Bonfire Night

My hands were shaking on the way to the party. Of course, Thea was completely oblivious to my nervousness. Kevin seemed really awesome. He was probably the only thing that kept me sane through the ride. I got out of the car and Thea had already taken off.

"Yeah, it'll be sooo much fun" I said to myself. I started to walk towards the beach. My mind went to the last time I was here. I was so lost. I am not any surer of myself now, but at least I am sane. In the distance I heard someone shout ,"Loretta!" and I saw Sam running towards me.

"I am so glad you came, girl this is going to be great" she said taking my hand and pulling me towards a group of people. She loudly announced, "This is Loretta!" and the group turned to look at me. She went around and introduced everyone. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was. A drink was shoved into my hand. I took a sip and smiled. It tasted awful. This was going to be my cup for the night. I chatted with different people. Most had already had a lot to drink so they were amusing.

"So your name is Loretta, huh?" a cute guy said to me.

"Yeah"I nodded

"Cool, I am Brian"

"It's nice to meet you."

"So you're from New York"

"Yeah, you from Forks?"

"Yeah, born and raised." Brian and I talked for a while. He was really funny. Apparently he was in a few of my classes. "My girlfriend would love you, Loretta" he said and he pulled me over to a small redhead. I felt dumb, but shook it off. "Trish, this is Loretta. Loretta this is Trish" At first she eyed me like she didn't like me. However he leaned over and kissed her and suddenly she warmed. She introduced me to a whole new group of people. I was pulled onto the dance floor. Suddenly I got very hot and decided to go sit on a log by myself. The wind had picked up and I debated going to get a warmer sweatshirt. Lucky thing the rain was holding off.

"At least you are on dry land this time" I heard a familiar voice. It sent chills through me. I turned in shock.

"Uh, yeah I am more of walker than a swimmer" I said my voice faltering.

"How are you doing, Loretta?" he said.

"Umm, I am doing fine, you remember my name?"

"Yeah, you don't usually forget the name of the girl you save" My cheeks were enflamed by that comment.

"I was actually going to drop by your house tomorrow, to thank you"

"It's not necessary."

"No, Paul, listen, I can't excuse that I put you in danger with my foolishness. Silly me thinking I could swim. I really do apologize. What can I do to make it up to you? How about I'll buy you dinner, or um"

"Loretta, I watched you run into the water, you didn't even try to swim. You don't need to do anything for me but tell me what you were thinking"

"Paul, I wasn't thinking, that was the problem remember?"

"You were so lost in thought, so determined"

"Yeah, I just wanted to swim"

"Take me to dinner" I was surprised at his abrupt subject change.

"Okay, not right now cuz my sister-"

"No, tomorrow night. Then you will tell me what happened"

"Who are you to presume to tell me what I will or will not tell you?"

"I saved your life"

"Yes, and I am eternally grateful. You can't even imagine. However I think my reasons should be kept to myself"

"I need you to tell me"

"What? Why?"

"I'll tell you over dinner –you know what? Every week. Every Saturday night we'll have dinner together"

"Are you crazy?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?"

"Is this blackmail?"

"No, I want to eat dinner with you. If you won't agree-"

"You'll what?"

"I'll speak to your grandmother about it"

" How do you even know? What? You –"

"I would, so do we have a deal? I assure you Loretta, I am not crazy. We can eat wherever you want. But I want to eat with you every Saturday."

"I think my family will get suspicious"

"Fine, tell them I'm your boyfriend" I was shocked. This boy was crazy but so serious.

"Right, only on Saturdays?" I said sarcastically.

"We can hang out more. If it will help you trust me" I didn't know what to do. This was an alarming situation and I wasn't scared at all. In fact, I was thrilled. This was crazy."So?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"You always have one"

"Fine, I'll see you tomorrow night. We'll meet here?"

"Great, Loretta, I think you should head home. People are going to be really drunk and its not safe." He was right so I nodded."I'll walk you to find your sister. I have to find my friend anyway." We walked towards the dance floor.

I walked to the dance floor where I saw Theadora dancing quite horribly. I yelled at her. She yelled back and drank more. She bumped into what I believe was the friend Paul was looking for. Luckily he caught her as she passed out. Freaking great, Thea. It turns out his name was Jacob. He helped me carry her to the car. I went and found Kevin. That was an experience. I had to pull him off some guy. He won't remember it in the morning anyways.

