Just What I Needed

Prologue

Lola.

Alcohol is never the solution to life's problems.

"We're getting shitfaced tonight!" Daisy declared while raising the shot glass filled with tequila in the air.

"Happy birthday, Lola!" She wrapped her arm over my shoulders, and pulled me close to her as I raised my glass in the air.

"Happy birthday!" My two other friends, Cara and Ally yelled, and raised their glasses in the air.

We clincked our glasses together and downed our drinks.

I scrunch my nose feeling the burning liquor glide down my throat. I was never a fan of tequila, actually I wasn't a fan of alcoholic beverages, but there were exceptions like today. It was not only my birthday but I just so happen to find out that my cheating piece of s**t ex-boyfriend, and my ex-best friend are also in Miami. Not only are they in Miami, but they're in the same hotel, and their room is right next to us. Isn't that something?

So tonight I was drinking. I was going to get shitfaced. Alcohol was never the solution to life's problems, but I was going to need it today, and the rest of this week if I was going to have to see them.

Out of all the places they could have gone to celebrate senior week they were here. This is the reason the girls, and I made last minute changes.

Instead of going to Cherry Grove, where most of our graduating class was going to be we decided for Miami.

We did all of this so I wouldn't have to run into either one of them, but jokes on me because they are not only here, but their room is right next door to me.

So now I have to see them, and feel all the waves of emotions I felt once again when I first saw them. The memory of Emily on her knees and Matt's fingers through her hair pops into my head. Once I think I'm finally forgetting it, the memory flashes back in my head, like it's taunting me.

And the only person to really blame for all of this is myself. The signs were right there in bright neon, flashing at every which way, but I just decided to ignore them, and give him the benefit of the doubt. We had been dating for two years, and on top of that I've known him pretty much all my life.

My mind just couldn't see past the years of friendship, that he would do something to hurt me, but once again the joke's on me because he not only cheated on me but it was with Emily, the girl Matt and grew up with.

I'm not even upset that we're broken up because I actually wanted to break up with him, just never knew how. It was the thought of hurting him that actually put a stop to me uttering the words, I want to break up.

We were just never good together, but everyone around us, including him, thought otherwise. Sure in the beginning felt all the emotions anyone does when they're in the beginning of a relationship.

Happy, excited, and whatnot, I felt all of that and more but then realized something, but unfortunately it was too late because when realized it, I was being stabbed in the back while they both smiled at my face.

I realized that just like everyone else I also at one point loved the idea of Matt and together. We were childhood best friends, went to church together, went to the same schools, lived right next door, I was captain of the cheerleading team, he was the captain of the baseball team, and all the other cliche bullshit.

Everything seemed too perfect, but the reality was just like everyone else, I had created something that was never there to begin with.

We had nothing and I mean absolutely nothing in common. Sure I didn't expect for us to completely have everything in common, but at least something.

I think the saddest part about the whole thing was losing two friends. I think that's the worst part about it.

"We got lucky getting invited to that party tonight." Daisy bounced with excitement as she set her glass down on the dining table.

"I don't know..." I trailed off. "We don't even know them, and what if it's too good to be true, and they're actually traffickers and we-"

When we were at the beach earlier some guys next to us overheard the girls saying it was my birthday. The guys decided to invite us over to their beach house because it was also one of their friends' birthdays, and they were throwing him a party. So they invited us, and my friends actually agreed, I can't believe my friends actually agreed. We don't even know them.

"Woah woah woah-" Cara puts her hand up for me to stop talking. "No one is going to get trafficked. Don't start over thinking now. It's a house party plus they're going to give us free entry and drinks since it's also your birthday."

I guess I really couldn't argue with that we were running out of alcohol and we just got here.

Daisy managed to snag two bottles from back home, but they barely had enough to make it half the week.

"You just need another shot. Here," Ally poured more tequila into my glass but didn't pour any into hers or the others.

The drink almost tipped over the rim, but she stopped it right before it could. She smiled, satisfied with how much she poured. "Well, go on."

I knew I shouldn't but f**k it. I was just thankful I wasn't a lightweight.

"Yes b***h!" Daisy shouted as I downed the drink and set the glass on the table.

"Let's party!" Cara beamed with excitement.

—

When we were told the party was going to be held at a beach house, we weren't informed it was going to be a mansion.

