I gotta catch ya up with the town gossip." She said opening the passenger side door. I hopped in too, starting it up. We drove around for hours, reliving stupid high school memories, and we ended up at the football field. "Ah man, remember when you and Brantley got caught drinking behind the bleachers?" Mel said and I sighed, laughing to myself. "I do, I do.." I said leaning on the gate. "You guys use to be inseparable.." She said looking out on the field. "Yeah.. I haven't seen him since we broke up.." I said heading back to the jeep. "Hey, there's a party later, wanna go?" She said as I got into the jeep. I shrugged. "C'mon! You know who might be there!" She said nudging me. "Alright, fine." I said pushing my hair back. That night, we headed to the party down by Adel, and there was a huge bonfire roaring.

I followed Mel down to the river, as everyone stared. "Hey Mel!" One of the guys yelled and we walked over to him. "Hey Blake, 'member Danielle?" She said and his eyes instantly widened as he looked at me. "Wow you got.. Hot." He said and I shook my head, smiling. "Hey Blake." I said hugging him. We caught up and Mel handed me a beer. The music was perfect, and everyone was laughing and joking around. As I was getting into the mood to dance, a truck pulled in and Mel tapped me. "That's him." She said and everyone started shouting Brantley name. He walked down, smiling and high fiving people. I stared at him, watching him and hoping he'd look at me. He did, his eyes weren't leaving my body. He kept walking, but kept looking back at me. I pretended I wasn't looking, but every now and again, I'd look.

"He's totally checking you out." Mel and Izzy said. Izzy, who dormed with me in college, knew a lot about me and Brantley. I flicked my hair over my shoulder and he started to walk over to me. The song "Swayin'" by Cole Swindell came on and I lit up. "Hey Dani.." Brantley's voice echoed over my shoulder. I turned around and there he stood. "Hey Brantley!" I said over the music, smiling at him. He smiled back and took a swig of his beer. Mel and Izzy left me alone with him and I moved closer to him. "How've ya been?" He said looking around. "Same old same old." I said pushing my hair out of my face. "I've gotta say, you look.. Amazing." He said and I giggled, biting my lip. He chuckled and put his arm around me. "C'mon, let's ditch this party and.. Catch up." He said and I looked over at Mel, who nodded and we went to his truck. We drove, and drove, and drove. "Where we goin?" I said looking over at him. "You'll see." He said and I sighed. "C'mon just tell me!" I said and he shook his head, chuckling. "I see your patience level hasn't changed." He said and I smirked, moving a little closer. He took notice, sitting up straighter now. We pulled into the first place where we first met, the church bazaar. "Oh my gosh.." I said covering my face in embarrassment. He hopped out of the truck, and opened my door for me. I hopped out and followed him to the empty parking lot. The church was closed down, and it just felt like that night again.

"You used that God-awful pickup line on me." I said and he smirked. "Excuse me, you stole my heart.. Can I get it back?" He said putting out his hand. I laughed, and took his hand, smiling like a fool. His hands landed on my hips, pulling me close to him. I draped my arms over his shoulders, resting my head on his chest. I felt those butterflies he gave me back when I was 19. I looked into his eyes, and he was looking into mine. We leaned in close and our lips were so close. Sparks flew, literally. A jeep pulled into the lot next to his truck. Out popped Mel and Izzy. I didn't even get to kiss him. I sighed and pulled away from Scotty. "What?" I said going over to them. "You better get back to the party.." They said looking worried. I looked back at Brantley and nodded. They hopped back in the jeep and left. I walked back over to Brantley. "I'm so sorry.." He said getting back in the truck. I got back in the truck too. The ride was silent, and the party was more crowded then ever. I was walking over to Mel and the crew, but I was pulled in by some no name redneck. It was my other ex, Ryan.

"Baby, you look sooo hot." He said harshly pulling me close to him. "Ryan let me go." I said pushing him away. He grabbed my arm and started to drag me to his truck. I kept pushing me away. "Let go of me!" I said loudly, trying to get someone's attention. Brantley tapped Ryan's shoulder, he let me go. Brantley punched Ryan so hard, that he fell to the ground. Everyone formed around them and I covered my mouth when Brantley wouldn't stop punching him. It took Blake and 3 other guys to pull him off Ryan. People helped Ryan to the truck, cleaning up the blood off of him. Brantley was still being held back, and he looked at me. My head was spinning. I felt tears welt up in my eyes. I pushed through the crowd and just started, walking. I heard someone running to catch up to me. It was Brantley, of course it was Brantley.