LIFE AFTER DEATH.

PARTY SHENANIGANS 4

* * * * * * * * * * *

He was breathing heavily, " Are... are you okay? " His hands brushed past me and rested on my shoulders, my eyes followed them.

" Yeah__

"Why'd you run off like that? "

I rolled my eyes as I heard a voice inside me asking what the hell was happening again. How did he know?

"I didn't run off. '' I went with the flow.

" Did_

Scott joined us and breathed fast.

" Why did you run off like that? " Scot queried.

" Hey, Scott. " Tyler walked in front of me, staring face to face with Scott.

" She's with me. " Scott tried to move but Tyler blocked me.

" I think we'll let Peyton decide who she's with. "

" I'm with him. " I spoke up and took Scott's hands. They were sweaty and trembling softly, I must have triggered something in him.

I can't forget the look on Tyler's face when I took Scott's hands.

" What's going on here? " I wanted to know, " Do you have a problem with that? " I tried looking at Tyler in the eyes but he evaded it.

" I'm sorry, " Tyler pushed back, " I... I mistook you for someone else. " He stuttered.

" Sure, bro? " Scott insisted, pushing further into Tyler.

" Hey... " I stood in front of Scott, in a bid to dissolve whatever was about to happen. " Let's go outside? " I figured we needed fresh air.

As I exited, I took one last glance back and caught Tyler fumbling recklessly with his phone. I felt like he was in some sort of distress. I wanted to reach out to him. I didn't know why, but I was occupied.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" I'm sorry__

" Don't apologize Scott, " I didn't let him. " It wasn't your fault. "

" So what happened? " He arched a concerned brow.

I knew this was coming, " I... I... I guess I freaked out. " I didn't think of a proper lie.

" Oh, " Scott nodded disappointedly, " I get it. "

" Get what? " I turned to him. I got the sense that he had finalized on something, but I believed that it was wrong.

" Get what? " I asked again, this time gently pulling him by the arm. That made him laugh softly, dissolving his masculinity.

" You're cute. " He remarked as he drew closer to me.

I heard voices inside my head but words couldn't come out.

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry. " He brushed his hands from his face and smiled effortlessly.

My stomach rumbled, Scott was getting more attractive by the minute.

" Why are you apologizing? " I flung my head and gazed away from him. I couldn't hide my smile.

" Maybe I shouldn't have said that. "

" Like I said, " I didn't have a reply to him so I brushed it off, " It was my fault, I freaked out and I'm sorry. "

He turned over to me again. This time was calm and calculated. His broad shoulders shielded the light from my eyes, while his figure overshadowed mine. He wanted to woe me. I was aware and I fell.

* * * * * * * * * *

" We have to leave. "

Jojo and Melanie appeared behind us. Melanie wasn't looking good, it was apparent that Jojo had once again forced her to do something against her will.

" You're leaving? "

" We're leaving? "

Both Melanie and Scott chorused, it seemed that Melanie was clueless.

" Yes we're LEAVING. " Jojo was precise, " We're leaving now. "

" What's the rush? " Scott stood and faced Jojo, somehow it made her retreat, " And besides, Peyton can leave on her own, can't she? " He glanced over to me.

" Well, I__

" No, she can't, I gave her a ride here and I'm taking her back home. " Jojo recovered back the space she lost with Scott.

It was like a mini-tribal war, " I'm sure we can spare a few minutes... " I wanted to stay back for a little while, plus I had less than an hour left until 10.

" We can't, Peyton, let's go. " Jojo was adamant.

" She says she wanna stay... " Scott pressed on, " Peyton... I can give you a ride home if it's gonna be a problem. " Scott shrugged.

" She doesn't want to ride with you__

" Jojo, you wanna tell me what this is about? "

The tension around us increased. Scott squinted hard as we all waited for Jojo's response. I could sense the awkward air between Scott and Jojo based on how they related. But I had no clue what the underlying reason was.

" I thought we were about to get Peyton and leave? " Curly came out of nowhere and things changed.

" What the f**k are you doing here? " Scott asked in a stoic tone, " Is this what I think it is? " He narrowed his eyes.

" I just came here to get Peyton and leave, please. " Without waiting, Curly flung past Scott and took me by the arm. He didn't hesitate as he pulled me away from the scene. Melanie and Jojo followed behind.