The Echo of Abuse and Love

Chapter 12

Shea (Before)

Tyler: Wat r u doing tonight?

Shea: Probably studying... u?

Tyler: There's a party on Campus, wanna go w me?

Shea: It's a Thursday....

Tyler: I'll pick you up @8... Be ready ;)

It's been just over a week since I met Tyler at the party, before I left he put his number in my phone and has texted me almost every day since. Something about the way he talks to me makes me almost giddy. He constantly says he thinks about me and is always asking what I'm doing. We haven't actually seen each other since I left his house that next morning, but my stomach jumps in anticipation.

I roll out of my bed, deciding it would be best to take a shower and get ready for this thing, because like it or not he's showing up at my house. I would rather be ready to go, waiting on the porch than deal with whatever my parents might have to say about this hot older boy who's picking me up. I haven't talked much about boys with my parents. I just have never found someone who sparked my attention. Not that I've had much time honestly. This is my first year in high school, and even though I did have friends who had boyfriends in middle school, it seemed rudimentary at best. I never felt like wasting my time. I also never particularly felt pretty. In middle school, I was still flat-chested and my hair was dark and boring. My mom didn't let me wear makeup really, and it seemed like while every other girl was growing up and changing, I stayed the same. But then, this last summer, I could tell my body changed. My small breasts rounded out, and I managed to lose a little weight when I started running with a few of my friends. I liked the way I looked, nothing was outstanding, but I also wasn't painfully plain anymore either. 

I took my time getting ready. I got into the shower, washing my hair and body before getting out and drying my hair. I didn't normally use a blowdryer, but it was getting colder, and in the back of my mind, the need to look good tonight kept nagging me. I put on a bit of makeup, mostly just eyeliner mascara and some lipgloss. I stood in my closet in only a pink bralette and pair of underwear deciding what to wear. I sorted through all of the tops in my closet, and pants, trying to find something that would be comfortable and still cute. I tended to wear mostly sweaters and graphic t-shirts with jeans or leggings, but I was really hoping to impress the older crowd I was going to be part of for the evening. Finally, I decided on a comfortable knee-length black skirt, and a graphic t-shirt that I had cut the neck out of so it fell off my shoulder slightly. I stood in my mirror staring at myself cynically. After a moment I decided to roll my skirt once, bringing the length up slightly so it looked less like I might be going to my grandparent's house and more like I was ready for a party. 

*ping ping*

Tyler: I"ll b there in 5

My heart skipped a beat in anticipation. I quickly sprayed myself down with a small bit of perfume and grabbed a small over-the-shoulder black bag and my coat. I headed downstairs quietly, I didn't expect either of my parents to be home honestly. Normally my mom worked evenings, and my dad tended to be out a lot. I knew my little sister was with friends tonight, and I was sure my dad would be on his way to get her soon, but as long as I was home before my mom was, I would be totally fine. In other words, I would turn into a pumpkin if I wasn't home by midnight. 

I stepped out onto my porch right as Tyler's truck pulled into my driveway. I walked quickly around to the passenger seat door and was about to open it when He leaned over the seat and pushed it open for me. 

"Hey there." His wicked grin made my insides do a little dance. "Damn, you look incredible."

I situated myself in the seat, pulling my skirt down slightly over my legs, feeling very conscious of where it rode up my thighs as I climbed into the car. Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn that Tyler's gaze floated down to my legs, and something in his eyes changed slightly. But I didn't know what it was so I ignored it, pulling the seatbelt across my lap before turning and smiling at him. I hoped my smile looked more confident than I felt. "Thanks. So, where are we going?"

"Campus." He said, chuckling to himself. 

"I mean I know that. But where?"

"What," He gives me a silly look. "You don't trust me?"

"Of course I do. I was just curious." I roll my eyes, but I can't help but laugh when he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"My friend's frat is having a party."

My heart beats faster. I still can’t quite tell if I’m excited or not. I haven’t been to campus before, and I didn’t think I’d fit in well with the other kids. But regardless, I was still excited to spend more time with Tyler in person. He texted often, but we didn’t really run into each other at school. His friends didn’t want anything to do with mine.

“What’s wrong?” He asked after a moment. 

I realized that I hadn’t responded to him. “Oh, nothing. Sorry, I was just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” He sends me a look like he’s genuinely curious about what I have to say. It warms my insides. I would never admit it outloud, but I liked his attention, even if I didn’t always understand him. It’s not like we knew each other well, but I liked that he thought of me when he wanted to go somewhere. 

“I haven’t ever been to a frat party before. What am I even supposed to do around all of those people?” The question sounded stupid as soon as I said it and I felt heat flood my face. 

He laughed. Like he thought my question was genuinely hilarious. “Uh,” He says after a moment, dropping his hand on my knee. “Talk to people, drink, maybe dance a little. It's not much different than other parties.”

“I guess I can do that.” I say sheepishly. We ride the rest of the way in a mostly comfortable silence. He sings quietly to the songs on the radio and I stare out the window, watching the town slowly turn into campus. Apparently it’s a busy night here, because almost every bar, house, and dorm we pass is bustling with people. 

