It's been a minute, hasn't it friends? Here I am, months later with no apologies, only a new story to add to my unfinished collection. Muahahahahahahaha!
Disclaimer: I don't anything except this horrible half done plot to drown your sorrows in.
I'm six shots deep and there's no going back.
The boy sitting to my right keeps on talking and though I'm sure I'm the most drunk between the two of us, that doesn't stop his words from sounding like incoherent nonsense. His boys are watching our every move, either waiting for him to score or waiting for him to fail so the next can swoop in.
Unfortunately for them, I've got no intentions of being whisked off to a dark room for a quick fuck tonight. I've been screwed over enough for one evening.
Bitterness washes over my tongue and I'm quick to drown it with another shot. The wound's still fresh and I can feel my blood boiling beneath the surface. With the fakest smile I can muster, I grab one more drink and give my unwanted companion and his audience a clear indication to "fuck off" and I disappear into the crowd.
The music is loud and violently shakes the walls of the two story frat house. There's bodies everywhere I turn and for a moment, it all seems endless. Suddenly, I spot an opening and escape into the backyard where it's a bit less crowded.
A small gathering near a beer pong table looks welcoming but I doubt I'd make good company.
My eyes travel the yard until I see a cozy looking fire pit with plenty of open seats save for the one boy hunched over. I make my way over, doing my best not to startle him when I catch a glimpse of a freshly rolled blunt between his fingers.
"Do you mind?" I ask softly.
"Uhh, I didn't exactly bring enough for the party," the boy mutters, clearly engrossed in his work before casting his eyes up at me. I jut my thumb towards the empty seat across from him and revel in his embarrassment.
"Oh—oh shit! My bad, yeah—no, uh help yourself? I thought you wanted to hit…" he rushes out haphazardly. The flickering glow from the fire highlights his features and I have to admit…he's kinda cute.
Shaking my head, I claim the empty seat and take a quick sip of my drink. "Just a place to sit," I say, "though if you're offering, I wouldn't mind." It comes out playfully, or at least I hope it does. The arch of his brow suggests he's willing albeit a bit shy.
He rubs the back of his neck and even at night, his blush is obvious. "I mean…I don't mind uh…"
"Ino."
"Ino," he says. "That's pretty. I mean, not as pretty as Omoi but yeah." His sneakers grind the grass beneath his feet and his eyes frequently dart between me and flames. "Sorry, that was bad. As you can see, I don't talk to many girls."
I note the white band on his wrist and tease the conversation further. "And yet…you show up to a Valentine's Day party with the band on your wrist literally singling you out. Haven't tried picking up anyone yet?"
"Actually, I was kinda hoping that one would approach me. Then you showed up."
Omoi flashes a smile and I find myself doing the same. I repeat gently, "And then I showed up."
Reaching across the flames, he offers me the first hit. I take it and embrace the feeling. It'd been a while since I last smoked, especially around good company. I return the goods and take a swig of my drink shortly after. Slowly but surely I could feel everything working through my system. I slink into my seat and breathe in the crisp February evening air.
"So, you've gotten me to share why I'm here along with my weed, neither of which I owe you. I think you oughta return the favor, Ino."
My expression sours but when I glance back at him, I can tell that his thoughts are far from what I was figuring, that or he was really good at hiding it. He takes a pull and holds it out to me once more. I take it and note the way his eyes flicker to the pink band around my wrist. I take my hit and quickly return it.
"So…it's complicated. Care to elaborate? He must've fucked up pretty bad to have you out here by yourself."
Perhaps my choice in company wasn't as harmless as he once seemed. Memories came washing back over me and my eyes burned just as fierce as I yet again recalled what I desperately wanted to forget. "She," I corrected, "broke up with me. Today of all days and she couldn't even have the decency to tell me why."
He urges me to take another hit but I can't. Everything else will be kicking in soon and I need to maintain what little integrity I have left before I end up an emotional vomiting pile on some stranger's bathroom floor. Fortunately for me, he doesn't push me to go again but he is eager to hear more of my story.
"So…if you're not together, why is it complicated?"
I choke back a miserable laugh. "Well I clearly can't show up saying I'm in a relationship considering I showed up by myself. That left two options and I went with the one that I figured would get the most people to leave me alone but so far that hasn't been working."
His laugh is warm and genuine but also incredibly infuriating for some reason.
"Sorry…sorry, not trying to tease you. But, if I may?"
"You may…"
"Ino, you showed up at a party where the whole point is to score free drinks so you and your significant other can fuck around after or score free drinks and fuck around with somebody new. From where I'm sitting, it looks like you want neither. So…why are you here?"
When I glance at my cup, I'm annoyed to find it empty. It was probably for the best but the truth of his words only made it that much harder to listen to them.
"I…I don't know," I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. "Maybe…just this once I was hoping that I'd find something different."
Omoi grows silent and for the moment I'm grateful. Truth is, I have no real reason to be here and no matter how much liquor or weed I cram into my system, it won't take the pain away, not completely.
Shakily, I rise to my feet and I feel an arm around my waist before I unintentionally set myself on fire. "Where do you stay? I'll get you home."
"I'm not that far gone just yet," I grumble.
