AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A smug grin spreads across her lips. “What’s the hurry?”
I exhale tiringly, now fully aware that Julia has a crush on Luke. Are all the girls in this school brainwashed by the football players? All of them but me?
My shoulders slump in defeat when Abby approaches us with a girl I’ve never seen at her side. She’s adorable with a pair of plastic frames that are far too big for her face, and side swept bangs that attempt to hide a forehead full of pimples. Abby passes me a drink, then Julia. She turns to the girl and takes the cup she’s holding. “Thanks, Jenna. You're a doll.”
She used her to carry her drink? What a fucking bitch!
“Actually, Jenna,” I blurt out. “You’re welcome to stay with us.” I push my drink toward her. “You can have mine. I’m not drinking tonight.”
A smile raises Jenna’s cheekbones. “Really?” I nod in response and she reaches for the drink, but Abby snatches it from my hand.
“Of course you’re not,” Abby sputters. “Rome mentioned you were a bit…prudish.”
“Prudish?” I repeat. “Rome said that?”
I think Abby is full of shit. But even if what she’s saying is true, I don’t care what Rome thinks or says about me. Yet, for some reason that comment almost hurts worse than me being pushed to my knees just five minutes ago.
“Mmmhmm.” Abby brings her own drink to her mouth, nodding as she sips.
“Fuck Rome. He doesn’t know a thing about me.” I snatch my drink from her hand and waste no time tipping it back and sucking down all the contents.
How’s that for prudish? Or how about how I just gave him a blow job upstairs. Or let him finger me after the game? I wonder if he’ll tell her that. I can guarantee after tonight, he’ll be calling me many names, but prudish won’t be one of them.
Maybe for once in my life I don’t have to be the good girl. Maybe, just this one time, I can let loose and enjoy life without overthinking.
Feeling pissed off, I say, “Jenna, let's go get you that drink.” I leave Julia and Luke talking and pass by Abby with a smirk. I would love to stick my tongue out at her and flip her drink up just so I can see her face when it spills down her ugly pink dress. It’s not really ugly, but I’m going to convince myself it is because her soul is fucking horrid.
Before we even make it to the kitchen, where drinks are being poured left and right, the alcohol I drank begins to take hold. My body feels as light as a feather, my chest warm and fuzzy inside.
“I don't know what was in the cup,” I tell Jenna. “But it was strong.” Then it hits me, I haven’t even introduced myself. “I’m Elodie, by the way.”
She pushes her glasses up and smiles widely, showing off a full set of metal braces. “I know who you are. You’re Rome’s new stepsister, right?”
I grumble, “Don’t remind me.”
She laughs lightly, but it’s more out of pity. “If you just stay out of his way, you’ll be fine.”
Easier said than done. It seems lately, I’m always in Rome’s way. And if I’m not, he inserts himself in my path.
Some guy Jenna knows offers us each a shot of caramel-colored liquor and I pass. Whatever I just had is hitting me like a ton of rocks. Julia joins us, and I stay with them while they both take a shot.
Julia slams the small glass on the counter and her mouth draws back. “Damn, that was spicy.”
Within a matter of minutes, I’m feeling more alive than I’ve ever been. Even when I went to parties with Brogan, I never drank. That drink is likely the largest I have ever consumed and the most I’ve ever drank in one night.
“Juliaaaa,” I mumble, throwing an arm around her shoulder and allowing the weight of my body to hang on hers. “Please don’t tell me you like Luke Aarons.”
“Like him, no? Do I want him to do dirty things to me? Hell yes. I would cut off my left tit just to feel that man’s arms wrapped around my naked body.”
“Oh my God, Julia.” I crack up laughing. “You are baaaad.”
Jenna and Julia fill their cups, and I realize I haven’t seen Brogan in a while. I’m scouring the kitchen when “Wild Ones” by Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll blasts through the air, stopping me in my tracks. “We have to dance!” I scream over the music and the loud noises surrounding me.
Julia and Jenna shake their heads no, but my body starts moving to the beat, and before I know what’s happening, I’m being lifted onto the center island in the kitchen.
Not giving a damn who’s watching, I let myself go and sway my limber body to the music. A crowd gathers around me and I feel like the star of the show. I’ve never had attention like this. People are chanting my name. Hands are raised, trying to give me drinks, but I don’t accept them. I just let my head roll back and my body moves effortlessly. I feel amazing right now for someone who’s only had one drink. It’ll wear off by the time I need to drive, so I’m good. Even though I know I’ll regret all this tomorrow, I’m living for tonight.
My mind is anywhere but at this party when I suddenly feel cold fingers run up my leg. Something snaps inside me. It’s dark and foreboding and a reminder of why I don’t trust people.