"Do you want me to follow you home to help you carry her in?" Paul said.

"Nahh that's okay, Kevin can help me. I'm used to this." He looked concerned but nodded. The next thing I knew he had me in a hug and kissed me on the top of the head. Before I could even react he was walking away. "I'll see you here at six Loretta. Sleep tight." He turned and gave me a smile.

Although Kevin was pretty trashed he helped me carry Thea in. The two of them crashed on the bed. Oh they were going to regret that tomorrow. I laughed to myself. I had a big day tomorrow.

I arrived at the beach and stepped out of Kevin's car, dragging Loretta with me. I had to admit that it did seem to be a bit better than what I had expected. There was a huge bonfire set up on the beach surrounded by buckets filled with what would appear to be beer.

"Classy."

"Isn't it just?"

Somehow in the first twenty minutes of my arrival I was convinced that a game of flip-cup would be a good idea. 12 rounds later I was convinced it was the best fucking idea on the planet.

"Chug Ted, come on chug it!"

"Let's go Teddy!"

Slamming the cup top down on the table, I used all my sober concentration on flipping it over, it had miraculously gotten easier the more I had consumed. On my fifth attempt I flipped the cup successfully and every one cheered.

"Suck it bitches!"

A round of shots and dancing like an idiot quickly followed the winning of the greatest game in the world. Someone was blasting their I pod through their car stereo and I found myself sandwiched between two people I didn't think I knew. That was how Loretta found me.

Shit. Hehehehehe

"Theadora Leighlynn Tremaine what the fuck do you think your doing?"

"Loretta!!!! I'm soooo happy to see you, both of you actually!"

"Are you drunk?"

"NO!!! heheheheheh. Yes!" stupid giggles.

"You can't be serious?"

"I'm having fun, isn't that what you're supposed to do at a party?"

I grabbed a passing shot and downed it before Loretta could take it way from me.

"Thea!"

"What?"

"I can't believe you're doing this."

"Oh God."

"I hope you're happy with yourself."

"I am very happy, now just do me a favor and get tipsy." I handed her a beer and shooed her away.

"I LOVE THIS SONG!"

Did I really, who knows, it sounded fun.

Time seemed to fly dancing in that group of people, and when I broke away to get a drink, I slammed right back into something. I didn't even feel myself fall, I just ended up landing on my ass and finding it the funniest thing ever.

But when I looked up and caught the glance of the thing I walked into all laughter left me. He was so tall, and standing in front of the fire made his copper skin glow. I felt my heart slow and speed up at the same time, and that my legs would give out any second despite the fact that I was already on the ground.

"Are you alright?" his voice was so deep and smooth, like chocolate.

All I could manage was a nod. He helped me up and I was taken aback by his strength, so taken aback that everything went black.

The next morning everything hurt. Light was an evil intention, as was movement.

"Oh God."

A blob moved next to me and I thought I was going to be sick.

"Blob I order you to stop moving!"

"Ugh."

Wisps of black hair where revealed and I had a sudden flash back to the beautiful boy I had bumped into last night.

I ripped back the covers and felt oddly disappointed that it was only Kevin.

"Teddy you bitch, give me back the wondrous light blocker."

What the hell was happening?

We finally stumbled downstairs and were greeted with torture. Stupid Loretta.

"Good morning!"

"Ugh." She had made an extra smelly breakfast, opened all the shades, and I just know she convinced Grandma and Grandpa to wear obnoxiously bright colored clothing this morning.

"How are you this wonderful and sun filled morning?"

"Bite me."

"That's not very polite."

"Ugh, why does God hate me?" Kevin stumbled in next to me and I heard Grandma gasp.

"He's gay right?" I heard her not so subtle whisper.

"Yeah."

I picked at my breakfast and drank cup after cup of coffee. It was weird, whenever I tried to think about what happened the night before it was all a blur, except for that guy. I didn't even know his name and he was all I could think about. Why was me meeting him the only thing I could remember from last night? And why did I feel that weird sensation of my heart speeding up and slowing down at the same time at the mere thought of him?

What the hell was going on.