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That has the girls bursting into laughter. “They play it with beer because it’s cheap, and you can’t get drunk off of it too quickly,” Grace says. “But I guess you could play it with any alcohol, really.”
“Let’s see if the table’s empty.”
Jade’s hand slides under mine, and I let her lead me through the crowd. It feels like the temperature in the room has gone up, or maybe it’s just colder outside? I could smell the scent of rain in the air and feel the humidity curling my hair.
People bump into us left and right, but Jade doesn’t slow down until we reach our destination.
“Wait here. I’ll go find something other than beer,” Jade whispers, letting go of me.
I nod my head, my grip on the cane tightening just as loud cheers spread through the space.
“That’s how you do it!” a familiar voice yells. “Time to pay up, Lawrence.”
Another guy groans. “Fuck off, Enrique.”
“C’mon, dude. No need to be a sore loser.”
“Whatever. You can shove the money up your ass.”
Enrique laughs harder. “Or buy myself some decent booze. Not that you’d know anything about that since you keep losing!” The laughter dies, and I can feel eyes on me. “Penny? What are you doing here?”
“I thought that was you.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “I figured I might try playing beer pong.”
“Beer pong?” I don’t miss the note of surprise in Enrique’s voice. “Another one of those things you want to try this year?”
“Something like that. Any free tables?”
“You can play with us.” His hand lands on the small of my back, gently urging me forward. “Come. I can show you.”
I glance over my shoulder, trying to hear one of my friends.
“Who’re you searching for?”
“My fri—”
“Here you go,” Jade says. “Found some booze you can use to play with. Hey, Enrique. I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Just finished playing beer pong,” Enrique answers, as I feel the edge of the table touch my legs. Uncurling my fingers, I fold my cane and slip it into the back pocket of my jeans so it doesn’t get in my way.
“Great. Can you show Penny how to play? It’s been a while since I did it.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Enrique is faster. “Sure thing.”
“Amazing. We’ll be on the side watching. Good luck!”
What the hell’s with that?
“Sorry about this. I’m sure you had better things to do.”
“No worries, I don’t mind. I was actually hoping we’d get a chance to hang outside of class, but you usually don’t go out to parties, so…”
No, I didn’t usually go, but nothing about this year has been usual.
“I just wanted to try something new.”
“I guess it’s my lucky day, then. C’mon, Lawrence will play against you.”
“I will?” the other guy asks.