The house was so big, we were still able to park our car in the drive-in, and it was far away from the other extremely huge houses, I'm sure no noise complaints would be called in. I'd seen Snapchat's of senior week in Cherry Grove and Myrtle beach where people from our class were, and I'd seen videos of the police being there or people running from the police.

The rest of the people that were in the house seemed so unbothered by the house while myself and the girls were in awe. But I guess I couldn't really blame them, I'm sure they were either drunk, high, or both. Or just use to all of this.

Another thing that I was extremely happy about was that no one was squished or it was extremely hot in here. The living room was so spacious, there was space for three beer pong tables, and that's exactly where the girls and I found ourselves at.

My parents were always strict so I hardly went to parties, so when I was home I pretty much played beer pong by myself. Except without the beer of course. I know lame but what could do when there was nothing to do? But guess all that time practicing really paid off because I was killing it.

"Suck on that losers!" Daisy yelled out loudly at the people from the other side of the table.

"Whatever," The guy said waving his hand off annoyedly while he held onto his friend who was almost falling over.

Daisy and I had only played twice against them, but when the guy showed up he was pretty way past no return. So it was an easy win, but even if he wasn't, I'm confident we would have beaten him.

"Lola, here." Cara said standing beside me with three shots in her hand. Ally stood on the other side of me with two.

Since we've gotten here they've been giving me a little bit of everything and I'm starting to feel it, sorta. My body is buzzing and my face feels sorta fuzzy and warm, and I couldn't stop smiling.

I took Cara's shot and let out a breath of air, and then held my breath, as I took it down and did the same with Ally's. It was my only way of not tasting the drink and not getting wasted too soon.

"That's my girl!" Daisy softly shook my shoulders and took a shot from Cara. I could tell she was really starting to feel it, by the louder she got and the glossy look in her eyes. She didn't even scrunch her nose, no doubt the tequila was probably tasting more like water than actual alcohol.

I laughed as Daisy stumbled and held onto my shoulder before she regained her balance and shook her head. A wide smile beamed on her lips and the girls laughed.

"Lola you need more drinks!" Ally yelled into my ear. "At this rate Daisy will get plastered before you."

"Damn tolerance." Cara grumbled, her words coming out a little slurred. "At this rate we'll all be drunk before you." She pouted but couldn't help the smile on her lips.

"We still have the whole night," I remind them. "You know what I'll be back." I started walking away from the table, and threw the ball at some guy who was standing behind us.

"Lola you can't just walk off on your own," Ally began to follow me.

"I'll be alright," I glanced at Daisy and Cara who weren't drunk, yet. "Trust me. Stay with them."

Ally looked over her shoulder and knew was right. Daisy and Cara were talking about something and started laughing, and they were balancing on each other for support.

"Alright but don't take too long or I'll start looking for you." She warned before she returned back to Cara and Daisy.

I nodded and maneuvered my way through the crowd, heading straight into the kitchen. Beer bottles and other alcoholic beverages along with red bulls, juices, and sodas were lying around the counters. There were bottles of Jagermeister, Fireball, pink Whitney, and many more that had yet to be opened. God this really beat senior week and the cheap beer.

I grab a cup and stand in front of the drinks unsure of what to pour first, so I do what any logical person would do, eenie meenie it will be. My finger stops on the Jagermeister and I begin to pour. I really have no idea what I'm doing or even mixing but it looks about right. I pick the cup up and take a big whiff and I swear it almost gives me whiplash, but it's perfect and probably enough to get me drunk, but not enough to end up in the hospital, don't think.

Giving it one more glance I decided to add one more thing. I'm not sure what but then I spotted it, peach juice. Just as I'm about to grab it and hand beats me to it.

"Hey!?" I protest, turning to face the person who stole the bottle from the table before I got too.

"Hey!" I crane my head up and I'm met with a pair of mischievous honey brown eyes. A smirk lifts on his lips as he looks down at me.

Wow he's tall and those curls.

"I was going to grab that first." I point to the bottle with my eyes feeling idiotic for staring too hard. I've only been out of a relationship for a week and I'm acting as if I've never seen an attractive guy.

Matt was attractive, but he also wasn't that tall and didn't have those curls, or a single tattoo. And he didn't have the smile that pulled you in.

"Oh were you?" He c***s a brow, his tone coming out teasingly.

"Yeah." I try to sound irritated, but I think it just sounds out of breath.

"Sorry," He shrugs unapologetically. "Saw it first."

