Because of You (12 page)

Head Spinning

“We really must stop meeting like this,” Austin says still holding me in his arms. I want to get lost in them, but then I remember he was just with Leah enjoying himself.

I pull away from him and straighten my dress that is proving to be too short. “I’m sorry.”

His eyes slowly navigate up my body and finally settle on my eyes. “Trust me it’s not a problem. I’m glad you came.”

“I was just leaving.” I begin to walk away.

He grabs my arm and twirls me around. “But why? I don’t understand. I thought we were gonna hang out.”

Oh no, why did he have to spin me around so fast? The beer has my stomach and head not agreeing with any kind of movement. I’ve never been good at drinking. “I need to sit.”

“You don’t look so good.”

“I don’t feel so good.”

“Come on.” He takes my hand and leads me back outside. I wish he wouldn’t walk so fast.

We walk past the football team holding court by a bunch of girls. We walk past some people making out as if no one could see them. We walk past Logan, Jesse, Cara, and Garret. I glance back just in time to see Logan and Garret’s eyes narrow in anger. They all vanish out of sight as the crowd fills in.

Where is he taking me? I don’t think I can walk anymore. We continue until we find the wooden stairs that lead to the beach.

He holds my hand tighter helping me step down until we are half way down. I sit down on the hard cold step happy I don’t have to take another step.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

“No. I’m not!” The salty breeze hits me, making me feel nauseous again while the loud music makes it hard for my brain to concentrate. Why did I drink?

“How many beers did you have?”

“Three and half.”

“Three and half?” he laughs.

“I’m a light weight.”

He laughs harder sitting down next to me. His knee gazes mine. I slide further away from him. I don’t want any reason to make my body feel any kind of attraction to him. After tonight I really have to get rid of him.

“How long have you been here?”

“I don’t know, but I’m leaving, I’ve had enough of this party.” I try to get up but my legs immediately begin to shake and force me to sit back down.

“Maybe you shouldn’t try to go anywhere for now. Besides I thought we were gonna hang out. You don’t want to anymore?”

“Where’s Leah? Are you done
hanging
out with her?”

“What?”

“Weren’t you just hooking up with her?”

“Who told you that? I was with her, but we were not hooking up. We went for a walk on the beach and talked about senior year and stuff,” he explains actually looking sincere.

“Why didn’t you hook up with her? Everyone knows she wants you.”

“Been there, done that, and I do not wanna repeat it.” The thought of them together turns my stomach. Or maybe it’s the alcohol doing that. Yeah it has to be the alcohol, because there is no way I should care about who he’s hooked up with.

“I don’t wanna come between you and another girl.” Did I really just say that? Damn this alcohol!

“Don’t worry you’re not. There really isn’t anything going on between Leah and me.” He slides closer to me.

“Whatever. Look, I’m fine you can go back to the party. Go find another girl to hang out with.” That’s it Jade. Stay strong!

“No. I’m staying here with you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the only girl I want to hang out with?”

“I am?” His damn eyes are making it hard to stay strong.

He nods displaying his dimples. The nausea disappears from my stomach only to be replaced by fluttering butterflies. “I’m happy you’re back in my life again.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Just like I don’t know why I ran off that day you kissed me.”

“Oh God, you remember that?” I was hoping he forgot I had kissed him. I wanted him to think I was mad at him for just teasing me.

His smile becomes wider. “A guy never forgets his first kiss.”

“Oh God.” I lower my head onto my lap. I don’t think I can ever face him again.

He places his hand on my back. “I was a stupid eleven year old to have run away from such a beautiful girl.”

I sit back up. “You thought I was gross. Remember? You even said it a bunch of times.”

“I didn’t mean it. I was stupid and afraid my friends were going to make fun of me. They were already giving me a hard time for being friends with you. I also hate to admit I had a crush on Nina Oiler and you kissed me right in front her. That’s why I got so mad. I’m really sorry.”

“Nina Oiler? Really? Did she ever pay attention to you?”

“No. She dated Derek instead and then gained like eighty pounds.”

“Sorry I ruined that for you. I’m sure she’ll hook up with you now.”

