Page 5 of We Thought We Were Invincible
“You're just green that you don't get to be the hero of the final party before prison is back in session.”
“Yeah, if by green you mean ready to puke.” I mimed vomit coming out of my mouth, and Colby swatted me on the side of the head.
After socking him in the stomach, I looked up to find Morgan grinning at us.
“Oh, go on.” She held her hands in front of her chest. “This'll be the most entertainment I get tonight.”
Colby straightened up at that, probably realizing fighting with his sister in front of one of the most popular girls in school wasn't the best of ideas.
“I can think of better entertainment.” He grinned.
“Ew, gross,” I yelled. “Now I really will puke. Dude, if that was flirting, you're in serious trouble.”
They exchanged a look, one I'd seen before.
“Wait.” I grabbed my brother's arm. “Did you start dating Morgan Cook and not tell me?”
He dragged me out of ear shot of her. “What's the big deal?”
“Um, how about she's out of your league?”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You know what I mean. Different circles and all that.”
“In case you haven't noticed, California, me and you don't exactly have the same friends. Basically, I have them and you don't.”
“Shove off.” I stormed by him and walked right by Morgan without so much as a nod.
When Jay found me again, I was sitting by myself. Handing me a red cup filled with God knows what, he sat down and pulled me close. I leaned into him, knowing that once he left, my brother would be right. I'd be alone.
* * *
An hour passed,and then another. I'd never been one for drinking, preferring control over letting go, but that night I didn't care. I wanted to feel the freedom I always felt when I was out on the water. The willingness to bare my soul out amongst the waves. But you can't hold on to something like that. You can't call it up at will.
Out on the waves, it's a different world with different rules. Those rules didn't apply to solid ground.
My head buzzed, creating fog where there once was clarity. Jay and I walked down to a more secluded part of the beach, away from the noise of my classmates. Classmates I barely knew because I didn't let them know me.
I sat in Jay's lap facing him as he kissed my neck, rubbing his hands up and down my back. I placed my hands on each side of his face and tilted it up so I could kiss him long and hard. His lips were warm, a familiar comfort and needed distraction from life. He was leaving early tomorrow morning, and I couldn't get that goodbye out of my head. I couldn't say it so I pressed harder against him.
Jay was the only boy I'd ever kissed. The first time was a month after my mom died. He did it to get my mind off of her, saying he was being a friend. He'd used that tactic ever since. Whenever I'd be upset, he shocked me out of it with his lips. They were sneak attacks, and they always worked. Then this summer, they ceased being surprises and became normal.
Now I had to try harder to clear my mind. He held me to him until I leaned back and gripped the edge of my shirt, pulling it over my head in one swift motion.
“Callie,” he whispered.
“Don't say it.” I threw my shirt to the sand and leaned in to kiss him again, cutting off further protest. His hands gripped my waist, but when I reached up to unclasp my bra, he took my hands in his, breaking his lips away from mine.
“Stop, Callie.”
At those two words, I scrambled off his lap and lunged for my shirt, desperate to cover up my humiliation.
“I don't know what your problem is.” I climbed to my feet, wanting to run away.
“My problem,” he huffed as he stood up. “Is that my best friend is drunk and I will not take advantage of her.”
“I'm not drunk.”
