Ordinaries

Chapter 10

I'll be honest; I don't consider myself a lightweight when it comes to drinking. But I guess it had just been a while since I'd had jungle juice. Even though it was mixed with god knows what else, four cups later and the Everclear had reduced the feeling in my throat to a minimum and my cognizance to a very questionable level.

Eric had been the last person to draw a King card. I'd cringed when I observed how much alcohol had been poured into the jar by the time he'd done so; everyone had kind of been pouring their drinks in regardless of whether or not they were supposed to. By the time Eric drew the last King and had to drink the jar's contents as punishment, it probably contained enough booze to get Eric drunk three times over. He'd rushed off to the bathroom as soon as he'd finished it.

Jade jabbed me with her elbow, breaking me out of my reverie. "Ow," I said indignantly. She shushed me and motioned towards the bathroom.

"There, see? I told you Eric could handle himself."

I looked where she pointed and saw Eric stumbling out of the bathroom, righting himself as he attempted to walk normally. I eyed him with as much worry as I could muster in my marred state of mind. He saw me looking and gave me a thumbs up accompanied by a tired smile.

"Okay, fine," I told Jade. "You were right. I just wanted to make sure he was okay."

"Of course you did," Jade clucked. "That's why you're such a good friend." She stood up and eyed the table in the front corner of the room excitedly. "Now come on! You said we could go get it after we made sure Eric was alright."

"Alright, alright," I said. "Let's go." I stood up and the world spun around me. The lights seemed brighter than normal and the music slithered into my eardrums, pounding a constant thump thump thump against them, an entrancing mantra for the energy coursing through the room. The air was hot and wet, closer to the air on The Outside than the air in Ether.

Jade grabbed my hand and pulled me through the horde of people in the room. "Come on, mister. I think we both need a little structural support right now."

We made our way over to the corner in the front of the room, where a small table was laid out with a bowl full of chips and another full of salsa. We found Camila alone beside, it and she greeted us gleefully, munching her food in satisfaction. She shoved some chips in her bra and sloppily pretended to tip a top hat to us before making her way to the door and leaving the room, giggling the whole time.

I shot Jade a skeptical look, but she just shrugged. "I don't even care anymore, as long as she doesn't pass out." She shoved some chips in her mouth and groaned as she chewed, closing her eyes.

"You're so dramatic," I laughed.

Jade didn't acknowledge my jab. "That's so much better. I want to personally thank whoever thought to have food here. There are too many parties that are all drinks, no refreshments. It's tragic, really."

Behind her, I noticed a couple of guys eyeing us with expressions I didn't particularly like. I averted my gaze, but I only noticed another group in the corner staring at us. Unease managed to creep through my heavy buzz.

"Uh, Jade. Is it just me, or is everyone looking at us?"

Jade didn't respond. She was staring at something behind me. I followed her gaze, expecting to confirm my fears. Instead, I was met with the sight of Noah and Lindsey, both sopping wet and dripping profusely onto the carpet of the motel room. Lindsey was in a black bikini that matched the color of her drenched curls, her mascara messed up in a way that she somehow made look pretty. Noah was still in his jeans and his t-shirt, his hair messed up and wet. They were both shivering violently, their teeth chattering nonstop; but despite their obvious coldness, they sported huge smiles.