Unattainable

Chapter 7 Unleashed

The silence that had engulfed us on the rooftop, hand in hand, had lasted about ten minutes before Shawn decided it was time to go inside.

"It's getting cold," he stood helping me to my feet, "let's get inside."

"Or we could just go somewhere else?" I suggested hopefully. I wasn't looking forward to whatever it was that awaited us behind the doors below. I could feel the bass surging up beneath our feet, the vibration tickling my shoes.

He just shook his head. "I have to go in, Astrid, I've got no choice." He turned and stated leading the way off the roof.

I wanted to yank him back and sit all night but he was obviously determined, so I obliged.

"Just promise not to let me fall?" I laughed as I wobbled down beside him onto the shed. He stopped and turned to face me and looked into my eyes.

"I promise." And I knew he meant it metaphorically. And I felt safe.

He bended his knees and slid off the side, landing half on his feet and half on his butt.

"Smooth!" I called down as he stood with extended arms

"Jump! I'll catch you!" He directed as I mocked his position in the crouch and clumsily tumbled off the shed, knocking Shawn down into the leaves.

"Are you crazy!" Cried the head peeping out beneath me.

I laughed as I hauled myself off of him and helped him stand. "Not nearly as crazy as you!"

"Not too sure about that."

We walked towards the front of the house, and followed a group of anxious teens up the porch. As Shawn was about to go in he stepped to the side suddenly, pulling me with him.

"I don't want you to think this friendship is a one sided thing where I just dump all of my problems on you and you don't get to talk okay? I want you to talk to me and not be afraid. I trust you and I want you to trust me." He said to me as the music began to pump up inside and he had to move closer to me to say it.

I stiffened at the closeness but was warmed in the cool air at what he had said. I stuck my hand out towards him.

"Friends?"

He grinned as we struck a precious deal.

"Friends." He glanced inside a moment and let go.

"Ready?" I asked guiding him back to the door.

He simply nodded his agreement as we stepped into the booming house, perfumed with alcohol and smudge with smoke. The walls were still intact with only a few lopsided picture frames. The foyer was a traffic zone with people milling inside and outside shoving and pushing toward the kitchen.

"Is this a senior party?!" I exclaimed to the wide eyes Shawn who was now dragging me towards the whooping.

"Not quite, it's a juniors house but there are seniors here who have more than likely taken over!" He called back as we dodged dancing bodies. I shrugged as I followed him into the living room where Daemon and Kyle were standing amongst the crowd drinks in one hand and the other grabbing womanly body parts that trances by. Disgusting.

"Shawn!," Daemon cried, "he made it everybody!" He clapped his hand to his cup, spraying the drink to his face as he walked towards us. Shawn dropped my hand as Daemon approached.

"Said i would be here." He said coldly.

Daemon raised an eye brow at me and shrugged as he shoved his cup in my face.

"Drink." I pushed it away appealed by the tangent odor that wafted to my nose.

"I'll pass."

Daemon just laughed in my face. "CMON shawn let's go have some fun huh?"

Shawn shook his head looking at me "But as-"

"Astrid can take care of herself," Daemon swung his arm over Shawn's shouldered, "she can hang with Sasha!" He motioned over a short blonde girl with big busts, held up by a small top. That's when I noticed I still had my coat.

"Hi!" She reached out and grabbed my hand, "come with me!" She yanked me from Shawn before I could fight her off as I was pulled towards the kitchen.

"I um, I'm Astrid." I didn't want to do the obvious: drink.

"B20 or a beer?" She asked holding up a shot glass and a Budweiser.

"Excuse me but I'm fine-"

"I was instructed to get you a drink and that I shall do." She said thrusting the beer into my hands.

"But I-" she looked at me intimidatingly. No choice. I popped open the lid and took a swig.

"Ugh." I spewed as the liquid burned down my throat.

"Great! Now let's go play spin the bottle or something fun like that!" She squealed taking my hand.

"But Shawn and I-"

"Don't worry," she called back, "he won't remember a thing soon enough."

What was that supposed to mean? I answered my own question as I looked behind my at the fridge to see the tall boy swiping a six pack and looking absolutely broken as he raised it above his head, forced a smile, and joined the hollering group of boys that now surrounded him.

He was gone for tonight and the only thing I could do to get back to him was to drink my way there. I took another drink and another and another until nothing was left and Sasha and I left the game of blow to get refreshments.

"I don't usually do this," I hesitated. "I don't really know what my limit is."

She shook her shaking hand in front of my dancing eyes. "That's what you're here to find out!" She shoved another drink in my hand. I popped it open and took a sip. It was sweeter than the last and burned less. Cooler.

"Perfect." I grinned as I followed her out the kitchen and onto the makeshift dance floor.

Everyone jumped in sync to Calvin Harris as we all began to dance. I still had my coat on for some reason and I shed it against the bodies and let it fall beneath their feet. I was already a little tipsy and I could feel the buzz but I had to admit, as far out of my comfort zone as it was, I was loving it.

We all jumped for a good hour swaying and twirling, when suddenly I felt hands on my waist. Warm breath kissed my ear and the smell of alcohol stung my lips.

"Hey babe."

Daemon.