The Book Fight

CHAPTER 9: And the surprise is…

ASTON

“What’s this?” I grab the Ziploc bag Buck holds out in front of me.

“It’s a bribe,” he admits immediately.

“You’re bribing me with candy?” I give it back but he shakes his head.

“They are edibles genius,” he whispers. “Why would I get you candy?”

I look at the colorful gummy worms again and shrug as I go back to sorting my messy locker.

“Maybe you stole it from a baby?” I suggest but he is not impressed. “Why are you bribing me with edibles Buck?” I ask the question he wants me to request.

“I’m glad you asked dear friend o’ mine,” Buck wiggles his brows mischievously. “We’re going to a party tonight.”

“Pass.” I close my locker and start walking.

“Come on Aston, I do loner tings with you all the time. Throw me a bone here,” he calls and I pause to toss the bag at him. “Not what I meant, dick.”

“You know I don’t do crowds.” Being around my schoolmates as they get drunk and hookup is not my idea of fun.

It used to be but not anymore.

“This party is different and there is a surprise for you there.” He baits now walking next to me but I shake my head.

After Sekani’s visit, I rather crawl into my hole this weekend and maybe never come out—I’ll see how I feel on Monday.

“Aston, you promised.” He stops in front of me and I roll my eyes.

I regret promising Buck that I would start trying if he swore not to push me. Now, my mind is jumbled up from the confrontation with Sekani so maybe a party is exactly what I need.

Fine. “I’m staying an hour.” I snatch the bag from his hands.

All day, all Buck can talk about is this party. I’m tempted to eat the edibles just to tune him out but I am already super incoherent because the guilt of stealing Sekani’s book is eating me alive.

I know I should give it back but I couldn’t bring myself to admit I have it even when she gave me an out. I feel her presence before I can see her and this time I don’t feel her eyes on me like usual.

When I do look at her, it feels like before.

When she didn’t see me or know I was there. When I was just another face she walked past in the halls, it’s like I am just another body in class.

And I hate it.

Buck isn’t up to date with my situation, so Sekani is all he talks about now. By the time his brother picks me up around 8PM, I know everything there is to know about her too.

Especially the part where she hates me now.

“This is him?” George, Buck’s older brother asks when I enter his dark SUV truck.

Their father might work for my father’s firm but their mother is the mayor of Rooksville, something everyone knew—except me. I literally found out a few hours ago.

When I asked Buck why he didn’t tell me, he said it’s the same reason why I don’t tell people we’re rich. It didn’t make sense but I dismissed the conversation.

“Yep, this is my buddy Parker.” Buck grins so wide, I have to give his brother a look.

He is a jolly person, yes but I have never seen him so…on.

“Oh he is hammered,” George explains as the car moves. “He took one of those edibles and now he is that but I have to say Parker, you don’t look like a loner.”

“I don’t?” I push my wet hair back.

After I told my mother I was going out tonight, she got so excited, she offered to buy us alcohol. When dad gave her a look, she claimed it was a joke but slipped me a $100 dollars for ‘drinks.’

She also made me shower and change my shirt. I settled for black jeans, a black plain t-shirt and a dark green denim jacket with all black boots instead of Converse.

“Yeah, Buck said you were a loner before he forced you to be his friend and I admit when he said that, I thought you were ugly.” George grins through the rearview mirror.

“He is not ugly,” Buck blows me a kiss. “Look at all his symmetrical features, so handsome” he hands me a can of beer.

“Yes, he is a total pretty boy.” George glances at me, “I bet the ladies love you.”

I sip my beer and look out the window to give him an answer, what ladies?

“They do but he only wants one and her name is Sekani.” Buck sings and laughs loudly like he said something funny.

Note to self, drunk Buck can’t keep a secret.

“Wait thee Sekani? The leggy swimming star with the Jasmine Tokes face?” George turns to his brother who nods, “nice one Parker. Good taste!”

George looks impressed and proud.

“Right? I was so glad he had taste and when I asked Sekani if she thought he was cute, she said…” Buck’s answer gets drowned out by a car honking.

