CHAPTER FIVE
836 Words
CHAPTER FIVE: A Sip Too Far
The alarm blared at exactly 10:00 a.m.
I stayed still on my bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, not knowing what to do with myself now that school had vacated.
Out of habit, I picked up my phone and checked my daily planner. My eyes widened when I saw it—gym at 10:30 a.m., singing practice at 11:30 a.m.
I shot out of bed like I'd been electrocuted and rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower. After drying off, I walked into my wardrobe and threw on my favorite yellow jacket—yellow was my color, always had been. I slipped into my white sneakers and headed into the dressing room, where most of my extra clothes were.
In the bag section, I grabbed my small black sling bag, tossing in a mirror, my hairbrush, a pair of sandals, and a book I needed to return to the library.
Downstairs, I strapped on my wristwatch from the dining table, grabbed my face cap from the hanger, hugged my mom quickly, and rushed out the door.
10:20 a.m.
“Oh my gosh, I’m late!” I muttered to myself, heart racing.
Just then, I saw Kyle’s car pull up beside me.
“Wanna ride?” he asked casually.
I hesitated. “No thanks.”
I started to walk away when he called again. “Please?”
I gave in. “Fine,” I sighed, and hopped into the passenger seat.
He drove as fast as he could and dropped me off right in front of the gym.
“What time do you close?” he asked.
“11:00 a.m.,” I replied, getting out. “Be here in a jiffy.”
By 2:00 p.m., I was done with everything on my schedule and found myself once again in Kyle’s car.
“Can we go out?” he asked, eyes on the road.
I hesitated. “Sure...”
He dropped me off at home first so I could change. I chose a black top and a yellow flared skirt that matched my vibe, paired with black sandals. Nobody was home—thankfully—so there was no one to lecture me.
As I stepped back outside, Kyle’s eyes didn’t leave me. It made me feel a little self-conscious. I slipped into the car beside him, avoiding his gaze.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“A bar.”
“What?!” I nearly yelled.
“Why? You don’t go to bars?”
“Yeah, something like that…”
“Okay then,” he said, shrugging. “Let’s just go to my house.”
“Cool,” I said, relaxing.
Kyle’s room was neat. I sat on his bed while he settled into a chair nearby.
“I want to know you better,” he said.
“My name is Rockie,” I replied with a small smile.
“Favorite color?”
“Yellow.”
“Age?”
“Fifteen.”
We talked for hours, eating snacks, sharing little things. It felt… normal.
Then he brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Sorry… I don’t drink,” I said awkwardly.
He smiled. “Then I’m lucky to be your first. It’s just red wine.”
“I—I—no, I…” I stammered, but curiosity got the better of me. I took a sip. It didn’t taste bad.
Then I took another. And another.
Before I knew it, I’d had six cups.
Everything got blurry. I was laughing at things I couldn’t remember, my hands moving without my brain’s permission. I took off my clothes. Then Kyle’s.
He didn’t stop me—maybe he couldn’t. He was drunk too.
I kissed him. He kissed back.
We fell onto the bed and… then I blacked out.
I woke up groggily the next morning, blinking at the sunlight sneaking through the blinds. I turned to my side—Kyle was right there, sleeping peacefully.
My eyes widened. I was in nothing but my underwear, a strange shirt covering me. My heart began to race.
I sat up abruptly. “What happened last night?”
Kyle stirred awake and rubbed his eyes.
“What happened?” I asked again, panic in my voice.
He sat up and yawned. “Nothing much. You had a few cups of wine, got drunk, took off your clothes—and mine—and started kissing me. Then you fainted. I dressed you in my clothes and covered you with a blanket.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. “We didn’t…?”
“No. We didn’t. I promise,” he said, already pulling on his shirt. “You passed out before anything happened.”
I sat still for a second, letting his words sink in. A knot of relief tightened in my chest.
“I want to go home,” I said quietly.
“Go freshen up in the bathroom,” he replied gently, “and I’ll take you.”
- Writer
