“Nooooo,” Abby slurs out, playfully slapping at Saint’s chest. “It’s Nova’s turn silly.”
Without even glancing down at his girlfriend Saint replies with a stern “No. It’s mine.” If there was a single moment I had to choose from tonight where I could just disappear, this would be it. Every worry I’ve been able to overcome, and actually enjoy myself, but with the way Saint is watching me right now, I’m almost positive there’s no chance of coming out unscathed.
“Nova, truth or dare?”
I swallow a nervous gulp, spending a moment to think this through. Whether I like it or not, Saint is the only one here who really knows anything about me.Am I ready for any secrets to be divulged? I’m sure as fuck not going to do cocaine.
“Dare.”
Pure hatred flickers through his bright blue irises. He runs a hand through his inky black hair, the tension in his jaw evident.“I dare you to go home.”
“Dude! What the fuck?” Jackson snaps at Saint. Abby pulls herself off of him, turning around to look at him with disgust. The only person who doesn’t seem mad is Luke. Instead he nods, and begins filling up a shot glass for me.
“Do you want this?” He questions, outstretching the drink for me to take. Tears swell up in my eyes as I look back to Saint. He seems entirely unaffected by everyone's anger, and continues to just stare at me.
“She won’t drink that,” He states. “Daddy made sure of that, didn’t he?”
And just like that, the tears begin to fall from my eyes. I sit there a moment, looking back at the man who was once my best friend,my only friend,before I take the shot from Luke.
“Fuck you,” I spit out before downing the shot. Immediately I gag, desperate to get the taste off of my tongue. I must look like a mess, tears streaking down my foundation, spit clinging to my chin from my attempt to not throw up. Yet the look of surprise and annoyance that graces Saint’s face makes it all worth it.
“That wasn’t cool, man,” Jackson mumbles to Saint as he helps me to my feet. Abby joins us, standing with more stability than I had expected. The three of us head to the door, Abigail makes a show of slamming it as Saint tries to say something. Guilt would be eating me alive at causing a rift between the group if I wasn’t so focused on not staining the carpet with my bodily fluids.
Jackson pulls us into the kitchen, swinging the fridge open before supplying me with a soda. I swiftly wash the horrid taste from my mouth, downing half of the can in the process. “Thank you. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for!” Abby starts up. She hops onto the counter, sitting with her legs crossed on top. “Saint’s been on one the past week, I’m not sure why.”
She shrugs her shoulders and I watch in amazement as the drunk girl from upstairs has seemingly disappeared. “How are you still standing?” I ask out of pure shock.
Her and Jackson both let out a soft laugh before she responds, “It’s the coke, Nova. I took a line while Saint was having a one-man dick sizing contest.” My eyes widen at her statement. Although I’ve been surrounded by drunks my entire life, I’ve never actually been around narcotics. It’s like a whole new world, one I’m not sure I want to be a part of.
“But I wouldn’t mind feeling fucked up again,” she starts off, a spark of amusement flickering in her eyes. “You guys want to get fucked up with me this time?”
“I’m in. Especially after that.” Jackson reaches back into the fridge pulling out some hard lemonade. “Do you want one, Nova?”
“Sure,” I answer, deciding to not let the asshole upstairs ruin the night. “Let’s do it.”
Play Freaks by Surf Curse
One clumsy step after another I make my way up to the front of the trailer. All the lights inside are off, and I thank my lucky stars for that one. Abby, Jackson, and I had gotten hammered during a few rounds of beer pong. The poisonous liquid and the bitterness growing in my mind don’t sound like they would make a good mix with my parents.
“Fucking Saint,” I mumble to myself as I stumble up the stairs. “Fucking Saint and his stupid ego. Who does he think he is anyways?” I try to push the house key into the lock, but it barely hits the door knob. Giggles begin to spill out of my mouth, and as quickly as I can, I cover it with both hands. Turns out my hands aren’t enough of a dam and the laughter continues to tumble out anyways. They don’t stop pouring out of me until the tears begin. I feel completely hysterical, plopping myself onto the ground as the memories of tonight whirl past me in a blur.He told me to go home.
Without any warning, the porch light flicks on above me, sending my heart into overdrive. “No, no, no,” I whisper tomyself, dragging my body up off of the ground. The front door swings open, leaving only the screen door as a barrier.
“Nova?” My dad’s voice hits my ears, yet it sounds delayed.
“Father.” I reply bluntly, trying to sound serious. It fails miserably and more giggles crawl their way up my throat.
He pushes the screen door openly slowly, giving me enough time to get out of the way. “Are you drunk?”
I lean against the railing, closing one eye to focus on him better. He’s in actual pajamas for once, rather than sleeping in the clothes he decided to get drunk in. “You would know. Years of experience and all that.” I wave my hand in the air, gesturing to I’m not sure what.
A heavy sigh leaves him as he rubs his palm down the front of his face. “Come inside.”
I tap my chin twice, over exaggerating a thinking pose. “Actually I’m surprised you can even tell the difference in me. It’s not like you really know me. Right dad?” When he doesn’t respond, the anger inside me festers. “I mean we haven’t spoken since you threw me out onto the streets. I’m surprised you can even recall my name.”
“Nova!” He barks out in a harsh whisper. “That’s enough. Get. Inside. Now.”
