by D. K Lake
"Good. 'Cause there are no refunds here." Cal jokes and I wonder how much we owe him, we hadn't even talked about money.
"I'll hook you up in the week," Mitchel says.
"No prob, you know where I am." Cal responds and spins around on his stool.
"We're having a party tonight at ours if you're interested." Mitchel tells him.
"I can't. I have to be in LA by the morning."
"Ok, well thanks, Cal."
"Anytime. And tell JT I'll fit him in on Thursday sometime, maybe in the afternoon." Cal says and walks out of the room and I follow Mitchel through the curtain. "I can do four o'clock." Cal says, flipping through the appointment diary on the desk.
"Cool, I'll tell him."
Mitchel takes my hand and starts walking to the door.
"Uh...thank you." I turn to Cal.
"You're welcome." Cal smiles and follows us to the door and locks the door behind us.
I wait until Cal has pulled the blind down before I ask.
"You were talking about drugs, weren't you? Before, I mean, when you said you'd hook him up?"
"Uh, yeah." Mitchel replies and I'm glad he doesn't try and lie to me.
"I sometimes forget that you do that."
"I don't." Mitchel mumbles.
"If you hate doing it then why don't you do something else?"
"'Cause it's easy and it's good money, and someone has to make sure JT doesn't get himself killed."
"I don't think JT needs you to be the muscle. He would scare bears away."
"I know, but it's easy work and we don't have to answer to anyone."
We stroll along the sidewalk, heading for the Jeep.
"But you do have to answer to someone?" I query. I knew drug dealers had to get their supply from someone.
Mitchel looks over at me. "Don't worry about that."
"I'm not, I just wondered how it works."
"That's not something I want you involved in. Ever."
"A little hard not to get involved when you disappear every now and then to go and sell drugs, and JT brought me along that one time, remember?"
"And he got a beat down for it."
"You two should really learn to use your words."
Mitchel chuckles as he unlocks the door for me.
"So we really have to go to this party?"
"It will be fun. Promise." Mitchel tells me and closes my door and jogs around to the driver's side and climbs in.
"So just to be clear, if they start a game of truth or dare..."
Mitchel's eyes slide to mine. "The only game you're allowed to play is one that involves me and no one else."
"Is that so?"
"And the only game we're gonna play involves taking all of your clothes off." he smirks.
I giggle and he reaches over and tickles me before he starts the Jeep.
"I can't believe we just got tattoos." I say, touching the spot where the dressing is under my hoodie.
Mitchel pulls out into the road.
"No regrets." he says, reaching over and capturing my hand and bringing it to his lips.
"No regrets." I repeat.
60
On the way back I contemplate checking my messages again, holding my cell in my hand. I know there's probably more voicemails galore from my mom and about ten messages from Paige letting me know how I'm going to die.
Mitchel must now what I'm thinking because he reaches over and takes my cell.
"Don't."
"What? I wasn't doing anything."
"No, but I know what you're thinking and it can wait until tomorrow."
"I need to be back early in the morning. I think Mom has got the moving trucks turning up at six."
"In the morning?"
"Yup. I need to be back in time to ride with Mom and Paige. So if I'm staying the night I need to get up at six thirty, quarter to seven sort of time."
"Damn." Mitchel takes a turning. "That gives us less than twelve hours together." he states.
"I know." I mumble and stare out the window.
"How about if I just drive you tomorrow." he suggests.
"Drive me where? Home?"
"No, Nebraska."
"You can't drive me all the way to Nebraska, that's insane and won't Willa need her car back."
"She usually gets a ride to work and she won't mind, and this Jeep is mine anyway."
"What?"
"I bought it six months ago, and then Willa wrecked her own car and I said she could use this."
"You own this car?"
"Uh-huh. You seem surprised?"
"No. Well, yeah, you never mentioned it before, that's all."
"I guess I never mentioned JT owns the house either."
"What?!"
"JT paid for it and Willa and I live there rent-free, obviously."
"Do you own anything else?"
"No, but JT just rented a place across town."
"What for?"
"We need a place to stash our goods."
"Oh...where do you stash them now?"
Mitchel doesn't answer and pulls up outside his house. The drive is already packed with cars I don't recognize.
"I thought she said a small party, friends only." I say, looking through the front window.
"I think JT invited a few friends as well."
"Great." I mutter and climb out.
Mitchel leads me up the garden path, the music is pounding against the walls it's so loud. I was hoping for something a little quieter. I want to actually be able to speak to Mitchel and not have to yell at him all night.
The front door swings open and Nessie fills the doorway with a cup of something I assume is alcoholic and it sloshes over the cup rim. She's wearing high heels and the black dress with the criss-cross design that I saw hanging up this morning. Nessie already has naturally curly hair but she's curled her hair even more and it's full of volume and bouncing everywhere but she can totally pull it off but I'm surprised to see her face is rather bland with minimal makeup, but she still looks absolutely beautiful. I wonder why she hasn't done her usual makeup or at least a little eyeliner, but then I remember Mitchel's words this morning when we were in the bathroom and he told her JT doesn't like girls that wear too much makeup.
