A Life With Boys

Chapter 7

I tried to act sober, but mom noticed in an instant that I had a few too many drinks. Vince's dad had laughed about it and waved me goodbye as his son walked me to the door. I had taken a key with me, so I didn't have to ring the bell and see my mother or sister. I stepped inside and gave Vince a hug. I watched him walk away and started my way to the bathroom.

My mother stood there waiting for me. "Where have you been? You smell like you've been drinking."

I produced some stupid giggle and answered: "We had an afterparty at Cameron's house."

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," mom said. I nodded, but she never mentioned the subject again. The next morning, she had to go to work very early. Dani and Ty were off to the zoo. Nobody even asked whether I wanted to come along. I would have, when they asked, even if it were only to annoy Danielle.

I got out of bed past lunchtime. I never skipped breakfast, but today I had no time for it. A big lunch is what I made instead. I was feeling sick, hungover. So after the meal I went straight to the bathroom to throw up. Such a waste of food.

I crawled back in bed to watch Gossip Girl for the hunderth time. It was one of the few series I watched. It was funny and cool and I liked it. Halfway the second season, someone phoned me. I thought it was my mother, so when I picked up, I must have sounded quite pissed off.

But it wasn't mom who called, not even Dani or Ty who stole her phone. It was Vince.

"Oh, eh, hi. Sorry, I expected someone else to call me," I corrected myself.

"Did Russel happen to call you? Were you expecting him?" Vince sounded really worried.

"No, what's wrong?"

"I don't know. I got this weird text from him saying there was no point to his life and that nobody liked him anyway. Then I called him and he kept telling me the same stuff over and over again. I said he had a hangover but he denied that. Do you know what's wrong with him?"

I shook my head, but remembered that Vince wouldn't be able to see that. "He was already acting strange yesterday evening. He looked like he had been crying, but he didn't want to talk about it."

"I will pay him a visit, see what I can do for him. He sounded very depressed..." Vince stopped and it was silent for a while. "Anyhow, if he calls or texts you, please let me know!"

"Sure. You're a good friend for him, Vince. Bye, see you!"

I didn't have the energy to worry about Russel too much. I threw up another time after the call and got really cold, so I continued watching Gossip Girl until my head ached so badly that it caused me to fall asleep.

The next day, I felt way better and monday I was totally ready to go back to school. I didn't mind going to school, it was actually quite fun when you had friends. Both Vince and Russel weren't at school and neither was Ann. Nathan sat at another table, so I sat with Cameron and several people I hardly knew.

"Still hungover?" Cameron asked. Silly joke.

"Can't you see?" I replied sarcastically.

"Sorry if I have pissed you off, Miss Eggy," he said annoyed. "I was just trying to have a talk, but appearantly I'm not good enough for you."

Wow. That's not what I meant. "It just wasn't the right pickup line. I didn't intend to be rude."

"What do you want me to say, then? 'Do you know what this shirt is made of? Boyfriend material.' Better?"

I laughed and shook my head. "Worse, way worse."

"I know some dirty ones too, if you prefer that."