Beside You

Beside You Ch. 22: Forget Me Too 2/3

Chapter Twenty-Two: Forget Me Too 2/3

I sat in the car while Collin headed to the party.

“How is your stomach?” he asked.

“Full,” I admitted, “Is it normal for your sides to hurt after eating so much?”

He laughed, “I’m sure that will pass soon.”

“I hope so,” I said.

Dinner was nice.

Probably a little nicer than I deserved.

Collin did most of the talking, trying to keep things light.

He was good at telling goofy jokes when things got quiet.

He wasn’t lying about the pasta. It was amazing.

It was so good, I hurt myself trying to finish it.

This is what I get for not having any self-control.

I didn’t realize that Collin parked the car until he spoke.

“You ready?”

I glanced over at him before looking at the line of cars in front of us.

“We’re here?” I asked.

“We are,” he confirmed.

My nerves went into overdrive.

“Come on,” he said, “Let’s go.”

I hesitated before getting out of the car.

“I can’t wait to show off how amazing my date looks,” he said, grinning at me.

“Jokes on you,” I said, “My date looks better.”

“Agree to disagree,” he said.

“Hmm,” I pretended to think, “No.”

“That wasn’t really an option,” he said, stopping at my side.

“I know,” I stated, “I’m just a bit of an asshole.”

“I can handle that,” he said, “In fact, I welcome it.”

“You say that now,” I laughed, “You should see when….”

I had to stop myself before I said it.

You should see when Michael and I argue.

Thankfully I didn’t.

“That bad?” he asked.

“No,” I said, “It would just ruin the mood.”

“Okay,” he said, “I respect you not wanting to talk about it.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“And I respect you respecting my not wanting to talk about it.”

“I don’t respect you picking on me,” he said, “I find it too cute not to bully you back.”

I found myself shaking.

Is this boy flirting with me?

I met his eyes, and he just grinned at me.

It wasn’t like the ones before.

This smile had intentions.

“I am very much flirting with you, Red.”

“O-Okay,” I stuttered.

He chuckled, “Good, I want you nervous.”

I glared at him.

We made it to the house, and I gasped.

The music could already be heard from where we parked, but I wasn’t expecting this.

This was a big ass house.

Not as large as Benny’s parents' house, but still bigger than I was used to.

“How do you even hear about parties like this?” I asked.

“Eh,” he shrugged, “People talk.”

No one I talk to, clearly.

We already had to raise our voices just so we could hear each other.

I followed him inside, and I was feeling far more self-conscious than I had been before.

These girls were wearing dresses so short I could see their butts.

I c****d my head to the side at one dress, and I frowned.

Was that a dragon tattoo on her ass?

“Want a drink?” Collin asked.

I thought about declining, but I nodded instead.

Liquid courage. I needed some of that s**t.

Collin walked back with two red plastic cups.

“It’s pretty much beer or water tonight,” he stated.

“Beer is fine,” I said.

He nodded before taking a drink.

I wondered if it was good. I took a drink too.

I could feel the bass vibrating the ground. It felt new and extraordinary.

“Oh s**t,” Collin said, “Michael is here.”

I nearly spit my drink out.

“Are you alright?” Collin pat my back gently.

I nodded quickly and shrugged away from his hand.

I didn’t even realize that we were headed towards him until we were right in front of him.

Michael looked at us with an irritated expression.

“Michael,” Collin greeted, “What’s up, man?”

Michael’s eyes went from Collin to me, then at what I was wearing.

I didn’t like it.

Well, mostly.

“She looks good, right?” Collin asked him.

He must have noticed Michael’s eyes doing a once over on me as well.

“Right,” Michael said flatly.

He doesn’t have to be a d**k about it.

He knows I look good.

At least, I did before I left.

“Don’t be a d**k,” Collin said, “She looks good.”

Michael just stared at me.

I hated the thought that crossed my mind.

Michael looked good tonight.

He wore all black, like usual.

Well, like usual, but not at the same time.

His plain black shirt was slimming. I could see the curves of his shoulders and his chest.

His face was still bruised, but that only made him look more attractive.

