First Kiss (Heavy Influence) (34 page)

“Um yeah, over there,” I said pointing. “Uh…”

“Come on,” she interrupted. “Marshall wants to, how do you say it?” She said looking at me with inquisitive eyes. “Take the edge off.”

She took Marshall’s hand and walked in the direction of the growing crowd surrounding the keg. I felt like I had the Scarle
tt Letter emblazoned on my back, everywhere I looked people were watching. They pointed at Aly and Marshal and looked back at me. I felt increasingly defiant. Going against the grain of what these fucks thought was cool, was an adrenaline rush. I kept reminding myself not to be intimidated by the force of peer pressure. As I followed them up to the keg I noticed Mike and Bobby standing next to it filling their plastic cups. Marshall was certainly making a first impression. I couldn’t figure out if it was good or bad.

Aly decided to grab a cup
and I worried what Kyle would do. I didn’t want him to think I condoned her drinking.

“He
y, you think that’s a good idea,” I whispered loudly in Aly’s ear. “Don’t wanna make a bad impression.”

“Kyle doesn’t give a rats ass, trust
me, he’s just stoked to be here,” she replied, pinching my chin.

I
bent in closer and kissed her and lingered at her lips. As I glanced to the side I noticed Cara Walters was sucking all over Mike and he couldn’t care less. He just leered at Aly and I. He wore an arrogant grin and turned handing the keg nozzle to Bobby and dragged Cara away with him.

I caved and decided to grab a beer too, since Aly had to be bold and drink in front of her brothe
r.

“Hey, Kyle,” I said loudly. “I told her not to.”

“Dude, no worries. I suppose she’s gonna start sooner or later,” he said laughing. “At least she’s here with us.”

I was annoyed at his liberal thinking. If it were my little sister, I wouldn’t even want her there. We stood waiting for Marshall to have his cup filled by Bobby, who seemed particularly talkative. I noticed Bobby’s hair matched Marshall’s pants. I laughed, partially amused.

“Dude, check it out,” I said to Aly, pointing. “The color of his hair is the same.”

“Aw, yeah, I noticed that right away. ” Aly giggled. “It’s like they planned it or something… Um, thanks for putting up with this.”

I put my arm around her waist, and squeezed tight. “It’s different, I’ll give you that.” I concluded, whispering in her ear, taking in the strawberry scent that I hadn’t smelled in a while. “Both of you certainly have everyone’s attention.”

Aly began to speak, abruptly going silent upon Mike and Cara’s ap
proach. Cara Walters was your typical beach party girl with long blonde hair and nothing else interesting about her, except for her rockin’ body. The type of girl that once she open’s her mouth, you knew right away there’s nothing really there.

Her
smug attitude towards Aly disgusted me.

“What is this,” Cara slurred out in a nasty tone, eyeing Aly up and down. “Since when do pooh butt’s get invited?”

I frowned at Cara, appalled. “You’re kidding right?” I glanced over at Mike. “Get rid of her.” I wasn’t kidding.

My attitude only added fuel to Cara’s inane tirade. “What, Jake,” she seethed, “You losin’ your mojo you have to hang out with toddlers?”

I wanted to punch her in the face. “Yeah, Cara, that’s it.” I laughed. “It’s better than being hit on by a used skank like you,” I growled. “Scram.”

             
“You’re a fucking asshole, Jake.” She hissed, leaning into Mike, drawing attention to us.

             
To my shock Mike began to back away from her, pushing her away as she tried to hold on to him. “Cara, chill out,” He demanded. “Aly, Cara’s a little fucked up, you’ll have to excuse her.”

             
I thought I was hearing things. Mike making excuses and apologizing for Cara’s foolish behavior?

Cara’s fa
ce looked like it would melt off as it twisted into a frown and her mouth hung open before she spoke. “Oh, I see,” she said, trying to steady herself on her own. “You’re an ass kisser now.” Cara fumed at Mike.

             
“Come on let’s go get you some Redbull,” he said, wrapping his arm around Cara’s waist, giving me a hard stare and looking over at Aly. “Sorry.”

             
It was like Cara developed immediate amnesia, forgetting her discontent with all of us as she wrapped her arms around Mike’s neck. She purred happily in his ear like we’d never had an altercation. “You know what I want, and it’s not Redbull.”

             
Bobby grabbed me by the shoulder, shaking me from my haze of confusion. “What just happened?” he asked, perplexed.

             
I turned to Aly, who looked like she wanted to cry. “Aly, screw her, she’s a fucking cling-on.” I tried to comfort her.

             
“I can’t believe you hang out with people like that,” Aly said, shaking her head.

             
Marshall was the center of attention, explaining to everyone what happened and Bobby was hanging on his every word. Bobby was not the drama enthusiast, so I thought.

             
“Come on man, let’s do this,” Dump said taking a long drag on his cigarette.”

***

              Standing, ready to play, I watched Aly in from a distance, she was a true legit beauty. She was light years away from average and she had no idea. The way she moved, like a gazelle, long and fluid. Her smile literally radiated beyond anyone’s I’d ever seen. I started to feel unsure of myself, nervous about the new songs. What would she think?

             
“Dude, I gotta redo the set list,” I barked to Dump. “Now.”

             
“What the fuck, dude, we gotta do this thing before the cops show up.”

             
Bobby stepped over, hearing my plight.

             
“Aw man,” Bobby moaned. “You’re kidding, right?”

             
“Guys, I just can’t do’em here.” Firmly shaking my head no, looking each one of them in the eye. “I’m not ready, I’m sorry.”

             
Mike began to laugh. “Yeah, you may start a cat fight again.” Suddenly a serious, callous expression melted over his face. “Or you’re just a pussy, or pussy whipped.”

