The Feel of Water

Three - Just the Wifi

I make my way around the house with the can of beer hanging loosely in my grip. My motherly instincts kicked in and I left Allison, Nick, and Jamie to track down Becca and make sure she's okay. As I expected, I find Becca on the couch with some guy I recognize from around school. He's talking to someone else, and her eyes watch the floor longingly. I call her name and she lifts up, but her movements are unbalanced and sloppy. Sighing, I lift her up and walk her out the front door to talk.

"I-I-I... We don't have to come out here," she says, walking like her shoes have grown to heels. "Dani, I'm fine."

"How much did you drink?" I ask and sit her down on the bench beside the door. The top center of the bench has 'Garrison' carved into it; Nick's last name.

She takes a deep breath and peers to the side. "Why does she have to get married? Why does she think it's going to work out this time?"

Before I can console her, Becca doubles over and watches the ground while repeating, "I'm gonna throw up."

"No no no, wait, not here."

I hold her hair as she vomits into the bushes on the side of the house. When she's done, I walk her back to the front. "You need to go home," I tell her. The smell of alcohol and puke lingers, only making me a bit queasy.

"Everything alright over here?"

I look forward and see Jamie with his keys in his hand. He must be leaving already.

"Do you know where Allison is?" I ask.

"She's still out back with Nick."

Becca groans and Jamie looks to her. "Is she okay?"

My knees buckle under her weight and Jamie instinctively helps me by going to Becca's other side. My face flushes. "I better get Allison. I think you better go home, Becca."

"Leave Allison with Nick. I was heading out anyway; I can take her home," Jamie offers, catching me by surprise.

"T-That's really nice of you, but I couldn't—"

He smiles cheekily. My heart bursts into flames. "It's nothing I can't handle."

Jamie takes all of Becca's weight but her hands clench my top, refusing to let go. "Dani," she mumbles.

"Coming along for the ride?" Jamie asks.

I turn back to the house. "I couldn't leave Allison."

"Nick will take care of her," he says and starts to walk Becca to the street. She pulls me along.

"I'm sure, but s-she's all alone. What if she needs me?"

Jamie looks at me. "Nick's a good guy. She'll be fine."

I reluctantly follow to Jamie's car. Becca and I get in the back. She leans against me and I mindlessly stroke her hair. With her mouth aimed down at my lap, if she were to throw up again, it would thankfully get on me and not the car. I couldn't bear it if Becca threw up on the back seat of Jamie Price's car. 

I give him directions to my house, and I'm sure if Becca wasn't sick in my arms, I would be appreciating this moment much more than I am. In one night I've gone from simply speaking to the guy all the way to being driven home by him. The idea of guys—the anxiety, the chase—has never intrigued me. My friends busy themselves with new crushes, relationships, and romance, but such things haven't interested me, not until Jamie transferred to our high school. Maybe it took the right person to flick the switch inside of me. I know that he's pretty much a stranger, but something about him has me blushing and stuttering.