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I woke up early the next morning, the sun hardly even up. Glancing at my clock I realized it was only 5.
Unable to fall back to sleep, I moved to get out of bed. Reid's arms was tightly clamped around my waist with no signs of letting go.
I tugged a little, but that only made his arm constrict more tightly around me. Using, I forced his arm to move from around my waist. He didn't even flinch. I swear, he could probably sleep through a tornado.
Once standing I realized I felt perfectly fine--hangover free in fact. This was definitely going to be a good day! I quickly changed into a sports bra and running shorts. Slipping Reid's shirt back over my head, I headed downstairs, tugging my tennis shoes on as I went. I slipped my iPod arm band on and began rocking out to my workout favorites.
I don't know how long I've been running. Its was much brighter outside than when I woke up. I was at the perfect point in running, where I felt like I could run for hours more. A runners high, they called it.
I turned, running full tilt back to my house. I always enjoyed a sprint at the end of a good run.
Breathing heavily, I walked up the driveway. Everyone seemed to be asleep still.
I gulped down water, letting the fridge's cool air brush over my skin. My mind was still turning over the events of last night. I still didn't know what to think. Questions rushed through my head. Questions I wanted answers to.
Carefully walking up to my bedroom door I peaked my head in. Reid lay sprawled out on my bed, limbs spread every which way. The morning light had just begun to trickle in my window, and illuminated part of his face.
It trickled over, and any second now he was bound to wake up. I grabbed my towel off the floor and hurried into the bathroom, hoping to avoid an awkward moment.
I took an extra long time showering, trying to figure out what I was going to say to Reid when I did finally speak to him.
I'm sorry. Last night was a huge mistake. But was it? Would he think it was too?
I had just squeezed some mousse into my hands when a knock sounded at the bathroom door.
"Yea?" I squeaked, jumping a foot in the air in surprise.
"I have to pee...so bad." Reid's voice was muffled through the door, but I could still tell he desperate.
"Open the door then." I scrunched my hair, evenly distributing the mousse as Reid rushed in. He looked expectantly at the toilet, then back at me.
"Do you mind?"
I laughed aloud. "Never pegged you for the modest type." I was still laughing when I closed the door behind me.
I dressed quickly in a thong and bra, and began searching around for a semi-clean skirt to wear. I slipped it on up over my hips and had just zipped it when Reid came back into the room.
His mouth hung open. For a second I thought he might have swallowed his tongue. I slipped a white button up over my bra and began buttoning it.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer." I joked, searching again in the bowels of my closet for more missing clothing. My words seemed to shake him awake and he started moving towards me.
"I'll be out of here in a sec. Feel free to take a shower. I know you need it." I triumphantly found the sweater vest I had been looking for and popped it over my head.
Sliding my feet in flats, I went to grab my school bag. Reid's hand stopped me. "Where are you off to in a hurry?"
"I was just gonna go downstairs and grab some breakfast. Finish up some homework." I was looking towards the door, thinking about bolting through it.
"Al..." Reid ran a flustered hand through his hair. "About last night...
"Its no big. We were both drunk..." I played it cool, keeping my tone even and precise even though inside I felt like crying.
His face contorted for a second, something akin to pain flashed across it. His cool mask of an exterior was quickly in place, and he gave a quick nod before heading towards my bathroom.
I grabbed my book bag and jetted out the door. My stomach was churning, and for a second I thought I would be sick. Instead, tears came from my eyes. Tears I couldn't stop. I sat in the kitchen, sobbing into a bowl of frosted flakes. I was a pitiful mess.
And thats exactly how Sarah found me.
"Oh my gosh, Allie, is everything ok?"
"Yea..." I grabbed a napkin to try and sop up the tears still clinging to my face. "Just stupid boy drama."
"Reid?" My head snapped towards her, and I stared at her. "How did you know?"
"You guys have had something going on for awhile. All it took was a little alcohol to bring it out." Sarah gave me a reassuring hug. "So why are you crying over Reid?"
"Well we did...stuff last night. And this morning I just didn't know how to act. I told him it was a mistake...that we were just drunk, because I thought thats what he wanted to hear. And then he got this funny look on his face. And I could feel him pushing me away."
"Sounds like a misunderstanding to me. Why don't you just tell Reid what you just told me?"
