oxygen (e.d.)

chapter thirty

<ethan>

i've been at the beach with rowen for 10 minutes, and i still have no clue who's party it is.

i see so many familiar faces and friends, so i assume its someone local.

i just have to keep praying that it's not riley.

i could not do this to her, show up on her big night and ruin it.

rowen grinds up against me to the music, but i'm too busy looking around to notice.

there's so many people here.

first clue that it's not riley's party. no way would she let this many people see her as the center of attention.

"ethan," rowen smiles, "get me a drink?"

"on it." i say and start to push through people.

i see wyatt in the distance, and wave. he waves back as he hits the volleyball, looks away, then does a terrified double-take.

i shrug it off and head to the coolers on the upper part of the sand.

"bro," someone taps my shoulder.

i turn around to see wyatt.

"yes?"

"you can't be here," he says breathlessly.

"why-"

"alright!" a loud, forceful voice cuts me off and all out heads turn to a girl standing on a table in the middle of the crowd.

it's sloane.

"today is my best friends birthday," she slurs, so i know she's drunk.

wait.

best friend?

"so come on up here riley!" she hollers and everyone cheers.

my blood runs cold and i feel all color leave my face.

i'm an idiot.

"ethan-" wyatt says again.

"no. no i gotcha. rowen dragged me here and i had no clue it was riley's party. i'm so sorry, man." i interrupt, super embarrassed.

"it's fine," he shrugs. i turn to leave, but he grabs my shoulder.

"actually," wyatt wrinkles his nose, "stay."

"what?"

"stay."

"she wouldn't want that-"

"stay." he reiterates forcefully.

i turn my head to look at her.

she's blushing and smiling so wide, standing on the table.

her dress could make any head turn, it's so beautiful.

she's so beautiful.

everyone yells and cheers as she takes a shot and wipes her mouth afterwards, and starts to giggle.

i find myself smiling, and i realize i haven't really smiled like this since, well, since riley was still mine.

the sun starts to set, and i check the time.

9 pm.

it's a late sunset, my favorite.

"i'm gonna, uh, go. i'll see you around?" wyatt says, patting my shoulder.

"y-yeah. for sure."

he starts to walk away, but turns around once again.

"i promise she doesn't want you to leave."

i flinch in confusion at the phrase. why wouldn't she?

rowen finds me before i give it any second thought, and i hand her the drink in my hand.

"come onnnn," she urges.

"are you already drunk?" i ask.

"maybe," she hiccups.

i let her lead me off to the beer pong table, and watch as she plays a game.

really scary how good she is at this.

"e?" a small voice says behind me.

i turn around and see riley.

her eyes are cloudy, and she's swaying. very drunk.

"hey," i cough, "hope it's not a problem that i'm here?"

"no," she says quickly, "not a problem at all."

she stares into me with such force that i have to look away.

"happy birthday." i mumble.

"you told me," she giggles.

silence settles between us, and i shuffle my feet.

"i didn't think thattt you'd come," she slurs.

"me neither."

a warm body presses to my side and i look to see rowen.

"heyyy!" she yells.

riley's nose crumples, the thing she does when she's angry.

"hey rowen," riley says, voice bitter.

rowen doesn't seem to notice.

"happy birthdayyyy," row gushes, singing it.

"thanks."

riley lowers her head and shuffles away.

"did i say something wrong?" rowen frowns.

"no," i say, "she's just drunk."

some random girl grabs ahold of her hand and starts dragging her off.

"bye babe! catch up later!"

i sigh and scan the party again, hoping for a distraction.