number 96 :: lrh

anyones game

The rest of the day was spent preparing. I was going all out for this party, making a image.
He drove me home so the I could get dressed and ready for it - he agreed, even though he had to wait.
When I finally thought I was prepared for it, I stepped out into the living room where he was waiting patiently.
He nodded in approval as his eyes raked me up and down.
"Stunning," He stated.
He must have a thing for one word sentences or he was just too nervous to talk to me.
"Thanks," I flashed a smile to him.
He took me out to his car and waited until we were both buckled in before he turned it on and sped through town, passing the bad side of town, not merely as bad side of town, the iffy side of town, the okay side of town, the rich side of town, and the beautiful side of town.
I watched in awe as we passed the boardwalk, people everywhere, having fun. It looked like nothing better could ever happen to any of those people and as if it was purely perfect. But of course, I knew nothing about them and maybe they've had better days or maybe they didn't even want to be there but they still looked happy.
I snapped out of my trance when Luke waved one of his hands in my face, "Princess?"
"Hmm, what?" I mumbled, blinking my eyes a few times.
"You were zoned out."
"Oh sorry," I said instinctively.
He rested his hand on mine that was laying on the console, "You're fine."
I nodded even though he wouldn't see; his eyes glued to the road ahead.
"What aren't you talkative? Most girls can talk all day without a problem," He asked.
"I don't know, I just don't like to talk a lot. It annoys people," I shrugged.
"It doesn't annoy me, I love your voice," He reassured me.
I blushed, "Thanks."
He smiled, still not taking his eyes off the road.
We were heading through town, all the old buildings lined up, small trees lining the perfectly paved sidewalks, flowers in the window sills. It was beautiful and I was yet again mesmerized by the sight.
"You're doing it again," He said, referring to my daze that I was in earlier and comparing it to now.
"It's just so beautiful," I whispered, still looking around at my surroundings.
"Something beautiful looking at beautiful things, the irony," He said.
I took a minuet to process what he said before that ah-ha moment came.
He called me beautiful.
"Yes I did," I said.
"What?" I asked confused.
"You were thinking out loud," He
explained.
"I said that out loud?" I asked.
"Yes," He answered.
"Weird," I spoke softly, mostly to myself.
He smiled silently at road ahead and continued to drive through town for a few hours. When we were done driving through town, we headed clear across town to where the party was being held.
Hammered teenagers were everywhere doing god knows what. Luke walked very close to me, I guess he was just looking out for me or something like that.
The night carried on and I had a few more drinks than Im proud of but I couldn't stop once I started. My mind was running with incoherent thoughts and my mouth stayed shut for the fear of saying something that I'd regret later. Luke noticed how quiet I was being and I guess that was why he was tracing patterns on my leg to soothe me or maybe he had other plans as to how this night was going to end up but either way, I couldn't think straight enough to care about it.
Throughout the night I danced and drank and played dumb party games with all the other drunken idiots that showed up to the party. Luke decided not to play beer pong with me, but to watch me play from across the room, which I was completely aware of. I tried to act as if I didn't feel his eyes burning into the back of my head and continued to play the game. But he knew what I was doing, he walked through the crowd of people and joined me at my side, putting his arm around my waist in a protective manner. A few people noticed the gesture but either didn't speak up about it or just shrugged the situation off. Most of the people that were here are too drunk to give a shit about what's happening anyways, it's a live in the moment kind of thing.
I snapped out of my thoughts when the fingers of the hand that was around my waist started tapping me, silently signaling that it was my turn yet again. I took a shot and missed. Luke chuckled quietly in my ear, "You're so drunk."
I shrugged his words off and zoned out again. I felt his presence leave my side once again and another person took his spot. I looked up at the persons face, It was a kid that I had seen around campus a few times but never cared to learn his name. His arm snaked around my waist and I tried my best to just ignore him. But he noticed that I was trying to do so and started moving his hand down lower to my butt. I tried to nudge him so that he might get the memo to leave me alone but he didn't and he continued his actions. It wasn't until his hand was right above my butt until I felt him being pried off of me. I looked over to see who had pulled him away. Luke was towering over the boy who had just tried to make the move on me. His eyes were filled with angry, same with his face.
"Piss off," Luke sneered through gritted teeth.
The boy scampered off and Luke approached me. He pulled me through the crowded house, to the front door and out to his car.
I climbed into the car cautiously as Luke slammed the drivers side door.
"You weren't going to stop him?" Luke asked angrily.
"I tried," My voice cracked.
"And you didn't try after he kept doing that to you," He growled.
"I thought he would stop," I said, my voice was vulnerable.
"Boys like him don't just stop," he muttered.
"Im sorry but I fail to see why you care so much, its not like we're dating. We just met today and I hardly know you and yet you're here yelling at me for something that I can't control," I said.
"You can't let people walk on you like that, and I know we aren't dating and Im completely aware that you're anyone's game but that doesn't mean I can't try and protect you, Princess," He said softer than before.
"Anyone's game?" I asked harshly, "Im not a game, Mr. Hockey-star. Im a girl and this isn't how you treat me."
"Im sorry Princess. I didn't word that right," He apologized. I looked over at him and our eyes met. He brought one of his hands up to message my cheek in a reassuring manner but I kept my gaze as cold as ice.
"Im so sorry," He stated, "Im sorry for yelling at you. I should have been more sensitive towards you. I didn't mean to hurt you Princess."
"You didn't hu- you know what never mind," I said and turned away from him so that I could look out the window of the parked car.
"Princess," His voice cracked.
I huffed in response.
"Please don't ignore me. Im really sorry," He pleaded.
I rolled my eyes, "Can we just leave."
"Not until we get this settled, one thing at a time, Princess. You're my first priority right now," He explained softly.
"My head hurts," I whined.
"C'mon just work with me here," He groaned.
"I don't want to do this," I stated.
"Princess Im worried right now and I need to get this all settled because if I made you sad, then when I take home you're going to go to bed sad and I can't have that happen," He breathed.
"Im not sad," I deadpanned.
"Then what's wrong?" He asked.
"Im mad."
"Im sorry. I know I've said it a lot tonight but I really am sorry," He sighed.
"Just drop it already," I said.
"No, I want you to be happy."
"Fine Im not mad at you, Im happy so you can just drop this," I lied.
"Stop lying to me Princess, I'm just trying to help," His voice was strained and he sounded like he was about to cry.
"You helped enough," I rolled my eyes for the millionth time tonight.
"If I take you home will you let me calm you down?" He asked.
I nodded and he didn't say another word. He started the car and I gave him directions to my house.
When we arrived there, I climbed out of the car and he did the same. He followed me inside the house and to my bedroom. I plopped down on my bed an he sat down next to me.
"Please stop being mad at me," He begged.
I sighed inwardly and didn't answer him.
"Baby," He spoke, trying to get my attention.
"What?" I answered in a whisper.
He laid down beside me and starred up at the ceiling just like me.
"I don't know if I can make you not be mad at me but if there is something that I can do, can you please tell me what it is? I just want to make it better."
"I don't know, I just want you to drop it," I explained.
"Not happening," He stated.
"Why?" I whined.
"Because Im worried about you, Princess and I don't what to do or if I can even make it better. I just want you to be happy, that's all," His voice was serious.
He pulled me close to him,"I can't let you be mad at me."