by Ivy Kovacs
- I think it's better he didn’t try. I’m sure Max would like to arrive at this apartment being in one piece. – I added teasingly.
- I would retort but this is too good. – He spoke with his mouth full and I laughed. Oliver and I were always teasing each other and it was actually very enjoyable.
- What are your plans for New Year's Eve? – Dylan asked taking a bite out of his burger.
- Max said there’ll be a party in the cabin by the lake. –
- A cottage? He owns a cabin? – I asked surprised.
- His parents do. – Dylan responded. – Do you want to go? – He asked looking at me.
- Sure. – I shrugged. I had nothing better to do anyway.
- Alright, count us in. – Dylan looked at Oliver who almost ate the whole bag we brought him.
- I’ll tell Max. –
We spent the afternoon with Oliver and Dylan drove us back to my house.
- Where are Oliver’s parents? – I asked curiously.
- They died a few years ago. Car accident. –
- Oh my God... Poor Oliver. – My stomach fluttered.
- Oh, he wasn’t very moved by it. His parents were drug dealing alcoholics. They were in and out of prison all the time. –
- Still... I’m sure it left him in pieces. – I mumbled.
- He didn’t want to accept the heritage but we told him it would be good for a college fund. – He added getting out of the car. – He didn’t want his parent’s dirty money. –
- Well, I understand that... –
That night I dreamt about Oliver’s parents. The way they were chased after police before their car crashed into a tree and they burned alive. I remembered our crash... it was all too quick to comprehend. One second we were singing along to Coldplay, the other we were bleeding and dying on a cliff, wondering if anyone could save us. It haunted me for months... the images of that afternoon burned into my mind and could never be obliterated. The pain reduced but the horror remained.
thirty-eight
As we agreed, we spent New Year’s Eve at the cabin near the lake. Max and Dylan invited the people who they knew wouldn’t cause any trouble or unnecessary drama. I wasn’t concerned even though every time there was a party, I was stressed. Stressed about the judgment of people, stressed about something bad happening. I felt at ease that day, knowing that it was the last 24 hours of this miserable year. What worse could happen? I almost died twice. I lost my mother but I also found my first love. I couldn’t blame it on this year’s bad luck.
- There you are! I’ve been looking for you. – Debby grabbed my hand. The party was going on inside but I needed fresh air so I was sitting on the porch, watching the full moon glistening on the surface of the lake. It looked majestic. – Are you okay? –
- I am. – I nodded with a soft smile. – I was just thinking about this year... –
- Grace... – She sighed and sat down next to me. – You survived and you’re a lot stronger now. Stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. – She wrapped her arms around me tightly and I rested my head on her shoulder.
- I know. – I took a deep breath. – But I’m afraid next year will be worse. I don’t know if I could take any more. – I declared, frightened by the idea of losing more people that I love.
- It will be a great year, I promise you. We’re gonna graduate and have lots of fun before that. –
- I’m luring danger all the time. –
- Yeah, you’re kind of like a magnet for bad stuff. – She agreed. – But we’re hell of a protectors! –
I chuckled softly and pulled away from her. – Thank you, Debby. You’ve been one of the best friends I’ve had this year. – I looked into her brown eyes. The color matched mine perfectly.
- Thank you, for changing Dylan’s life. He’s been in a rough shape but you kind of lifted him out of the darkness. –
- Weird. I showed him light on my darkest days. –
- And he’s shown you light in his. – She added.
- You’re right. – I smiled.
- You were meant to be. – She held my hand and squeezed it gently. – I’m hoping to be your bridesmaid at the wedding. – She teased.
- Ah no, no wedding bells. – I shook my head laughing.
- Come on, it’s almost midnight. – She stood up and towed me inside the house.
The first pair of eyes mine met were Dylan’s. He was playing beer pong with his friends and he didn’t realize that I disappeared. I flashed him a soft smile to ease his worry and he smiled back. It was his turn to chug a cup because Alex’s ball landed in his cup.
