Under The Surface [Editing]

Chapter TwentySix Stalling

Nathan’s hand tightens on mine and I assume it is out of excitement when we walk in the doors of James house. How many times had I been in this place? Made out with James? Talked about the future with him? Now I was here to prove that his growing hatred for me because I did not prefer him anymore was surreal. I would definitely be having a drink tonight.

I don’t see James anywhere, but when I see the look on Nathan’s face I am alarmed and take heed to what he might have seen. Turning my head to look in the direction that has anchored his gaze so intently, he quickly side steps in front of me turning and blocking the view, ushering me towards the kitchen.

I have to ask, “What is it?”

“Nothing just thought I saw something,” he changes the expression on his face to a bright grin and I know he is lying. He does not want me to see what he has. I let it slide since we are supposed to be here to show that James and Penny cannot rattle us, but, indeed, something has rattled Nathan, which makes me worry.

We are here now, though, and we can’t let them think they may have already gotten to us. It must seem silly to be worried about a bitter ex-boyfriend and a girl who dislikes you in school, I know, but I have seen how cruel people can be.

I am not dumb enough to be lost in my own little world. People are notorious for their cruelty, letting their emotions careen out of control; even I am guilty of it. Jealousy, love, hate, resentment, all of these can seduce people into doing the most heinous of actions.

If anything my eyes have been opened up more to it recently and my mind has matured, so yes, I don’t find the concern mediocre or silly in the least as it might be perceived by others.

All of us mingle into the kitchen talking and looking around at everyone, greeting people we know and cheering those who are chugging from beer bongs. This is not my first party. It is my first party with Nathan. Immediately Lily, Debra, and Brandon go for the beer keg with their plastic red solo cups and wonder over to the beer pong table that has a game in full swing. I never understood the purpose of the game except to get overly drunk, pointless if you ask me.

I was not very fond of beer, matter of fact I think the only time I have drank alcohol is the night at the dance when Nathan spiked my punch. No, there was one time with Lily and James, I shudder, no wonder I didn’t really care for it. James was a bastard that night and I never drank or let him drink around me again. I looked over at the harder stuff, liquor and spirits as the idea of what to drink and dancing with Nathan collided in my thoughts.

Thinking about dancing again, my hands began to get clammy and my hips were already swaying gently to a beat that was pounding through the house from the living room. Definitely need a drink. But, what? Scanning the vast choices of alcohol, I decided on something that would be strong and swift to loosen my nerves.

“What would you like babe?” Nathan asked wrapping an arm around my waist pulling me close against his hip possessively.

“Something strong and will work fast my nerves are shot already,” I say a little flushed in the face without the help from the alcohol yet.

Nathan disentangles himself from me and begins to mix an interesting concoction of what looks like five different strong liquors together, and lastly a blue substance for color, adding a cherry to the top. I find it funny there is even cherries in the make shift bar at a house party. Nathan turns back to me smiling but I can see he is hiding some worry from me.

Again I ask, “What is it?” this time leaning into his ear so he can hear me without having to yell above the crowd and music.

“It’s called an adios mother fucker,” I raise my eyes at him from the title of the drink’s implications, “Trust me it’s all the drink you will need in one,” he winks at me with that smirk I have come to trust.