Chapter 14

Mariana's POV

"Here! Drink this," Kelsey said while handing me a red plastic cup filled with beer. Now, normally I wouldn't hesitate to say no. I know my Moms would totally kill me if I even touched it. They've given me lecture after lecture about the dangers of drinking and what not. Not to mention, the whole lecture about staying away from Kelsey because she's a bad influence on me, or whatever.

But in all fairness, my moms didn't just find out that their twin brother had been hooking up with their best friend behind their backs. If this doesn't call for a drink, then I really don't know what does.

I smile and accept the drink from Kelsey, "So, how was rehab?" Damn, why did I have to go and mention that? That's nothing close to a casual conversation. I awkwardly take a sip from my cup. Callie said to sip one drink all night. At the rate I'm going, there isn't going to be a keg left by then.

"BBOORRIINNGG. Just a bunch of cracked out kids screaming for attention. Not my thing obviously. "

"Yeah, totally," I reply. But in all honesty, I thought she would actually get something good out of it.

"So… Didn't think I'd run into you here, especially with the juvie girls. But, yay."

"Their names are Callie and Christina. And they're fine."

"Okay? What did I miss?"

"A lot," was all I could get out. I didn't want to get into every detailed thing that happened lately. Especially, with all the rumors that Kelsey had spread about Callie and Christina.

I watch as Kelsey took a really long sip of her drink. "Looks like rehab really did the trick," I joke. "Aren't you supposed to be, ya know? Sober?"

"Hellooo, I went to rehab for pills not beer. And obviously my parent overreacted."

"Obviously," I smile back. I found it intriguing how she didn't think what she was doing to herself wasn't a big deal. But she was one of my friends, and I didn't want to make her feel bad. No matter how often she'd done it to everyone else.

"Cheers!" she says and we clink cups. She finally notices that it's strange that I'm drinking, "I can't believe you're actually choosing to have fun for once. Since when do you drink?" She gives me an unbelieving look.

"Oh, I drink all the time," I answer. But we both know that I'm lying. The only time I can remember drinking is when Jesus handed me Mom's martini glass one day and told me it was water. We were both like 8 years old and didn't know any better. All I can remember was throwing the glass on the floor, spitting out the alcohol, and Jesus laughing hysterically, because he knew what he had done.

"What's up?" Kelsey asks, apparently intrigued by my silent daze.

"What do you mean?"

"Something's definitely up. I can feel it," she says with a smile.

I finally give in. I needed someone to vent to. Christina had been nice to me about the whole situation, but I just think she'd be weirded-out if I sat there and complained about it all. "Well Lexi is seeing Jesus."

Kelsey looked at me as if I had just admitted that I was Hispanic. "Well, duh. That's been around for a while now. He's your own brother and you didn't notice?"

How could she manage to make me feel like total crap, practically every time that we were together?

I continue my rant anyways, "She's my best friend. And he's my brother. I can't believe that they would do this to me. Jesus…he had ADHD. He doesn't know any better. But Lexi...I hate her. She's been lying to my face for God knows how long…And now my moms and her parents are sitting at home having dinner, like this is the best thing that's ever happen to them. It's like they're taking their side…God, I hate them all."

"Oh yeah. I totally get why you're pissed at Lexi. And it's crazy that your parents are hanging out. It's kind of gross if you ask me, but…Oh my god. Do you think your moms are telling the Rivera's that they bought Lexi the pill?"

"What?" I ask.

I'm not even sure I heard her right.

"Lexi wanted my help getting the morning after pill… Helloooo, if you need a pill call Kelsey. After she and Jesus had sex. I couldn't help, so I guess they went to your moms."

Silence.

Now, I know they are definitely on their side. All of this and no one managed to tell me anything. I was completely clueless. It felt like everyone had been laughing at me for God knows how long.

Kelsey continued, "Oh, you didn't know? ….Opps."

I quickly take a large gulp from my plastic cup, wondering why the help everyone around me knew about this relationship between the two people I trusted most, before I did.

Christina's POV

God this guy was hot. Just as hot as Jasper. It was like he was sent to me for a reason. I couldn't explain it.

One second, I'm feeling like total crap for being stood up by some random guy. And the next, this beautiful creature is standing in back of me, talking to me, and then following me outside.

Um…Jasper who?

"So, Christina," Liam starts.

"Yes?" I ask as I take another sip of my drink. I'm not trying to get drunk, but I can't help but feel nervous around him, and I'm not exactly sure why. I've never had a problem being around boys before… Besides Vico.