"So you finally decided to show up to your party, huh?" Nessie slurs.
"Ness, how drunk are you? It's only eight thirty?" I say and step inside.
"And I've been drinking since four." She winks at me.
"What are you drinking?" I take the cup from her and sniff it, even the smell burns my nostrils and I quickly hand it back.
"Don't be a wet mop. We need to get you drunk as well." She pulls me further inside and we pass a scary looking guy in black leather who looks very familiar. I glance over my shoulder at Mitchel.
"Is that one of the bikers from the bar fight yesterday?" I whisper.
"Why do you think they joined in?" Mitchel grins.
"You know them?" I ask surprised.
"Yeah." Mitchel laughs.
"I'll have to introduce you to Big Johnny." Nessie says.
"Big Johnny?" I repeat.
"Yeah, weird name but he's a softy." Nessie smiles and pulls me along.
The house is buzzing and I'm amazed at the number of people that have managed to fit inside. I spot JT and Boston on the couch downing shots and I recognize maybe three guys from school and that's it, I have no idea who everyone else is.
Nessie practically pulls my arm off as she drags me into the kitchen area.
"Oww. Careful!" I tell her as she grips my arm where I have just had my tattoo done.
"What's wrong with your arm?" she asks, letting go and grabbing a red cup.
"Nothing." I say innocently.
Mitchel stands next to me smirking.
"Ok, what's going on? Where have you been? We've been waiting for ages for you two to get here. What have you been doing?" Nessie fills the cup up with a splash of lemonade and the rest is all alcohol.
"Here." She han
ds it to me and passes Mitchel a beer.
He pops the lid off and Boston appears next to us.
"Hey, come on, your brother wants you over there." Boston says.
Mitchel looks at me.
"It's ok, you go. I'll be fine with Ness." I tell him.
"I'll be back in a minute."
He kisses my cheek and disappears out of the kitchen.
"Sooo...what have you been doing?" Nessie asks and takes a gulp of her drink.
"We went for lunch and got pizza, then we went to the movies, and then we went and got matching tattoos."
Nessie spits out her drink but thankfully misses me and hits the back of some random guy but he doesn't notice.
"What?!"
I smile and motion for her to follow me into the hallway and hurry into the bathroom and I place my cup on the sink and remove my hoodie.
She gasps when she sees the dressing.
"OMG! You're serious."
"Yep." I carefully peel off the dressing and show her.
"It's a crescent moon?" she says, confused.
"And Mitchel got a sun in the same place."
"I can't believe some guy talked you into marking your skin."
"He didn't. He wanted to get something and he wanted me to choose and then I saw this and it just felt right."
"You two are mad."
"Madly in love."
I use the bathroom and then Nessie drags me into Willa's bedroom and makes me get all dressed up. I can't be bothered but she insists. It only takes a few minutes because my hair and makeup are already done and still intact.
"Your hair and makeup look amazing by the way." Nessie says, zipping the back of the dress up for me.
"Thanks, so does yours. I love this look."
"I was going for big and bitchy."
I sit down on the edge of the bed and Nessie kneels down in front of me and pushes my heels toward me.
"I can't believe you got a tattoo." Nessie holds the shoe for me to put my foot into.
"I know, me neither. When I'm with Mitchel I feel like a different person, but I like that person, she's more fun."
"You were fun before you met Mitchel, Kelsey."
"I know, but when I'm with him I feel like I can do anything I want to."
"You're impulsive when you're with him. There's a difference."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Look where impulses got me?" she mumbles.
"I was thinking that tonight Mitchel and I might, you know, go all the way."
"You sure you're ready?" Nessie helps me with the next shoe.
"I want to. I've wanted to for a while and I'm leaving in the morning."
"I don't want you to do something you might regret. I would have said the same thing about the tattoo if I had been there."
"I know, I gave Mitchel that speech when he first dropped it on me that he wanted one, but then I was like what the hell, why not?"
"This is your virginity we're talking about."
"I know. And tonight just feels right. I mean, not right now with Machine Gun Kelly playing in the background but later when everyone goes home and it's just a few of us in the house."
I help Nessie get up off the floor.
"If you're sure."
"I am. I love him, Ness."
Nessie pulls me in for a hug.
"I hate to admit it but the pair of you are actually perfect for each other, it's a shame you're move-"
"Don't! Don't say it."
"Sorry." She brushes my ponytail over my shoulder.
"So do you have any advice for me?"
"Um...put a towel down and make sure he wears protection."
"That's your advice?"
"Yeah, I didn't even think about it and I made a mess of my sheets, remember?"
"I think everyone remembers."
"You know, on Monday morning while you're halfway to Nebraska I'll be sitting in class getting teased about my heavy flow."
"Heavy flow?" I laugh.
"I'd rather people think I got my period than know I lost my virginity, it's not something I want everyone to know."
"Babe, I hate to tell you but I think half the school knows what happened especially after JT went into rage mode and nearly killed Zeke."
Nessie grumbles and opens the door. "You ready?"
"Yup, let's go."
