Page 84 of Tattooed Love

“I didn’t actually expect him to tell you guys about the party,” I said as I grabbed my short leather jacket. “Come on, it’s a high school party. Talk about lame.”

“Will you be drinking?” he crossed his arms, and I nodded my head. “Then one of us has to be there,” he added.

“Oh, get off it. You guys were never around when I used to drink,” I pointed out.

Tyler remained silent, and I knew that him leaving me behind was a touchy subject but it was the history; facts. And you can’t avoid facts.

“Hey Tyler?”

“Hmm?” He was staring at the carpet, clearly in thought.

“Do you think I am selfish?” I asked before putting my hands on my hips. “Like cold hearted bitch selfish?

“I… ummm what?” Tyler began to scratch the back of his arm; he was nervous, and that was his tell. Groaning, I sat down next to him.

“I am, aren’t I?”

“Just a little,” Tyler’s voice was low. “But not in like a massive way. A little selfish, not cold hearted.” Tyler rubbed my back.

“Well I am going to do something unselfish tonight,” I said, standing up, my confidence better. “I am sure there will be an opportunity for me to be kind tonight.”

“Well you are going to drink with toddlers.”

“I call them infants,” I said as I grinned at him. My brother and I were on the same wavelength; that’s why we were related. I pulled my leather jacket on, and Tyler reached for his back pocket, getting the car keys out.

So, tonight I would do an act of kindness. I just hoped I did it before I got wasted.

***

“You look hot!” Andy screamed into my ear over the music. “Like smoking hot.”

I nodded my head as he kept grinding against me. I was pulled tight to his chest. The music was pumping through the air at a deafening level, and vibrating through the floor; and even through our blood.

“Thanks!” I shouted into his ear. I gripped his neck tighter, our bodies grinding together. I was looking over Andy’s shoulder, still looking for my moment to show ‘kindness.’ We had been here for hours; I was actually keeping count because I wasn’t drinking.

Most of the people around me were heavily intoxicated, including Andy. Why wasn’t I drinking? I don’t know the answer to that one; when I got there, I just wasn’t feeling it.

I think I was holding Andy up more than we were dancing. “Andy!” I screamed into his head and he drunkenly nodded. “I’m going to get a drink.”

He sent me a drunken smile before letting go, saying something I didn’t quite understand, but I smiled and nodded; I’m assuming he meant come back soon.

I pushed through the ‘teenagers’; who knew so many people actually attended our school? Dodging a few people, I walked up the staircase. I didn’t need a drink, but I did need a toilet.

I stepped over a guy passed out on the stairs, and then walked past a few couples making out against walls. Seeing the first door, I cracked it open and closed it quickly behind me.

Toilet. Toilet. Toilet. Toilet.

“OH MY GOD!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, and then slapped a hand over my eyes. “OH MY GOD!”

“Shit AMBER! Get OUT!” Cole screamed at me, and I fell backwards, looking for the door handle.

“I’m blind!” I cried. Cole having sex with a girl was permanently burnt in my brain.

“AMBER GET THE HELL OUT!” Cole grunted. OH.MY.GOD. Had he even stopped?

I found the door handle and stumbled out, and slammed it shut. My hand was still covering my eyes. Well it was official; I was ruined.

Pulling the hand from my face, I wondered if I would ever get over this. Didn’t think so. I crossed my legs, thinking it was possible I was about to pee myself. I hesitantly placed a hand on another door knob; please, no naked brothers.