“My friend's house is right over there, but we need to park down this road. You’re good with walking right?”

“Yeah, no big deal.” Suddenly I was thankful I decided on chucks instead of strappy sandals or something less comfortable. 

When we hop out of the truck Tyler gives me another once over, looking at me from my feet all the way up to my face. He lingers on my shoulders and chest where my shirt falls to the side, and I am so thankful I wore it. The look in his eyes sends shivers down my spine. 

“Come on,” He says, holding out his hand to me. “I need a drink.”

I can’t help but giggle and follow him up the street toward where he said his friend lived. As we get closer, it’s not hard to pick out which house must be his friends. There are people everywhere. In the yard, on the porch, and I can tell the inside of the house is packed. We get in easily and Tyler is instantly swarmed by people. Everyone seems to know  him, and I almost lost him in the crowd of people. 

“Tyler! Who is this?” A boy turns to me, eyeing me with the same devilish look Tyler had given me when I met him. “Where have you been hiding her? I’m Tristan.” The boy holds his hand out to me, and when I get to take it, he pulls me flush against his body so I have to angle my head back to look up at him. “You are gorgeous.” His breath smells like alcohol and I blush at the bluntness of his attitude. 

“Back off Tris, you’re going to scare her.” Tyler’s voice is laced with annoyance, and when Tristan lets me go, he protectively wraps his arm around my hip. I lean into him, thankful in that moment that he’s there.

“Nice to meet you Tristan. I’m Shea.”

Tristan’s face lights up. “Shea! I knew you looked familiar.” He turns to Tyler. “Damn, she’s hotter than the picture.”

Picture? My face flushes 10 different shades of red, but Tyler is quick, and slowly starts to lead me away from the group of boys. 

“We’ll catch you later.” He calls to them, “We are gonna go get some drinks.” And just like that, he whisked me away toward the kitchen where there seems to be something crazy happening. When we step into the space, there’s a small crowd of people standing in a misshapen circle cheering on a guy as he takes a shot glass from between a girl's breasts. She giggles as he keeps his hands on her thighs, but takes the glass in his mouth and shoots it back. She has a lime wedge between her teeth and when she takes the shot glass from his mouth he leans forward and pries the citrus from her teeth. All of the people cheer and the next couple takes their place. This rotates two more times before I realize Tyler is staring at me quietly. 

“What?” I ask.

“Let's do it.” He gives me a wicked smile that causes butterflies to come to life in my stomach 

“DO that?” I motion to the current couple. The boy takes her neck in his mouth, licking the salt from her skin before going for the shot glass between her breasts. 

“Yeah.” He takes my hand and pushes through the crowd before I can even register what's happening. As the two finish and everyone cheers we hit the front of the group of people. He quickly takes my hips and sets me on the counter, eliciting a cheer from those around us. 

“I’ve never done this before.” I say quietly, trying to hide my embarrassment. 

“It’s easy.” He says smiling. “Take these.” He hands me the lime and the shot glass, filling it with an amber colored liquid that smells sickly strong. “You take the first shot.” He places his hand under the glass, lifting it toward my face. I don’t want to seem afraid so I follow his directions, inhaling deeply as the burn hits the back of my throat. “Then the lime.” He instructs. He’s watching me closely, staring at my mouth as I suck the juice from the lime. “Okay, now it’s my turn.”

He pushes my hair from my neck and shoulder, then shimmies my shirt down a bit in the front to expose the swell of my breasts and a bit of cleavage. There’s a low whistle from someone in the crowd and a few people laugh. Without warning Tyler leans in, placing his mouth on the soft spot where my neck and shoulder meet, and my breath leaves my lungs all at once. His mouth is hot and damp, and I have to stifle a moan as his tongue wets my skin. He sprinkles salt on the spot, then hands me another lime and instructs me to place it between my teeth. Then he nestles the full shot glass perfectly between my breasts and his eyes meet mine.

“Ready?”

I nod, unable to speak. The sound of my heartbeat fills my ears when he leans in close. It seems as though time slows down. His tongue runs down my neck to where the salt rests on my skin, and he sucks gently. His hands rest on the counter on either side of my body, and I have to fight the urge to lean into him. He barely picks his mouth up, and his breath sweeps across my bare chest as he makes his way slowly down to the shot glass. I feel my n*****s form small peaks under my shirt as his lips graze my skin when he takes the shot glass from my breasts. After he throws his head back, I take the shot glass from him so that he can take the lime from my mouth. His lips brush mine as his mouth wraps around the citrus and sucks it from me. My face is hot, and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest. I don’t realize I still have the shot glass in my hand until he takes it from me. His eyes are dark, and he gives me the most seductive smile I’ve ever seen. 

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No.” My voice cracks and he shoots me another grin, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and pulls me from the counter. He keeps me close to his body, and pulls me from the crowd. When I look over my shoulder, another couple has already taken our place.