Rose | Ashton Irwin

chapter twenty three

Rose's POV

"You promise it won't be long right? I have homework to do tonight." I gulp as I look out the window, my eyes scanning the dark neighborhood we're driving through. We've gone all the way to the other side of town, which I never come to. As I watch the people stumbling down the street, I remember why. I don't want to admit it so that he thinks I'm a spoiled and judgmental brat, but I've heard plenty of bad things about this area. Many of the neighborhoods over here are known for crime. There have been multiple drug busts, and fights are extremely common. Fear crawls up my spine as he pulls onto the side of the street, parking.

Most of the street lamps don't work, and the lack of light coming from the houses make me wonder if the area is abandoned. The house we've stopped in front of is only one story and there is a dull light spilling out of the windows. I slowly climb out, anxiously looking around. "Is your car going to be okay here?" I ask, paranoia laced in my voice as I eye the nice vehicle.

"Yeah, no need to be nervous." He laughs, nodding for me to follow him up the walkway, "I come here all the time." But I am nervous, and my heart beats faster as we walk up the steps. The mesh of the screen door is ripped and the window to my right has a hole in the middle as if something was thrown through it. Glass still scatters the ground that I have to step over, along with empty beer cans.

He opens the door for me, and when I step inside, I'm hit in the face with a putrid smell that makes me want to throw up. I could only compare it to a skunk- or worse, Russell's dirty socks. The air is thick with it as he leads me through to the living room, and I'm shocked to see it's not like any of the other parties I've been to so far.

The house isn't crowded and there is no thudding music that's hurting my ears. People are scattered on the couches and on the floor, all seeming to move at a slow and relaxed pace. They all seem older than us, around college age, and I don't recognize anyone. On the TV is a program I'm not familiar with, but no one seems to be watching.

"How do you know these people?" I whisper, but no one seems to even notice our presence.

"Relax." He places a hand on my back in an attempt to calm my nerves, but it doesn't work. "College kids party better. Ever heard the phase?" Before I can answer he strides forward.

I finally see someone I recognize just before they step out the back doors, and I wonder if it was really even them. I'm almost positive that I saw Ace, but it's been so long since I've seen him that I'm not sure.

I turn to follow Alec but almost run into a tall, round guy that's hunched over the wall. He seems more hyper than the others, eyes darting back and forth nervously as he mumbles under his breath.

I immediately want to run.

Instead, I quickly follow Alec into the grimy kitchen where he digs a familiar plastic red cup out from the cabinets. "You like lemonade?" He asks, and his smile eases a bit of my nerves. I nod and he fills the glass almost to the top before pulling a clear bottle out from the fridge. He barley pours any in before handing it to me, "I figured you're a light drinker."

I frown down at it, gently pushing it back toward him, "No thanks, like I said I have homework tonight."

He chuckles and rolls his eyes, placing it between my open hands, "Loosen up Rose, I barely even put anything in there. You saw me."

I sigh, my eyes on the cup as I take a slow sip. I can still taste whatever it is in there and stick out my tongue, "What is that?"

"Seriously? That was still too much for you?" He laughs and pours one of his own with double the alcohol, "Just vodka and lemonade baby. I'll know better next time." He winks before pushing himself up onto the counter, legs swinging over the sides. "So, what do you like to do?"