"What school do you go to?"

"Anchor Beach... For now anyways."

"So, you're moving?"

"Not exactly," I tilt my head to the side. There's no way I can explain my situation to some random kid I just met. Talking about it always made me feel uncomfortable and I wasn't entirely sure why.

"Then, what?" he smiles, as we both took seats on a nearby bench outside of Wyatt's house.

"It's complicated," I say, wanting desperately to change the subject.

"What do you mean? Planning on getting expelled anytime soon?" he laughs.

"No."

"Arrested?"

I have to laugh this time, "You have no idea how possible that is, my friend… So, what about you?"

"Oh, don't try to change the subject. You have my full attention now," he says as he takes a full swig of his beer. He ends up grabbing another on his way out of the house.

"What do you mean? You like girls with bad-reps?" I ask.

"No. I like knowing what I'm getting myself into," he smiles at me again.

I can't help but be fascinated by his smile. His teeth are perfectly straight, his dimples are showing, and his eyes are gleaming. But in all honesty, I'm still confused by his question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'd like to see you again."

"You'd like to see me again?" I question. "You mean, I haven't scared you off with the whole 'I might get arrested by tomorrow" thing I have going on," I ask confused.

"Oh, it takes a lot to scare me off. Trust me."

I nod, "Trust you?"

"Yes."

"Why?" I ask. I don't trust anyone in the world. What would make him think that he was so special?

"Because I'm asking you to," he answers as he flashes me that million-dollar smile.

"That's a good enough reason…" I say sarcastically.

"Look. I really like you. You're different than most of the girls, that I've met here, and I just want to get to know you a little bit more."

"Really?"

"Yes, really," he tries to assure me.

I start to stand up, "You know what. My cup is almost empty. I'm just going to get another refill, since I can't take yours again." I smile. "You've actually managed to finish that one." I finish, thinking back to the other drink that I'd stolen from him less than fifteen minutes ago.

"I'll get it," he says standing up and grabbing the cup from my hand. "Just sit down and try to relax. I'll be right back."

"Trust you?" I say again, and he laughs.

"Yes, trust me."

I nod and sit back down, "We'll see about that," I finish and he shakes his head and leaves.

Callie's POV

Great! This is just great! Mariana's drunk, locked herself in the bathroom, and Wyatt just had a complete meltdown.

We have to get home soon, and I have no clue where Christina went. This party is going just as I thought it would. DISASTROUS!

While I'm waiting for Mariana to finally come out of the bathroom, I start to walk downstairs and take out my cell-phone. Lately, I've been taking pictures of so many scenes, but this one seemed perfect. I start to snap a few shots, and suddenly notice Liam in my iPhone's screen, "Hey, Callie."

This can't be real. This monster can't really be standing in front of me. He can't really be talking to me right now. I keep staring at the screen because I'm afraid to check if he's really there. "Liam?" I say, while lowering my cell-phone, and trying to figure out why he would be here of all places.

I don't stay upstairs.

That's how he got me the last time.

I start to jog down, before he could corner me, like he had done before. I make sure not to look at his piercing eyes even though I can feel them staring at me.

He blocks me from going all the way down, and I couldn't move, "Saw your shots on instagram. Pretty good with that thing."

Is that how he found me? I wonder. But I don't think about it too much. The most important thing right now is getting away from him. In order to do that, I'd have to pretend he wasn't there.

"What do you want?" I finally voice out. But I wasn't so sure I wanted to know.

"I heard you were asking questions about me, so…figured I'd save you some time, and catch up face-to-face," he looks me up and down and smiles. "You look great. Can't believe how much you've grown in two years."

"Look, when Sara said she was staying with you're family, I was just curious. That's all."

"So you miss me?" he asks while grabbing my hand.

I instantly pull it away. "I gotta go," I say and start to walk back down the stairs again.

But he pulls my wrist to keep me from running, "HEY! I'm talking to you."

"Let go of me," I say.

"I'm going to say this once. Stop asking questions, and stay the hell away from Sara. Got me?" he says as he finally releases his grip on my wrist.

"Hey!" Wyatt says as he steps in between of both of us. "Is everything okay here?"

"Yeah. Everything's great. Just catching up with an old friend," Liam says as he places his hand on Wyatt's shoulder, to show that he means no harm. He starts to walk back upstairs, "See you around, Cal."

"We gotta go," I tell Wyatt and Mariana, who had finally managed to make it out of the bathroom and down the stairs.

