“You.”
“No, I would remember that?”
“Yeah. Not a surprise that you don’t. You were wasted.”
“The beginning of the year party?”
“Yeah. And we actually ran from the cops as well. Which is kind of funny if you think about it. We’ve run from the cops every time we’ve ridden together.”
“What?” he looks at me, confused but also chuckling.
“Yeah, I assumed you didn’t remember any of it, hence why I never brought it up before.”
“And it was the first time we kissed.”
“What does running from the cops and us kissing have to do with each other? Wait, we never kiss…” he trails off, as if he’s putting things together. “Why do I feel like you’re right?”
“Because I am.” Pausing and shaking my head. “Do you remember now?”
“No, why would we kiss then? We hated each other. And you were like, what? 14?”
“Because you wouldn’t shut the fuck up.”
“What?”
* * *
10 years earlier
“Leave me alone.” I mumble as I push past the large jock blocking my way down the hall.
“What’s the matter?” He laughs, stepping closer.
“Parker, back off.” Comes from behind him. I know the voice, and as much as I hate everything about it, it brings me a sense of relief.
“What?” Parker turns around, looking at him. “We’re just having some fun here, aren’t we?”
“No, we’re not.” Shoving past him and walking towards Eli. “Thank you.”
“No problem, Sketch.” His words slur together.
“Oh, and you were doing so well just now.” Just shaking my head as I look up at him. “Why are you at a high school party, anyway? You already graduated?”
“Cause, Sketch, I’m what you’d call a classic case of failure to launch.”
“What?”
“Everyone else has plans; they have shit going on. Zeke and Loch are touring; Z’s already off at college.” He stops, looking at me again.
“Stop with the self-pity shit.” I shake my head. “Grow up and do something then.”
“You say that like it’s so easy to do.”
“It is. What do you want to do?”
“I — I don’t know.”
“Then you should probably figure that out first.”