"Because you don't know Reid like I do. I think he feels like I've betrayed him, and there's no hope of reconciling that anytime soon. When someone hurts him he just shuts them off. Until he thinks he can forgive me." I moved my cereal around in my bowl with the side of my spoon. It was turning to mush.
I wasn't hungry anyways.
"He's just pigheaded then. Don't worry Allie, it'll blow over." Sarah moved to get a glass out of the cupboard, and then juice from the fridge.
"Better not tell Caleb though. He'll probably get all brotherly if he hears about you and Reid..."
"You and Reid what?" Tyler piped up, walking into the kitchen. His eyebrows shot up.
"Nothing, nosy. Sleep well on the couch last night?" I sniffed a little, my nose running from my previous crying.
"As well as ever. Why were you crying?" Tyler asked, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Stupid stuff. Don't worry about it Ty. I'm past it. Ready for another day in hell?"
"God, sometimes I really hate school." I dumped by soggy frosted flakes down the drain and headed out the door with Tyler and Sarah.
"See you at school!" I cried up the stairs to anyone who was listening. I didn't get a reply back.
Reid was acting weird at school. So much more of a cocky asshole than usual. He ignored me in all of the classes we had together.
And to make matters worse, I'd already been kicked out of one class for not paying attention. I decided to skip the rest of the day. Its not like I was going to accomplish anything by sticking around.
I hung around downtown for awhile, walking by all the different shops. I sat down at my favorite coffee shop, The Bean, and ordered the biggest mocha in creation. Nothing like a little chocolate to raise the spirits.
I sat there for hours, reading and mostly thinking. If I could, I would fast-forward to Saturday. I'm ready to see how it all plays out. The anticipation was getting a bit unbearable. At 3 I finally removed my butt from the comfy leather arm chair.
I saw the waitress huff, glad to have me gone, and I deftly removed the tip I'd just laid down for her. Serves her right.
Swim practice was in half and hour, so I walk/ran back to Spencer, making it in time to change into my suit. Between the early morning run and my mad dash from town, I was starting to feel worn out.
Lucky for me, my coach seemed to sense my lack of exuberance in practice and assigned me extra laps. While everyone else was finishing up, I was still plugging away, arms burning. But I refused to give up.
I began to get angry thinking about my coach. He had no right to be a dick to me. I always came to practice. Reid didn't have a reason to be a dick to me either. Men. I hate them.
I head people yelling and stopped at the edge of the pool for a second to look around. Caleb and Chase were in the middle of a race, and everyones attention was focused on them. I pushed off the side of the pool and began to kick again.
My eyes flashing black, I pushed myself harder and felt my speed increase. My arms were like blurs and I sped back and forth across the pool.
I heard someone yell "Caleb!" and I stopped mid stroke, treading water.
I swam over, pulling myself out of the water. Chase had just dove down and brought an unconscious Caleb back to the surface. Pogue and Reid pulled him onto the deck as I rushed over.
"What happened?" I yelled, already feeling for a pulse.
"I don't know, he just didn't stop. He hit is head..." Pogue answered, looking lost.
His pulse was strong. He should be waking up any second now. I turned him on his side as he came to, coughing water out.
"You scared us for a second there, bro. Lucky for you Chase was there to get you out before you sucked up the pool," Tyler said, leaning over him.
Caleb groaned, rubbing his forehead. He'd be fine.
"So, you going to Nicky's tonight?" Chase asked.
I turned, unsure who he was talking to. He was looking right at me.
"Yea, I guess. What else is there to do?" I laughed a little. Spencer's lack of outside entertainment was a running joke with its students.
"Guess I'll see you there. Save me a dance?" He asked, smiling. I was taken by surprise.
"Uh...yea, sure." I gave him a quick smile before heading into the girls' locker room.
I sat on my bed later that night, confused. Did I like Chase? Sure, he's a nice guy, I told myself, but he's no Reid. I sighed, shaking my head. That whole Reid thing was going no where, fast. He hadn't spoken to me all day.
Why not. I'll give Chase a chance. I slid on a long black halter top, the strings made out of pearls. Sliding on dark skinny jeans, I gave myself a once over. Not bad. I left my hair curly.
After a day of chlorine, my hair always did what it wanted anyways. I lined my eyes simply in black eyeliner, making sure to smoke out the edges of my eyes. I rubbed a little silver eye-shadow on with my finger, and I was ready to go. I grabbed my black stilettos in one hand, my leather jacket in the other, and headed downstairs barefoot.
