A year to remember

5. Jared

I was worried about Alyssa. It was my fault that she even got into that situation. I was the idiot who invited Tim and his moronic buddy. I had been out with Max, picking up last minute supplies for the party and we had run into them that afternoon. Max had recognised them straight way, but I didn't recognise them at all. It turned out they were Seniors when we were Freshman. We had started talking and I had invited them back to mine to watch the game. We spent the afternoon chilling out, drinking beer and shooting the breeze. 

When the party started, they stayed and I never told them to leave. Technically, the party was only meant for those beginning their Senior year, but I didn't care to be honest, I thought no harm done in letting them stay. Little did I know the guy was an absolute creep. Turns out he had been kicked out of college for some 'inappropriate discretion' where he said he 'got totally screwed over'. At the time I thought he had been caught cheating on an exam. In retrospect, I figured his 'inappropriate discretion' was that he had attempted to molest a girl there too. Something serious enough to get him kicked out of school, but not serious enough to wind up in prison. Either way, it was my fault that he was there and my fault for being too drunk- and indisposed- that I didn't realise Alyssa was walking home alone. 

Alyssa had spent most of her night by my side, feigning love and devotion towards me- her fake boyfriend- whilst keeping one eye on Tim. She said the guy had been a creep, and although I hadn't picked up on any sleazy vibes myself, I trusted her and played along with her charades. I was pretty good at being her fake boyfriend, even while drunk. All I had to do was keep her by my side and hang my arm around her shoulder or hold her waist. Every now and again, when I knew Tim was looking, but when the girl I was actually keen on wasn't looking, I would plant a kiss on her cheek, or forehead. 

Eventually, Tim and his friend left, which meant the charade was over and I was free to hook up with Annabelle... no, Isabelle. Or was it Gabrielle? Hell, I can't remember. Not long afterwards, Alyssa smoke bombed the party herself. 

The next morning, I woke to a bunch of texts and calls from Mila. When I found out what had happened, I went straight to Alyssa's house. Mila and Scarlett were already there. I pulled her in for a hug and held her tightly. She wiped tears out of her eyes as she recounted the nights events. I felt a sudden wave of gratitude for the guy who had turned up and saved her. Jake Crawford, she had said his name was. I made a mental note to find this guy, to repay him. He shouldn't be too hard to find; an Australian in this small town. 

Alyssa looked tired, like she hadn't slept at all. She said she had gone back to the station where they had taken Tim's DNA from beneath her finger nails, where she had scratched him. She had to go back today and give a full statement for the police report.

"I can go with you," Scarlett and I said in unison. My eyes shot to her clear green ones; they were light, bright and currently filled with concern for her friend. Last night she had been wearing makeup and a tight dress. She had looked hot, like really hot. Today she looked like the Scarlett I knew again; fresh faced, hair pulled back into an effortless, messy bun. She wore a simple white top that fell off her slim tanned shoulders slightly, and skinny jeans. She was beautiful without even trying. 

"Thanks guys," Alyssa smiled gratefully, pulling my gaze back to hers. "But it's okay. I'm a big girl."

"I know you are, but I want to be there for you, Lys." I said, pulling her small frame into mine and holding her close.

"Me too," Scarlett agreed, taking Alyssa's hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"We all do," Mila added, but she looked on edge, like she had better things to do with her day and we were wasting her time. If you could count on Mila for something, it was that she was selfish.

Alyssa looked between us and smiled. I thought she would make some smart or sassy remark, like she usually did. But not today. She wasn't herself at all today. She was usually fierce and strong, never letting anyone get too close. I think she had grown that way after her father had passed and she was raised by an absent mother. I knew what it was like to feel alone. My father was a sleaze who slept with half of his air-headed, bimbo clients. My mother was a high functioning alcoholic who slept with their husbands. Some family I had.

As the others left to go home, I pulled Scarlett aside. I knew Tyler was leaving for college tomorrow and she had hardly seen him over the break. I didn't really care for the guy, but she seemed pretty smitten by him. I didn't really know what she saw in him, because she was way out of his league. "Go spend your weekend with Tyler," I insisted. "I've got this."

She looked at me for a moment, and I couldn't quite place the expression on her face. 

"He's right," Alyssa said, coming up behind us. "Go be with Tyler. Jared can keep me company."

She nodded slowly and pulled Alyssa in for a tight hug. "I'm glad you're ok, Lys." She said quietly, then she was gone.

I drove Alyssa to the police station in comfortable silence. I stopped briefly to get us coffee and she accepted it gratefully. She was quiet and sombre today. It made me feel nervous, like the Alyssa I knew was gone. She was different today. Vulnerable. I reached over and took her hand, reassuringly. She flinched slightly and I internally berated myself. Then she smiled and squeezed my hand back. Normally that would be it, with a quick squeeze she would throw my hand off and laugh in her independent I-don't-need-you way. But we sat like that for a while, holding hands in silence, until we reached the police station. 

"Jake," she breathed.

"Jared," I corrected her, but she didn't hear me; her eyes were transfixed on the boy in front of us, walking into the police station.