"Ladies first." I shrug unapologetically, and grab the bottle from his hands.

"Birthday boy first." He takes the bottle from my hands. "Birthday girl first," I took the bottle from his hands again.

"I was born at 7:58 in the morning." He states taking the bottle once again.

My eyebrows shoot up. So that's how we're doing this then. "I was born at 2:58 in the morning." I smirked triumphantly. "So that means I'm older by five hours." I show him five fingers, and snatch the bottle right back up.

"But this is my house," He takes the bottle once again.

"You do know there are about ten of the same bottles on that counter over there." I take the bottle once again feeling slightly annoyed.

I glance past his frame, and stare at the numerous bottles of peach juice lying around waiting to be opened. "Or did you somehow miss the memo about your own party?"

He doesn't look behind him, but there is a curl on the corner of his lips that keeps growing.

"Of course I do, and I didn't miss the memo I bought them all, but I want this bottle." He says with finality in his voice, like there is no more room for argument and how he says, goes.

As someone once said or somewhere along the lines of, do the right thing and be the bigger person, except today I don't give a f**k about being the bigger person or doing as he says. I've done enough of that.

"Listen here," I snatch the bottle with force from his hold and begin to uncap it. "I don't give a damn if this is your house, or it's your birthday or whatever." I begin to pour the juice into my cup. "I saw this first and I was born first. So suck on that."

"Alright alright." He puts his hand up in surrender and chuckles. "You win."

"Damn right I did." I smile satisfied with my pour and my small accomplishment.

"So you're really going to drink all of that,"

"Yeah why not?" I shrug and inspect my cup, feeling satisfied with it.

"You just poured Jagermister, rum, and tequila blanco. What are you trying to do to get alcohol poisoning?" He asked with genuine interest.

"Maybe, I guess we'll see." I playfully said. "Plus you watching me, is really creepy."

"Well a girl crashes my party and claims it's her birthday, and she's drinking all of my drinks. I had to keep an eye out." His eyes slowly trail down my body, and come back up meeting my eyes with no shame.

"Matter of fact I don't think I've ever seen you." He narrows his eyes and stares at me intently, a coy smile on his lips.

"Ask your friends, they invited me. And I don't claim, it's my birthday. Can't really choose what time and day I want to be born at." I counter.

"TJ!" Blake the guy from the beach comes from behind birthday boy, who I now know as TJ, and wraps an arm around his shoulder. He's not as tall as TJ so he struggles to keep his arm wrapped around him.

"So you finally met the birthday girl. Glad you could make it." He winked at me and stared back at TJ.

"Thanks for the invite," I raise my cup that I have yet to drink in salute.

"Why didn't you tell me," TJ looks at Blake but he doesn't look annoyed or mad but rather thrilled.

"I thought I'd surprise you, you're welcome." He grins.

"Very f*****g surprised." He nods with a smirk, they turn their heads, both their eyes meeting mine. "I thought it'd be with-"

"Well good for you. I'm glad you're surprised," I interrupt their conversation. "But- oh you've got to be kidding me." From the corner of my eye I spotted the people was trying so hard not to see for the entirety of my trip or really ever.

God I understand this is probably the place I shouldn't be in, or really even have this drink in my hand, but I've been good and it's my birthday.

Why are you trying to test my patience today? What did I do to deserve a piece of s**t- okay maybe those aren't the words I should be using, but what the hell?

I bring the cup to my lips and swallow the entire drink. The drink not only burns as it goes down my throat, but I almost gag and I feel my soul leave my body for a few seconds, until it decides it wants to reconnect back with my body. Or at least cling to it by a thread, because what I just drank could possibly give me alcohol poisoning but right now I really didn't care.

"Well damn that's the f*****g spirit." Blake hollard, clapping his hands, with excitement.

I wiped my bottom lip with my finger, and ignored the look the boys were giving me. I dropped the cup on the table, and picked up the tequila blanco and the peach juice from the table.

"Thanks for the invite, but I think I'm calling it a night." I raised the bottles. "I'll be taking this if you don't mind. I'm sure you won't miss it." I glanced at the rest of the bottles on the table.

"Wait but you just-" I heard TJ say, but I walked off before he could finish off. I needed to find the girls and get out of here.

I shouldn't be the one leaving but if I'm here for another minute longer with them, I will kill someone. They're really not worth my time, but with alcohol in my system and anger surging throughout my body, I don't know what I'll do.