- So. – I began and leaned against the counter. – Any new year’s resolutions? – I asked looking at Oliver who was pouring champagne into cups.
- Probably getting into college. – He chuckled. – You? –
- Not going to the ER would be nice. – I joked humorlessly.
- Good one. Try to keep that, though. – He chuckled and handed me a cup.
- You ever wondered why Dylan changed so much? – I asked looking over his shoulder where Dylan was playing.
- I guess love’s the reason. – He chuckled. – Odd thing, right? – He looked at me.
- Do you miss his old self? –
- Nah, not really. I mean sure it was fun to party and all, but he’s still our friend you know. – He babbled. – What I’m trying to say is: he changed yes, but he only got wiser and less moron. We could use that too. – He laughed.
- Sometimes I wonder why you’re single. – I admitted with a soft smile on my face.
- That’s because I’m too good-looking. – He smirked.
- And humble. – I added rolling my eyes.
- Come on! You’d totally date me if you weren’t with Dyl. –
- Well... no. – I grinned.
- Sure, sure. – He rolled his eyes.
- What’s up? – Dylan walked up to us and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to his side.
- We were just chatting. Fun girl talk you know. – I replied teasingly.
- Give me a bottle of tequila, fishnets, and a wig and I’ll bring you the tea, sis. – Oliver raised his voice to a higher pitch.
- Sure, Olivia. Let me know if you need a tampon. – Dylan said with a straight face but I burst into laughter.
- Dick. – Oliver rolled his eyes and handed Dylan a cup of champagne. – I’ll be somewhere in the corner with this bottle of champagne. – He hugged the bottle and stumbled away from us. We both chuckled.
- Are you ready for a new year? – He looked into my eyes.
- With you? Well... – I said longingly then I chuckled. – Of course, I am. –
- I love you, you know that right? – He placed one of his hands on my cheek.
- And I love you too. – I smiled brightly.
- Ten, nine, eight... – The crowd started yelling. – Seven, six, five, four... –
- Three... two... one. – Dylan mumbled and pressed his lips against mine at the same time the crowd yelled ‘Happy New Year’. His lips hungrily moved against mine and the feeling it gave me made my knees tremble. Butterflies filled my stomach. Once again there was no one else in the room, just us. Or at least it felt like it. – Happy New Year, babe. – He whispered against my lips. I pulled away slightly to look at his face with a shocked grin.
- Babe? – I repeated.
- It slipped. – He shrugged chuckling. We always teased each other with the worst pet names ever. We both hated them, that was why we didn’t call each other anything. Though the way he said ‘babe’ in his low voice... I could get used to that.
- I like it. – I grinned. – Happy New Year. – I pecked his lips again.
- You should stop before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you to the bedroom. – He mumbled against my lips again.
- I’d be willing to go. –
- You... drive me crazy. – He groaned and I giggled, taking a sip of my champagne.
- Happy New Year guys! – Debby cheer
ed and hugged me tightly. Nathan shook hands with Dylan then we switched and Debby hugged Dylan while Nathan hugged me. It was very kind of them to come up to us individually. - New Year’s resolution is getting into Columbia. – She said looking at Nathan. – If you’re gonna be at NYU I’d want to be close to you. –
- You’re gonna get in, babe. – Nathan smiled and we glanced at each other with Dylan. I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t start laughing.
- Hope so! – She sighed and clinked her cup with mine, gulping the leftover from it.
Dylan wrapped one of his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to his side. – You guys look so adorable! – Someone spoke behind us and we turned around to see who it was. Madison stood there, wearing a top and jeans that made her curves appear fascinating. The memory of that night flashed in front of me and I felt my knees tremble.
- Who the fuck let you in? – Dylan growled and pulled me behind himself. He was gripping me tightly making sure I wouldn’t disappear or fall again.
- It’s okay. Hi Maddie. Happy New Year. – I said and gave her a soft smile. I had to gather all of my strength to make my voice sound less shaky.