Of course the boys were already down stairs, playing guitar hero. Reid was oddly missing, and his absence made me frown. I rocked out to Mississippi Queen for a minute, then went in the kitchen to pour myself a drink.
Lately I had been wondering about my habits--skipping class, getting kicked out of the classes I did attend, and drinking almost every night. I chocked it up to stress, and vowed I would start out fresh next week, if I lived to see it.
Sipping a screwdriver, I went back into the living room. Tyler was getting his ass kicked by Caleb, the reigning Guitar Hero champ. I smirked. Not for long.
By the time Caleb and Tyler had finished their song, and Tyler had quit all his bitching about an unfair match, I had finished my drink.
"Caleb, I officially challenge you," I said, smiling. I took the guitar from Tyler's hands and slipped it over my head.
"Oh, I'll take that challenge." We stood shoulder to shoulder, attempting to pick a song. My eyes lit up when I saw the perfect song.
"Before I Forget."
"Slipknot?" Caleb's eyebrows rose. "What happened to Britney Spears sis?"
"I grew out of that a long time ago Caleb dear." I started laughing, thinking of my 'hit me baby one more time' days.
We both chose hard as our level, and squared our shoulders, ready to play. The song began and Caleb hit every note. Damn.
I struggled for a second, but I got into the rhythm and began to show Caleb up. At one point in the song I even jumped up on the coffee table, dancing around as I played.
"Wooo!" Kate hollered at me as they entered. I was kicking Caleb's ass. At some-point I think he got flustered, messing up his chances of beating me.
At the end of the song, I took a bow to all my adoring fans.
"As soon as you're done, can we go?" Caleb asked, putting down his guitar.
"Don't be a sore loser Ca," I said, giving him a bear hug. He started laughing.
I slipped my shoes and jacket on and we all headed out, piling in Tyler's hummer. It was certainly squished. Luckily I got to sit in the front since Reid wasn't there.
"Is Reid meeting us there?" I asked Tyler as we drove towards Nicky's.
"Yea. Said he had something to do." Tyler glanced over at me, and saw the look on my face. "Is there something going on between you two?"
Caleb's attention was immediately distracted from his conversation, and he looked at us.
"No. Ew Ty, we're just friends." I slumped back in my seat, arms folded across my chest.
For a Tuesday night, Nicky's was packed. We found a parking space easily enough, but a table was a totally different story. Luckily I spotted Chase at a table, talking to some people I vaguely recognized,
"Chase! Hey..." We all crowded around the table and soon enough the others left, making way for us to say down. Perfect.
You missed some epic Guitar Hero times," I said, leaning towards Chase so he could hear me. The music was loud tonight.
"You should invite me next time, I might be able to show you a thing or two," he joked.
"I don't know about that...I'm kind of the shit." I smiled back at him, cracking up.
"I'm sure you are," he said, attempting to suppress his laughter. He couldn't help it and started laughing.
"I'm serious!" I said, smacking him lightly on the arm.
"I'm gonna get another drink...do you want anything?" I thought about it for a second, and smiled.
"Would you mind getting me a shot of tequila and a rum and coke?"
"Is Nicky gonna sell that to me?" Chase asked, a little wary.
"Ya know what, let me go up there with you. I'll introduce you." I stood up, shrugging off my jacket. "You guys want anything?"
I pushed my way up to the bar, Chase right behind me. I was pulling on his hand so we wouldn't get separated. His hand felt warm in my own and I smiled a little to myself.
"Yo Nicky!" I yelled down the bar, practically kneeling on top of it. I felt Chase's arm on the small of my back, keeping close.
Nicky came down when he got a chance and I smiled brightly at him.
"Nicky, this is my friend Chase. In the future, I want to make sure he gets preferential treatment..." I said, wagging a finger at Nicky. He laughed heartily at my antics and shook his head. "What's up man. Any friend of Al's...
"Hey, while you're at it, think I can get a shot of jack and a rum and coke? Oh, and four diet cokes for the wimps at my table. Chase, what did you want?" I looked over my shoulder at him. His head was practically resting on my shoulder. He slung a friendly arm around my shoulder and looked to Nicky. "Shot of jack and beer."
"That a boy!" I said. Nicky kept handing my Diet Cokes and soon my hands were full.
