CHAPTER 7: A Sip Of Regret

Scarlett's POV

"You are coming with me to the Congratulatory Party, right?" Mia asked on Sunday afternoon as we both tidied our space, preparing for the week ahead.

"Congratulatory party?" I asked, completely confused.

"Ugh, Lettie, you are so clueless. We won on Friday, remember?"

"There's usually a congratulatory party after every win, for the players and their fans, which is us!" she declared, placing her hands dramatically on her chest as she finished her sentence.

She had started calling me 'Lettie' since yesterday morning, claiming that 'Scarlett' was too long and didn't give off the right Roomie and Bestfriend vibe. I just let her. Telling Mia 'no' without a defense she can relate to is just a waste of time, and honestly, it's not like the nickname feels bad.

Sometimes I wonder if Mia is attending Ravenwood for the second time in a second lifetime, 'cause she knows way too much for a freshman.

I love Ravenwood, and it has always been my dream school, but I guess there are levels to these things, and Mia is on a way higher level.

"Oh," I said eventually, 'cause there was really nothing else to say.

"So you are coming."

"Yeah, I'd like to see what it's like."

"It's going to be great. Other athletes are going to be there, and I am definitely hooking up with someone. I need me a sports person."

"Isn't that too early?"

"No, it's not. Should I wait till I'm, like, a sophomore? I'll be an old lady by then," she responded, dropping the cloth she was folding onto the bed.

"And," she said, turning suddenly like she just remembered something else, "the best of them could have been taken by then, so the earlier the better."

I just nodded.

She continued talking while I just listened, until she eventually drifted off to sleep.

The quiet room allowed my mind to wander, and I drifted away into memories of my dad as I stared at the framed picture I kept beside my bed. I have been feeling nostalgic lately. I miss him. I miss how he would pack my hair in the weirdest ways, and I'd go to school with it like that, not allowing my mum to redo it. I miss the way he would dote on my mum and us, his children.

My dad always wanted an ordinary life, but life threw him on a path he didn't really desire. He planned to redirect it, and we eagerly anticipated that redirection. The plan was to gather enough funds, quit his job, and relocate all of us somewhere else, somewhere more quiet. But death is a bastard. It took him away early.

"It's almost time, let's start dressing up." Mia's voice drew me back from my thoughts. She was awake. I swung my head back to quickly blink away the tears that were coming.

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We got to the party just when they were about to take the 'victory shot.' Mia said it was customary, everybody present takes the first shot, and then you can decide whether or not you take a second one.

"I don't drink," I said. The first time I drank was the last time I ever tried it. It messed me up real bad, and it was just a sip. I can't hold my liquor, and I have made peace with it.

"It's just one shot," Mia urged.

"Even a sip messes me up, so I'm not drinking."

"I'm here with you. I won't let you get hurt. Live, girl, live!"

"Okay," I said, and picked one shot glass from the passing tray. Stupid me!

They said the toast. It was led by the blue-eyed guy I saw that afternoon outside the window, and then we all drank.

Mia and I sat together, enjoying the vibe of the party, swaying slowly to the music. The alcohol was taking effect on me already.

A guy sat beside Mia and they both chatted away, flirting heavily before I even knew what was happening.

"Give me twenty minutes, I'll be back," she whispered in my ear, and then she left with the guy to God knows where!

Suddenly, I was alone. The loud noise of the party started to bother me, so I stood up to move away, struggling to keep my balance.

One step, two steps, three steps. I bumped into a wall! I reached out and felt the wall; it was warm. I looked up to see how tall it was. It had a head, and a nose, and...

No, it's not a wall. It's a man. I rubbed my eyes to try and see his face clearly. The noise of the party felt very far off now.

"Dad!" I called out.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again. I miss you, we miss you," I continued, my words slurring together.

"Evan is now this tall," I said, describing dramatically with my hands way above my head. I swayed dangerously, struggling to balance, and he reached out to hold me so I wouldn't fall.

"Where are you going? Who are you with?" the wall—sorry, man, oh, my dad—said to me.

"I'm tired, Daddy, I'm tired. Now I'm going against everything you said, but I promise it's just this once," I sobbed, bending down, the tears already falling freely.

He bent down with me, patting my shoulder. I saw his mouth move, but I couldn't hear anything over the rushing in my ears. I struggled to see him, and then, everything went black.