by Ivy Kovacs
We settled near the fire because Jules was cold. She talked about her school and New Orleans. I'd love to visit it: the city of jazz and art. – I'll go grab something to drink. Do you want anything? – I asked the couple sitting on the bench as I stood up.
- No thank you. – Dom replied. – We'll be here. – He said louder because of the music in the background. I nodded and walked towards the lockers. People were holding red plastic cups and coming out from there so I guessed it's where the booze was.
My eyes spotted some people making out on the bleachers and another guy throwing up into a bin. Disgusting.
I walked inside the building and noticed a table packed with cups and alcohol. I grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with vodka and orange juice. It was the only thing I recognized on the table.
- What are you doing here? – Someone said from behind. I turned around to see who the voice belonged to. Dylan.
twenty
- I'm getting a drink. Why? – I raised my eyebrows.
- I didn't think you'd come to a party. – His voice sounded surprised yet very low.
- Well, you thought wrong. – I responded and took a sip from my cup as I walked away from him. If he was about to lecture me again... I spotted James. – James! – I yelled and paced my steps towards him. He was standing with his teammates.
- Grace! You look great. – He seemed a bit drunk.
- Thanks. – I smiled at him. – How come you're already drunk? –
- The girls made us play truth or drink. I only agreed because I wanted an excuse to take a shot. – He laughed and pointed at the crowd of cheerleaders drinking with football players. – You can join if you'd like to. –
Dylan was watching us from afar and our eyes met. – Okay. – I agreed though I shouldn't have. I told myself that I wouldn't get drunk at the first party.
- Great! – James’s warm hand grabbed mine and towed me to their circle. – Grace is in too. – We sat down on the bench. Debby was sitting next to me.
- Alright. Who's next? – Madison asked looking at me.
- I am. – Dylan appeared behind us and sat down between Cameron and Max.
- Is it true that Miss Kirby gave you a head two years ago at this party? – Madison asked and my eyes widened. Miss Kirby was supposed to be my philosophy teacher but she got pregnant. Dylan didn't reply just took a shot. I really hoped that it was a lie for his sake.
- Sophie! – Debby called her name. – Who have you not slept with from the team? – Was this game all about sex? Because if it was I was out of here.
- Oliver and Josh. – She answered like she was proud of herself for being a whore.
- That could be changed, darling. – Oliver smirked at the blonde girl and she smirked back at him. I shuddered from their intensity.
- Grace. – Madison looked at me. – Is it true that you've never been touched before? – All eyes were on me, waiting for the answer.
- No. – I answered and swallowed the lump in my throat.
- I meant touched in that way. – Madison added.
- No. – I repeated more convincingly. – Madison is it true that you're a whore who slept with everyone from this team? – I took a large sip from my cup to gather some braveness.
- That's none of your business, bitch. – She replied taking a shot.
- The game is called truth or drink for a reason. – I explained. I was getting lightheaded from chugging the vodka too fast.
- You fucking... – She began but Oliver spilled his drink over her skirt.
- Oliver, you fucking idiot! – She jumped up furiously. – You're gonna come with me and clean this, before it leaves a stain. – She grabbed his jacket and towed him away. Before they disappeared Oliver winked at me. He spilled his drink on purpose.
- Poor Ollie. – Deb chuckled and took a shot. They began talking about last year's party and how wasted they were and I sat there listening to them. Dom texted me that they went home because they were tired, so now it was only me and a bunch of drunken idiots.
- Are you okay? – Deb’s voice shook me back to reality.
- Yeah. – I nodded and clinked my cup with hers, chugging the liquid from it.
- You should take it slow. – Dylan said from across and I acted like I didn't hear it.
- We should get a refill. – I looked at Deb and she stood up escorting me.
- What's up with you and Dyl? Are you mad at him? – She asked and filled my cup with the same drink I had before.
- I'm not. I'm just trying to have fun. – I answered and she nodded letting the subject go.
- Well I'm buzzed. – She chuckled and ran her fingers through her hair.
- Debby? – Nathan walked up to us and tapped her on the shoulder. Great, everyone found mates tonight. I should head home. I left them inside and drank from my refilled cup.
- Where are you going? – Dylan walked after me.
- Home. – I replied and waved without looking back.
- Grace stop. – He said but I kept walking. – Grace! – He yelled and ran towards me, yanking me back by my arm.
A car drove away inches from us. It would've hit me if he didn't pull me back. I looked into his eyes, trying to catch my breath. It all happened too quickly.
My body was close against his. I could smell the scent of his cologne mixed with the tequila he just drank. The lack of light made his jaw pop even more. He let go of me and cleared his throat.
- If you wouldn't have saved me I could be with her now. – I pulled my cardigan back over my shoulder.
- Are you serious? – He raised his eyebrows. – I just saved your life and you are mad at me for not letting you die?! Are you that selfish? – He spoke louder than he did before, and he looked infuriated.
- Yes Dylan, I am that selfish! Call me whatever you want for trying to be with my mother again! – I raised my voice and started walking away from him but he grabbed my hand and jerked me back to him. His free hand grabbed my face and pulled it to his. His lips smashed against mine and I didn't pull away. My body took charge and enjoyed the warm lips that tasted mine.