- Happy New Year. – She responded in a low voice. I guess that was not the response she expected to get. I didn’t hate her anymore. I couldn’t. She was actually the reason I saw my mom, even only for a minute. I was more thankful, to be honest.
- Alright, enough basic bitch moves. Shoo. – Debby sent her away. Madison rolled her eyes and walked away.
- Where’s Max? I swear I will fucki... –
- Stop. – I shushed Dylan by placing my hand over his mouth. – I’m fine. I will be fine. Don’t worry. – I looked into his eyes but he kept searching for Max in the crowd. I grabbed his face with the hand that was already on his lips and forced him to look at me. – Seriously. I want her to stay. She deserves to have fun too. –
- You really hit your head in October. – He muttered.
- I did. – I agreed. – But I forgave her. You should too. –
- If it were me lying there lifeless because of her, could you forgive her? – He looked into my eyes, his face was completely emotionless.
- I... – My voice was shaking. He was right, I would’ve acted the same way. But I didn’t want to cause a mess tonight. The new year just started... we should enjoy it. – Let’s just enjoy the New Year, okay? –
- Fine. – He mumbled turning away from me and grabbed a bottle of champagne chugging from it.
- You know just because you’re pissed doesn’t mean you have to get wasted. – I folded my arms in front of my chest.
- I don’t care. – He replied coldly and chugged from the bottle again. I rolled my eyes and walked away towards the beer pong table.
- I’m in. – I asserted looking at Cameron and the two other guys who I barely knew.
- Alright, hun. – The brown-haired guy grinned and looked at the empty spot next to him. I stood next to him and grabbed the small white ball. I didn’t have my glasses on and I was furious. As much as I would’ve liked to throw the ball against the wooden wall, I aimed and it landed in the cup full of some kind of alcohol. Cameron chugged the liquid and shot his ball into our cup. I didn’t hesitate and grabbed it before the guy next to me could’ve. I chugged it without making any faces. It tasted like beer but it was kind of warm already. About four cups later we won. I made the last shot in, wondering how I managed to do it because I could see two of everything.
- That was fun! – I slurred my words and started having hiccups. – Dang it. – I murmured and hiccupped again. – Let’s play again! – I added focusing on the empty cup. I leaned on the table with my arm and aimed with my other hand but the spilled beer made my hand slip off the table. Maybe it wasn’t only beer in that cup. – Oopsies. – I giggled when the brown-haired guy next to me grabbed my arm so I wouldn’t trip.
- Get your hands off her! – I heard Dylan’s snarl. He sounded funny.
- Dude I was just... – The guy next to me started apologizing.
- I said get your hands off her. – He repeated again and shoved the guy. He stuck his neck out and watched the guy stumble back. – What part was not clear about that? – His eyes were dark again, not the friendly ocean blue I admired.
- Dyl, stop mate. She was going to fall. Jackson just helped her. – Cameron stepped in between them.
- I could see that in his eyes. – Dylan said sarcastically.
- I didn’t know she had a boyfriend! – Jackson stood straight and rolled his sleeves up. Oh no... I only blinked once and Dylan was already on top of the guy.
- Dylan! – I shrieked desperately and grabbed the hand that was raised in the air. He felt my grip on his wrist though I wasn’t strong enough to yank him away from Jackson. His dark eyes met my frightened brown ones and he slowly lowered his arm.
Even though he retreated, Jackson grabbed his collar and pushed him against the wall, punching him in the face. I fell when he yanked him away from my arm. I heard the loud thumps and the groans from the ground and closed my eyes shut.
- Come on... come on. – Debby grabbed my hand and towed me out of the room. I glanced back once and saw Dylan punching one of the other guys that were playing with us. Oliver, Max, and Cameron were backing him up. I started a group fight... Debby yanked me into one of the bedrooms. I sat down on the bed and she closed the door taking a deep breath. – You were stupid now. –
- I know... – I mumbled. My head felt like it was burning. I swear I could feel the sweat dripping down on my forehead.
