This Means War

Chapter 5 ~ I Am a Ridiculously Honest Drunk & She Wants the D

When Lauren and I got out of the car, she quickly took hold of my hand. A few seconds later, Vinny pulls up with Ariana. She walks up to us and takes Lauren's hand. I smile at them and follow the guys to the barn. There is plenty of stuff happening outside of the barn, but the party is truly inside where the lights are changing colors every so often. I look up to the rafter's and see that Kenny Emison has set up his legendary DJ system and was playing.

We walked in right as a beer chugging was happening in one of the horse stalls. The happy competitors were Bailee and some other blonde girl. The girl quickly pulls herself off the tap and runs outside to puke while - with ever so eager guys holding her legs up - Bailee finished the whole thing. Everyone cheers for her and she catches sight of me.

Before she can storm over and demand to know what I'm doing, I take Cade's hand and lead him past the group of beer chuggers and go to the back of the barn, past the few stalls where the barn opens up more. When we get to the middle of everyone, I take his hands and put them around my waist while I sling my arms around his shoulders. The song that starts playing is something that I am more than familiar with, it's Female Robbery by The Neighborhood. I start dancing with Cade just to piss Bailee off, but then I start having fun. Singing along to the lyrics and actually letting myself feel like it's a different time. Like I'm actually supposed to be here. Like I'm once again the girl everyone was waiting to get here.

The song smoothly changes to Latch by Disclosure and while we both move, Cade's hands move down to my hips and I don't even mind it. I'd never danced like this with anyone, including Fitz. Fitz hated dancing, and when I danced with guys they never dared try anything lower than my shoulders, also keeping room for the Holy Ghost between us knowing that if they didn't that when they weren't expecting it, Fitz would find them and put the fear of God into them until they promised to never look in my direction again.

But right now, I forgot that it was the tool-of-a-person Cade who had his hands so softly on my hips, I didn't know who I thought it was. I just felt the touch and knew it felt right. Before I even realized it, there was no room between Cade and I. Air couldn't move between us, let alone any ghost. I moved my hands through his hair and we made eye contact. His piercing blue eyes looked into mine with swift assurance. And then he did the most unspeakable thing, he began leaning in and I quickly turned my face so he got my cheek instead. I looked at him shocked and he looked at me embarrassed. I quickly brought my hands back to myself and Cade did the same. I pushed past people to get out of the barn and I found myself outside, away from everyone and the commotion.

I touched my hand to my chest and could feel my heart pulsate. I had no idea Cade was going to try something like that. When I felt someone's touch on my wrist, I almost screamed. When I turned and saw who it was, I almost did it anyway. "I'm sorry, Chapman." I look at him with annoyance.

"You just ruined this."

"Ruined what?"

"This, this . . . thing we had going on where we like act like was want to kill each other, but we actually are pretty cool with each other. Not to say that I can actually stand you, but. . . why would you think I'd want to kiss you? Why would I want the person who ruined my life from the ages of 6 to 12 to kiss me on the lips? Why would I want that to happen?" Surprisingly, I wasn't acting.

"Because I thought . . . I thought you felt that." I raised an eyebrow and he sighed. "Never mind, look I'm sorry, Chapman. Can we just forget it, go back to the party and hate each other like normal. Pretend it never happened." He smiles at me and outstretches his hand. I reluctantly take it and then we got back inside. We go back to dancing, with the holy ghost between us, and I catch sight of Lauren with a baseball player - Justin King. He's a cute guy, sandy blonde hair and killer green eyes. And Ariana is talking to Vinny with a red cup in her hand. I resist the urge to take the drink away from her and scold her like a parent, but I know that Vinny's got it.