The Exchange

Chapter 22- Drunk As a Skunk

After Gabriel had mixed up a strange alcoholic concoction for Sasha, he'd gone to find the toilet, leaving her alone in the kitchen. And also leaving her time to think. Her mind had immediatly  started analysing every little detail she could about the time spent with Julien over the last couple of days. 

She'd shed her skin, drifted from her circle of safety and started to open herself up to him. But right now she was almost wishing she hadn't.

Clara appeared in the kitchen doorway, holding an empty wine glass in her hand. Her mouth became puckered in an unpleasant grimance as she caught sight of Sasha, standing by the kitchen counter. 

"What's that?" Clara asked, motioning to the red mixture in Sasha's hand.

"I'm not actually sure, Gabriel made it", she replied, suddenly becoming very self-conscious under Clara's beady eyes. Neither of them said anything for a moment and the silence  between them seemed to stretch out endlessly.

"Uhm, I think it's got Cherry Ade and rum in it", Sasha spoke up, desperately attempting to keep the conversation flowing. Her first impressions of Clara hadn't been great but she didn't want to jump the gun of judgements. At least, she wouldn't like it if someone did that to her.

Clara's nose became creased and she stuck her tongue out of her mouth, "Yuck! That sounds disgusting".

Sasha didn't respond. Her words were fumbled in her mouth and besides, every sentence she was saying Clara was throwing back in her face. It would be better to hold her tongue. Clara seemed like the sort of girl who relied on reaction rather than action. Someone who would wait for you to  begin talking and then twist it around so you felt stupid.

"It's strange that Julien brought you here tonight. It's not like any of us know you", Clara mused, staring at Sasha with unwelcoming eyes.

Sasha gulped. She didn't like where this was going.

"And I don't understand why you would even want to come? It must be weird all of us speaking french and you not understanding any of it", Clara finished, crossing her arms haughtily.

"I don't really mind", Sasha responded.

She wasn't up for challenging this girl. If anything she felt utterly defeated; first by Julien's unapproachable and remote attitude, and secondly Clara's clear dislike for her. It was a huge mistake her coming here tonight and she definitely had outstayed her welcome. The only person who had actually been sweet was Gabriel. But Sasha didn't feel like hiding in the kitchen all night so it was time for her to go home.

"Well do what you want I guess", Clara said, brushing her hair over her shoulder. She gave Sasha a final dismissive look, which made her feel like an insect, and disappeared upstairs. 

Placing her head in her hands, Sasha gently massaged her scalp. She was starting to feel like everything that had happened with Julien had been a mistake. He obviously had some unfinished business with this girl, which is why she was being so rude, and he had just been a grade A asshole for the whole evening. She didn't deserve this and she wasn't going to stand for it anymore. For all Sasha knew, Carla had been the one that Julien was dirty talking to down the phone. Even the idea of that made her spine shiver.

Everything was hurting her brain and the alcohol wasn't helping soften the sting behind her eyes. She just wanted her bed. And that meant having to find Julien to tell him that she was leaving. Swallowing her fear she made her way down the hall to the back garden. 

Julien was sitting on an old rusty chair, along with a small selection of others. They had separated from the main group that surrounded the crackling fire, and made their own circle. He was slouching in a drunken manner, so his curly hair fell carelessly about his head. His skin also seemed more pale than usual, washed out by the liquor and chilly night.