             
I wanted to punch his teeth out. Dump chimed in putting him in his place.

             
“Dude, shut the fuck up, you’re just bent cause the only pussy you get is from the coke whores who use you for drugs.” He chuckled, flicking his cigarette at Mike’s feet.

             
Mike never dared to spar with Dump, he just sneered at him. Dump took his seat behind his drum kit and I slug my guitar strap over my head. I turned looking out over the crowd and the click of Dump’s sticks took over my consciousness.

I closed my eyes.

              As soon as I started to play my foul mood died out. I was impassioned as soon as my fingers felt my guitar strings and Dump’s galloping beats filled the air. I spotted Aly as she made her way to the front and I don’t think I’d ever been more stoked in my life. Bobby’s dense base kicks retreated and the wall of guitar riffs Mike and I built up crumbled down on everyone. I began to sing our newest radio song –
Ever After
. As the lyrics parted my lips and my voice carried over to Aly, I stared at her in the eyes as I sang. The lyrics began to have new meaning –
“I see you watching, how does it feel. The little drops take you away to something real…”

             
Bobby seemed extra pumped, bouncing around as we ended our set and I wondered if his chick was around.

             
“Bobby, man, sick energy,” I said grinning and slapping his back. “What gives, your chick here?”

             
A strange look fell across his face, though he remained smiling looking out at the crowd. There was a shift in his eyes that caught my attention. Following his gaze out over the crowd, I searched for someone, anyone that looked like she could be the reason. I only spotted Aly and Marshall. I waived for them to come over.

             
“So?” I asked, wanting to know what she thought.

             
“I’m speechless,” she said demurely.

             
“Thanks.” It meant more to me to have her approval than anyone else’s.

             
“I thought you guys rocked,” Marshall complimented. “I never really paid attention to this kind of music.” He bounced on his heels. “But I’m all over it now.”

             
“Thanks Bro,” I said. Feeling like a dick for thinking asshole things about Marshall.

             
I felt hands grasp my shoulders and I turned. “Oh, hey,” I said, surprised to see Rachel behind me. I backed away, putting some distance between us.

             
Her eyes widened. “Don’t run.” She laughed playfully.

             
“You’re unpredictable, Rachel,” I said grinning cautiously.

             
The smile faded from her face. “Why do you say that?” she said, folding her arms loosely at her waist.

              “You scare me sometimes.” I smiled and laughed, hoping she would find humor in my remark.

             
I was relieved when she laughed. She threw her head back, almost losing her balance. Rachel grabbed a hold of my arm to steady her self. I used to find her attractive, but seeing her high and drunk, and looking used made me feel sorry for her. Her hands were cold and clammy as I took them in mine.

             
“Hey, look,” I said. “Not sure what your deal is, you know, like how you’re feeling with all this. But I just wanted to thank you for, like, not freaking out or anything.”

             
I was floating in an ocean of emotional girl feelings, and I wasn’t sure how to navigate the highs and lows of Rachel’s tides. She seemed fine at that moment.

             
“Aw, come on Jakey,” she purred and her eyes drooped nearly shut. She moved in closer to me and grabbed a hold of my shirt collar. “I’ll always be here for you. When all this,” she said, waving in Aly’s direction. “Whatever this is that you’re going through is over. I’ll be here.” Rachel’s eyes burned into mine as she kissed her fingertips and placed them on my lips. “Oh look.” She backed away, pointing behind me. “Mike is breaking in your little girlfriend and her freaks and geeks.” She laughed out loud. “I think I’ll join them.”

             
She stumbled off in their direction. I squinted my eyes, trying to see clearly through the dim light, wondering what she was talking about. Like a bomb, my insides exploded when I saw Aly bring a shot glass to her lips as she tipped her head backwards, clearly knocking back a shot of who knows what. I bolted to her side, trying to keep my cool. Rachel grabbed the bottle and shot glass out of Mike’s hand, pouring one for her self.

             
“Cheers everyone!” Rachel shouted in good spirits, holding the shot glass up over her head. Drops of the Jagermeister’s black liquid dripped down her arm.

             
Shouts of enthusiasm rang out over the pumping music.

             
“What are you doing? You’re gonna get sick,” I warned grimly in Aly’s ear. “Let’s get outta here.”

             
Aly swayed into me. She was drunk. “Aw, no, no, let’s stay!” she said joyfully. “I’m fine.”

             
I was fuming. “I’m gonna get my shit together and we’re leaving.”

             
Aly gave me a sad, pouty expression. I turned to Bobby to tell him, but he was engrossed in a conversation with Marshall, and Kyle was hanging all over some girl I’d never seen before. As the night wore on I felt more and more like I was in a parallel universe. Here I was, tagged as the ultimate partier and I was dead sober, watching all these fucks and the girl I was falling for get hammered. I gathered my stuff and kept glancing in Aly’s direction. Mike was too close to her, whispering something in her ear, as she nodded her head in agreement. Mike looked directly at me. Obviously they were talking about me. I seethed inwardly. What the hell could he saying be saying to her? 

             
I walked over to them. “Let’s go,” I said to Aly, ignoring Mike.

             
“Jake, I’m fine,” Aly slurred, hanging on my arm. “We don’t have to leave.”

             
I dragged her away toward the exit.

             
“Yes, we do,” I said tensely, stopping. “This,” I continued, waving my hands up and down at her. “This isn’t gonna work for me. Sorry to say.”

             
As soon as the words came out I regretted the way they sounded. Her face went pale.

             
“Jake, I’m sorry, I – “

             
I sighed. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Let’s just go.”