The Feel of Water

Twenty-Four - Guys Are The Worst

When I wander back to the dining room where my friends are, Allison and Nick are there as well. Becca's eyes immediately spring to me and she can't wait a second longer before asking, "What was that about?"

I lean against the table of glass bottles and shrug. "Not much."

"That's a lie," she convicts.

"What happened?" Allison asks.

"Jen asked Dani if they could talk—alone. I bet she told you to stay away from Sean, didn't she? God, Jen is so annoying. If she wanted Sean, she shouldn't break up with him all the time, expecting him to wait until she's over herself."

"It really wasn't anything," I mutter. "She just asked if Sean and I are together."

"Oh," Allison says, "what did you say?"

"Well, since he asked me to be his girlfriend like half an hour ago, I said we were official."

"He did?" Becca blurts. "Really? You're together-together?"

Allison gasps. "Dani, we'll have the same anniversary!"

"You too?" Becca questions the pair. Nick smiles a little to himself and pushes off the wall, bringing his arm around Allison and pulling her to his chest.

My eyes find Alisha. She watches the floor.

"It was about time," Nick says. "I can't say that I'm surprised about Sean, though. He's always looking at you, Dani."

"What do you mean?" I ask, arms crossed, shoulders raised.

"I don't know. If you're in the same room, he'll glance over at you. It's like he's making sure you're still there. Making sure you're okay. I know the look—I'm guilty of it too," he explains and brings Allison even closer. She smiles up at him, eyes squinting, cheeks rosy. "I wouldn't worry too much about Jen. She'll have to get over him eventually."

I take in a quick breath and mumble, "Yeah, you'd hope."

Alisha accidentally knocks over a few bottles on the table and stumbles to the side. I quickly stand the knocked bottles straight, and Becca grabs on to her.

"I think you've had enough," Becca tells Alisha. "We should get you home."

"No, no," Alisha waves her off, "I'm fine. Come on, let's go back outside."

Everyone herds out of the dining room, but Allison turns back to me when she notices my still feet. "Go ahead," I say. "I just need a minute."

"Alright. Don't worry about Jen too much, okay? She's just a girl. It's not like she can actually do anything."

I nod and Allison leaves, catching up with the others. Jen is likely out there, and I really don't want to see her again. I think I've set her off. From the desperate look in her eyes, I know this isn't over—it's the beginning. Jen is going to do anything she can to get Sean back, and I'm sure my lack of obedience only fueled her even more.

I fall back against the wall, letting my arms drop to my sides.  I need Sean to want me more than he does her. At the moment, I'm winning. He asked me to be his, but Jen has time over me. They were together for a while, and I know Sean is attached to her.

Quickly, I find Allison. She's just made it back outside with our friends. I grab her arm and she jumps.

"Jeez, Dani. You okay?"

"Are you and Nick staying?"

She says, "I think so. But he isn't drinking so I'm not sure."

"Nick isn't drinking?"