Our kiss was passionate and greedy. The adrenaline inside me escaped and met his between our lips. His fingers ran through my hair as he held my head so I wouldn't pull away. He was very good at this.
Of course, he was: in two weeks I saw him make out with two different girls. Though those moments were undoubtedly less impetuous as this one.
He loosened his grip as his lips pulled away from mine, and our foreheads rested against each other’s. My heart was pounding inside my chest and my breath quickened as it tried to lull my body.
- Dyl? – Our moment was interrupted by Max. – There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere. – He was smoking something that looked like a normal cigarette but I was sure it wasn't.
As soon as Dylan heard his voice he turned around covering my body with his. From Max's angle, what could be seen was that he was with a brunette girl. Classic Dylan Torres move, but I wasn’t going to let him conceal me. He kissed me and he'll have to face the disgrace of it.
I stepped out from behind him and looked at Max. – Oh shit. Sorry guys. – He was completely in shock. Dylan’s forehead creased as he looked at me and when Max left, he started walking back to the party.
- That's it? You're just gonna walk after him before he tells everyone? – I asked standing with my arms crossed.
- What else do you want me to do? – He turned around and looked at me. There were only a few feet between us.
twenty-one Dylan
I was so fucked. I should've just let her walk away from me. But what if she had a breakdown in the streets, alone... My body shuddered from the thought.
- Maybe an explanation would be great. – Her lips were red and plump from our kiss and her eyes were glossy.
- Do you want me to explain why I kissed you? – Dylan, you better not fuck this up. She's not like the girls you've been fooling around with. – Fine. – I was angry with
myself for letting this happen in the middle of a school party.
She didn't know my friends. Max had probably already told everyone that he saw us make out. The boys would feel like they could hit on her from now on which was absolutely not the case. Not this time. Not with her.
I was more afraid of what the girls would be capable of. Everyone had their opinions about Grace, most of them were jealous of her. I didn't want them to hurt her in any way. – I shouldn't have done it. That's your explanation. – You fucked up, idiot...
She gasped at my cruel words and her shock turned into sadness within a blink of an eye. – Just... Stay away from me. – She said calmly and started stumbling away. I watched her leave the parking lot and ran my hands through my hair.
I growled and kicked the bin on the street before I darted back to the party. I had to fix this mess. Max and Oliver grinned at me as I walked back to them. James seemed rather disappointed. I knew he wanted to ask Grace out.
- You and Smith, huh? – Cameron asked and sucked the joint.
- Fuck off. – I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and chugged it. The gold liquid burned my throat and I enjoyed the stinging pain.
- She's a stiff one, dude. – Max said while he was exhaling the smoke he just sucked in.
- I think she's cool. – Oliver commented, protecting Grace.
- That's because you want to fuck her. – Max grinned and sucked his joint again. I was pissed already but their accusations pissed me off even more.
- Come on. Who wouldn't? She's just playing hard to get. If Dylan got it we could too. She said she's not a virgin anymore. – Cameron spat. I was drunk and furious. Angry at my so-called friends for ruining everything with their personalities. But I couldn't blame them: I was the same.
I blacked out for a second and my ear was ringing. – Dylan! – I blinked and looked at Max who was yelling at me. Their faces were pale.
I looked lower and saw Cameron's bloody face. My hand was grabbing his throat and holding him against the wall. I released his throat without thinking and stumbled away. What just happened?
I got into my car and started driving. I pulled up in front of a small house and knocked on its door. The dizziness made my sight blurry.
- Dylan? – Grace looked at me with wide eyes. She was only wearing a T-shirt that barely covered her underwear. – What are you doing here? –
- Can I come in? – I slurred my words. She looked over my shoulder and her eyes widened even more.
- Did you drive here like this? You're wasted! – She whispered anxiously. Her grandma was probably at home. Maybe it was a stupid idea to come here.
I shrugged as an answer and she sighed letting me in. She placed her finger in front of her lips, signaling me to be quiet. She led me upstairs and opened a door on the left side of the hall.
The walls were white and the decor was neutral colored. I always thought that her room would be more vibrant. I sat down on her bed looking at the pictures on her desk. There was one with an old lady, a man, a woman, and a little girl. They must be her family. Another one was with a brunette woman. She looked a lot like her. – Why are you here? – She asked and I turned my head towards her.
- I don't know. – I replied. She was glaring at me.
- What happened? – She walked over to me and grabbed my hand. I looked down at my knuckles and saw that they were covered in dried blood.
- It's not mine. –
- Then whose is it? – She gasped.
I shrugged and looked into her eyes. As I placed a strand of hair behind her ear my hand brushed against her ivory skin and she closed her eyes at my touch. – You're so beautiful. – I mumbled.
- You can't do this, Dylan. – She grabbed my hand and pulled it away from her face. – You can't kiss me, act like it was nothing, and come here in the middle of the night trying to do it again. I'm not one of your toys. –
- I know. – She wasn’t. She was something else but I couldn't quite determine it.