"Grab my drink, will ya?" I said to Chase, walking back towards our table. I handed out the Diets, Chase right behind me. I took my shot glass out of his hand and held it up to him.
"What should we cheers to?"
"Your Birthday. Its on Saturday, isn't it?" Chase said, practically yelling into my ear.
"Yea! To my birthday!" I let the shot slide into my mouth and down my throat. There soon was a warm sensation in my stomach.
I took a drink of my rum and coke and sat back, listening to the conversations going on around me. Caleb and Pogue were talking about the upcoming meet. Boring. Sarah and Kate were talking about the movie they'd seen today, so I obviously had nothing to add there.
I let my eyes wander, and soon enough I found Reid. At the pool tables, as usual. He wore his trademark beanie and fingerless gloves, and was currently bent over the side of the table, making an elaborate shot I'm sure. My eyes strayed to his ass for a second and I unconsciously licked my lips.
The Way I Are had just begun to pump through the jukebox speakers. I guess they'll put anything in a jukebox these days, I thought. Though not my favorite, it did have a good beat. Taking another gulp of my drink I turned to Chase.
"Wanna dance?"
"Sure," he said, smiling. He slid his hoodie off his shoulders and followed me onto the dance-floor. Couples around us were already grinding on each other.
Chase put his hands at my waist and I backed up, my back flush with his chest. I began to move my hips in a circle, rubbing up against him every once and a while. I was singing the lyrics to myself. "Oh baby its alright..."
Chases' hands had begun to wander, moving down onto my thighs. I started grinding my ass against his crotch and his grip tightened. I smirked to myself. I spun around, moving back from him a little and dancing still to the music. My hips swayed with the music in circles and I put my hands in the air. I pulled my hair away from my neck. It was starting to get hot in here.
Chase reached out grabbing my waist and pulling me to him. I laughed, continuing to dance with him. The song changed, and my eyes lit up.
Pour Some Sugar On Me. The most ridiculous of all hair band ballads, and a personal favorite of mine.
It sounded like the whole place was singing along. I was starting to feel the alcohol coursing through my veins, making me bold.
I bent down, grinding my ass into Chase and I flipped my hair to the side. I ran my hands down my body, leaning back on Chase. Kate, Sarah, Caleb and Pogue had joined us on the dance floor and I laughed at their antics.
Kate, Sarah, and I started dancing with each other. We were grinding on each other in what can only be described as an Allie sandwich. We dipped low to the floor, getting catcalls from the boys.
Pogue was the first to break, pulling Kate from our little group and into an intense make out session. Sarah laughed, jumping into Caleb's arms. The song had ended. I stood dumbly for a moment, watching Sarah and Kate receive affection from their boyfriends.
Chase came up behind me, placing a quick kiss on my right shoulder blade. "Thanks for the dance."
"Anytime." I said, turning around. I gave him a quick hug before making my way over to the pool tables.
"Baby Boy!" I said, ruffling Tyler's almost perfect hair.
"Watch the hair Al," he grumbled at me.
"Aw, cheer up sunshine. Looks like you and Reid aren't doing so bad here," I gestured towards the table. Reid looked up at the sound of his name, but frowned when he saw me standing there. This silent treatment needs to end. I thought.
"So Aaron, looks like Reid is kicking your ass again..." I patted a friendly hand on Reid's back, walking around the table. He tensed a little as I touched him, but I didn't show that I noticed.
"Your turn to shoot," Reid said, gesturing towards Tyler. He brushed past me, but I grabbed his arm.
"We need to talk." I looked him in the eye. He went to remove his arm from my grip, but my eyes flashed to black and I squeezed his arm tighter.
"Fine. Later," he ground out, looking around him. Only Tyler had noticed our little altercation.
I went back over to our table. Caleb, Sarah, Pogue and Kate were still on the dance-floor. I looked around for Chase, but I didn't see him.
"Hey," Chase said from behind me, causing me to jump a little.
"Hey! Wanna get another drink?"
"Yea, sure. You're gonna drink me under the table soon," Chase joked, following me over to the bar.
"Do I sense a challenge?" I asked, leaning up against the bar, waiting to order.
"I only get into challenges I can win," Chase said, a smirk on his handsome face.
"In that case, better not. Two shots of 151 over here, Nicky!" I called down the bar. Chase's eyebrows shot up.
"What, 151 too much for ya? Cuz I can take your shot if you want..." I joked.
