“Alone at last,” D.C. sang, plopping herself on the couch and putting her feet up on the table. “So when’d your mom split?”
“This morning.”
“When’s she coming home?”
“November first.”
“Sweet. Here,” she handed me a packet of papers. It was the script of her play. “Starring Miss Tayler May Robinson!!” she said in a flourish.
“Thank you,” I bowed dramatically.
“So seriously, will you do this?”
“I told you, yes,” I said, rolling my eyes. Since the previous night when Heidi had called D.C. to tell her that I was staying, she had called like every ten minutes to make sure I was going to be in the play.
“Let’s go then,” she said, grabbing my arm and yanking me out the door. She had Dave’s car, and butterflies filled my stomach as I realized we were going to his house.
“Why are we here?” I finally choked out.
She must not have heard me, because she got out of the car and started toward the door. I hadn’t told Dave that I was staying. I knew he would think it was because of him. Was it because of him? Let’s pretend it wasn’t. I got out of the car and joined D.C. on the doorstep. Dave lives in this ramshackle, white trashy house about fifteen minutes from my neighborhood. His mother doesn’t ever really live there, since she always seems to be in some sort of rehab for one drug addiction or another. When she is there, however, she either doesn’t let anyone in, or doesn’t let Dave out. It’s really frustrating and embarrassing for him.
“What the f*ck are you doing here?!” Dave said when he saw me there with D.C.
“I come bearing gifts,” D.C. laughed.
Dave wrapped me in a huge hug, lifting me off the ground, “I thought you were gone forever!” I prayed silently that he wouldn’t kiss me.
“I decided not to go.”
“Why?” he asked as he ushered us in. It was hot and damp and smelled like cigarettes.
“Well, for Heidi, and for D.C.,” I paused to smile at her, “and Taylor… and of course, you, my love,” I punched his arm.
“Sweet… So you and Heid have the place all to yourselves?”
“Yup.”
“Your mother trusts you?” D.C. laughed.
Dave answered, “Of course she does. Since when does Tayler do anything wrong?”
I felt a pang of guilt about Taylor (I’d definitely done something wrong to him), but I managed to smile innocently.
“Just wait til I get through with her,” D.C. smirked.
I raised my eyebrow questioningly, but almost didn’t want to know. D.C. is not the most predictable person ever, and so I didn’t want to even begin to fathom what was brewing in her head.
“Or I get through with her,” Dave smiled suggestively. I could tell he hadn’t told D.C. about our little mall experience, and I was grateful. He liked having this dirty little secret. I didn’t… it made me feel, well, dirty.
“It’s hot as hell in here,” I spoke up, fanning my face. Dave smirked. I tried to avoid his eyes as I sat on the couch next to D.C. “So, Deece,” I turned to her, “Who is this hunky rockstar you have me pining after in this play? Make it someone hot so I can make out with him.” D.C. erupted into laughter, and Dave broke out in a huge grin.
“Your prince charming, little one, stands before you,” she said dramatically, pointing at Dave.
“Are you joking?” my eyes grew wide.
“Nope,” Dave smiled proudly, puffing out his chest like a peacock or something.
“Oh God,” I said as I sighed, shaking my head. “You mean I have to make out with him on stage?” the idea didn’t sound quite so great anymore.
“Well, he fit the role really well, and I figured since you guys are good friends, it won’t be that weird.”
I know that she goes around hooking up and having sex with her friends, but I can’t sat that it’s one of my favorite pastimes. Although from the whole kissing Zac thing back in the day and then this thing in the mall…
“Yea, not weird at all,” Dave smirked.
“So do you wanna practice?” D.C. was excited.
“No,” I said too quickly, showing my anxiety.
“Wanna go to a party?” Dave asked. I smiled gratefully for easing the tension.
“Sure,” D.C. and I said at the same time.
Sometimes it amazes me that Dave finds these random parties in the early afternoons. How does he know about this crap? Anyway, so Dave took us to this party. There were a surprising amount of people there for an early afternoon on a weekday. Surrounding the keg were a small group of people I knew- Travis (is he ever NOT at a party?), Oscar, and this one guy that hit on me once when I was going to a party with Dave and Taylor.