"Lola they're-" Ally walks towards me, and before she can finish off, I cut her off.

"Here, yeah I know." I roll my eyes. "Where are Cara and Daisy?" I ask looking behind and around her.

"They're dancing but we can leave. I saw them come in because I was coming to look for you. I don't even know how they got invited, but whatever, we don't have to be here. We can head down to a club or something." She smiles letting me know she's not mad if we leave.

"I-" I grumble. It's my birthday and I should get to decide what I want to do and don't want to do, but the girls have already done enough.

They decorated the hotel and not only paid for my breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but they also took me out shopping and pretty much paid for everything. They've done so much that the least I could do is let them enjoy this party.

"It's alright." I'm not the one who should be running anyways. I didn't do anything wrong.

"This house is huge, I doubt I'll bump into them."

"She really has some nerve to be next to him. Doesn't she know if he'll do it to someone, he'll do it to anyone?" She rolls her eyes annoyed. "Stupid dumb bitch."

"I know but let's not worry about her or them. Karma's a b***h right?" I c****d a brow and smirked.

"Hell yeah," Ally smiled grew. "Wait, why do you have those bottles?" She stared at bottles I was cradling in my hands.

"To drink of course," With every passing second I felt my smile widen.

I was definitely buzzed now, maybe drunk in a few. "I'm going to give you this. I'm going to go pee, and then we can get shitfaced." I hand her the bottles.

"Do you not want me to come with you?" She asked with furrowed brows, concern on her face.

"No it's okay," I waved off my hand dismissively.

"I'll be quick. Just stay with Cara and Daisy."

"Okay but don't take too long," She gave me a warning look. "I won't. I promise." I assured her and we both parted our ways.

I began to search for a bathroom. You'd think because the house was huge there would be one available bathroom, but they were either locked or occupied. I decided to make my way upstairs and I finally found a bathroom.

I took a few extra minutes to admire it because it was bigger than my bedroom, and also to freshen up.

As soon as I step out, arms wrap around my waist and I'm pressed hard against a chest.

"Matt what the hell?" I struggle against his hold but he doesn't budge. "Let go."

"Not until you hear me out." He says tightening his hold against me.

"There's nothing to hear." With my arms trapped between our bodies do the only thing I can think of, and pinch him as hard as I can.

"Ow what the f**k Lola?" He pulls back, rubbing his chest.

"I told you to let go." I said, doing my best to hold the anger that's raging to explode from my body. "I don't know what you think it is I need to hear but save it. It's clear you have moved on and honestly I couldn't care less. Don't talk to me, don't touch me, and don't look at me."

"I'm sorry baby, she doesn't mean anything." He stepped closer to me but didn't make a move to touch me.

"Ha! And that's why she's with you?" I c****d a brow. "Honestly I don't care what you do and who you do. We're over. You've moved on and I've moved on-"

"You've moved on ?" He snorts. "With who? I don't believe you've actually moved on from me. You love me, remember. I was your first and-"

"You won't be my last." I shook my head at the stupidity coming out of his mouth. "I don't love you anymore and I don't think I ever did. Look, you moved on and so have I. Listen I don't have time for this-"

"Who is it?" He says with hurt in his voice. The audacity to actually sound hurt. "You couldn't have possibly moved on. You're just f*****g saying s**t because you're being petty. I slept with Emily but it wasn't that great okay. Just say the words and I'm yours. Always have been and always will."

I'd say I'd feel bad for Emily, but I don't. How did I even last this long with him? Why did I even date him? "We're done." I simply say and truthfully I'm done with this conversation. I turn around, but he grabs my wrist before I can walk away.

"Matt let go." I push against him but he doesn't budge. "You're hurting me."

"We are not done." He holds my wrist, and tightens it with each word.

"I hope you're not hurting my girlfriend on her birthday. What a bummer it would be if I'd kick your ass. Of course the bummer is for you not me. But don't make me do that s**t. It's my birthday, and I'd really hate to get blood on my shirt. It's Gucci and my favorite." TJ says, looking down at his plain white shirt, and back at Matt's hand around my wrist.

I pull my wrist away as he's distracted and stand next to TJ. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close to him. I should just walk away, but I've never seen Matt like this and it's sorta freaking me out.

"Who the f**k are you?" Matt stands in front of him. I can't help the grin on my face, seeing TJ completely tower over Matt.

