Marry Me

Chapter 14

     The rest of spring break was uneventful, at least on the Chelsea and Anthony front. I avoided her the entire week, which raised suspicion in my parents, but I told them she was busy with wedding things and I had Alondra to show around.

     I was now only one month away from graduation. I has started the month of May with a grueling schedule of: Wake up, cram food into my mouth on the way to class, study, draft insanely long essays and papers as my final projects, stay up far too late studying and complaining about life to Alondra. sleep two hours and repeat.

     It was finally Saturday night and even though I still had way too much to do, I decided to say screw it and go to a party with some friends. So I jumped into a crowded, open cab Jeep Wrangler and enjoyed the wind in my hair and the rowdy laughter of my guys.

     I found myself standing with my good friend Kyle by the kitchen of some house party, when Chelsea appeared infront of me.

     "Chris!" She gasped. She threw her arms around my waist and squeezed me insanely hard. I had to peel her off of me just so I could breath. She was grinning up at me, excitment shimmering in her eyes. I smiled and said "Hey Chels. Didn't know you would be in town this weekend."

     "Wasn't supossed to be, but had a rough week so my girls took me out and here we are!" She took a swig from her beer bottle and said "I'm so glad you're here. I miss you all the time! I feel like you hate me."

     My heart lurched. My feelings for her were far from hatred. I needed to explain myself, but not in the middle of some random house party. Turning to Kyle I yelled over the music "I need to talk to her for a bit, I'll be right back." Kyle winked at me from under the fringe of his black hair and said "Yea, enjoy your talking." I rolled my eyes and took Chelsea by the hand.

     "Come on, we need to talk." I said as I pulled her through the surging crowd of drunk college kids. I led us up the stairs and into the first room I spotted with an open door.

     It looked like a spare bedroom. The sheets were cream, and topped with a white comforter. Pictures of the beach hung from every wall, and a small white dresser sat against the wall to the right of the closet door.

     I shut the door and sighed as if muffled the loud thumping music. I led Chelsea to the bed and sat down. She plopped down next to me and said "Oh what a lovely room." Now that we were alone I could smell the alcohol on her.

     There was no way in Hell she was sober. I contemplated leaving and having this conversation later, but before I could stand, Chelsea put her hand on my thigh and said " Chris... you're my best friend. I miss it when it was just us against the world."

     The guilt came back. I missed her too. I knew distance was the best thing for me, but in the end I was still pulling away from my best friend, and that was obviously hurting her.

     I placed my hand over hers and said "I miss you too Chelse, but you are getting married and I have..." I trailed off. Alondra wasn't officially my girlfriend but she may as well be. We hadn't really talked about it since she had been in town two weeks ago.

     "Alondra. Right, your girlfriend." Chelsea said, her face twisting into a look that almost resembled disgust. I suddenly felt defensive.

     "Do you have a problem with Alondra?" I asked.  Chelsea laughed and said "Not at all. She's lovely...I just don't know if she is right for you, that's all."

     "And you would know that, how? You didn't even talk to her."

     "Who's fault is that?" She snapped. I froze. She had never taken that tone with me before, but the shock was soon replaced with that ever present guilt I had that sat in the put of my stomach and deep inside my chest.

      Chelsea pulled away and started to fiddle with the hem of her tight yellow shirt. It fit her body like a glove and paired well with the denim skirt she wore on the bottom. Her signature black high top Converse were laced onto her feet, and I would have bet my life on the fact that she had on yellow socks. She always wore socks that matched her shirt.

     I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before saying "You're right. You tried to hang out with us, but I always had an excuse not to. I'm sorry. I promise I don't hate you."

     "Good!" Chelsea exclaimed. She moved closer to me, and I could feel her breath breeze across my face as she spoke.

     "Because I love you Chris. You're my best friend in the world and I could never do life without you."

     uh oh. I thought. Chelsea's eyes softened and she inches ever closer. My heart hammered against my ribcage and my mouth went dry.

     Kiss her, she wants it!
     Don't let her do this. She's engaged and you're moving on.
     Maybe it will be good to kiss her. Closure and all that.
    
     "Chris..." Chelsea whispered, as her eyes began to close.

     You're going to regret this if you do it!" My heart screamed as it beat faster and faster. The room was starting to get very hot, which caused my breathing to hitch.

     Just do i-
     My brain shut off as Chelsea pressed her pink glossed lips to mine. My body was frozen in place. Her perfume mixed with alcohol filled my nose as she melted against my chest. I still wasn't breathing, but as she started to move her lips against mine, mine started to move.

     My eyes closed and I continued to kiss her. Her lips were soft but... forigne.Her scent was familiar and yet, felt wrong being this close to me.

     We kissed for a while I tried to kickstart my brain. I was finally kissing Chelsea. Not only that, but she had kissed me first. Teenage me was jumping for joy, but current aged me felt... gross.

     A knock at the door caused me to jump and scramble up the bed. I slammed myself back against the headboard as the door opened and a slurred voice yelled " Chelsea Marie, are you in here?"

     A blonde haired head appeared around the door and she said "Christ there you are. Kenna wants to leave, so get your ass outside."  Then she slammed the door. I dont think she even saw me.

     Chelsea looked back at me and said "Gotta go. Call me and we can catch up." Then she stood and slowly crossed the room, swinging her hips in a way that had never done in my direction.

     As she opened the door, she turned and blew me a kiss before exiting the room and shutting the door.

      Fuck.
      Fuck.
     "Fuck."