It gave off this mysterious tough guy vibe.

I glanced away.

This whole thing sucked.

I just wanted to enjoy my date with Collin.

Why did Michael have to be here?

Wait… He didn’t know I was going to be here, did he?

I know he knew about my date, but this wasn’t mentioned to him. Unless Gus spilled the beans.

Gus seemed like he was deliberately trying to make Michael Jealous before.

“You here alone?” Collin asked.

“No,” Michael said.

Though he didn’t elaborate further.

I couldn’t hear what Collin said to him next, and honestly, I didn’t care.

This was f*****g painful.

I agreed to come out tonight so I didn’t have to think about Michael. I needed to find someone who would be good for me.

This felt like a step backward.

I downed my cup and mumbled something about going to get another one.

Neither of them tried to stop me.

I saw a few people pumping their drinks from a metal can.

It was my first time seeing a keg in person.

I made sure to watch how they did it so I didn’t make a fool out of myself.

When it was my turn, a guy with blue hair held his hand out for my cup.

“I got you,” he said.

I just handed him my cup and watched him pump the beer into the red cup.

He handed it right back.

“Thank you,” I said.

He only nodded before joining his friends.

That was a little weird, but it was nice to know that not everyone was a d**k.

Of course, I know everybody wasn’t a d**k. It just felt that way sometimes.

As I walked back to where Michael and Collin stood, I noticed a girl clinging to Michael.

I stopped next to Collin and took another drink.

“Everything alright?” Collin asked.

I nodded.

“Michael,” the girl whined, “Dance with me.”

His eyes locked with mine, “Sure, let’s go.”

I could barely hear either of them, but I could read Michael’s lips well. I had already been staring at them.

He led the girl away.

He hated when girls were clingy like that.

Why was he being so nice to her?

Was it because I was here?

I didn’t want to waste my time thinking about him.

He made the choice.

He did.

He chose.

He chose wrong.

He should have chosen me.

I shook my head furiously before finishing my beer.

“Are you sure that you’re alright?” Collin asked.

I nodded, “If we’re going to dance, I’m going to need a drink.”

He smirked, “Is that your way of asking me to dance?”

“Maybe,” I said.

I walked into the kitchen again to fill my cup up for the third time.

Blue hair was standing in the kitchen with a guy that looked like his friend.

Collin pumped the keg this time to get my drink.

“I didn’t take you for a big drinker,” Collin said.

I shrugged, “Are you disappointed?”

He looked offended.

“Oh, the opposite,” he said, “It’s f*****g hot.”

He handed me my cup while he filled his own.

He thought it was hot?

Me slowly spiraling was attractive?

Maybe Collin wasn’t in his right mind either.

I downed the beer, and I could feel it hit me.

“More please,” I handed him my cup.

“Last one for a little bit,” he said, “I may be okay with drinking, but you don’t want to make yourself sick.”

I nodded, “Okay.”

He filled my cup again.

“Let’s dance,” he said, downing his own beer.

I nodded.

I was ready to get my groove on.

Collin led me to the dance floor.

I didn’t know the pop song that was playing, but it had a great beat.

It vibrated the floor to the point I couldn’t even make out the lyrics.

I can do this.

Collin turned my body so that I was facing him.

“Finish your drink,” he said.

I finished half before handing it to him.

He looked inside before finishing it.

He leaned back to set the cup on a shelf.

It wasn’t the only cup next to the small class figurines.

Different colored plastic cups covered the tops of every surface I could see.

Collin started to sway, and I didn’t hesitate to follow his lead.

I didn’t really have much dancing experience.

I probably looked silly.

Right now, I didn’t care how I looked. That alone was exhilarating.

For a little while I even forgot about the boy who rejected me.

++++++++++

We must have been dancing like dorks for a few hours now.

I could barely feel the alcohol anymore.

I was having fun.

Collin wrapped his arms around me and spun me around.

I squealed.

I didn’t want him to hurt himself from picking me up.

He grinned at me, “Thirsty?”

I nodded. He’s been pretty consistent with making sure I was a little drunk.

I needed it to help me dance.

