Between You and Me

~~16~~

By the time Oliver and I get to Sophia's party at her parents' house, things are already pretty rowdy. On any other given day I'm sure her home is beautiful, but today the front porch holds teenagers smoking different concoctions, and on the manicured lawn I count two students passed out. I'm surprised it's only two.

Oliver nods to the smokers as we pass them and head to the front door, all the while still holding my hand. I push the door open and take a whiff of alcohol that floats over to me.

I smile as I drag Oliver over for a drink in the kitchen - which I can see from the front foyer. I grab a red cup and pour spiced rum once I find in one the loaded counter and Oliver pours me a popped can of Coke. I smile as I take a sip of my all time favourite drink.

"Go easy tonight, please." Oliver stops me before I head off to find Sage and Abbie.
"How come? You know I won't be hung over tomorrow." I raise my eyebrows, "We've been over this at our last party."
He sighs, running a hand through his hair, "I know."
I smile, "It's settled, no more telling me how much to drink."
"I don't even know why I tried, you wouldn't listen anyways."
I pat his cheek twice and smile, "You're learning."

Once I make my way to the living room with Oliver close behind me, I spot Shilo right away. She's wearing bright pink jeans, a grey throw-over V neck and nude pumps. I can tell she's already borderline tipsy.

"Hey!" I tap her shoulder once I shove through the crowd.
"Sage! Oliver! How nice of you to join us!" She sips her drink.
Abbie waves from behind, "Hey guys."
"Hey Abbie." I smile, "

For the next couple hours I spend time unwinding with my best friends and my - now official - boyfriend after a stressful semester.  It's safe to say that my marks this term are safe from the big bad average-dropping monster that is math class.  I'm happy that I decided to come her tonight, and even happier that I decided to ask Oliver to come with me.  He's been very considerate of how hard I have to try in school and how much alone time is important to me; I still have the occasional hermit day all to myself in my room.

But tonight isn't about school, my average or anything else. It's a party night and it's time to get drunk.

Oliver's POV

"Olly, will you get me another rum and coke please?" Sage pouts up at me, tossing her empty cup over her shoulder.

She still has to look up at me even in those heels that make her butt look amazing.

"Sure, stay here please."
She giggles as she nods her head, "Okie dokie."

Just before I walk off in search of more rum, Shilo whispers something into Sage's ear, and I watch as her eyes get wide and she nods her head crazily.

"Olly! Come back, we're playing shot roulette instead!"
I step back to her side and look down at her slightly sweaty face from all the dancing, "Are you sure mixing is the best idea? When was the last time you ate something?"
She waves her hand nonchalantly, "I'll be fine, let's go!"

She grabs my hand and pulls me in the direction of the basement. She almost tumbled on the stairs, but luckily I catch her before she hits the landing. When we finally turn the corner of the basement I see Shilo, Abbie, Sophia, and a handful of guys from the team sitting on the floor in a circle.

Sage shuffles over and attempts to sit between Shilo and Abbie. I grab her and tug her down on my lap between Jack and Fallon.

Sage looks at Fallon and smiles, "Hi, I'm Basil. Shit no - I'm Sage."
He laughs, "I know, we've met before."

She looks like she's about to ask where when Sophia suddenly interrupts with the instructions to shot roulette.

Someone spins the wheel and tosses the little ball in, and drinks the corresponding numbered drink. They then pass the ball to whoever is going next.

From a couple feet away from the board I can smell wine, rum, vodka and can see a strange milky substance, among other possibilities.

"I'll go first." Sophia spins and smirks as she takes her shot glass, dumping the contents into her mouth and swallowing, she laughs, "It was water."

Once she hands the ball off to Jack, I can smell he got the rum. He also knocks it back without trouble. He tosses the little ball off to Shilo, who fumbles with it before finally catching it.

Shilo spins and gets a clear, watery liquid. She picks the glass up to sniff it when Sage protests, "You aren't supposed to smell it Shilo, take the damn shot."

Sage hasn't had a drink in a few so I can tell she's already starting to sober up. The speed in which her body burns through alcohol is still shocking to me. It's like there's a 120kg alcoholic's tolerance hiding somewhere in her tiny body.

Sage gets the go next, and she spins 11. She pulls out the milky looking drink that smells nothing like milk and doesn't hesitate. The shot is swallowed before she even lowers the glass from her lips. She licks the soft skin and smiles, tossing the shot glass into the centre of our circle.

Shit.

She's sitting on my lap, leaning against my right knee that's bent and upright. I can see her beautiful face clearly and now that my attention was unknowingly drawn to her lips, I'm just about a goner.

Her hot black dress is surprisingly still neat, leaving the right side of her collarbone teasing me, begging to be kissed. Her face is relaxed, the worry and stress normally shown by tension in her eyebrows is smooth. She communicates with the others so openly, the protective barrier she showed me when we first met is nowhere to be found. She really is a sight to see.

It's then that I realize that this girl could be my ruin. She could be the one to unknowingly drag me off my life course. She's intelligent, witty, independent, loyal and so caring. If she were to abandon me after this year - my best year yet - I would do whatever it took to make sure no other guy realized her potential. This girl is without a doubt the one for me.

It's only been a few months we've been together, but I feel stronger, more ready for life's tolls with her around.

I've never felt it before, so I can't tell for sure, but I'm starting to think I'm falling in love with this girl. She might not know it yet but she's got me trapped.

"Come on Fallon! It doesn't smell so bad!" Sage laughs at my friend's screwed up face once he smells the alcohol he's set to drink.
"Oh yeah? You take it then." He holds the glass as far from him as possible in her direction.

I almost groan when I see her lips press together, her eyebrows furrow and eyes darken. I know that face: challenge accepted. She reaches out and swallows the clear liquid again without hesitation.

"Tequila." She smiles at the others.

A few others take their shots and before I know it the game is over. I can see on the others' faces that Sage has proven herself to them. If she experienced any trouble with them before, she won't anymore.

I lift her up with me and head in the direction of a couch at the other end of the room. Once I sit down Sage rests her head on my lap and closes her eyes. I let out a breath and think about how great this year has been.

"What time is it Mr. Wolf?" She opens her eyes and smiles at me, rolling onto her back.
I reply after I check my phone, "One in the morning."
"Are you tired Mr. Wolf?"
"No."

She smiles as she closes her eyes again. I know she knows I'm lying.

"Wanna go home?" She takes my hand and rubs her thumb over my knuckles.
"If you want."

She nods her head once and stands up, offering me her hand. I chuckle and take it gently.

"Let's go home Mr. Wolf."