Page 31 of All of You
I push open my door and hop out, waiting at the tailgate for Delia so we can walk in together. She fidgets with her top and then her skirt.
“Don’t be nervous. They’re just fellow human beings.”
She lets out a laugh that makes my chest swell. I caused that sound and I love it.
“I don’t really do ragers. It’s not really my thing.”
As we approach the door, we can already hear the music blaring. The bass pounds, the vibrations ripple under my feet.Like A G6,Hailie’sgo-to song. I push open the door and let Delia pass me. The house is packed. Half the school must be here. Delia’s eyes are wide as she takes in the chaos. People are already wasted and it’s not even ten pm yet. Red plastic cups are clutched in everyone’s hands as I push us through the crowd.
I hold out my hand for Delia as we pass through a mob of dancing kids. She stares at my hand like it’s poisoned. Some underclassman bumps her, making her stumble a step and I have to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.
“Watch it,” I holler. The kid gives a drunk grin and shrugs. Delia takes my hand and I tug her closer to me. “Don’t let go. We’re going downstairs. Stay close.”
I lead her to Hailie’s basement. As we descend the stairs I release her hand even though I don’t want to. Almost the entire senior class is down here.Shotsstarts playing and everyone sings along.
“Lang you fucker! I was wondering where you were,” Niko yells over the music. He waves me over. He notices Delia behind me and his eyes bug out and his arm stops moving mid-air.
Our group is around the wet bar, Campbell, Niko, Hailie, Hannah and some others. Two shot glasses are passed to me. I hand one to Delia. She wrinkles her nose. I down mine. It burns going down. All eyes are on Delia. Girls are sizing her up and the guys, Jesus, they practically drool at the newblood in the room.It’s going to be a long night.
Our class isn’t huge. About a hundred kids give or take a couple. They’re huddled in various groups around the large basement. Some smoking weed, most have a beverage in hand talking and laughing.
Seventeen
Delia
The entire senior class is congregated in a circle. Some in chairs and most of us on the floor. Which is awkward as fuck when you’re in a short skirt. I’d dumped my shot into the plant next to me when no one was looking. Drinking makes me feel ridiculous. Lyra is to my right and Langdon to my left. Everyone keeps vying for his attention but he’s stuck by my side all night, which is nice.
“Alright, kids! Seven minutes in heaven!” Hailie squeals and sets a bottle in the center of the circle.
“Do people actually play that game?” I squeak out feeling morose and incredibly young.
“You’ve never played?” Niko asks. Langdon shoves his shoulder. He’s had at least four shots already, and Niko’s had even more. I long to go make friends with the weed kids I saw earlier to bum a hit.
I roll my eyes. “No, and I’ve been to a lot of schools. Ithought it was just a stupid game from teen movies, not something people actuallydo.”
A loud laugh booms out of Langdon. He spreads his legs wide and casual, taking up space like he’s at home in hisownbasement—not at a party in public. Whereas I’m sitting here with my legs crossed, arms circled around me, trying to not be noticed. Trying to be invisible and doing a horrible job of it.
“It’s Hailie’s favorite game,” Lyra says nudging my shoulder.
“One of these days, I’m going to get Langdon in that closet,” Hailie says, and points to the closet. Half the class ohh’s and whoops and the other half barely contain an eye roll. Which is exactly what I’m trying to do. Langdon, I notice, just cringes.
“Rules. Oldest spins the bottle the first time. Whoever it lands on has to go in the closet. A timer will be set. Seven minutes to do whatever you want, or don’t want. Hear that boys? Consent counts in this house.”
I never would have pegged Hailie as a consent pusher but I’m infinitely glad in the moment that she is.
“Who’s oldest?” Everyone looks to a single kid. I almost burst out laughing. He legit looks like he might be twenty. I push my knuckles to my hand to stifle my laugh.
“That’s Willy. He stayed back,” Langdon says quietly. His breath on the shell of my ear causes goosebumps to break out. He’s been weirdly protective tonight. Never leaving my side. Personally introducing me to people and shutting down any hint of flirtation with an intense glare.
I practically had to shove him away from me to use the bathroom. One that is in the basement no less. Who has a basement bathroom?Hailie, that’s who.
Willy grunts and spins the bottle. It lands on Lyra and some stoned guy I don’t know. Everyone hoots and hollers and sends them on their way. For seven long minutes, music plays and the rest of the class breaks off into micro conversations.
“Girl, you are giving off some serious pussy slay vibes.” A lanky guy holds out his hand to me as my brow wrinkles. “Miles.”
“Um, Delia.” I chance a glance at Langdon but he doesn’t seem concerned anymore.
“You are the talk of the town, literally,” Miles laughs and scooches closer to me. “So… what’s your story?”
