Thoughts of a Thinker

Chapter nine

           

Somehow Ember convinced me to spend the night at her house with the other girls. That was my first mistake. My second was agreeing to sneak out to meet up with some boys from our school. Both Vincent and Winston are here. Winston right in front of me and Vincent across the field from me.

Winston has been talking for a while now. Although I nod and say "mmhm, ya," every so often, I have no recollection of what he's said.

I'm more focused on Vincent's not so discreet gaze on me. Every so often our eyes meet, and I divert my attention to Winston quickly.

"Rena? Is everything alright?" Winston says.

I nod my head quickly. "Yeah, just a little tired, sorry what were you saying?" I say trying to seem interested.

"Oh, I was just saying the football team was having a party Friday night."

"That sounds fun," I reply hoping I don't sound bored.

"Yeah it will be, so did you want to come?" he says. "Like with me?"

"Of course, I want to come with you Winston," I say.

He looks relieved, but still rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Can I pick you up at 8?" he asks. When he says this the tips of his ears turn red in apprehension.

"I'll be ready for 8, see you then Winston," I say before walking away.

"Bye Rena!" I hear him call in the distance. I turn and give a wave.

Ember and some others are all in a huge group talking and drinking. Once I approach Ember catches my gaze.

"Hey girl, where have you been all night?" she says.

"Talking to Winston," Lindsey chimes in. The girls all smirk at me and give me accusing looks.

"It's not like that guys," I say rolling my eyes.

"Then, what's it like Rena?" Tara says mockingly.

"Did he not ask you out?" Ember says. I feel uncomfortable under her peering gaze and crack.

"He asked me to go to the football party with him..." I say unexcitedly.

"You better have said yes," Lindsey says.

"Yeah, I did."

They all congratulate me and tell me how excited they are for me. It all feels so wrong. It's almost like they like me better because a good-looking boy took interest in me. I guess that's high school for you.

So many things I don't understand are going on. For instance, I have no idea why there is an unsettling tension set between Ember and me.

It couldn't be jealousy. Ember has never mentioned Winston until he and I met. Why is everything so uncomfortable all of the sudden? She walks away without saying anything which adds to my unease.

Throughout the night I find myself loosening up. Maybe it's the alcohol brand new to my body or maybe the loud music forcing my thoughts to quiet. Either way I am beginning to love this night.

I'm seated on a log resting my head on Tara. She hums gently to the music being played from someone's guitar. We all stare at the fire. A couple of guys from our grade had made it earlier. I feel mesmerized by its luminescence. Its sparks jump towards me but I am unmoving; embracing its entirety.

Someone begins singing campfire songs. I mouth the words quietly along with everyone else. Tara and I sway side to side slowly.

Moments like this are what keep me going. Who knew such a perfect night could even exist.

After a while the songs turn more upbeat and the chatter gets louder. People have gathered around Tara and me.

"I'm Wendy," says an unfamiliar girl before extending a hand to shake towards me.

I smile at her, appreciating the friendliness. "I'm Rena, it's nice to meet you," I say shaking her hand.

I look behind her and the first thing I notice is how the sun has begun to rise. It's crazy how time speeds up when you're having a great time. I'm sure the liquid coursing through my veins contributed to the leap in time as well.

"Do you happen to know what time it is?" I ask Wendy once my eyes return to her.

"Oh yeah," she says and then pulls out her phone. "It's almost 7."

"Thank you," I say. I leave to try and find Ember. I'm pretty sure her mom won't be happy if she wakes up and we aren't there. Pushing my way through a crowd and saying an occasional "sorry," I finally spot Ember.

She's with a guy and she laughs at something he said before leaning in and kissing him. I walk closer to figure out who she's with. He pulls away from the kiss and I find myself looking into Vincent's tragic eyes.