In 31 Days

Day 12: And

We were sitting on one of our porch swings, relaxed, just watching the cars roll by.  Alex absentmindedly twirled his fingers around mine as we took in deep, satisfying breaths, just enjoying the moment of our spectacular now. A little less than two weeks, I reminded myself. But surely, creating a world of memories in such a short time frame was possible, I mused. 

There would always be some kind of instant attraction pulling us together like magnets.

Suddenly, Alex's phone buzzed.

"Look," he demanded, lazily swiping his arm towards mine.

I peered over at his screen.

"Kaden just invited us to his end-of-the-semester celebration party," he stated, voicing my thoughts aloud. "We should go."

I bit my lip hesitantly. I really wasn't one for parties anyway, and I didn't want to tell him that I'd never bene to one.

His calculated eyes met my own. "You've never actually been to one, have you?"

Looking at my embarrassed expression on my face, he quickly added, "No, it's fine! I'm not judging you — you'll love it. And this one won't even be that formal. They said they only wanted people in regular attire. So no dressing up."

"Pity," he continued. "You in a tight dress would make my day."

I smirked. "And your night."

He gasped. "Ashley Manes, perverted now? What have I done?"

I shoved him playfully. "Get out."

An hour later, we walked down a couple blocks to the nearly party. Nervously, I smoothed out my jeans.

"Don't worry about it," Alex said, linking his arm in mine. "It's okay. I'll grab you some water."

I nodded and walked around, starting to talk to some of my friends.

Alex came back and handed me a bottle of water. Just then, his friends came over.

"I'll be right back," he promised, giving my arm a squeeze before he left.

I smiled as my friend squealed, "You two are so a thing!"

I blushed, looking down, trying to disappear but to no avail.

"Yo Ashley!"

I looked up, startled.

Andrew swaggered over, beer bottle in hand, waving his hands at me in my face.

I laughed, my tensions diffusing. Andrew always relaxed me, and it surely wasn't because of the leftovers of his drugged scent.

"Hi Andrew," I replied. "How are you?"

"Fan-fucking-astic," he said, stumbling a bit. I bit back a smile.

"Let's do it," Andrew slurred. "Right here, right now," pointing to the ground and leaning towards it for emphasis.

He shoved his beer bottle towards me sporadically.

"What?" I asked him, bewildered.

He tilted his head to point at his can, but tilted too much and had to hold onto the table for support.

"No, it's okay," I tried, lifting his back up, grinning at his obvious buzzed state. A happy Andrew was quite adorable, I observed.

"You should grin more," I said without thinking. Instantly, I covered my mouth.

He laughed, easing my tensions.

"Got it," he replied, shooting me a pearly smile that stole my breath away.