I wake up in my own bed but in the same clothes I wore to the party last night. I am instantly irritated with the entire world. I’m beyond irritated at Ashley for being a mean human being and an even worse person, and I’m not thrilled with myself for not realizing that our friendship was not genuine earlier. I’m worried about what will result from Nathan’s attempt to kiss me. I have no idea why Owen and James showed up at that party, and I’m even more confused why Connor was there.
I am not happy that my older brother felt the need to butt into my life and force me to go home. However, my memory is hazy and has lots of gaps around time of the night, so I will reserve judgment for him until after I have talked to him.
But that will have to wait until after I have showered. Nevertheless, I pull myself out of my bed and into the shower. Once I look less like a hungover zombie and more like simply a tired Cara, I leave my bedroom in search for Connor.
I find him sitting at his desk with his bedroom door open a smidge. I knock, and he spins his chair around. He sees that it’s me and sighs, but ultimately motions for me to come in.
“Thanks for the ride last night,” I say, not at all excited about having to do this. But, I suppose, I at least owe him a thank you. I know I wasn’t exactly eager to leave with him at the time, but looking back now, I doubt the night was going anywhere but downhill from that point.
“You’re welcome,” he says flatly. “But it’s not going to happen again.”
I nod. Then I ask, “Did I call you or something? Why were you even there in the first place?”
“James called me. He had been drinking and couldn’t drive you home, but he thought I should come get you. He said you were wasted, and he didn’t want anything to happen to you or for you to stay there all night.”
“He said that?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Well, he said you were ‘very, very drunk,’ and ‘pretty far gone’ and then when I got there, I could see for myself that you were wasted.”
“Oh,” I say, because I don’t know what else to say.
“Don’t be so dumb, Cara. Have fun, but just keep yourself under control next time.” With that last piece of advice, Connor turns back to his computer, making it clear that our conversation is over.
I make it a one step out of his doorway before he calls me back in.
“Look, I don’t know if you intended to get that drunk or not –“
I interrupt him. “I did not.”
“Okay, that’s good news, I think… anyways, you’re a small girl and you don’t drink often. That means it will not take much alcohol to get you drunk. You could easily drink enough to completely lose control, get very sick, or worse. So just know your limits. I smelled vodka all over your breath last night – shots are not your friend. Drink some sort of mixed drink or beer, and drink it slow.”
It’s kind of weird to be getting all this brotherly advice from Connor. We used to talk often, but lately we just tend to stay out of each other’s way.
“Okay… thanks. I will definitely take it easy next time I drink.”
“Good to hear. Don’t make me worry about you anymore.”
“I won’t.”
“Alright. I gotta finish this paper so I can forget about it the rest of the weekend.”
“Good luck,” I say, and take that as my cue to leave the room for good.
YOU ARE READING
Once Again
Teen FictionI have always been defined in terms of my twin sister. For thirteen years, I was known as Allison’s lookalike. For the past three years, I have been the twin that survived. I am forever the twin that did not die. ---- When she was 13 years old, Cara...