"Where's Christina? You're rushing me but what about her?" she asks with an annoyed voice. "How about you come and get me when you find her, ok?" she says as she starts walking up the stairs to where Liam is.

"No," I say gently, even though I felt myself wanting to scream it. "You can help me find her." There was no way I would let Mariana go anywhere near him.

She nods her head with acceptance and helps me look for her.

Fifteen minutes later we finally find Christina outside, sitting on a bench.

"Come on. Let's go home," I tell her.

She finally looks me over and then at Mariana. "Damn, girl. How much did you have to drink?" she smiles, and I can tell that she's drunk by the redness in her eyes.

"I'm not drunkkk," Mariana says, and neither of us believe her. I'm just hoping that I can get her to her bedroom without anyone noticing.

"You are so drunk," Christina says laughing uncontrollably.

"Great. That's just great. You're drunk too," I say to her.

She gives me a protesting look, "What are you talking about? I'm totally soberrrr." She stands up and starts walking toward us, "So sober that I can walk in a straight line on one leg, so sober that I can pat my head and rub my belly at the same time, so sober that—"

"Okay. That's enough," I say as I grab her before she tries to stand on one leg on the bench she was now standing on. "Wyatt's going to walk us home, so we should go."

Christina gives me an angry look, "So why do we have to leave? That's your boyfriend. Let him walk you home. Me and Mariana stay here."

"And what am I supposed to say when I get to her house? That the movie ended, but you and their daughter decided to stay behind for no good reason?" I question.

"Oooooh, good point," Mariana buds in.

Christina breathes in deeply, "Okay. Just let me say goodbye to someone first."

Just as I'm about to protest, she prances off quickly leaving me to deal with a very drunk Mariana by myself.

"Are you sure we have to leave? I was kinda having fun," she smiles at me.

"You're kind of fun, is going to get me in a bunch of trouble if we're not careful."

"Oh, RELAX mom! Lighten up, will you? By the time we get home, I'll be totally fine…Not that I'm not already, but you know what I mean."

Stef's POV

The dinner with the Rivera's had taken a toll for the worst. All I wanted was to gain a little insight as to what the Jesus Camp was about, so that Lena and I could respectfully shut it down.

But nothing was going as planned.

The Rivera's were being extremely nice and respectful.

The camp sounded like everything I hadn't expected it to.

My dad showed up unexpectedly and made me feel like crap for my life choices.

That was a delight. As usual.

And all I wanted was to call it a day, and not receive any more bad news.

Just as I thought the dinner was finally coming to an end, I hear someone stubble on the stairs and hear Christina and Mariana laughing.

"Girls, is that you?" Lena asks.

"Yeah," we hear one of them responds.

"Come on in and say hello to the Rivera's."

"Coming," Callie says.

More laughing.

Once they finally show up I can tell that something is up. All three of them are standing extremely closer together than usual. Mariana is smiling too much and Christina is staring at everywhere besides our faces, as if she was afraid we'd catch her lying or something.

"Hi Mari, so nice to see you," Sonia says.

"Callie, Christina, this is Sonia and Ernie," Lena introduces.

"Hello," Callie responds. Christina just waves at them quickly and unenergetically and puts her hand down quickly.

"Nice to meet you," Ernie says while smiling.

"You too," Callie responds. Christina nods her head and I catch her rolling her eyes.

"Uh, we were just going to bed," Callie says and now I know something's up. But I don't want to ask them about it while there's company. Just as I'm about to ask them, how the movie was, Sonia beats me to it.

"No, no, Mari. It's been too long. Come join us."

Christina looks at Mariana and chuckles, but then tries to hide it with a cough as if we wouldn't notice. Callie glances at Christina and gives her a stern look. Christina straightens up and they all step forward.

"Wow, Mariana. Your nose."

"You like it?" Mariana asks and she stumbles on nothing.

That's when I know that my daughter is drunk. I quickly put my cup of coffee on the table and start to stand up. And I'm resisting the urge to yell at her right here because we were in front of company. The fastest solution I could think of is to get rid of them, "Yeah. I think it's time we call it a night. What do you say?"

"Yeah, mommy. I'm tired," Lexi tries to help because she also notices that Mariana is drunk.

To bad her parents don't... "Mari! Jesus is going to join us at the church retreat next weekend. Why don't you come too?" Sonia asks her.

Mariana looks at me and then at Lena, "What? You're going to let them spend the night together, when you know they're having sex?"