The Timing of Love

Chapter 17

After a day of booze shopping and preparing some snacks along with the ones we bought, the party was ready to go. A mountain of burgers from McDonald's was on the island next to a large dish of French fries. I was dressed in a peach dress that reached the middle of my thighs. It had a V-neck that faltered my breast and a loop-shaped open back. It was flowy with a rubber band holding it on my waist. Pearls were sewed all over the dress, catching the lights once in a while. My hair was pulled in a low ponytail and I had on thigh high boots which had transparent square heels. Now, we were on the stools around the island with shots of tequila when Skyler, Annabeth, and Julian strode in.

I shifted uneasily in my seat when they greeted us, smiling warmly. Well, Julian smiled warmly at everyone but he dropped it when he met my eyes. Jeffrey went to fetch three additional shot glasses and poured them some. People would be there in half an hour and as usual, we drank the first two glasses of alcohol together. I smiled as Austin lifted his glass.

"To us," he said.

"To our friendship," Amelia said, smiling at all of us and she winked at me.

"To new friends," Jeffrey chimed in while looking at the three recent additional people in our gang.

"To meeting you guys," Annabeth said.

We were all glowing, smiling, and happy. This was us celebrating our last thanksgiving together. After two months, we would all go opposite directions, to new dreams and lives. Our strong and beautiful friendship would be down to meeting occasionally and then, just during each other's wedding. Or the birth of a child. Or death. Life was like this. Our busy schedules would keep us apart. Sure, we did promise to celebrate every Christmas and thanksgiving together after graduation but it was realistically impossible.

"To us making the most of each other," I said, raising my glass. I knew that there were tears in my eyes. I had known them only for three or two years, but they were family.

"To the best people I know," Camilla said beside me as she draped my shoulders with her arm and squeezed me. "And to celebrating this Thanksgiving together."

"Hell, yeah. You said it," Jeffrey said, moving in to hug my other side.

"To giving and taking chances," Julian added, his eyes resting on me as my lips parted. No one seemed to notice that he was directing his words at me.

"To this one hell of a party," Skyler said.

We all down our shots and poured another one. It was gone in seconds, burning down my throat and stomach. I was glad I ate two burgers beforehand. A few minutes later, a giddy sensation washed over me. Camilla was already declaring her love to us and I forced her to down some water. We spent the little time we had alone to talk about our plans for Thanksgiving but Julian was still staring at me. It seemed to be his new-found hobby. He did not look mad, just questioning. The first party-goers came in mass. Soon, my place was filled with young adults, drinking and grinding against each other. We made sure to lock all the rooms, leaving only the bathroom downstairs open.

Austin was blasting some good music while I danced beside him, encouraging him. Drinking my second fruit punch, I made my way back towards the kitchen to search for stronger alcohol. I wanted to get wasted tonight, not just tipsy. Tonight, I would have fun. Bobbing my head up and down to the beat, I raided the cupboards for some liquor.

"Found it," I exclaimed and screwed the top opened.

"You're sure that it's the right choice?" a voice said behind me. It was from Julian. I raked my eyes over his body, really being aware of what he was wearing for the first time. He had on a dark grey button-down shirt that hugged his six-packs and a pair of dark jeans. He was tapping his black boots on the wooden floor as he looked at me with a smirk.