Nessie uses the wall to steady herself because she's drunker than she lets on and manages to make it down the hallway. And I use the wall to steady myself because I'm not great in heels. I nervously pick at the dressing on my arm as strangers look me up and down and a few of them undress me with their eyes and I suddenly want a cardigan.
"You look fine." Nessie tells me having noticed I have slowed down.
She stops in the kitchen and pours herself another drink. I'm still sipping my first one. I don't want to get completely wasted, I actually want to remember my first time. We search the living for the guys but they've disappeared.
"They're probably outside." Nessie yells over the music.
I nod and follow her outside.
"They're not out here." I say, jumping up and down to stay warm.
"They must be in JT's room." Nessie shrugs.
We make our way to the back of the bungalow, the hallway is crowded with people all leaning against the walls. JT's door is ajar and Nessie walks ahead of me and I follow her but she suddenly stops in the doorway and I walk into the back of her.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
She quickly pulls me back and hides us from view.
I peek around the doorframe, wondering why she's been so weird. Maybe JT's banging another one of Boston's cousins.
Mitchel is sitting on the bed next to some girl I don't recognize and JT is sitting in one of the gaming chairs next to Boston, there is another girl sitting on the edge of the desk and two more guys standing up. Mitchel is laughing and messing around with JT who is near him.
I smile to myself and wonder why Nessie got all weird.
"Just watch." she whispers.
I want to ask her what she saw a minute ago but my question is soon answered when JT passes something to Mitchel and he leans over to the edge of the desk and snorts something up his nose.
My breath leaves my body and I stay frozen in time. I think I would have preferred to see JT banging Boston's cousin over this.
I look again and the girl leans over Mitchel and does a line as well and I'm sure it's not baking powder they're snorting this time. Nessie looks at me but doesn't say anything. I look back at them and see JT doing lines as well. I quickly move away and pull Nessie away with me because I don't want to be caught snooping. We hide in the bathroom. I don't really know why I feel the need to hide.
"Was that coke?" Nessie asks.
"I think so."
"I thought they were just dealers."
"No. Mitchel has said before that they sometimes do stuff, but I didn't think they meant coke."
"Is that even safe?"
"I'm sure it's not their first time."
"You know it's weird, I know I should be freaking out that they're doing hard drugs in the house but for some reason, I'm not." Nessie deadpans.
"I think that's the alcohol numbing you."
"What do we do?" she asks.
"Nothing. It's not like we could stop them anyway. Let's just have a good time and try and forget about it, ok?"
Nessie nods her head.
I know I'm not happy about it, but I don't own Mitchel and I can't really be angry at him. I should have really expected him to do something like this.
We leave the bathroom and I head straight to the kitchen and start downing shots and mixing drinks.
Yeah, I'm pissed, but I try not to let it show but Nessie knows I don't normally drink like this.
I get annoyed. I want to barge in there and see what's going on. They've been in there for over an hour. I laugh to myself because he said to me he would be back in a minute.
"Slow down." Nessie tells me.
I shake my head and have another drink and then I feel like dancing.
I don't normally dance so I know I've drunk too much.
Nessie and I dance for another hour before Mitchel finally decides to show his face. He comes over to me and starts calling my name.
"Kelse!"
"What?" I snap.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Nothing." I say loudly.
Mitchel looks at Nessie. "How much has she had to drink?"
"Well if you had stayed with her you would know. And I'm not getting involved in this." Nessie bumps into Mitchel on her way out the living room.
"Kelsey?"
"What!"
"Can we talk?"
"Um...no. I want to dance."
"Kelse..."
"Don't, Mitchel. Just go away I don't want to talk to you right now."
"Why not, what's wrong? Hey, look at me." Mitchel grabs my arms and turns me to look at him and I try to wriggle out of his grasp but it doesn't work.
He then puts his arm around me and leads me out of the living room and into his bedroom where there is some random couple dry humping each other on the floor.
"Out!" Mitchel shouts and they quickly scramble off the floor and leave the room.
Mitchel slams the door and locks it.
"What's wrong? Everything was fine a little while ago."
"You mean two hours ago!" I say and catch sight of the clock on the bedside cabinet and it reads 11.20 pm. "Make that three hours!" I can't believe it's so late.
"I'm sorry. I lost track of time." he says.
"You abandoned me to go and snort coke with your friends."
Mitchel catches my eyes and I look away, slumping onto the bed and trying not to spill my drink.
"You saw us?"
"Yeah, Mitchel, I saw you snorting coke like it's no big deal."
"Kelse-"
"No, don't Kelse me right now. I can't believe you, our last night together and you leave me to go and do that. That stuff can kill you."
"So can too much alcohol." Mitchel says and tries to pry the cup out of my hand but I'm defiant and refuse to let it go and it ends up all over me.
"Shit, Kelse. I'm sorry."
He tries to help by grabbing one of his t-shirts and drying me off.
"Don't bother." I smack his hand away.
I'm so angry with him.
"You could have come and got me."
"It's ok, you looked too busy cleaning the desk with your nose and letting that pretty girl climb all over you."