She took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair. – You can stay here for the night. I can't drive you home because I drank and I'm not letting you drive home either. It's a miracle that you even drove here safely. – She stood up and lay down on her bed, tucking herself in. I licked my lips as I watched her bare legs slide under the duvet. She handed me a pillow.
I thanked her and stood up to kick my shoes off. I took my shirt off and unbuttoned my jeans.
- Are you enjoying the show? – I saw her watching me undress. She tossed over to her other side and I chuckled quietly.
After my jeans were off I got under the blanket and scooted closer to her. I wrapped my hand around her waist, spooning her from the back. Her body shuddered at my touch but she soon relaxed. – I'm sorry. – I whispered closing my eyes and fell asleep.
Grace opened the blinds and I growled taking a pillow and burying my head into it. A few seconds later the pillow was off my face. – Wake up. – I opened my eyes and she was sitting on the bed looking at me.
- Come back instead. – I reached for her arm and she chuckled, shaking her head.
- I have to make something up about why you stayed the night. – She looked at me and I sat up resting my back against the bed frame.
- You could say that I took you home and you insisted on me staying. - I grinned and she threw a pillow at me.
- Be serious. A boy stayed over in my room. – She had a small smile on her face which made her ten times more adorable.
- I could say hello to your grandma like this. – I replied and she looked at my bare chest.
She hit me with the pillow again. – Come on! –
I laughed. – Alright. I'll get dressed then. –
- You're annoying. – She rolled her eyes and stood up but I grabbed her hand to make her stay.
- Say that I took you home and my car broke down. – I looked into her eyes and that made her speechless. I loved how her body reacted to my words and my touch.
- You have to clean yourself up before you introduce yourself. – She said looking at my hand. – You can take a shower in my bathroom. –
- Are you joining? – I asked jokingly, though I'd love to shower with her.
- Dylan... – She moaned. I wondered if she got turned on by me. I should stop before I lose control over my thoughts.
- I'm kidding. – I said and stood up from the bed. She handed me a towel and pointed towards the bathroom. I took it and headed inside, closing the door.
twenty-two Grace
My mind wondered about the occurrences that happened last night. I heard a car door shut outside so I peeked out the window to see who it was. Uncle Seb was getting out of the car and Aunt Bex was already walking to the door. – Shit... – I knocked on the bathroom door. – Come out! – I demanded and tried to keep my voice quiet so my family wouldn't hear.
- I know you already miss me but I'm naked. – He replied sassily. – Come in if you want. – He added.
- Put a towel on. – I said and waited a bit before shyly opening the door. I sighed in relief when I saw the white towel wrapped around his waist.
His hair was wet and water was dripping down from his curls. How could someone be so good looking? – Uh. – My eyes lingered on his body. – Please get dressed. My uncle is here and he's very protective. I'd sneak you out but he already saw your car. – I mumbled.
- Sneak me out? –He smirked.
- Yes, but now you'll have to introduce yourself as my classmate and not tell anything about what happened between us, okay? –
- What happened between us? – He kept smirking.
- Please! – I begged and threw his clothes at him. – Hurry up and be on your best behavior. – I closed the bathroom door and waited anxiously. Thankfully he came out fully dressed in a few minutes.
- Calm down okay? I'll behave. – He said and placed his hands on my shoulders. It was a nice gesture but it didn't relieve my anxiety. I nodded once and tightened my ponytail before walking downstairs a
nd making sure he was following me.
- Gracie! Sebastian and Rebecca came to visit us. – Nana said while making coffee.
- Hey. – I spoke calmly but I was very nervous. – Uh. This is my classmate. He dropped me off last night but his car broke down so I offered him to sleep in the guest room. I hope its okay. – I saw Seb's eyes widen as Dylan stepped next to me.
- I'm Dylan, it's nice to meet you. – Dylan shook hands with my family members. Aunt Bex's eyes jaw dropped when she heard Dylan’s introduction.
- That's completely alright, don't worry. – Nana smiled at Dylan and me. She knew too. – I made some coffee if you'd like, Dylan. –
- Oh, that would be great. Thank you. – He smiled back at her and sat down next to me.
- So what happened to your car? Do you need a ride home? Gracie, you could drive him home in my car. – Nana said while pouring coffee into our cups.
- It wouldn't start. It happens sometimes. It's not a new car. – He said and thanked the coffee.
- Is the Volkswagen outside yours? – Uncle Seb asked and my stomach fluttered.
- Yes, Sir. – He bowed once, speaking very courteously.
- It's a great one. It was my second car. I still have it at home but my wife insisted on buying something more modern, so we got a Jeep Compass a few years ago. – Uncle Seb started a conversation with Dylan as they were sipping their coffees. I looked at my aunt who grinned at me and I shook my head looking down at my mug. My cheeks probably flushed red.
- You should come by with Grace once. I could show you in person and we could have dinner. – Seb offered and I almost choked on my coffee. Did he really just invite Dylan over? – Grace never comes to us by herself. -
- That would be great, Mr. Smith. – He accepted the invitation.
- I would go but I'm busy studying. – I explained.
