Honor Student

chapter Ten

I pulled out my cell phone and called Becka as I walked down the gravel road back to the main part of town.

“Hey!” she yelled into the receiver. I pulled it back from my ear and turned the volume down.

“Hey! What’s going on?” I asked, shouting back at her. It sounded like she was standing in the middle of a rock concert.

“I’m at the bar with Claire and a couple guys from school. I’m f*cking wasted!” she giggled and I could hear people cheer in the background. “You should come! I heard Jeff thinks you’re f*cking hot!” I searched my mind, trying to place Jeff but the name did not sound familiar at all.

“Where are you?” I asked but all I could here was laughter and loud music. After a moment, the line went dead. “F*ck” I mumbled to myself. My phone lit up and buzzed in my hand.

“Come get me.” I said as I answered.

“Where are you?” Mr. Honor replied. I pulled the phone back from my ear and read the caller I.D. It said ‘unknown caller’.

“Like you care.” I replied, not trying to hide my anger towards him. I felt completely rejected.

“I just want to make sure you make it home safely.” He replied and I could hear the frustration in his voice.

“I’m not going home. I’m going out.” I answered and clicked ‘end call’. I smiled to myself as I called Becka again. She answered after several rings and told me she was at a local club not far from where I was.

I made it to the club just before dark. The music could be heard from a block away. I was able to get inside with no effort. I walked through the crowded room scanning for Becka and Claire. I could not find them anywhere.

“Buy you a drink?” A man with dirty blonde hair asked from behind me, standing uncomfortably close.

“She doesn’t want a drink from you.” Becka called from a few feet away.

“Hey!” I shouted, so happy to see her.

“Come on, I’ll get you a drink.” She said, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me towards the bar. It was so loud I could barely hear myself think. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as we did a round of tequila shots. I slipped it out and looked at the screen. It read ‘unknown caller’. I pushed it back into my pocket.

“Let’s do another!” I yelled and everyone around us cheered. I drank another down as several boys gathered around us.

“This is Jeff.” Becka said pointing to the drunken person beside her. He was lean but muscular and had an amazing smile.

“Hey!” I said, biting my lip.

“We work out around the same time, at the gym on campus. Let me buy you a drink.” He said, leaning in to whisper in my ear. I nodded and he held up his hand, signaling to the bartender to pour us more drinks. I slammed back the shot, grabbing the beer from Jeff’s hand to wash it down. It burnt but the effects were already taking hold and I just wanted to forget about the rest of the day.

My phone continued to buzz and light up in my pocket but I ignored it. I had made a big enough fool of myself for one day.

“Who’s this?” Claire asked, pulling the phone from my pants.

“It’s no one.” I panicked and reached for the phone. She held it back from me as she hit the answer button.

“Hello?” she answered and my cheeks burnt red with anger.

“She’s right here. You should hang out with us. We’re at the Rapture.” She said as she smiled and shot me a wink. “See you soon.” She hung up the phone, holding it out for me.

“Why would you do that?” I asked.

“You never told me you had a boyfriend!” she replied with mock anger. Jeff made a face and I quickly explained.

“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just some a*shole.” I said, waving away Jeff’s worry. He smiled and ordered us another round. I drank the shot quickly. The room began to spin around me with the thudding of the base from the music.

“Are you alright?” Claire asked as she grabbed my arm.

“I’m fine.” I replied, pulling back from her. “I just need to use the restroom.”

“It’s over there.” She pointed across the dance floor to a glowing sign that read ‘restrooms’. I nodded and began making my way through the crowd. I was pushed all over the place and by the time I reached the sign I felt like I was going to be sick.

“Are you alright?” A woman asked as I walked through the doors. Why did everyone keep asking me that? I pushed her aside and dashed into an empty stall just in time to be sick. A knock came at the stall door and she pushed it open.

“Can I get you something?” she asked. I shook my head no but she refused to leave me alone. “Come here” she said and held my arm, helping me off the floor. She pulled me over to the sink and rand the cold water. “Splash this on your face.” She said as she pulled my hair back. I did and immediately felt a little better. “Better?” she asked. I nodded my head and grabbed the paper towels she was holding out for me. “I think you should call it a night.” She said and I nodded my head again.

“Thank you” I whispered and turned to make my way back out to my friends.

Claire was practically glowing when I reached her side.

“You ready for another shot?” she asked and the idea made my stomach turn again.

“I think I’ve had enough.” I replied, embarrassed. She frowned at me and Jeff looked disappointed but he seemed to already move on to flirting with Becka.

“Call me tomorrow! We party like this all weekend!” she yelled over the music and everyone around her cheered.

“Okay” I said and made my way to the exit. As soon as the cool night air hit me, I felt more energized. I pulled out my phone to call my aunt who had not seemed to notice I did not come home after school. The phone lit up before I could dial. The caller I.D. read ‘unknown caller’ and I knew exactly who it was.

“What?” I answered angrily, the alcohol making me feel bolder than usual.

“You look like you have had too much to drink.” Mr. Honor replied, his tone bordering on angry. I glanced around the parking lot. He was leaning against his car a few rows away from me.

“I can take care of myself, but thanks for your concern.” I shot back and I could see him smiling.

“I’ll give you a ride.” He answered coolly. I rolled my eyes but decided I did not have much of a choice. All of my friends were entirely too drunk to drive.

“Fine” I replied, and hung up the phone. I tried my best to look angry but he continued to grin and all I could think about was kissing him again. He opened the passenger door and slid into my seat as gracefully as I could manage.