He starts to laugh making me laugh too. “I love your laughter,” he says once again making the butterflies in my stomach fly around. “It was one sound I really missed when I lost you. I missed you so much.”

“You missed me?”

He slides closer to me. “Yeah. You make every thing in my life right again,” he whispers sending small vibrations on my skin.

“I do?” My heads spins faster making me dizzy. I try to inhale but can’t feel any air coming into my lungs.

He nods, bringing his face closer. His brown eyes begin to melt into mine. Ohmigod, is he going to kiss me? What if after our lips touch he runs off again and doesn’t talk to me for another six years? I need to stop him, but I can’t find the strength to do it.

He places his warm hand on the side of my face and continues to bring his face closer to mine. Every inch of me shakes with excitement and terror.

Our lips are so close to each other I can taste the mint coming from his mouth. Every part of me that felt hard as a rock now melts into mush. I no longer can hear the party behind us. Right now it’s just him and me. I close my eyes as our lips begin to connect.

“AAHHEEEM!” Someone blares out way too loud interrupting this moment.

14

Kiss Interrupted

Austin quickly pulls away from me bringing a chill to my body. We both turn our heads around slowly and see Logan glaring at us.

“Hey,” I mumble giving him a weak wave. I wish it wasn’t him who caught us.

“I was just checking on you,” Logan says eyeing Austin with anger. I know

Logan is only looking out for me, but right now he’s making me feel like I just got caught doing something wrong by my parents. “I’m fine.”

“We’re both fine,” Austin assures him.

Logan doesn’t move. He just keeps glaring at him.

“Well we better get back to the party,” Austin says getting up. “Do you think you can walk?” He gives me his hand and helps me up.

“Why wouldn’t she be able to walk?” Logan questions.

“You know me, I can’t hold my liquor,” I joke hoping to get Logan to crack a smile.

“I know, that’s why I’m here. Making sure no one takes advantage of that weakness.”

Austin steps back looking uncomfortable in his own skin. I can’t believe he just said that.

“I got her,” Logan says coming to help me up the stairs. “You can head back.”

“It’s cool. I can take her back to the party,” Austin says coming to grab my other arm. In a minute they’re going to start pulling me in two directions.

I shake them both off. I know what I’m about to say is going to piss one of them off, but I say it anyway. “I’m fine. So you can go now. I don’t need your help.”

Logan shakes his head in anger. “Let me know when you’re ready to go.” He turns around and disappears back into the party.

I turn to look back to Austin. “I’m sorry about that. He can be a little over protective sometimes.” I sit back down hoping he’ll join me.

“We better go back to the party.”

“Okay,” I say trying my best not to sound sad. He probably just realized what we were about to do here and now wants to get away from me. I should have sent him away and not Logan.

I wish I had the strength in my legs to run up the stairs and get away from him as quick as possible. Just as I’m about to take the first step I feel Austin’s fingers intertwine with mine.

I want to pull my hand away to show him I don’t need his help, but at the same time I like the feeling of his hand in mine.

We walk up the stairs without saying a word. As soon as we get to the top of t he loosens his fingers making my heart drop, but quickly wraps them around my hand again. I can’t believe this is happening. Do I want this to happen? He walks me through the party until we find some of his friends.

They all stare at me probably wondering why he’s with me. I bite my lower lip and try to avoid all their eyes.

Austin talks to them about some football player while still holding my hand tightly. I look around and find Farrah standing by Josh, looking uninterested in whatever he’s talking about to some guys. I’m sure she thought she was the only person he wanted to talk to tonight.

She spots me and cranks her neck to look at Austin standing next me. Farrah opens her mouth wide and then slides it into a glowing smile. She gives me two thumbs up. I can’t help but smile.

I turn back to Austin and find him staring at me. “What?” I nervously ask.

“I didn’t get to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.”

“Thank you.” My whole body turns red.

He pulls me in closer tucking me under his right arm. I have no idea what’s happening between us, but I really like it.

From across the room I notice Leah’s eyes trying to burn a hole through me. If she didn’t hate me before she sure hates me now. I don’t know why but I pull away from Austin.

