Chapter 8.

Shots.

"Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Queen of beauty has arrived, settle down now; settle down." Mike announced as we entered Eric's house.

"Oh, and Bella is here too!" Eric winked at me.

"I'm not sure if that's an insult or compliment." Mike shrugged and reached over to grab my hand. "Can you believe she's really here though?" He smiled at the gang.

I cautiously looked at everyone. "It's great!" Angela bounded over to me and embraced me in a warm hug. "I'm glad you're here Bella."

"Thanks, I really needed to get out of the house… so here I am." She pulled away, but kept her arm around my shoulders.

"Well then, lets get this party started!" Mike ran over to the stash of alcohol and started pouring various amounts into 4 glasses.

Eric's house was a complete mess, I guess his folks had left him home alone for the past few days – there were empty packets of junk food everywhere, not to mention stale bottles of beer and open cartons of orange juice. What a tip!

Angela noticed my expression. "Yeah, I know it's a complete dump at the moment. He's kind of let loose recently, his parents went off to Atlanta for a mini vacation and he's pissed that they didn't take him with them… I've explained to him… 'Eric you're a big boy now, they don't need to take you everywhere!'… But he's still sulking, boys!" She gave me a helpless look.

I laughed in response, and glanced back to the others. Mike was still filling the glasses with god knows what, Eric directing him and slapping his hand when he poured too much. Jessica was lying across one of the sofas with a glass already balancing in her loose hand; she must have started the party early.

Angela led me over to the boys; Mike was waving a glass around as I approached him. "Here, get this down ya girl!" He handed me the clear substance.

I frowned at the potent liquid, but took it from him. "What is in this?"

Mike laughed. "Vodka and rum, I added lemonade don't worry."

I took a sip and forced myself to swallow the burning drink, which might as well of been acid. "Didn't put that much lemonade in it though did you Mike? Jesus!" I choked.

"Oh man up, Bella. You'll get used to it." He replied and began to chug down his glass.

Angela grimaced and grabbed her drink; she pulled me over to the sofa next to Jessica. "Ignore the alcoholics Bella. Lets have girl time."

"Sure." I smiled at her and had another sip of my drink. Mike was right, I was starting to get used to it; it was strong but bearable.

"So… how are you doing after everything that happened? You know, with Edward's accident…"

Shit, why did she have to bring this up, I was just getting over it. I looked down into the glass, I wasn't ready to talk about this stuff; not yet, it is still so fresh. I began to feel guilty for being out tonight, I'm sitting here drinking with my friends like nothing has happened… what is wrong with me? I should be at home still grieving, refusing to breath without him, yet I've come out to party with my friends…

"I'm sorry Bella, I shouldn't have brought it up; it's too early… I didn't mean to upset you." Angela must have noticed my reaction.

I looked back up to her and shook the thoughts from my head. "No Ange, don't worry about it… Yeah, it's still a sensitive subject. But I don't think I'll ever be able to talk about it…"

"Just take it one step at a time Bella, it will get better. I promise." She put a reassuring hand on mine and smiled.

"I know. I just feel guil…ty I guess." I smiled back.

"Don't be, I'm sure he would have wanted you to continue living your life."

I nodded. God, this was so difficult to talk about with her. If only she knew the full story, I'm sure she would understand better that way. She is right though I suppose; I need to keep living.

Angela tapped my hand. "Anyway, lets forget I said anything. You need a good night Miss Swan, and I am of service. Finished that drink my dear and we shall endure some shots!"

I internally groaned; this could be messy. I glanced over to Jessica, she was out like a light.

"Yeah… Jessica started the party a while ago, she could be out for a while." She laughed and finished off her drink. "Drink up!"

I brought the glass to my lips and gulped it all down. I opened my mouth to show her it was all gone, she seemed satisfied.

"Ladies." Mike and Eric cheered in unison; they had a bottle of tequila and shot glasses in hand. Oh dear. They sat on the sofa opposite and lined the shots up and poured all to the top.

We all gathered our shots and downed them in one. I heaved a little as the piercing liquid travelled down my throat.


The night pretty must progress the same way, shots, shots and more shots. Everyone had become giggly and loud. Jess was still out, so we moved her onto the smaller couch and the four of us all slumped over the larger one together.

"Okay, okay, OKAY. Listen. It is lemon, tequila and THEN salt!" Mike blurted out.

Eric shook his head frantically. "No, no, NO. MIKE! Don't you know anything, man? It is salt, tequila and then lemon."

