That Was Then

53-Now

"This is extortion," I tell Mara as she stands above me, practically tipping the pink bottle into my mouth. She wont get into the car until she sees that I am actually drinking. I'm not typically one to cave to peer pressure but later in the day when Allie told me to stop being so uptight about something entirely unrelated, I decided that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to let loose a little bit. And it would be fun to get Mara to go to a football game.

"One more," she tells me, pushing the bottle at my face again. I glance at Eden, standing guard in the doorway of Mara's bedroom. A surprisingly princess-y bedroom. A white lace duvet covers her bed and the gauzy pink curtains match the thick pink rug on the floor. I am perched on a white wicker chair practically sitting on the lap of a gigantic teddy bear.

Eden knows the deal, she promised to keep an eye on me and not let me drink too much. She grins and gives me a reassuring nod so I tip the bottle back again, only allowing a little to flow into my mouth before blocking it with my tongue. I make a show of swallowing like I had a mouthful and when Mara is satisfied she tucks the bottle away.

We drive over an hour to get to the game during which time Vivi, Mara and I passed around Vivi's flask. I take sips to Mara's gulps but the flask is empty by the time we park. Vivi refills it from a bottle she stores in the trunk of Eden's car.

Turns out football is much more interesting with a buzz going. That and Caleb is putting on quite a show. It's almost like a dance, Seth receives the ball, Aiden plows through anyone in their way as Seth runs with the ball until Caleb has spun and dodged enough guys in red uniforms to be open. Then the ball arcs through the air landing in Caleb's outstretched hands, he never stops moving until he reaches the end zone or someone stops him. 

I alternate between taking the flask that Vivi hands me from the right and the water bottle that Eden hands me from the left. Eden also pulls snacks from her bag, "to soak up the alcohol," she grins at me and I wonder how I got so lucky to make such a good friend. She knows that I was hesitant to drink and that I have no intentions of getting 'shit-faced' like Mara expects. 

Mara is surprisingly knowledgable about football. And even more surprisingly, completely into the game, cheering loudly and even yelling at the ref when she disagrees with a call. Not that he can hear her. 

Vivi passes me the flask and winks after I take my drink, knowing it was barely more than a sip. I am warm from both the alcohol and the happiness of finding myself surrounded  by such great friends. Even pushy Mara. 

I drink just enough to keep the pleasant buzz going but in the last few seconds of the game when my boyfriend scores one last touchdown, Mara passes me the flask, "finish it," she urges. I shake the flask, which isn't quite a flask so much as a jug that looks like flask, as it is gigantic. My charm bracelet jingles on my wrist and the liquid sloshes loudly, it suddenly feels like there's more left than there should be. There is still at least a shot left, if not more. I shrug at Eden and upend the flask into my mouth and celebrate Caleb's touchdown as he is carried off the field by his team. 

We arrive at Jackson's house before the players do. Eden presses a code into the keypad at the front door and it unlocks. A woman's voice tells us that the alarm has been disarmed. "His parents are in Bali for a few weeks," she tells us as we walk down a spiral staircase. 

This is the first time I've been to Jackson's house. It is huge. I thought my house was big but it would fit inside Jackson's house several times. At the bottom of the spiral staircase is a large room with a pool table, air hockey, Foosball table, a few large leather couches and a rock framed bar. One wall of glass sliding doors opens up to a patio and even though it's a cool night I open one of the doors and step out. The pool is covered but the hot tub looks inviting, perched along the edge of the yard, high above the rest of the town. I'm half tempted to strip down into my orange bra and panties and get in but I know that is the alcohol talking so I head back inside where Mara is behind the bar mixing drinks. 

"Here you go darling," Mara hands me a tall glass full of ice and a tan liquid. I take a drink and it's not so bad. 

"What is it?" I ask taking another drink. 

"A long island," she tells me as I swallow down another drink. More people are arriving and Eden is playing hostess until Jackson and the guys get there. When she notices my nearly empty glass her almond shaped eyes bulge. 

"Slow down! Those are potent!" She snatches my glass and fills it halfway with plain iced tea while Mara isn't looking.

"Doesn't taste potent," I tell her but I'm definitely feeling a little more than a buzz at this point. Squeals from the top of the stairs indicate that the cheerleaders have arrived and they spill down the stairs in all of their orange and black glory, talking and giggling loudly. Allie takes my glass and downs it, I'm about to head to the fridge to refill it with the plain iced tea when Mara zeros in on me and refills it from the pitcher she is carrying around possessively. She lifts her glass to mine and our glasses make a loud 'clink'. 

"Cheers!" She smiles and tips back her glass, the girl can drink. I take a small gulp of mine but she looks disappointed when I don't drain it like she does so I take one more obligatory drink. I've definitely crossed the line from buzzed to drunk and shit-faced doesn't look too far away. I can't hold my alcohol like Mara and I haven't been drunk since Paris this summer with Petra. My tolerance is low. 

I find Eden and stick to her like glue until the football players show up a different kind of drunk off of their win. Their voices are loud and excited, easily drowning us out. Caleb comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He lifts me off the ground and spins me around and it doesn't help my situation. When he sets me down I sway in his arms and he can taste the alcohol on me after pressing his mouth to mine. He puts his face close to mine and sniffs. 

"Blakely Nikole," his expression is amused and his voice is teasing, "are you drunk?!"

"Not yet," I tease back although I'm not entirely sure that's true. 

His eyebrows scrunch together, mildly concerned. "Hmmm, are you sure? Because you're slurring and I think if I let you go you might not stay upright."

"Then don't let me go," I tell him, pressing my body to his. He looks around, both of us share the same opinion on public displays of affection. Aside from holding hands and maybe a quick peck, we usually keep our distance. I wrap my arms around his neck and joining me in my abandon, Caleb covers my mouth with his own.