“Long time no see,” someone behind me said.
“Muf!” I leapt on DJ Muffled and gave him a huge hug. It had been what seemed like ages since I’d seen him last.
“How are you?” he smiled.
“Okay.”
“Tayler!” another voice called from across the room.
“Alise!” I waved. Oscar grabbed her arm to talk to her before she could come over and talk to me.
“Muf and Alise get it on now,” Dave whispered in my ear.
“No way!”
“Yup.”
I elbowed Muf and smirked. He blushed. Alise finally came over and said, “Sorry, my brother’s a butthead.”
“Oscar?” I laughed. Oscar is anything but a butthead. He’s like the nicest boy in the world besides Tay… DAMMIT! Don’t think about him…
“Fighting over the car again?” Muf asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“As usual,” she rolled her eyes. “So how have you been?” she asked.
“Kinda crappy,” I shrugged.
“Since that I’m here, she’s okay,” Dave put his arm on my shoulder.
“Yea,” I laughed.
“Want some beer?” D.C. asked.
“No thanks.”
“David?” she offered a cup.
“No thanks,” he smiled down at me.
“Party poopers,” she stuck her tongue out at us and went away.
I talked with Alise for a long time. She said that Heidi had told her about the whole moving thing, and that when I decided I was going to stay, Heidi was so excited. It made me feel a little better about my decision.
“Wanna go for a walk?” Dave whispered, grabbing my arm, pushing D.C. off him.
“Sure,” I said, waving to Alise. “Don’t feel like getting any?” I laughed as we walked out into the daylight.
“Huh?”
“With D.C. I mean. I saw you pushing her away.”
“When she’s drunk, she’s so… horny.”
“You didn’t seem to mind last time.”
“Yea, but now I’m… with you.”
“With?” I raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged, “Ya know…”
“Do I?” I stopped walking and looked up at him. “Wasn’t it just another hookup?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because… it’s you,” he couldn’t look me in the eye.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well like… I can’t play you like other girls. I know you too well. You care too much.” We were both silent. I continued walking. What was all this, man? If only I hadn’t broken up with Taylor. My life made sense then… “Maybe I care too much,” Dave spoke up.
I stopped in my tracks, “Huh?”
“Well, it’s like… you’re…”
“Yea?” I smiled. I’d never seen him this flustered. It was flattering in a strange way.
“Do you wanna…” he paused, “Do you wanna go out?”
“Aren’t we out right now?” I smirked.
“You’re a bitch,’ he laughed, calming down and looking more relaxed, like his normal self.
“I bet if you had alcohol that would have been easier,” I punched his shoulder playfully. He shoved me back and smiled a little sadly. I hadn’t answered him. Go out with him? He was like my best friend, and I guess, if I really wanted to admit it to myself, I did like him at least a little bit in that way. But enough to go out with him? I didn’t think so… I mean… Hello? Taylor? I miss him so much that it’s getting hard to hear people call my name because it makes me think of his…
He took my hand and lead me back inside.
“Wanna play a drinking game?” D.C came up to Dave and me as soon as we entered the door.
Everyone in the immediate area except me said yes. Drinking game? But I didn’t drink… I followed the group of people into the kitchen. Dave, D.C., Alise, Travis, Oscar, Muf, and a few unknown people all situated themselves in various parts of the cramped room. I hung in the doorway for an easy escape if necessary.
“What game are we playing?” Alise sat on Muf’s knee.
“Okay, I got this one from a VH-1 movie,” D.C. laughed. “We each get a turn to say something that we’ve never done. If someone else in the room has done it, they do a shot. That way, the dirtiest and most perverted out of all of us will get smashed, and all the little angels will stay sober.”
That sounded okay… I haven’t done much…
D.C. went first, “I’ve never fallen in love.”
Hoping no one saw, I poured the liquid down my throat. It was all gross and burn-y. I had to get a refill, though, and so everyone knew that I had been in love. No one said anything, however, because I wasn’t the only one. Alise and Muf each swallowed a shot, smiling at each other… It was just about the cutest thing I ever saw.
