Destined

Twelve

I made my way back to our table and found that our food had arrived but to my surprise, so had a bottle of wine that was well on its way to half empty. And a giggling Maddie with a glass of the previously mentioned wine.

"You were gone for so long, I got bored," she explained and downed her glass contents.
"Mads, what the hell?" I asked sitting down.
"I need this," she answered.
"Well carry it home, you can get drunk from there," I told her.
"I think I want to dance," she said ignoring me and standing.

I watched in absolute terror as she stood up and carried her bottle with her to the not so crowded dance floor. A fast song was playing but that didn't stop her from slowly swaying her hips around and taking a swig from her bottle every now and then. I could only sit there and watch. Soon she was joined by some guy and they were dancing and laughing to an even faster song and I was still grouchy after speaking to Vince. I picked at my food for a bit before Maddie rejoined me.

"Gosh, I'm famished," she said and dug into her fries.
"You look like you're having fun," I said.
"Like I said earlier, I needed a distraction,"
I eyed her almost empty bottle, "You're really taking that down,"
She giggled, "I think today's a great day to get drunk. My boyfriend is dead, his mum still hates me, and now, so does his sister,"
"Celine? Why does she hate you?"
"Hell if I know. She's been acting strange,"
"She just lost her brother,"
"Strange, not sad," She gulped down the rest of her drink. "And when I asked she flipped out on me," she signaled the waiter. "Another bottle please,"
"No, I think that's enough," I interrupted.
"What are you? My mum? I'll have another bottle, please," she smiled at the young waiter who was powerless against her charm.
"Maddie, I don't think this is such a good idea,"
"It's not, it's a great idea. Lets get wasted,"
"And how do you suppose we get home after?" I asked.
"Oh," her face fell. "Just gotta be the voice of reason, don't you?"
"Someone has to be,"

The waiter returned with her order and this time she took the liberty of using a glass and sipping on it slowly.

"What's up with you anyway? You and Roger weren't that close, what's got you in a bind?"
"Nothing, I'm just stressed out about school,"
"You'll ace the damn test, Krissy. It was one fail that wasn't even a fail anyway," she shrugged. "I think you're more worried about your new teacher, Mr. Hunky Pants,"
"Oh God, not you too,"
"Everyone's buzzing about him. I mean a writer, that looks like that," She fanned herself with her hand as she drank, "Ever wondered where he gets inspiration about what he writes about?"
"I'll make sure to ask when I see him," I rolled my eyes.
"I'm surprised you haven't. T told me he brought you home this morning,"
"Of course she did,"
"You've got some explaining to do," She hiccuped.
"You really need to stop," I said.
"Look who just walked in,"

I turned and to my complete horror, I saw Vince walking further into the restaurant. There was no missing him, with his height and broad shoulders and glossy hair that made us girls ashamed. I excused myself from the table and made my way to him. He saw me approach and we met on the dance floor immediately swallowed up by other bodies. Where had all these people come from?

"What are you doing here?" I asked and even though the noise swallowed my words I knew he knew what I said.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him like I was nothing but a rag doll. The dance floor opened and closed, people creating way for us, him, to pass. He had me outside in the cold air within a minute. I didn't realize how hot and stuffy the inside was until I met the contrast out there.

"Are you drinking?" He asked angrily.
"What?" I asked, taken aback by his mood.

He had me against the wall in what felt like a nano second and bent down to sniff my breath. His mouth was so close to mine as he took a good whiff and I couldn't help but stare at his mouth and wish he was this close for other reasons.