Page 3 of Babalon

Ivy immediately gagged.

“I didn’t get that long of a look, I’m just glad he was covered up. I already know I’m going to have nightmares.”

“Jeez, I would ask if your day could get any worse but it seems like it could. First, he didn’t show up to your graduation then you had to endure that? Fuck!” Oliver replied.

“Won’t lie, I’d rather have died,” I joked.

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t try to hunt the truck down again,” Wren stated.

“Agreed.”

“Anyway, bitches, let’s drink,” Ivy said with a salacious grin. As our resident ‘it’ girl, she was ready to be noticed by the older alumni. Especially some of the jocks that graduated a few years ago. Thirsty skank.

A little while later, we were all sitting on the tailgate of the truck while more and more people started to arrive. What weanticipated was going to be around ten to fifteen people turned into fifty real fast.

Tilting my cup up, I swallow a drink as my eyes shifted across the field we like to party at. It was a wonder that most of us out here looked like we were doing much better than our parents, but then again, I know looks can be deceiving. Me and my friends can confirm that, with just my issues alone.

Ivy's dad is in Darkwater Correctional for white collar crimes. He embezzled a few million dollars from the company he worked for and instead of the owners just firing him, they threw the book at him. He’s doing, I think, 15 more years inside before he is supposed to be released. Ivy hopes to be long gone by then. It’s not that she doesn’t love her dad, it’s that she is embarrassed now, and his crimes are going to become a stain on her professional Instagram career.

Oliver’s parents seem to be doing well, but they’re both cheating on one another. Oliver has caught both at one point or another, and they continually try to manipulate him into staying quiet and not telling the other. The day they go to court for adultery, Oliver is going to let it all out. Man, what I would do to be there. At least they both pay him to keep his mouth closed. He has saved up enough money to get a new Toyota Tundra and still have a hefty amount left over at the end of the month.

Wren though? Her big sister raised her. They ran away from their parents in Oregon. Wren was about six at the time and her sister, Rylie, was 17. Rylie is like the ‘mom’ friend, and supports Wren in everything she does. She is one of those lucky ones that gets to drive an hour to work every day. She’s pretty damn cool though. First time I ever smoked pot or had a drink was with her.

It’s safe to say, we are all fucked up in one way or another.

Once the bonfire started, people began to get a little rowdy. A few of the college freshmen that came were getting antsy trying to pick up some of the girls who came, while others passedaround beer, liquor, weed, and from the looks of it… pills. I couldn’t be upset, really, the high schoolers did the same. It just wasn’t my thing. Never mind my dad being a raging drunk. I just wanted to remain on a path of the straight and narrow since I didn’t know which direction my life was going to take.

Sliding off the tailgate, I sauntered over to a murdered-out Honda Civic that barely cleared the grass. I know the driver. Alright, fine, I’ve had a crush on the driver since I was a sophomore. Kaleb Reyes, or Rey as I liked to call him instead of his white boy name. Tall, tan, dark eyes, dark hair, full lips, and that cocky attitude of his had me wrapped around his finger. If I was comfortable talking to any of the college students here, it was him.

“Hey, Rey,” I cooed as I walked up to his car, eyes glossing over the pretty matte black pin-striping that you’d usually see on something like a El Camino.

“Nadi, how have you been?”

“Not too bad, I guess.”

“That’s good. Happy graduation day,” Kaleb grunted with a sly grin.

“Thanks, this your new car?”

“Yeah, want to take a look at her? I’ve had her for about six months. Trying to work enough to save up for some body modifications, and maybe a new intake,” he explained. Running his hand over the driver side fender, a gleam in his dark gaze.

“You’re speaking a different language. I don’t know a damn thing about cars, Rey. Dumb it down for me.”

Kaleb chuckled while he moved the stand that held the hood up and then shut it with a loud thud. Turning, he leaned against the front of the car and crossed his arms. Those dark eyes lingering over me.

I wasn’t wearing anything too fancy; a pair of jean shorts that were frayed at the end but not too short because I don’t likemy ass hanging out, and a tied-off Mötley Crüe t-shirt. My mid-back length dark hair was pulled into a sleek pony tail thanks to graduation.

“You wound me, Nadi. I thought you would have learned a bit more in my year away so you actually have something to impress me with.”

Ouch, I thought to myself.

Prick.

“And impressing you is important why?” I dished back.

Kaleb shrugged then shoved away from the car, walking over to the passenger side and opening the door before motioning to me to get inside.

What a fucking gentleman.

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