chapter 4

Tears watered my eyes and I took a step back.

No... No! I won't be crying over him again. I'd already been there. I couldn't take more steps backwards. But it hurt so freaking much...

"Hailey..." I flinched when Vickie gently touched my shoulder and composed my most trustful smile.

"It's fine I..." from the corner of my eyes I could see the couple keep on their forceful make out. Like they had forgotten there were other people around them and I gulped the painful lump in my throat. "I'll be outside."

And without waiting much of a response from my friend I scurried away, sliding between the dancing bodies and fighting off the claustrophobia it all was giving me. I couldn't breath. The walls were closing the crowd was too dense... Somehow, I managed to make my way out there and in the moment I stepped out the front door, in the dark porch, I bent forward, holding on my knees for support as warm tears poured down my face.

I was being ridiculous. How could it hurt that much when he was clearly Karen's? I was the other girl! I'm the one to blame so there's no such thing as mercy for my questionable moral.

I should have never gone after another's girl boyfriend. It was like... the golden rule of feminism.

No matter how bad my chest hurt int he moment, I brought this upon myself. So I carefully count to ten and repeat until I felt the clenched lace around my lungs loosened and I could breathe once more.

Looking over my shoulder, back to the going party I realized there was nothing I would resent more than go inside again. I couldn't.

So taking a deep breath I slid out my phone and quickly sent a short text to Vickie, telling her I couldn't go there and that I was heading home. Canceling our sleepover knowing with the music and all it would be rather useless to go precisely to the house next door. I also made sure she knew how sorry I was for leaving her, but judging by the way Tom Lorris was eying her I doubted she would have any trouble. And her house as barely six feet away. She'd be fine.

HAILEY: Come at mine if you need a break from it

I sent at last, and proceed to look for Matt's number, knowing at this time and this far from home it would be a bit suicidal go on my own. But right when my finger hovered over his name I heard weird sounds and froze on the spot when I took in the sight in front of me.

Nate Herond, aka as our Roosevelt's talented quarterback, aka Mr. Popular was by his famous car. Hands pressed on the door bent over and puking his guts out. I winced at the disgusting sound as it splashed on the gravel.

Everyone knew how much he'd work on that Chevrolet for more than a year, building it up from a pile of scrap into this cool, badass truck. Nate even called it Letty and declare she was the ever-impossible love of his life. He loved that car more than anything in this world, so he must be drunk as heck if he was puking her tires.

"Oh goodness."

I rushed to his side when he collapsed on the floor, slowly since he was holding on the truck's side, but ended curled next the throw up.

My nose scrunched at the smell of it mixed with strong alcohol, but I forced myself to hold my breath and gently helped his shoulders into a sitting position against Letty.

"Hey," I tried gently, not really sure how to react. Should I call for help? Get him inside? Take him home? I'd never had to deal with someone as drunk before. The moment his head rested back against the side of the vehicle I gasped at the sight of a bluish bruise under his left closed eye. "Damn, are you alright?"

His low babbling wasn't exactly helping and it made my insides clenched. I'd never seen Nate like this... Well, it's not like I'd known him a lot. I'd met him since kindergarten and had exchanged a couple sentences I guess... And I know him and the other couple of jocks got this nasty reputation in taking parties too far, but seeing him this intoxicated was kinda sad.

"Nate," I tried again holding his shoulder so his frame didn't slide to the side. "You hear me? I'm Hailey. We had Biology together last year-"

"I know who you are." he groaned hoarsely due to the throw up, probably. His lips tilted up in the slightest, but he still yet to focus; like his eyes were looking at the nothing instead of me. "Gracie."

My jaw clenched instinctively. Man, how I hate that nick. But instead I continued: "Are you okay? You look about to pass out. I'll just call the-"

"Chill out, will you?" his voice was slow and husky, dragged even. "It's a party, everybody drinks in those."

"I haven't drunk." I assured and a strange sound filled the air. His back shake and the quarterback slowly get into a more straightened position, making me realize he was laughing.

"Of course you haven't." the sly remark tightened my chest and I narrowed my eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." he wryly laughed again, lids closed and head resting back against Letty. "You're just perfect, aren't you?"

Being called 'perfect' by the most wanted guy must be something that would drive you crazy, right? Well, when the said guy was ass drunk, sarcastic and hiding something not so pleasant in his tone, such thing as 'perfect' didn't sound like a compliment at all. More like the contrary.

He then opened his eyes, blinking forcefully in hopes to focus and frowned when he finally saw me. "Have you cried?"

My heart skirted when he impulsively rose one hand to touch the moisture under my eyes, but I was faster and kept it down, taking advantage of his dizziness. "You're drunk."

"But not blind."

I sighed as if he was bullshitting, I rolled my eyes and looked over the house, using that small moment to both wiped the remaining tears and take note that nobody was coming out anytime soon. "Not on your right mind either."

