Reflection: The Sequel

twenty-one

The slight movement and bumps under my head made me wake up. I didn't recall falling asleep and didn't know where I was. Wow, I must've really let go last night. I've blacked out in other ways, but I never thought I'd drink myself to sleep. My eyes fought to open until I adjusted to the brightness of the light. The luminosity was like knives to my eyeballs. Not to mention the pain and stiffness in my neck from sleeping while sitting up.

Tears formed and fell onto my cheeks, blurring my vision momentarily. When it cleared, I realized I was in a car with the entire group I had only met days ago. I noticed Cook was in the driver seat next to J.J, while I was snuggled close between Emily and Naomi. I turned around slightly to peek and see Katie who was clutching a bottle of vodka close to her person. Her large pink bow was hanging off the end of her hair. Freddie and Effy were snuggled up on the right beside her. Freddie had covered her up with his jacket to keep her warm while he held her in his arms. Panda and her boyfriend, Thomas, were cramped into the trunk area next to a few stacked suitcases and a duffle. Everyone around me were all still passed out.

Shortly after understanding my situation, I began panicking, but didn't want to show it. I yawned dramatically to show him I was awake and rubbed the back of my neck. "Fuck, man. I don't feel so good. Are you taking me back to my hotel?"

Emily snored beside me and Cook shushed me from the front seat. "Keep it down, bird. Everyone is still sleeping the night off. But, uh, you don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"You're told me that you were with us back to Bristol last night. We had to leave early because our hotel rooms were trashed and they were expecting us to pay a huge deposit. You had fun with the girls and didn't want it to end I guess." He snickered, taking a hit of the cigarette with one hand while turning right with his other.

"Wait, I told you I wanted to come to Bristol? Did we at least get my stuff from my hotel?"

"You said you were going to buy new things when we got there." He flicked the butt out the window and began to pull it up. "I guess I should've realized how fucked up you were before we left. Hell, we were all pretty fucked up. We are thirty minutes from town. Just keep quiet until we get there and when it's all said and done you and I will fill up the PussyWagon for one more ride and we can get your stuff. I want to get everyone home before they wake up and realize how gnarly that hangover is going to be. Pretty sure Freds or Tommo will be the first to puke. Fuck 'em if they think they'll puke in my van."

—

Eventually we ended up in a town that seemed more or less what I pictured the U.K. to be like. Nice little houses placed close beside one another. It was almost like a mix of the country, the seaside, and the city mashed into one place. I was so intrigued about the culture shock happening to me right now. Just thinking about all the new things I can see. Even if it's not Rome, Italy, or Paris. I'm here already. I might as well make the most of it.

Th first house we stopped at was a property between a long row of houses. Besides noticing the brick, I could see tons of windows and a red door with the numbers '34' in black ink nest to the wood panel. Cook pulled off to the side of the road to put the vehicle in park. Then reached his hand out to touched J's shoulder and nudge him to wake up. The softer boy woke up frantic as if he was having a bad dream where someone was also reaching for him. Cook immediately put his finger up to his friend's mouth to ensure his friend wouldn't make a sound. J.J. nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. They both quietly opened the doors and stepped out. Cook reached up onto the roof of the car and began fiddling with what I was assuming was suitcases he had tied onto the roof rack. Minutes later, he retrieved the correct bag and handed it to J along with giving him a hug. J.J walked across the street and into his house while Cook got into the vehicle and started on his way again.