“What’s wrong?” he asks crinkling his forehead. I motion over to her. He turns his head and sees Leah. His eyes close in regret. He turns back to face me. “How about we get out of here?”

I nod yes.

“Alright, we’re out,” he tells his friends which makes them all boo. Now I feel bad for taking him away from them. He takes my hand again and begins to lead me toward the front door.

“Wait.” I stop him before we reach the door. “I have to go find Logan, Jesse and Farrah and let them know I’m leaving.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you.” I’m so happy he said that.

We begin to walk through the party, which seems to have gotten even more crowded. We go outside, but I don’t see Logan or Jesse anywhere. I walk over to Farrah, who no longer looks bored. She’s actually now talking to Josh. She tosses her head back as she giggles. I love the way she flirts.

“I’m sorry to disturb you guys, but Farrah I’m leaving.”

“What? No. You can’t leave me alone.”

“I’m not. Logan is still...”

“No he’s not. He left with Jesse, Garret, and Cara. He said he told you.”

“Are you kidding me? When did he leave?”

“Like a half an hour ago.” I can’t believe him. He acts like he’s so concerned about me yet he bolts without even telling me. Now I can’t leave. There’s no way I can leave Farrah by herself... Like a flash of lightening I realize why he left. He knew I wouldn’t leave her alone. Damn him.

“Are you still gonna go?” Farrah asks with her puppy eyes looking up at me.

“No. Of course not.” She wraps her arms around me and gives me a quick squeeze before turning back to Josh.

I spin around and head back to Austin who is laughing with Derek over something. His brown eyes light up as soon as he sees me. “You ready to go?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Logan already left and I can’t leave Farrah here by herself.”

I wait for him to get mad, but he doesn’t. Instead he pleasantly smiles and says, “Well then I guess we’re staying.”

I take his hand this time. “Thank you.”

We hang outside for most of the party. I actually begin to sober up thanks to the water Austin insist I drink.

There’s a part of me that wishes he would take me back to the wooden stairs so we could talk about what’s happening between us, but he doesn’t. Instead we hang out with his friends the whole night. I can’t believe I’m actually having fun with them. It also helps that Austin holds my hand the whole time.

I glance at my phone to see the time and realize I only have twenty minutes until I’m supposed to be home. My heart begins to panic. There is only one thing my dad used to be super strict on when he lived at home and that is our curfew.

For each minute we were late we would get grounded for a week. Carrie once was grounded for ten weeks, it didn’t matter how much she cried and pleaded my father did not budge. I’ve never broken this rule and I don’t want to. I don’t want to spend my weekends with my father grounded. I can’t spend them stuck in his house all weekend long.

“I have to go,” I whisper into Austin’s ear. “I have to walk into my house in twenty minutes or I’m dead.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll go get my car while you go get Farrah. I’ll meet you out front.”

“Okay.” He lets go of my hand and walks away. I immediately begin to miss him. I really need to snap out of this.

I find Farrah outside in a corner making out with—Jesse. Wait, what happened to Josh? I thought Jesse left with Logan. I’m confused.

“Hmm, Farrah.” I hate interrupting people when they are kissing. Farrah and Jesse both stop and look at me with guilty smiles. “I’m sorry to interrupt you guys, but Farrah I have to go. It’s almost one.”

“What happens at one? Does your car turn back into a pumpkin?” Jesse asks laughing. Great he’s drunk. I can’t believe Logan would leave Jesse alone at this party. I still don’t understand how Farrah and he ended up together.

“No. My dad goes crazy. Come on we have to go. Austin is waiting for us out front. He’ll drive us to your car.”

“I don’t wanna go yet,” Farrah says getting closer to Jesse again. Oh great she’s been drinking too. There’s no way she can drive home. I can’t believe she’s doing this to me.

“Come on you two, we have to go now,” I order. I don’t know what they see in my eyes, but they both get up without saying a word.

I rush them outside and get them both into Austin’s car. I can see he’s surprised to see Jesse is with us.

“I’m sorry. Do you mind driving them home too?” I ask.