"No no...can't let you have all the fun." We each took our shots, clinking our glasses quickly. Now 151 is not for the faint of heart. Its been known to knock even me flat on my ass before. But I figured I needed some liquid courage to deal with Reid later on.
"Wow..." Chase said, licking his lips. "That packs a punch, doesn't it?"
I don't know what came over me next. One second I'm standing there, and the next I'm launching myself at Chase. I didn't really want to kiss him, but somehow it ended up that way. Like it was against my will.
We were kissing roughly, our tongues battling for control. I felt his hands go down to grab my ass, and for once I did nothing to stop it. I was starting to scare myself. I wasn't acting like me, alcohol or not. My hands came up to run through his hair, and I knew someone else was in control.
I hadn't felt it before, but now I had the distinct feeling that someone was Using. Not in short bursts, so it wasn't Reid at the pool table. It was more energy than I had ever felt before, and it was right across from me. My eyes bled to black and I fought for control over my body. He finally broke the kiss and I staggered back, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth.
I saw his eyes, if only for a split second. They were pitch black.
"Al! We gotta go," Caleb called from the dance floor. I saw Aaron and his boys leaving, and I knew there was probably going to be a brawl. I looked back, and Chase was gone.
Chase was one of us.
I grabbed my coat and practically staggered out the back door, the weight of my realization bearing down on me. Caleb and Pogue we're already out there. Aaron and his boys had left, but it seemed the fighting hadn't ended.
"Why don't you quit being such a pussy," I heard Reid say, grabbing a hold of Caleb's arm. From where I stood at the door to Nicky's I could clearly see his eyes, black as the night surrounding us.
"Reid, stop it," Caleb said. I could tell he was in pain. I felt Caleb's power flare up, and I knew Reid had it coming. Caleb forced a wall of energy at Reid, sending him flying into a nearby wall.
"Boys!" I said, coming down the stairs to stand next to Tyler. They obviously weren't listening to me.
"What will it take for you to get it? Its addictive you moron. You've seen what it can do if you abuse it.If you want that, thats you're business. But if you use in the open, like you did tonight, you risk exposing us all. And I won't let that happen." Caleb strode closer to Reid, and I walked forward as well, on my guard. I knew Reid wouldn't take this lying down.
Reid pushed up the wall, getting back onto his feet. "Why don't you tell your sister that, huh?" Caleb glanced to me, as Reid began levitating an empty keg. He hurled it at Caleb, but I was faster, and I deflected it away. Caleb sent another wall of energy at Reid, forcing him to fly into a pile of empty bottles. The sound of glass breaking pierced my ears.
"Stop it, this is crazy!" I said. Caleb rushed forward, intent on doing more damage. I put my hands out, stopping Caleb with a wall of energy. Pogue and Tyler stayed back, unwilling to get involved. Reid pushed himself out of the glass, shards falling off his clothes. He had cuts across his hands and arms, but quickly healed them.
"Its for his own good." Caleb bit out, slamming a fist against the wall I had put up. Reid rushed forward. I have to put an end to this.
I let energy well up inside of me from somewhere deep inside and shuddering, I let it out. A burst of white light, and Caleb and Reid were sent off their feet, and in opposite directions.
"This shit ends NOW." I screamed, hands shaking. These boys were my family, and I couldn't just let that dissolve before my eyes.
My my, quite a temper.
I heard a voice speak inside of my mind. Instantly I tried to put mental walls up, blocking him. My head felt like it was being split open. Dropping to my knees I clutched my head. The pain was excruciating.
If you're not careful, you could get addicted! And we don't want that now, do we?
Chase's mocking voice filled my head. My ears rang and my head began to swim. I closed my eye, trying to close him out.
It won't be that easy to find me sweetheart. I'll come to you again, soon. Lets hope you're more receptive to my advances next time.
"Get out of my head!" I screamed a loud. And then he was gone. I was alone in my own mind, as it should be.
"What the hell was that?" Pogue asked. I stood up slowly, my eyes still pitch black.
"Chase. He's one of us." I answered.
"How did you find out?" Caleb asked, confused. Anger flared up inside of me.
"You knew? And you didn't tell me?" The air around me began to shimmer as waves of anger poured off of me.
"Guys, this isn't the place for this." Tyler piped up, looking around. He was right.
"I'll meet you guys at home," I said, and willed myself home.
I could get used to just popping in and out. In seconds I could be anywhere.