"Good, so that means you've got enough sense to tell me where you stay."
"And what happens once you've got me alone in your car, hmm?"
"That's all depends on you. If you give me your address, I'll get you home. If not, you could crash at my place but I didn't exactly prepare for guests." I lean against his side as he guides me up the steps and back into the hustle and bustle of the party. My head is ringing and I can feel my stomach beginning to turn.
"At the very least," he huffs and props me against the wall, "give me your phone so I can text a friend to come scoop you but you better believe I'm not letting you leave unless I know you're safe."
"How chivalrous of you," I tease, tugging at the sleeve of his hoodie.
Pulling away carefully, he helps me over to a vacant spot on the sofa. "Just stay here. I'll pull my car around so you don't have to walk far. Okay? Ino?"
I'm fading in and out and my eyes are heavy. "Mhm. I'll be right here." I say softly and watch as he hesitantly turns to the door.
The moment he's gone, I'm up, a horrible mistake as my head begins pounding violently. I push through the bodies trying to make my way to the nearest bathroom. I misstep and prepare myself to hit the floor but I don't. Instead, a pair of arms catch me and pull me to stand upright.
My eyes struggle to open before they finally shift into focus. When they do, I realize that nothing could've prepared me for this moment. It's been four years but I remember that face. Those stunning green eyes, those soft lips, that unmistakable pink hair.
"Easy there, you might wanna sit down."
Even her voice is the same, concerned and smooth in the same breath. Even in my state, I'm able to make out some changes. She's leaner and clearly works out. Tattoos line her left arm and she's cut her hair shorter but not too much.
She guides me to an empty bathroom and while I'm determined not to look a hot mess in front of her, the second I make it to the toilet, I'm on my hands and knees heaving up everything from today. One hand is on my back, rubbing gently while the other holds my hair out of my face.
I want to call to her, to say it's me and to apologize for the way I broke her heart those four years ago. Each time, I'm stopped by violent retching and I rubbing hand on my back. "Geez, kid. You need a ride home or something? You're a mess."
Oh great, as if I weren't an embarrassment enough already.
"Stay here, I'll get you some water."
Before she can reach the door, her name creeps from my tongue like a phantom.
"Sakura…"
Her body freezes and she turns to me. Her eyes are hard and for a moment, I think she remembers me. But, just as quickly as hope arrives, it vanishes. "Uh, yeah. Sorry…have we met?" She asks me with a raised brow. It seems like today was just one slap in the face after another.
She didn't remember me and while that hurt, it was equally justified. I broke her heart all those years ago, if it were me, I would've tried to forget about me too. I pull myself up from the toilet, and grip the doorframe to steady myself.
"Sakura…I—"
"Baby? Where are you?" A voice cuts through my own and immediately draws Sakura's attention.
"In here. This girl wasn't feeling well so I was helping her out." Another girl around our age comes into focus. She's got beautiful chestnut brown hair pulled into a low ponytail that drapes over her shoulder. Her eyes are a warm inviting brown and a figure that would catch anyone's attention. She certainly looked just like Sakura's type.
"Oh, you poor thing!" She says and rushes to my side, hooking an arm around me as she guides me to the bed. "Get her some water you dork."
Sakura scoffs and slips out of the room, "That's what I was doing."
The girl keeps her arm around me and rubs at my back. For a moment, I think I'm going to be sick again but the nausea I'm feeling has nothing to do with the stew of liquor and drugs in my system. Instead, it has everything to do with the fact that this girl who had gotten to know Sakura far more intimately than I had, was sitting here touching me.
It wasn't her fault, she didn't know who I was and she didn't know the history between her girlfriend and me.
Sakura comes back quickly, fortunately enough, and hands me a cup of water. "Thanks," I mumble and do my best to ignore the puzzled look on her face as she tries to figure me out. I want to tell her, I do, but this isn't the time or the place and I'm already a mess enough as is.
"Do you need a ride home or anything?" The girl offers genuinely, "We were just heading out anyway."
Before I can answer, a voice reaches up the hall calling for me. It's Omoi. When he catches a glimpse of me, he looks both annoyed and relieved.
"Ino, for fucks sake. I thought something happened to you."
I quickly shoot up and push past Sakura. Her hand snatches my wrist and the disbelief in her voice is almost comical. "Hold up a second. Ino…?"
I snatch my hand away and we both link eyes for a moment. Her brows furrow as all of our history from years ago comes back to the surface. She looks ready to tear me a new one but I don't give her the chance. I grab Omoi's hand and tug him out the front until we're safely outside.
My eyes are beginning to sting and that heavy, sinking feeling of dread tries to consume me.
Omoi guides me down the street a short ways away to his 2017 all black camaro. He gets the door for me and shrugs off his hoodie, draping it over my legs. The car is warm enough already but the added warmth is appreciated.
Drawing in a sharp breath, I attempt to keep myself from becoming even more of a mess.
"You wanna tell me what that was back there? Or should I guess."
I glance out the window as Omoi pulls off, just in time to catch Sakura's searching face. Sinking further down into the seat, I murmur, "Take a guess."
"It's complicated huh?"
"Yeah…it is."