“When was this?” I put the beer can on the cup holder in the middle, it tastes like piss so I take an edible.

“Today at lunch. I don’t know what you did for her to walk away but you better make it up to her tonight,” Buck empties his can.

“Sekani will be there?” I take the second gummy worm.

“It’s being thrown for her dummy,” Buck scoffs like I’m the i***t for not knowing this. “You know, because she was sick.”

I scoff at the level of ridiculousness, they are throwing her parties now?

“Buck, what the hell man?” I run my fingers through my hair to calm my growing anxiety.

I don’t feel so good.

“That is the surprise!” Buck urges me to finish the alcohol, “just be cool and impress her tonight.”

Instead of giving him a reply, I put the 3rd gummy worm into my mouth and down the beer. It might be a bad idea but I don’t want to arrive there sober.

Anxious Aston is not very fun to be around.

“I’d slow down Parker,” George is watching me drink like my life is depending on it. “The edibles were made by my dorm mate and he is a Chem major, they are pretty strong.” He warns as the path to the lake appears.

“Do you promise?” I pop open my second drink.

“You’re funny—” Seth smiles. “I like that.”

When the car stops, George warns us about swimming in the dark and kissing ugly girls when intoxicated while I secretly hope, I’ll be too drunk to remember anything from tonight.

“Take care of this big baby for me.” He rubs Buck’s head when we unbuckle our seat belts.

“Thanks for the ride,” I push my door open. “And I will,” I down the beer and crush the can with my foot.

Buck is jumping up and down as we walk towards the wooden lake house that’s pumping music and spilling people out.

“You need to relax,” I laugh when he starts dancing and jumping around.

He is not even dancing to the EDM song playing from the speakers placed on the porch.

“No, buddy o’ mine,” he throws his arm over my shoulder and shakes me. “You need to relax. Look around Parker” we both move our heads to the side. “Everyone is here!”

It does look like that.

“I guess it’s pretty cool.” I rub the back of my neck when he let’s go. “I just haven’t done this in a while.”

In almost 3years to be specific and it feels like I am jumping into the deep side of the pool.

“We can go home if you want,” Buck stops to face me. “George is not far, he can drive us to get a food and then straight home. We can play video games all night.”

“Are you being serious?” I look around again, these are his people.

Ryder Smith might be considered the ‘king’ of the school but Buck basically runs it. He is popular and friends with basically everyone that matters.

“It’s a little more intense than I thought,” Buck sounds like he feels bad for not anticipating it. “I understand if it’s too much. I just thought you’d like it since its Sekani’s party and there is a guarantee, she’ll be here.”

“A guarantee?” I don’t deny that it is too much.

“Yeah, she isn’t much of partier. She shows up sometimes but tonight she had to.” He continues as I contemplate his offer to leave, “it is for her. It’d be a d**k move not to make an appearance.”

Interesting.

“It’s okay Buck.” I decide. “Let’s be stupid teenagers and party!” I offer my best version of a tongue out douchebag and his face lights up.

“Are you sure? I mean—”

“Bucky, we took edibles. Your mom will kick our asses if we show up this high.” I throw my hand over his shoulder like he always does to me. “Show me how to have fun your way, buddy o’ mine.”

My last words make my friend so happy, he literally starts jumping up and down with me next to him. Thankfully, the edibles kick in after we take shots and I feel more relaxed.

I actually consider switching them out for joints but they take too long to make so the idea dies immediately.

But I’m actually having fun and it’s been close to 2hours now.

Buck moves me around the party and introduces me to everyone he knows. He also c**k-blocks every girl that tries to flirt/dance or approach me which I appreciate.

“We’re here for Sekani,” he whispers when the 6th girl started to touch my hand after pretending to ask for a lighter.

Speaking of which, I haven’t seen the princess by some miracle.

It’s either Sekani saw me and is avoiding me or we are just missing each other but I know she is here. I’ve heard people chant her name and some talk about how ‘nice’’ she looks tonight.

All I know is, I’m not ready to see her.

I’m having too much fun to focus on my guilt and seeing her will no doubt bring it up again. It will also sober me up and I worked too hard to get my buzz straight.