The Space Between Us

Chapter Six

Once we got to the party I knew right away this was a bad idea. There were so many cars outside we had to park a block away. Which only meant one thing, it was packed in there.

"Maybe we should go do something else" I said out loud.

Taylor rolled her eyes, "no, let's go" she said as she got out of the car.

It was hot inside. Too hot. People were scattered everywhere. I recognized a few kids from school. Some were dancing in the living room which was the biggest room. There were some playing beer pong in the dining room.

Taylor grabbed my hand as we headed towards the kitchen. She stopped next to a guy who was pouring some beer from a keg. She whispered something in his ear and then he pointed towards the island table. We reached the table and she quickly started mixing a bunch of drinks together.

"Here try it" she thrust the cup in my hands.

"What is it?" I asked while eyeing the orange liquid.

"Peach lemonade with some vodka" she replied. Then she began making another one.

I took a small sip, and to my surprise it wasn't that bad. It was more sweet than sour. The cool drink actually helped since it was practically boiling in here.

"Ellie, hey you made it" I heard someone say coming up behind me.

I turned and saw Jake coming towards me. I smiled and waved.

"So how's it going" he asked.

"Uhh great we just got here" I took another sip of my drink.

He looked over my shoulder, "hey Taylor"

"Hi Jake" she said quickly, "Ellie I'm going to go talk to Kenzie and Austin, is that okay?"

I nodded "yeah I'll catch up in a bit"

When she left Jake and I continued talking. Mostly about school. I didn't even realize how much I had to drink until Jake asked me if I wanted to refill my cup. I was already feeling a little tipsy so I said no.

Just then a bunch of the football guys came bursting through the door. Including Matt. They were making so much noise everyone turned to look at them. You'd think they were already drunk with all their jumping and goofing around. But they went straight for the keg so they probably had just gotten here.

As Matt passed Jake and I he looked between us. And I realized how close we were actually standing, so I moved a couple inches away. After they got their drinks some of the guys went back out to the dining room and some lingered by the door.

I was only half listening to what Jake was saying because it was really hard to keep my eyes off Matt. It was like he had this weird trance on me. But I wasn't the only one. I could count about ten other girls also staring at him. The way he'd lick his lips after he took a swing of his drink. How his shoulders and arms filled out his black t-shirt. Looking up at his eyes I realized they were fixed on me. I could feel my cheeks turning red because I knew he had just caught me checking him out.

I was just about to look away when Audrey came bouncing in the room and put her arms around Matt's neck. Startled he looked down at her like he had no idea who she was then quickly recovered and put his arms around her waist. I felt a pang in the pit of my stomach. Jealousy? Hurt? I don't know. It just made me think about how he'd chosen someone like Audrey over me. Over our friendship.

"Hey it's getting crowded in here. Want to go out and get some air?" Jake said in my ear bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah sure" I agreed, following him out to the deck.

We hadn't been out for more than five minutes when people started yelling and running. At first I was really confused but then I saw the red and blue flashing lights and I knew why people were freaking out.

"Ellie let's go!!" Shouted Jake as he turned and ran towards the yard. I wanted to go back and find Taylor but I knew it was a bad idea so I followed Jake instead. Without even thinking twice about it I was suddenly jumping through fences, and sprinting across other people's yards. Everything was great until I realized I had lost Jake. He wasn't in front of me, or behind me. By now I couldn't hear the sirens anymore so I slowed down and cut through the side of a house to get back on the sidewalk.

I was about to take out my phone to call Taylor but then remembered I'd left it in my hoodie in her car. I couldn't turn around and walk back to the party so I decided to continue the opposite way until I reached somewhere I could use a pay phone.

Just then I heard a car engine behind me.

"Fuck" I said in a whisper.

If I get caught by the cops my dad is going to kill me. I tried thinking of a logical reason as to why I was walking by myself in the middle of the night.

As the car slowed down all I heard was a quick, "get in"

I turned towards the car and found myself looking straight at Matt.

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Just wanted to leave this one in a sort of cliff hanger. But I promise the next one will be up soon! I hope you liked it and please leave comments :)
Thanks!
- R