I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in, well, ever. When Cooper asked me to come, I was hesitant. The last time I went out and socialized, it didn’t end so well.
Surprisingly, though, tonight has been good. The music isn’t horrible, it’s not very busy, and everyone is minding their own business. If anything, it’s my group of friends who are causing the most ruckus. Yet, no one around us seems to care.
Everyone except Ellie and I are a little tipsy. Okay, Val is drunk and Cooper is on his way there. When I saw him down his first drink, I was going to question how he was going to be able to drive home, but I didn’t want to put a damper on his time out with his friends. Now, I know I’ll be the one driving us home.
Normally, something like this might have pissed me off. He’s the one who asked me to come in his car. Now, I have to figure out what to do. Drop him off at his place and take his car? Park it and ask my mom to come get me? Or, should I just walk home?
None of that seems to matter right now, though, while I watch him laughing at something Val says, tossing his head back, his whole body shaking with mirth. The way his whole face lights up? I swear this man is the definition of sunshine. I don’t think there’s a mean bone in his body.
He’s a one-in-a-million person, and for some odd reason, he wants to be my friend.
At least I think? He’s been friendly, and he’s asked me to hang out. Maybe he’s just being nice because he thinks he has to?
Either way, I find myself overthinking things less as the night goes on. I don’t feel like a third wheel or that I’m not wanted. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms.
At first, I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I’m not a chatty person. I don’t know how to hold a conversation. With these people, it doesn’t seem to matter. No one pushes me to talk, no one pries into my life.
The others are okay with holding the conversation while everyone else just adds to it.
“Okay, okay!” Val jumps to her feet. “It’s time to play darts.”
“Ah, no. That sounds like a horrible idea,” Lexie says, taking the darts from Val.
“You’re just worried I’m going to win.” Val scowls.
“No. I’m worried you’re going to poke someone’s eye out.” Lexie sighs.
“I’m a great shot, see?” Val snatches one of the darts from Lexie’s hand, spins to face the dart board, and throws it.
I watch the dart fly through the air, not landing anywhere near the board. “Oh fuck,” I whisper in horror as it sails past a guy coming out of the bathroom. He ducks for his life and hits the back wall, popping three balloons in the process.
“Bullseye!” Val cheers.
“What the fuck, V?!” Lexie hisses. “That’s not a bullseye. Bitch that didn’t even hit the board.”
“Who said I was aiming for the board?” Val slurs. “Did you see me pop those balloons? Nice, right?” She grins wide.
I can’t help it, that whole thing was insane. I burst out laughing, unable to hold back.
“What's so funny, Latte Boy?” Cooper strides up to me, his eyes a little glassy, but his golden boy smile is still in place.
On anyone else, it’d look cocky, too sure of himself. Fake even. But Cooper? He just pulls it off, like it’s a vibe made for him.
“Val is a danger to everyone around her when she’s drunk. Lexie better hide the rest of the darts before she kills someone.”
“You’re not wrong there,” he chuckles, snatching the darts from Lexie. “I’ll keep these.”
“Please do.” Lexie sighs, turning to Val. “Come on, let’s go get you some water.”
“Booo. Water is boring.”
“Water is the only thing that's going to keep you from getting us kicked out,” Lexie mutters, dragging Val to the bar.
“I never understood why bars have dartboards. Who thought it was a good idea to give drunk people pointy objects?” I ask, shaking my head as I watch them go.
“Not all drunk people are bad at darts.”
“Maybe, still might not be the best idea.” I shrug.