"You know what, I was trying to be nice because it's my birthday. Let me tell you something I hate being f*****g nice. It's not my forte. Get the f**k out of my house. You and all of your friends."

"You think I give a f**k?" Matt scoffs.

I glance up at TJ but there's no anger or annoyance in his face. It's pretty calm and careless even. I'm not even sure how fast everything happened because one second TJ has his arm wrapped around my waist, and the next he throws a punch across Matt's face.

Matt stumbles back and falls on his butt. He brings his hand to his nose and curses out loud. "f**k!" He grits out and quickly stands up, ready to throw a punch, but TJ just stands there with the cockiest grin.

"You see mom's a lawyer and those things over there," He points at the camera with a smug grin. "are cameras, lay a hand on me and you can say goodbye to whatever future you think you have." He stands tall over Matt.

Matt's eyes widen with complete terror. I watch his adams apple rise and drop before he stands back. Matt is an i***t all ways around, but he wouldn't do anything to risk losing his scholarships. He'll be going to USC, and getting away as far as he can from his dad. He's already been warned, so one wrong move and he'll stay with his dad, and that's the last thing he wants.

"Well f**k out of here." TJ says as if he's wasting his time.

"Whatever," He looks at me, as if I'd really walk away with him. "f**k you too then." He grits out walking past TJ and I.

"Thanks for the help, boyfriend, but I had it." I cross my arms over my chest and don't miss the subtle unsubtle glance he gives my chest before he meets my eyes again.

"Did you though, girlfriend?" He stood in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me close to his front.

"Ever heard of keeping your hands to yourself?" stepped back and away from his hold, thankfully he actually lets go.

"You didn't mind them too much a few minutes ago." He c****d a brow, a smirk growing on his lips.

"You were helping me out." I say, as if I needed to remind him.

"But I thought you didn't need my help." He titled his head to the side.

"I didn't but you were here so why not." I shrugged my shoulders.

I wasn't going to say this out loud, but whatever cologne he was wearing was the best scent I'd ever smelled in my life. It was odd but so enticing, there was a hint of cinnamon and citrus.

"I think deserve something. I'm not a very nice person, so you could say that was my nice deed of the year." He grinned.

"Oh," I roll my eyes. "You're right."

"I always am."

I got on my tips toes as he leaned down. Our lips hovering against each other's. I could feel his warm breath against me. He smelled of mint and liquor, but the mint overpowered the liquor.

I almost lost myself and gave in, just almost. If only he wasn't so damn conceited and arrogant.

"While I appreciate your help. I don't appreciate being touched without permission. I hope you're not making a habit of touching girls without their permission." I raise a brow but I can't help the smile on my face.

He returns a lazy smile. "It's normally the other way around, but I-"

"No," I shake my head annoyedly. "I don't know what dumbass comment you were going to say, and I really don't care to hear it. You don't touch girls without their permission, and you don't assume they want to be touched, except for the exception of a few minutes ago. It was much appreciated, but don't expect a gift in return because your help would be complete s**t, if that's the case."

The smile on his face drops and his lips thin out into a straight line. I'm not sure what he's thinking, and I really don't care to know. It's always the good looking ones that assume they can get whatever they want just because they're attractive.

"I- I'm sorry." He said like it was something he wasn't used to saying. As if the word was foreign to his vocabulary. "That was f*****g stupid of me to do or assume. Really, I'm sorry."

I hope I wasn't being naive but I felt his apology to be genuine. And just don't have it in me to argue with someone else, let alone a stranger especially in his house.

"It's okay." I give him a small smile letting him know I mean it.

"It's a s**t way to end your birthday." He gives me a tight lipped smile.

"Not quite. You kicked my cheating ex boyfriend out. If anything I think that's the best birthday present I could ever get." My smile widened at the thought of Matt telling Emily they had to leave.

I'm sure TJ noticed the sheer joy I felt because he chuckled. "Damn I'm happy to be of assistance, but if that's the best birthday present you've ever received then that piece of s**t and your parents aren't the best gift givers."

"Not the greatest but my friends make up for it." I tilt my head slightly with a small shrug at the same time.

"Oh..." Is all he says. He looks at me like he wants to say something but he doesn't.

"Anyways happy birthday, boyfriend." I smiled and turned around and walked back downstairs.

God, why are you testing my patience tonight?