Some random guy went next, “I’ve never been to the east coast.”
I stomached the nasty liquid again, squinting angrily at him. Half of the other people had to drink, too. My chest was burning my now. I had goose bumps.
It was Alise’s turn, “I’ve never…” she paused to think, “Made out in the shower.”
DAMMIT! I tried to hide the fact that I needed drink, but people saw me when I took the bottle to refill… namely, D.C. “Tayler!” she gasped, “Who did you make out with in the shower?!”
“Shut up,” I tried to laugh casually. I tried to direct my gaze away from Dave as he stared at me, open mouthed.
Luckily, however, the other half of the people were watching the little conversation between Muf and Alise, and about how after this game they would conveniently find somewhere to bathe.
It was Muf’s turn, “I’ve never had sex in the closet while my parents were in the house,” he laughed and looked in Dave’s direction. Must be some inside joke… But still, I didn’t have to drink, and so it was okay. Dave and D.C. did though. Gross.
Travis paused to think and then said, “I’ve never had sex in public.”
Again, Dave and D.C. drank, winking at each other. Ughhh…. I don’t know if it was the liquor or them, but I was starting to get nauseous.
Oscar spoke up, “I’ve never hooked up with someone and one of their siblings.”
Dammit, Oscar. I winced as I poured the unknown liquid fire down my throat. Again a few eyebrows were raised, but by then, I was feeling a little fuzzy, and I didn’t care quite as much.
It was my turn. My palms began to sweat. “I’ve never… smoked up.” Just about everyone in the room except for Oscar and me had to drink.
It was D.C.’s turn again, and the whole thing started all over. I didn’t have to drink for her thing, but I did have to drink at Random Guy’s “I’ve never mud wrestled with a girl.” I was the only one that had to drink. Everyone demanded a story, but I simply shook my head. I also had to drink when Alise said, “I’ve never had a hickey below my neck.” Luckily, the only one who saw me was Dave, and by now he merely smiled at these shocking revelations.
I can’t even remember who said this one, but someone laughed, “I’ve never hooked up with someone in this room.”
Sighing, I consumed my alcohol, as well as a few others, and kept my mouth shut once again when D.C. gasped and asked who. I knew she knew, though, because who else besides Dave would I have kissed?
The game continued, but I stopped paying attention. How many shots had I had? One… two… three… four… What comes after four? Oh yea, five… Six… Seven. Someone from the main room, not the kitchen, grabbed my arm and pulled me into the living room. I was about to protest when I realized who it was- Dave.
“I don’t think I like drinking games,” I said, my voice thick and a little slurred.
He, however, didn’t really sound drunk at all. “I didn’t know you were such a bad girl…”
“I’m not,” I said, my feelings hurt. “I’m not dirty, I promise, and…” I was on the verge of tears.
“It’s okay, I know,” he wrapped his arm around my waist. I think I almost fell over. If the room wasn’t spinning, I’d have been able to walk on my own.
“It’s really loud in here,” I said, covering my ears… I think I’m drunk,” I whispered.
“I think so, too,” Dave half-laughed, taking me into another room where there weren’t any people.
“It’s quiet in here,” I whispered, breaking free from his grasp and stumbling over to the bed. “Are you drunk, too?” I asked, my finger in the air, drawing circles.
“A little bit.”
“Not as much as me, though,” I laughed.
“No,” he admitted.
“Come sit next to me,” I patted the bed next to me with the hand that wasn’t tracing circles. Dave obliged, sitting on the edge of the bed so that his back was facing me.
“Do you want to kiss me?” I asked, my brain sloshing as I tried to sit up.
He turned around to look at me, but didn’t say anything.
“Do you?” I repeated, actually sitting up this time.
He only said, “You’re drunk,” and tried to push me back down.
“So are you,” I smiled.
“Stop, Tayler,” he said quietly as I kissed his neck.
“You want to go out with me,” I reminded him, whispering.
He tried to shy away as I kissed his neck again, “And you’re the one who didn’t answer.”
“Shut up, Dave,” I said, enveloping his mouth with mine.
Sadly, in the tradition of many drunkards, that’s all I remember…. chapter 8