- Crap, you’re bleeding. – Her eyes widened and she grabbed my face, looking at my forehead. I touched it and winced. She walked into the bathroom and came back in less than a minute.
- I’m sorry, I got upset and I... – I started babbling while she cleaned my small wound.
- I’m not entirely mad at you. Dylan was more stupid. He shouldn’t have acted the way he did. – Debby patted a damp towel against my head.
- I shouldn’t have drunk. – I sighed.
- You chose the wrong company. Jackson is an ass. He’s flirting with everyone who has boobs and an ass. – She rolled her eyes. – I should’ve guessed Dylan would throw a fit. – She muttered and placed a band-aid on my wound.
- He doesn’t go to our school. – I stated.
Debby shook her head. - He’s in college. –
- Well, crap. – I sighed.
- Dylan already drank, that’s why he overreacted a tad bit. –
- Sure... –
- Are you okay though? – Debby looked at me with a serious look on her face.
- I’m fine. I’m serious. – I responded confidently. – Just a little intoxicated. – I closed my eyes.
- Lay down here. I’ll get you some water and a bucket. Don’t let anyone in! – She demanded and walked out the door. A few minutes later the door opened again but nobody spoke. I kept my eyes closed as I lay on the bed and I felt someone touch my face gently.
- You fucking.... – It sounded like Dylan was in the room, but I was probably dreaming. My eyes felt really heavy... Side effects of the alcohol.
- Grace? – Debby asked but I was too lazy to open my eyes.
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling sick. I threw up into the toilet, washed my face and cleaned my mouth, and lay back to bed. I heard some loud thuds then someone plopped next to me on the bed.
- Dylan? – I whispered warily.
- I thought you were asleep. – He yanked his pants off him and laid back next to me.
- I felt sick. – I admitted.
He sighed and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me to his chest. He smelled nice.
- I’m sorry. – I mumbled.
- It’s not your fault. I was a jerk again. I’m sorry. –
- You were, kind of. – I admitted and closed my eyes.
The next time I woke was in the morning. The sun was already up and my head hurt like hell. I hated being hungover.
I looked
around in the room, Dylan was sleeping barely covered with the white sheets. I studied him carefully while I sat on the bed. His hands were busted up but they weren’t bleeding anymore. I winced at the thought of last night. I was so reckless and immature to act the way I did. He probably would’ve fought with someone else anyway.
- What happened to your head? – I shot my head up towards Dylan. His eyes were fully open. His worried hands hurried to touch my face lightly. The small scar was barely noticeable only the size of the band-aid was big.
- A small scratch. – I shrugged.
- It doesn’t look small. How’d you get it? –
- I bumped my head into the table... when that guy wrestled you and yanked me out of the way. – I admitted. There was no point in lying to him. He’d find out sooner or later anyway.
- I’m mad they wouldn’t let me handle him. – He grumbled.
- What? –
- Deb came down and told me to come up to you, said you were pretty out of yourself. – He said. – Max, Ollie, and Cam handled him and his buds. – He shrugged. – Do you remember me coming upstairs? –
- No... I thought you only came when we spoke. – I said confused.
- Oh. – His face went pale.
- What is it? –
- Well, there was someone in the room when I arrived. – He clenched his teeth. – He was standing beside you but I handled him too. –
- What does that mean? – My eyes widened.
- I didn’t kill him. – He ensured. – But he won’t touch anyone in a while probably. –
I gulped loudly.
- I broke his hand. – He admitted.
- You what? – I raised my voice.
- Don’t make me explain... – He muttered and looked away. Then it hit me... I remembered how he said he would’ve broken Adam’s hands when I told him the story of me getting harassed. I shuddered. – Hey... it’s okay. Nothing happened. I promised you I wouldn't let anybody do that to you ever again. – He grabbed my hands.
- It’s not me I’m scared about. – I looked down at his hands.
- Oh these? I’m fine. I’m used to it. – He clenched his fist and released it, proving to me that it didn’t hurt him.
- I didn’t want you to fight... I didn’t want to see you fight. – I looked away.
