Magnolia in May [H.S]

Part seventeen

Indie
— -

Through the rush of adrenaline Meg comes into view, her expression has shifted from earlier. The achievement and overall excitement were dulled, I couldn't tell if it was just the fact she was drunk or if something else was off.

"You say bye to Harry?" I confirm, knowing she was just waiting to talk to him. She looks at me full-on, her eyes say it all. Yet I've no clue what.

"Urm.... yeah- well no but it's fine... I don't really care..." She mumbles, and with it, I now clearly see somethings up. "Anymore." She huffs, I turn my head looking confused. I wanted to press further, get to the bottom of her mood change but I knew full and well it wasn't the time. We were both tired and just wanted to go back to my place.

I examine the area, specifically looking for Harry. Once my eyes find him I know what's up. Having a full-blown make-out sesh with some girl on the sofa in the living room. Hot and heavy, she straddles his waist. I scowl at the sight, knowing if Meg didn't seem so out of it I'd be backhanding the shit out of him.

"Are you ready to go?" I say consolingly, Meg nods, keeping her directed eyes to the floor. I threw my arm around her comfortingly, she laid her head on my shoulder. Even with her kitten heels on she was much shorter than me. We sauntered through the crowd, I could tell she was heavily drunk but I paid no attention to it. She deserved a break.

Arms interlocked we head over to the big wooden doors, stopping when we see Rory chatting with some people. I decided to take us over to him, thanking him for the night.

"Hey!" Rory exclaims right as he sees us. "Y'all heading out?" He looked buzzed, a layer of gloss over his pupils.

"Yeah, we're gonna bounce... This one's not used to drinking..." I point to the dazed Meg, she gives a soft smile. Which makes me worried further knowing she'd usually be sassy.

"Oh okay... lemme walk you two out." He suggested, gesturing to the door. I shake my head, "No it's alright.."

"Come on I insist," He takes Meg's other arm, throwing it over his shoulder. "I'll be back in a few," He greets the group, following my lead.

The air outside is tepid, a contrast to the heated inside. I immediately shield Meg from the not so forgiving wind, pulling her along as Rory helps me. It's so quiet I'm sure you can hear the earth spinning on its axis, with the subtle coos of owls like a classic horror setting. And yet it's not unsettling, the silence is calming. A sweet tranquil soothe to end the night.

My van sits alone, parked down the road from the cabin. We stumble over, and I put the keys in the ignition while Rory helps Meg over to the backseat. Rory sees my advance to keep her warm, taking off the flannel he's wearing and draping around her. She lays down fully closing her tired eyes as she nuzzles the fabric with her nose.

"You okay driving?" He asks seriously, I nod looking back at the curled-up picture of Noliee.

"Course, I didn't drink or smoke so I'm fully sober." I half-smile, tapping the steering wheel.

"You didn't drink." He says surprised.

"Not really much of a drinker, to be honest, I just wanted to make sure Meg had a fun night...." Rory smiles as he nods, "You say goodbye to Harry?" He mumbles, so nonchalant It's not.

"I didn't but I guess Meg tried too..." I respond, glancing at her basically asleep in the back. He does too, watching my worry.

"Tried to?"

"He was kinda busy." I roll my eyes, Rory catches on throwing his head back in frustration. Groaning with disappointment.

"Anyways... Thanks for walking us back. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it... And I'll talk to Styles... see what the fuck possessed him tonight.." I let out a disgruntled chuckle, showing my 'he's a lost cause' face. Rory gives one last soft heartening smile, rocking back on his heels. He shuts the sliding back door, shooting finger guns at me as he trudged back up the street.

The hum of the car starts up, gently swaying the surrounding. I huff out a sigh, slightly regretting my decision to push Meg to go to this party. I mean if something up, which it obviously was, it's inherently my fault. I'm the one who said we should go here. I'm the one who gave the idea of suck and blow.

Why do you have to be such a hardass?

I feel the guilt rush over me, glancing at her. She looks beat, yet soft laying there, breathing slowly. Her face is steady, resting in a blank position.

Uncomfortable with the daunting silence I throw in my burned CD filled with oldies. Comfort music for me and her, songs that reminded us of being young and mainly of her Grams. The guitar opening comes through the speakers quietly, the undertone of a cumbersome aura in the air. It matches perfectly, almost weird, like a soundtrack of sorts. Unexpectedly, I'm glad I decided to turn on the music.

I look at Meg through the rearview mirror, her eyes stay sealed shut. And the expression on her face isn't blank anymore, her brows are furrowed. Keeping her eyes closed like it was the last thing she'd do. The music plays on and I watch her face soften, eventually giving up the strong act. Mouthing the lyrics to the song in a whisper.

I desperately want to give her a hug, ask her what's wrong. Yet I know deep down inside of me that would just make things worse. She needed this moment of silence, she needed to be able to melt away into the music as if I wasn't here.

^^^ the back of Indie's van

<3