Nineteen

Chapter Twenty One

I regret my choice to go to the party more with every step I take going to my car.

Bailey just got punched in the face, in my room, because of me. And now I'm getting in a car to go to a party, like nothing happened.

I'm going to a party. I never even stayed out past midnight when I was home.

I haven't even been here a week, yet.

What am I doing?

"Do you want me to drive?" Collin breaks me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I shake my head, "No, that's okay."

We both get in my car and Collin says, "It's a manual?"

"Yeah, I like them better, can you drive one?" I say as I buckle up.

"Somewhat," He buckles up as well.

"You'll have to teach me." 

I grin, "We can try it one day this week."

The drive to the house was short. I regret driving my car because there is nowhere to park and people are already throwing trash everywhere.

I pull onto the side of the road and get out when Collin does.

People stare at Collin as he walks in front of me, but he doesn't even flinch their way.

We get inside and find that Clark has beat us there. "Miss Shay, Mr. Dempsey." He says as he hands us both a drink.

We both smile and take a drink. The cool drink feels good when I remember I haven't eaten yet.

There's probably eighty kids here already so I ask Clark, "I thought this was a small party?"

"It is. This is no where near how many people came last time." He motions around the room.

I sit alone on a stool in the kitchen while I watch Clark play games and laugh with a bunch of other boys.

Collin returns from wherever he went to, and stands beside me in the kitchen and we both watch Clark.

"This is the last party I'm going to be at for a while." I say without breaking my eyes from Clark.

I can feel Collin's eyes dart through me, ""Why? What happened?"

"Nothing, I just don't want to make this a habit."

He shifts uncomfortably, "Okay."

"Okay."

I look at him. "Wait, where's your truck at?" I ask after I remember him driving to campus.

"The campus."

"Why didn't you bring it here? Now you will have to go all the way back to get it."

He just grins at me and adjusts his hat.

By this time, the party is packed into the house. I'm on my second drink when I remember I drove.

"Oh my god, I'm drinking and I drove myself here." I say as I lay my cup onto the counter.

"I can drive you back, I have to get my truck anyway," he says.

"Emory!" A voice shouts from the living room.

I turn to find Clark with his arm around Link, pointing down on him with a big smile.

"It's Link!" He yells again. He's drunk.

Link breaks free and walks over to where we are sitting. 

"What are you doing here?" I say as I move to give him a hug.

Collin shifts in his seat.

"Some of my friends from my class said we should come here tonight, a few of them are seniors on the football team."

His eyes graze Collin, but Collin never takes his eyes off of his drink.

He leans down to whisper to me, "Clark told me about Bailey. Good for Collin." 

I can't help but wonder when Clark and Link meet up to talk, but I smile at the thought of Bailey getting what he deserves.

I do feel a little guilty, though. 

Collin stands from his seat and walks through the crowd, never saying a word. 

Link and I give each other a confused look, "I don't think he likes me," he says.

I laugh at the thought of Collin actually liking anybody.

"Don't feel bad, I don't think he likes many people."