Trouble's Favorite

Chapter 27

Drinking wasn’t my thing. So as soon as everybody decided to get drunk and get laid right after prom, I decided have a walk and get some air. The girls were having an after party together with some seniors in a place I don’t even think that existed.

      People were already bidding their goodbyes and I was wondering if I could join them for a ride. But nah, I’ll pass. I should just get a cab.

      Just when I was thinking on where I’d stop by before I head home, Drake’s car stopped in front of me and offered to give me a ride

      “Are you going home?”

      “I could use a little time,” I told him.

      Drake nodded and he opened the door for me. “Hop in.”

      Without another word, I gladly did as he said.

      We were having a formal human to human conversation this time and as far as I’m concerned, he wasn’t trying to annoy me—which was actually kind of weird though. I wasn’t used to Drake being the goody-tooty kind of guy. Drake annoying me would be more natural. Just because he asked me in public to dance with him doesn’t mean he has to change the way he’s acting in front of me. I like it better if he’s actually trying to get into my nerves. That’s the kind of Drake I used to know… the kind of Drake I fell in love with.

      “Do you have any plans tonight other than coming out for a drive with me?” he asked.

      I shook my head, “Nah. This is better than getting laid,” I jokingly said.

      That was a corny joke of course, but Drake did laugh at it though. Otherwise, why would I locking my gaze at the rear view mirror, flustering out of embarrassment?

      So having a night drive with Drake seems actually kind of awkward, especially when he just asked me to dance with him not so long ago.

      I was trying to cheer up the atmosphere and forget about the awkward moment and gladly, Drake didn’t pay attention—hopefully—to what I was ranting.

       It was when I ended my oh-so-boring story telling with a sly laugh that I have realized that the car has stopped and Drake was actually staring at me. And I don’t think that would’ve made me feel a little better because I’ve felt like an idiot after that.

       “I’m sorry, I know you probably didn’t care about that,” I faked a laugh, hoping to not let him notice how awkward the whole thing is for me.

       When I realized that Drake was still actually looking at me, I cleared my throat and broke our gazes.

      Drake got out of the car and told me to wait for him. As I was waiting for him, I decided to kill the time by texting the girls, telling them to take care and that I’m okay. Saying that I was with Drake wouldn’t be a good timing, especially when I don’t know whether they’re drunk or whatever.

    When Drake finally got back, he had with him chips and sodas. “Since we can’t have a big party with others, let’s just have a small one here in my car.”

   I’ve never actually thought of it, but it was actually a good idea. This is like a date! NOT. It’s just an exclusive party, Chloe. Just a party

     “So why didn’t you actually buy a beer or something? Parties work that way.”

     Drake shook his head and chuckled, as if what I said was silly. “Drunk-driving ain’t good, Chloe.”

     “Oooh, so where’s the bad boy image, Evans?” I sarcastically asked him.

     “I’ll be over it,” he simply answered. This time he was serious; not a single smile on his face.

      “What do you mean?”

     He started the car and the engine roared to life, stepping on the accelerator, he said, “I’ll tell you later. I’ve got to show you something first.”

     Drake brought me to a place where there were all trees. It was totally creepy at this hour of the night, but being with Drake made me feel secured.

     We went further into the woods, the darkness slowly eating us. Drake was leading the way, but he was holding my hand, making sure that I was following him.

     Drake came into a sudden halt, making me bump onto his back. As I moved a little to his side, peeking on what he was staring at, I suddenly found my mouth agape. Below us you could clearly see the city: with the lights brightening up the dark, lifeless streets. It was a simple view that simply made my heart fluster; it was the best scene I’ve always dreamed of seeing in reality back when I was a kid.

      I stood there in awe, satisfying myself with the view. Drake slowly pulled my arm, gesturing me to look at him.

     “Drake, why are you doing this?” I had to ask. There should be some reason behind all this.

     Drake stepped closer. Close enough that I could feel him breathe under my skin. “I just want to have a good time with you before I leave.”

      I distanced myself away from him. “What are you talking about?”

     “Chloe, I’m leaving.”

      Tears were starting to fill up my eyes as I couldn't find the exact words to tell him how painful it was for me to end things just like that.

     Drake sighed, looking at me intently as if he was trying to let me listen to him. “The letter that coach asked you to give me before…. You remember that? That was a letter for my scholarship, Chloe. I’d be a thousand miles away from you and this was the only thing that I’ve thought to formally say goodbye.”

     “So you’re actually trying to tell me that you’re doing this just to say goodbye?” I cried.

     Drake closed his eyes, paused for a moment before answering me, “Yes.”

     “That’s it? You’re leaving me just like that?”

     Drake went closer, trying to hug me but I pushed him away. “Chloe, I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way.”

     “Then what, Drake?! You made me so ecstatic not so long ago, asking me to dance with you in public and bringing me here just to tell me that you’re leaving?!”

     He was trying to be brave… for me. “I’m leaving in three days.”

     “Take me home.”

     “Chloe, don’t end it this way.”

    “Then what am I supposed to do, Drake?! Congratulate you? Well, congrats! Satisfied? Now take me home.”

     Not uttering another word, Drake drove me home. Along the way, he was talking, trying to make me feel a little better. But none of his words could seem to make me feel all right.

     The car stopped and the thing that scares me most was about to happen. Either Drake or I have to say our goodbyes, and that’s the last thing I would want to happen for tonight.

      “Chloe,” Drake finally spoke up. “I know you didn’t want this to happen. And so do I. But I don’t want to end this with a fight. At least let me say goodb—“

      “Drake, don’t. Please. Just don’t say it.” I don’t want this to end. I don’t want us to end… or was there even an ‘us’?

     He closed his eyes, leaned closer and held my face with his hands. As he opened his eyes, he looked at me straight in the eye and kissed me on the forehead. “I love you.”