"Ain't I?" another choked chuckle dripping more sarcasm. "Oh no! What would I do now?"

"Go home would be a good option."

All humor suddenly die in his face . "Hell no."

"Okay."

I was so not in the mood to deal with drunken Nate -not when Justin and Karen's images keep flashing as a loop in my mind-, but at the same time I would feel worse if I let him out there in the open in his state.

Pinching the bridge of my nose I forced down my wishes to be home, in bed, comfortably reading something and cursed the moment Vickie thought coming to this party would be a good idea.

"Do you need me to go find your friends or something?"

"I don't need a fucking babysitter!" Nate snarled, but the sudden rage didn't end well and he grimaced before curling over his stomach, bending to the side just in time another wave of vomit was emptied.

"There, there." I scrunched my nose at the stink of it, but gently patted his back, squeezing my mind. What to do? "I'm gonna get Bear." I decided, dreading the idea in the moment it rolled out my tongue. "I'm sure he'll let you stay and-."

Nate groaned, sitting back against the side of the trunk wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "We just argued."

Damn great. That might explain the black eye, right? "Seth then?"

Seth Lorde was his companion in crime. They've been always together, for as long as I can remember. Both in football team as well and with that careless spirit that made them invulnerable. The only other friend as close was Kimberly Thander, but I always get these weird vibes from her so I rather not get that close as to ask her for something.

I stood but before I could turn around my forearm was harshly gripped and I gasped when I almost lose my balance and found myself face to face with Nate again. His eyes opened now and bloodshot, serious as hell and my guts churned.

"Don't tell Seth."

"Why?" I wondered breathless, eyes wide and my heart up my throat at the harshness in his words, suddenly more sober.

"Just. Don't."

"Okay." I gulped. "Could you let go now? Please."

Nate rolled his eyes but complied and I immediately stepped back, rubbing the skin he'd grabbed as I let my pulse calm down. What the hell? But back to the point, what should I do now?

I looked around, but the place still as empty as before. Everyone was inside enjoying themselves and whether Seth was here or not, Nate clearly didn't want him involved.

I took in a shaky breath, contemplating what to do. I looked down at him, who now got his eyes closed and the mouth parted.

Oh, no no.

I squatted beside him and tapped his shoulders carefully. If there's one thing I know about drunk people is that if they lost conscious that was bad.

"Nate." he didn't respond and I shook him lightly making him grunt. "Nate, wake up."

He didn't. Instead, the quarterback just mumbled something incoherent and his face fell forward against my shoulder. The sudden weight almost made me lose my balance.

Please, don't let him throw up again.

I felt my heart fastening and shook him harder. "Nate!"

"Ugh whaaat?"

The anxiety melted a bit, but he remained unmoving, clearly wasted.

I sighed. "Let's get you inside." and then I tried to help him up, but without his collaboration it was futile for someone like me to try and lift his weight.

I gasped startled when his arms snaked around me and pulled me closer, with his forehead in the curb of my neck. A wave of heat spread all over me. "I don't wanna go inside." complained Nate like a little kid. "Take me."

"Where?" I broke out his hot embrace, narrowing my eyes down at him. He pouted unconsciously at the lost of contact and it would have been almost adorable if I wasn't already reaching my limit . "You don't wanna go inside, don't wanna go home, don't want me calling anybody... You can't stay here by yourself, Nate. Not like this."

His numb expression remained almost void of reaction if it wasn't for the tired smile that curved his lips. "It's cute that you worry." I felt my cheeks flaming and my fingers tightened on my folded arms. "I just need to sober up... I know a place..." he slurred and with effort took off a set of keys from his pocket. "You said you haven't drank. You can take me."

"Where?" curiosity was gaining over irritation.

"I'll guide you." and this time he helped me help him up, hissing in pain and making me wonder if his fight with Bear left him this sore, how come no one else noticed? The fight must have been huge!

Careful to avoid the vomit, I led him on the passenger seat, handing him a bottle of water and Nate wasted no time in cleaning his mouth and spit it out on the gravel a couple times before awkwardly closing the door. I redid it properly when it didn't lock, biting my lip when the reality of what was happening hit me like a train.

What the hell am I doing?

Nate sent me a slow half smirk, almost as if he sensed my hesitation. "Come on, Gracie."

The idea still wasn't convincing me entirely. I mean, going out to an unknown place in the middle of the night with a guy I barely know and that couldn't even stand for himself?

Yeah, sounds like something safe I would totally do.

But something about this... the situation, his vulnerability, my need to keep the image of Justin away... I just needed to take a break. In the worst scenario I'd just take him home and headed to mine. I still got the pepper spray my father had given me last time he came so I'll be fine.

I send a quick text to both Vickie and Matt, letting them know I was going for a walk with a friend and sending them also my live location just in case. While sliding into the driver seat I took a deep breath and convinced myself being spontaneous for once wouldn't be that bad.