He set me down and headed towards the kitchen.

It was f*****g hot in here. I realized I was sweating.

I glanced around to see which direction I could find a door.

A little bit of air might be nice right about now.

My gaze landed on the last person I wanted to see.

Well, at least in the condition he was in.

Michael slowly moved his hips against the girl he was dancing with.

They were totally dry humping.

I was beyond jealous.

I always heard about what Michael did. But, it was different to actually see it.

It felt like I had a lump in my throat.

I couldn’t look away, and that made me feel worse.

She ran her hands up his sides, and he just stared down at her.

I could see the lust. I was ashamed to admit that I could feel it myself.

His mouth hung open as she touched him.

“Hey,” Collin said.

I turned to look at him.

“Are you okay?” he asked, “You look a little green.”

“Green?” I asked.

He leaned in closer before speaking again.

“Like you might be a little sick.”

“It’s pretty hot in here,” I said, “Can we go outside for a minute?”

He nodded.

Collin held my hand and led me outside.

It made it easier to stay together in the sea of moving bodies.

Once we were outside, he released me.

I couldn’t help but sigh. It felt so damn good.

“Better?” Collin asked.

I nodded, “So much better.”

It took me a second to realize he was moving closer to me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said, “Why?”

His eyes were locked with mine, and he kept coming closer.

I had this weird feeling in my stomach.

I wasn’t sure if it was butterflies or not.

“I want to kiss you,” Collin said.

He was right in front of me now.

I looked up at him. It hurt a little.

With as close as he was, I had to look straight up.

The height difference didn’t help, but thankfully these heels did.

“Is that a yes?” he asked.

I wasn’t sure.

Part of me wanted to want to kiss him.

“Okay,” I whispered.

His eyes glanced down at my lips before meeting my eyes.

He slowly lowered his head to connect his lips to mine.

He kissed me softly and pulled back for a second to look at me.

I didn’t protest, so he moved back in again.

This kiss was less of a test.

His lips pressed hard against mine.

I met his kiss with a soft one of my own.

I didn’t open my mouth right away. I liked his needy kisses.

His lips went to the side of my mouth before landing dead center on my mouth.

“Open your mouth,” he breathed.

I smiled, “What was that?”

“Open,” he said, kissing me again.

“Ren.”

My eyes flew open, and I stepped back.

Michael stood behind Collin, and he looked furious.

“Hey,” Collin greeted, “What’s up?”

“I’m taking Ren home,” Michael said.

“No,” Collin said, “I promised Benny and Gus I would look after her tonight.”

Michael didn’t look like he gave a single f**k. I wasn’t even sure if he heard what Collin said.

“Ren,” Michael said, “We’re leaving.”

“Michael,” Collin said, “You don’t have to worry about her. Go back and enjoy the party.”

The glare Michael shot Collin sent chills down my spine.

“One less thing for you to worry about,” Michael stated, “I’ll take her back tonight.”

Did I not have a say in all this?

Well, of course I wanted Michael to take me home.

He wouldn’t do much more than that.

I drank the remainder of my cup and glared at Michael.

“Who said I was going anywhere with you?” I asked.

Michael looked surprised, but then he looked a little confused.

“I got her, Mike,” Collin said.

“You’ve been drinking,” Michael stated.

Collin laughed, “Haven’t you been drinking too?”

Michael didn’t look drunk, like, at all.

“I haven’t had anything tonight,” he said.

“Bullshit,” Collin laughed as he nudged Michael.

Even I found that hard to believe.

Michael didn’t like drunk Collin messing with him.

The expression on his face said it all.

He wanted to hurt Collin.

“It’s okay,” I said, “I’ll go back with you.”

Michael moved around Collin to stand behind me.

“Are you sure?” Collin asked me, “I thought we were having a good time.”

“We were,” I nodded, “We’ll have to do this again.”

“Really?” he asked.

He looked hopeful.

I nodded, “Goodnight, Collin.”

“Sleep well, Red,” Collin said, “Dream of good things.”

It was nice to hear that.

“Drive safe,” I said.

He only nodded in response.