Say You'll Remember Me

Chapter Twenty Four

"You really think having alcohol here is going to be a good idea? With both our problems?" Hunter asked looking at me with his eyebrow raised. I watched as Travis and Adam carried the keg in. I smiled at him as I put the hat on his head, letting the string kit hit chin just a little harder than I should’ve. He winced as I put my own hat on and he laughed at the way we looked together.

I shrugged, "it's not like I'm in constant thirst. Neither are you. Both of us just do it to numb the pain. I do it when I'm upset. So don't upset me," I poked him in the chest lightly, "and everything will be fine.”

He rolled his eyes and then tickled my sides, making me squeal. I was already dressed and people were supposed to be showing up at any minute. Hunter kept tickling me, and then he picked me up over his shoulder. He carried me to the couch. 

"I never try to upset you," he whispered against my skin, "I just end up saying the wrong thing.”

I giggled as he pressed his lips down on my shoulder, "well just be on your best behavior, and I'm sure tonight will be fine," I gasped, "Hunter stop. The guests will be here soon.”

It wasn't a big party, just a few people Hunter knew from school, Aimee and Adam, Travis and a few of his friends were supposed to show. It was my first real New Years where I wouldn't end up falling asleep wondering how terrible this year would be. I was actually pretty excited to meet more people from Hunter's life. 

"We have time," he whispered as he kissed my neck. I laughed and then someone cleared their throat beside the couch.

Aimee was laughing as Hunter pulled away, but kept his arm around me, "you two are cute. But you should really get a room.”

I pushed his chest but he pulled me closer, "I told him to cool off. But he doesn't listen," I giggled as he grabbed my hip and squeezed it.

“This is my apartment,” he said as the first knock on the door arrived, “I should kick everyone out so I can have you.”

I rolled my eyes as Aimee answered the door and the party started. Someone put on some music, and I put out the other drinks and bowls of snacks. There were a lot of people here, I didn’t know a single person other than Hunter and Aimee. Travis was somewhere in the mix of bodies, but I stood there looking at the faces of the strangers and I felt like the outsider I was. Hunter was having fun and laughing with his friends. I leaned against the counter and saw a few more people walk through the door and slap Travis on the back and then Hunter. He really did have a lot of friends.

I saw Chris out of the corner of my eye and he smiled as he saw me. He walked towards the corner where I was standing and lifted his cup, “Charlie,” he said his eyes were bright, “I don’t know if we had the chance to officially meet. I’m Chris.”

“I know who you are,” I crossed my arms over my chest, “I remember what happened at the bar. I also know what you did to Hunter, you weren’t invited here.”
He shrugged, “open party, open bar,” he said laughing as he took another drink and I rolled my eyes, “I take it you aren’t drinking.”

I shook my head, “no. And I’m not talking to you,” I said walking away from the kitchen and into the living room. 

Aimee grabbed my hand and started dancing with me, she was laughing as I moved along with her, “this is great, Charlie. I’m so glad you two did this,” she said spinning me around and laughing as I swayed my hips. I couldn’t stop laughing, I loved this. It was perfect. I was laughing and having fun, my hair was flying around and I didn’t care about a single thing that always haunted me.

This was my fresh start.

I saw Hunter walk out of the apartment out of the corner of my eye, and I wondered where he was going. I stopped dancing and walked towards the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and drinking it slowly. I regained my breath, watching as Aimee and Adam started to dance. I kept watching the door, waiting for Hunter to come back in. He hadn’t been himself when he left, I could see it in his eyes. There was anger there, there was something he hadn't told me.