She shouldn't have called. Her fingers should have listened to her mind once it started having second thoughts. And third and fourths. But adamantly they refused, and dialed away anyhow.
   God, why'd she call? Why didn't she just suck it up and drive home herself? She'd done it before and could definitely do it again. It really wasn't so difficult.
   All she had to do was drink a gallon of orange juice, take a super cold shower, and rub soap in her eyes…
   Groaning, Emma rubbed her eyes reflexively, as if she'd gotten the soap in them anyway.
   Leaning as placatory as possible against her vehicle, Emma waited. Smiling cordially at the other drunks stumbling around her parent's home.
   Shuddering at the fact that this was once her fate, Emma forced herself to wait for her midnight ride.
   She had barely risen above this level and refused to jeopardize it with her damnable pride.
   True, pride was everything of course, but at the moment life was ranking just a little bit above it.
   A car sliding across the dirt driveway, spraying loose rocks, brought Emma back to bitter reality. Swallowing with great difficulty, she watched as the passenger hopped out and looked around them nervously. As if waiting for someone to attack them instantly.
   Shaking her head at the stark truth of that idea, she walked around her car and looked on as they started walking towards her.
   Their ride hurriedly speeding out.
   She smiled ruefully at that, but couldn't blame their haste. She was in the same hurry.
   "Let's go."
   The barely controlled disgust and anger filled voice though had her back straightening painfully. "Sorry for ruining your night."
   Without answering, they held out their thin hand and waited.
   Clenching her teeth, Emma handed over her keys.
   Pushing the security button, the unmistakable click of the doors unlocking nearly echoed in the tension thick air.
   Climbing in with great reluctance, Emma smoothed her skirt before buckling, then smoothing her skirt out again.
   Starting the engine smoothly and deftly maneuvering them out of the cramped lot, "Did it ever occur to you that you shouldn't have come to a party like this?"
   The question was too icy for Emma's taste, and she turned sharply. "Did it ever occur to you that I'm a big person?"
   The scoff just pushed her farther and farther. "If you were an adult you'd act like one! Not go off to some damn party where not only is there alcohol and minors, but dealers and their narcotics as well!"
   She laughed caustically. "This lecture is coming from Christian-boy Isaac Hanson?" She mocked, "Who was at a bar where naked women danced and grown men ogled them?"
   His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I went where you were."
   "Just like you did again tonight!" She hastily added. "I called for you because I knew I couldn't drive and you were the only one I could ask!"
   "Why'd you let it get so far?" He asked quietly, forcing his gaze on the dark road.
   She stiffened and looked at the same road. "Because my mom thought it'd be a good idea to get me roaring drunk and spiked a margarita!" She answered tightly.
   His only reaction was the slight widening of his eyes. Other than that, he remained quiet and focused on the street.