Blood and Bourbon

1

Hey everyone! I thought I'd give y'all a sample of what I've been working on.

A laugh peeled out of my throat as I rolled my body, letting the loud, pumping music wash over me. I opened my eyes as I lowered myself down to the bar, and made eye contact with a tall, dark man standing a little behind the crowd sitting right beside where I was dancing.

Oh, he's cute.

I winked at him, before reaching over the bar to grab a bottle, swigging right out of the cold glass. I smiled at Brian, the bartender, when he gave me a flat look. Getting up, I danced for a while longer before I heard Jessica squeak out "Bella!" over the music. She shoved her tiny self past the crowd I had drawn, a couple of which had their cell phones pointing up in my direction.

"Get down from there!" She reached up and grabbed my hand, squealing as I pulled her up with me. "No! Dance with me!" She awkwardly smiled, pulling me close and whispering in my ear, "Bella, you have to get down, those guys can see right up your skirt!"

I rolled my eyes. Of course they could. But, this night was too good, and I didn't want to fight with her, so I hopped down from my place on the bar. "Sorry, boys, the shows over," I said, patting the two closest to me on the shoulder before walking around to the other side of the bar, where Brian was serving a couple of girls, who were giggling at something he said- probably a stupid pick up line, knowing him.

"Hey! Bri! Get me another drink." I demanded, leaning onto the bar with a smile. He smirked in my direction, but he poured me my Jack and water. My favorite.

After I grabbed my drink from him, I walked up to the dark skinned man whod been watching me dance a couple of minutes ago. "Did you like my dance?" He smiled at me, leaning close to my ear to say "I thought you looked great up there, wild one."

-----

I found myself straddling his lap in a dark booth a few minutes later, pressing our lips together hard. I could hear Jessica laughing with Jared, my hottys cute friend. Her father would be so thrilled, I thought sarcastically.

I pulled away from the man, "I need a refill," I pouted. He kissed me quickly before going up to the bar. I briefly met Brians green eyes, full of amusement. "Jess!" I called to the other booth. Her head popped up over the wall o couple of seconds later.

"Whats up, Bella?" She asked, annoyed that I had interrupted her time with the boy her racist father would be oh-so-happy about. She had been a lot more fun ever since she got over that ridiculous crush on Mike Newton.

I eventually convinced her to play a game of pool with us, knowing that she could get bent over the table by her new friend. I hope she gets his number, its not often we find someone that can keep up with us.

----

I stumbled into the bathroom after our game. I cheered on a couple that was going at it on the bathroom counter, who barely paused long enough to give me the finger. Brian has such a classy place. I fixed my hair a bit, or at least I hope I did, Im feeling pretty tipsy right about now.

I giggled as I stumbled out. That door was heavier than expected. Pushing myself off the wall, I laughed, letting the world stop spinning before I looked up, only to see one of the only people I wouldnt be overjoyed to see at the moment holding Brian by the collar of his shirt.

I tried to turn and go back into the bathroom, but I slipped and fell onto my butt, crashing into a couple of chairs that happed to be situated in the hall way. "Bella!" I heard Charlie yell. Looking up, I saw him drop Brian, who had wide, sorry eyes. I got sober real quick. In that moment, I realized how big the steaming pile of shit I just stepped into was. Charlie ran over to where I was, still splayed out on the floor. He yanked me up and pulled me out of the bar so fast, before I knew it I was sitting in the back of his police cruiser with Jessica, like a criminal. I mean, I had been drinking in bar underage, butwhatever.

---

There were tiny people inside my head, banging on it with hammers. My mouth felt dry, and I immediately knew that today was going to be a rough day. Charlie hadnt said a word the entire drive home. At least, he didnt from what I remember. But I dont remember anything past us getting to Jessicas house last night. Crap, her father was going to kill her.

Suddenly, the smell of breakfast wafted up to me, and I was out of bed in a flash. Charlie found me a few moments later, clutching at the cool toilet. "I hope you dont think youre getting out of school today," Charlie leaned against the door frame to our shared bathroom. "And dont even think about pretending to be sick-not after that stunt you pulled last night." His gravelly voice shook the little people in my head around. I nodded and spat into the toilet, before shakily pushing myself up.

"Ok." I whispered, hoping he would use a similar tone. He didnt. "By the way, I'm taking you to school today, so hurry up and get dressed." He said, leaving me alone in the bathroom. I felt a little better after a quick shower, and grabbed a piece of toast on my way to the cruise. He knows how much I hate riding in the cruiser, he must be pissed. I wonder how long it will take me to get out of this one.

This certainly wasnt the first time Id been in trouble since they left. But I had never been caught red handed with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar before either. So I had gotten a bit wild in the past few months. I had hurt enough, sulked enough, and I vowed to never feel that way again.

The first half of the school day was pure agony. I'm certain Charlie got to the teacher and told them all that they should scream their lessons as loudly as possible today. By lunch time, my headache had started to ease up. A little bit of light came in and brightened up my day when, just as I was sitting down at my table, my phone dinged, alerting me to a text from Brian that said "Sorry about last night, Belle. Your dad threatened to shut me down." After typing a quick reply, I started eating todays cafeteria meal. Startled, I looked up when Jessica threw herself into the seat across from me.

"Hey Bella," she said, looking down at her folded hands on the table. "My dad is so pissed at me! He said he doesnt want me to hang out with you anymore." Jessica pouted.

I just rolled my eyes, "Jess, its fine. It's not like he knew we were together last night, Or Wednesday, or Friday night or-"

"I get it!" She snapped, "but really, Bella, I think hes right. We should cool it for a bit. I know weve been having fun. But midterms are coming up! We can't be out all night every night!" Maybe Jess couldnt risk being tired during midterms, but I could. It's not like I have any plans to go to college anyway. I just wanted to get away from this place and all of the bad memories residing in its walls. And party along the way.

"Fine, Ill see you around." I said as I pushed away from the table. As I walked out of the cafeteria, I made eye contact with Angela and nodded at her. She had been a good friend to me. Too good. Now days all she ever wanted to do was talk about them or tell me I'm out of control.

---

---

That night, Charlie and I sat at the dinner table in silence. We had ordered in pizza, and the only noise in the house was the sound of a baseball game playing on the television in the living room floating into the kitchen. That is, until Charlie tensely cleared his throat and said "Bells, I know you shut down the idea of going to live with your mother before, but this time I'm serious. I can't deal with this. I can't keep dragging you home from bars, and- and watching you throw your life away." He leaned back against the table, his brows pulling together. I don't think I've ever seen him look so upset. "I just can't do it. I know it hurts to think about him," I bit my lip and angrily sucked in a breath, "but you gotta get past this, I think I change of scenery can only help-"

"I agree with you." I cut him off. "I need to get out of Forks, but it's not because of them. Screw them!" I slammed away from the table, leaving my dumbfounded father alone at the table.