Angela and I were excessively giggling at their argument, it had been going on for too long. I had no idea what the answer was, but I would probably side with Eric; who would want the taste of salt at the end? That would be just as bad as the taste of the tequila.

Mike was getting frustrated and started groaning. "Dude, no. It doesn't make sense, I don't get it, and I don't get anything. I hate it, shut up. Lets stop talking about it!"

Eric smacked him in the back of the head. "Quit your moaning man and admit to defeat. Again, I am right. I am always right!"

Angela patted Eric's shoulder and whispered to me. "Clever this one!"

I laughed and sat up a little; I reached out for the ingredients. "Okay lets settle this boys!" I licked the back of my hand and applied the salt, Eric poured me a shot and Angela passed me a segment of lemon.

"Okay. One, two, three; GO!" Mike screamed out.

Simultaneously, I licked the salt, shot the tequila and put the lemon between my teeth. I heard Eric and Angela cheering. I grimaced slightly at the taste of lemon, but it did seem right this way, I barely tasted the alcohol. "Eric, I think you win!"

"YES!" He sat up and gave me a high five, and with the same hand swung round and slapped Mike on the back of the head again.


Five hours later, and I'd say we were all quite gone. Eric was spooning Angela on the floor, they were giggling and whispering in each other's ears. Jessica had woken up at some point; had a few shots with us, and then made her way to Eric's parent's room. I was lying in her vacant spot with my feet on top of Mike's knees, thinking about what kind of animals Alice and her family were catching right now. They would properly be really disappointed if they knew i was drunk right now, yet Alice no doubt already knows.

"Bella?" Mike slurred out, whilst playing with my toes.

"Hm?" I couldn't be bothered to answer him properly; I had a crooked arm over my eyes trying to control the spinning of regret.

"Belllllla?"

I huffed, "What?" And removed my arm to look at him.

He was wearing a goofy grin, his eyes slightly droopy. He leaned forward and grabbed my floppy arms. Struggling, he pulled me up towards him and looked deep into my eyes. Our faces were so close; too close. I didn't like it, when would boy get it that I don't want him?

I pulled away and stood up from the couch, stumbling over empty bottles. My head was spinning so bad. I'd never been drunk before, is this what's supposed to happen? If so why do people do it?

I gathered myself and looked down at him, he had his puppy dog eyes on. I rolled mine and headed for the stairs. "I'm going to the toilet." I could feel his eyes piercing into my back as I crawled up the steps.

When I reached the top I breathed a sigh of release, finally out of his view. Now, only to find the bathroom itself, I had been up here earlier to use it. "Where's it gone?" I mumbled to myself. I walked down the corridor opening various doors; Eric's room, laundry room, shower room, the study. I opened the next one and saw Jessica sprawled out across the bed, must be Eric's parent's room. I don't know why but I felt an urge to enter and sit next to Jess, so I did.

I sat there for a while trying to gather my thoughts. Alcohol really hates me, how many emotions can one person feel at one time. I lay down next to Jess and started to play with her hair. I smiled as the strands laced between my fingers and slid away like waves in a calm sea. I don't know how long I lay like this, but I was starting to feel more relaxed; I had no intention on moving anytime soon.


I don't know whether I was asleep or zoned out, but I swore could hear my name…

"Bellaaa? Bellllla?"

Okay, someone was definitely saying my name. I sat bolt upright to find Mike sitting at the end of the bed. My eyesight blotched a little.

"Bella, what are you doing?" Mike said. His voice still intoxicated.

I stared at him in confusion. "What?" Eh, I was starting to feel groggy again; damn shots!

"I totally understand now. I get it. I do. All these months of rejecting me, it's because you swing the other way? Ah, Bella why didn't you just say? It's kind of… sexy." He looked as if he was about to drool.

His words weren't making sense to me. "What?" I repeated. I was squinting my eyes to keep focus.

Mike laughed. "Don't deny it. I caught you in the act, you were touching up Jessica."

"WHAT?" I screamed. I looked down at Jess, who was still sound asleep. Then I realised my hand was still intertwined in her hair. Ohhh. "Mike, I'm not 'touching up' Jessica. I was just bored, so decided to play with her hair… I don't know why, I'm just drunk…"

He raised an eyebrow. "Right… whatever. I think it was hot." He started crawling across the bed over to me. I removed my hand from Jess's locks as Mike lay in between us.

"Um, what do you think you're doing?" I glared at him in shock.

"It's always been a fantasy of mine."

"What has?"

"A threesome."