Thirty One Days

Chapter 3: Plastic Cups and Empty Cans

Fact: I tend do be slightly over dramatic. Sometimes.

-x-

July 4th, 2007

Happy Fourth baby G! Here's to hoping you party it up, give me a call when you can, love you! Bye

I listen to Sora's message groggily with my head in my hands and a fresh recap of last night running through my mind. I barely have the brain power to register what she's saying let alone understand it, but I try my best.

I put my phone down on my side table and try to recollect my thoughts. Because I'm a mess of confusion with enough emotions last me a lifetime.

Last night…

I watched his accord drive away in a dream like state. But before I had the chance to process the events of the last few hours someone cleared their throat behind me.

"I was coming to pick you up" He sounded hurt and confused. For good reason, I guess.

I turned to face him, "Long story" And honestly I wasn't in the mood to tell it.

He nodded, in a sarcastic way that made me almost angry. "It's alright, its Matt Ishida right?" He said mockingly, "Just so you know, guy's a total douche so you might not want to get too attached" He scoffed.

Is this really Tai talking? How could the guy who had kissed me hours ago act like such a jerk now? "You don't know what you're talking about" I replied, shoving past him to walk up my porch steps.

He laughed mirthlessly, "Right. Coz I don't know him" Now that's the second time that one of them has alluded to knowing the other on a more personal basis.

But I didn't have the patience to ask, "Whatever Tai, clearly you're jea—

He shook his head, "Look, I'm okay with you doing what you want" He started, "But I just don't want to see you get your hopes up" He started to sound more like the guy I was getting to know.

My gaze met his briefly, "Yeah?" I needed a little more though.

He ran a hand through his hair, "I don't want you to get hurt" He said simply.

That was enough, "Look, its not what it looked like, trust me" I assured him with a sigh, "The story is weird and when I'm not so crabby, I'd love to tell you" Fair enough, I thought anyway.

He looked…disappointed, "Fine, fine" He didn't feel the need to press the issue.

I didn't need to see the look on his face to know how he must be feeling. But it's not exactly fair to me, "Tomorrow?" I asked bleakly.

I just hoped he wouldn't laugh in my face. He didn't, "Right." It was short reply and with out another look at me, he turned around with his hands in his pockets and walked away.

It wouldn't be my life if it wasn't screwed up.

-x-

I barely finished washing my face when Kari came barging into the bathroom, "Your mom let me in" She announces, sitting on the toilet seat behind the mirror I am currently looking into.

I nod, "Huh." I respond vaguely, sticking a pore strip on my nose.

I look at her from the mirror, "So my brother was weird yesterday" She starts and I had been afraid of this.

Whatever me and Tai have (or had at this point) going on, I just wish that it would be separate from me and Kari's friendship. "Yeah…" I trail off.

Maybe she's able to read expressions really well, maybe I'm just easy to read or maybe my theory of her being psychic is right, regardless Kari says something that I think I needed to hear. "Listen, whatever it is—I don't care" She shrugs, "It's between you and him and that's that, right?" She raises an eye brow.

I breathe out in relief, "Yes. Completely" I answer immediately. She must be some sort of psychic.

"Now, to the reason why I'm here" She transitions flawlessly, "So, there's a party tonight, you down?" She asks.

Honestly, I hadn't really thought about party opportunities since I got here. But it wouldn't be me if I didn't do something for the Fourth of July and a party is probably what I need, "Deff" I smile.

Kari smiles too, "Cool, so I'll come get you around eight?" She inquires.

"Sounds good" I confirm.

She gets off the lidded toilet seat, "Okay, so my best friends are gonna be there too, just to let you know" She informs me.

Well, it'll be nice to meet her friends. "Kay" I say, "What should I wear?" I ask before she leaves.

"It's casual, so wear whatever you want" She answers.

"Bye Kar" I waive as she leaves.

I'm not sure if this party is the best idea, considering how I left things with Tai. But it'll get me out of the house and it'll be a change of venue. Plus, I don't want to be the loser who stays home on the fourth just because of a boy. So unlike me and Sora would definitely disapprove. In fact, I should probably tell her—she'd be absolutely ecstatic.

Besides, it's not like this party could make things any worse.

-x-

So when I wanna look good, I look dayum good. I just can't stop staring at myself, god I'm a narcissist. From the ripped jean shorts (Texas has given me one hell of a tan), to the pink baby doll tube, to my light summer make up. My hair's down in soft waves and my eyes look more hazel then usual. And to top it off, I'm in a good mood.

I grab my phone, tucking it into my back pocket and slip my wristlet around my wrist. Put my feet in pink flip flops and head downstairs. I had told my mom that I was going out and she was miraculously cool with it. Part of her new parenting philosophy that involves a whole lot of a trust and way less lecturing. Thank God.

"Where's the rest of your outfit?" My mom asks, glancing me over.

"Ha, ha" I say sarcastically, "Do I look cute?" Hell yeah I do, but a second opinion never hurts.

My mom smiles at me, "Well of course you do" But she totally said it in "mom voice" which doesn't count. The same voice she used when I was six and asked her if I'd be president some day.

I humor her anyway, "Thanks"

"So, I didn't get to ask you how'd things go with Tai?" She pats a spot next to her on the sofa.

Seriously mother? We are so not having this conversation. "Fine, I think" I let too much slip out.

But it would be nice to talk to someone about it. "What do you mean you think?" She asks carefully, I know she's trying not to be overbearing.

I'll give into her this time, because while I wait I would like her to listen to me. And since Kari is off limits and Sora is three bazillion miles away… "Well, it's this whole long story" I warn her.

"I'm not going anywhere" She touches my knee and waits.

I sigh, "Well it's started off fine we even—

Timing has never been my friend. I've tried to get along with it but never has it made a conscious effort to be on my side. What I mean is, Kari beeps the horn. "When I get home?" I ask, getting off the couch.

She looks slightly disappointed. "Tomorrow" She says, "I know you'll be out late" She winks.

I laugh, "Love you mom" I say for the first time since I've been here. It's the first time I've really felt it for her.

She pulls me into a hug, "I love you more kiddo" She says into my ear before pulling away and lightly grabbing my shoulders, "But listen, be careful okay? I know what happens at parties and I know that drinking is inevitable but" She stops to look me in the eyes.

"If every designated driver at the party is drunk, I want you to call me, understood?" She asks sternly.

"Yes ma'am" I know she'd come and there'd be no questions asked. Sure in the morning I'd have hell to pay but if it came down to it I'd call her.

"Good" She tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

Kari blows the horn again, louder and longer this time. "Get outta here" She laughs.

I kiss her cheek and jet out the door.

-x-

I could hear the music from down the block. The boy hosting the party is a guy named Ken. According to Kari's friends (Lena and Rika) he's the quarterback and super hot. His parents are never in town and he throws this party every year.

"You think Tk'll be there?" Rika, the brunette with shoulder length hair and green eyes, asks Kari excitedly.

Kari shrugs, "Who knows…the Ishidas usually do show up to parties though" She says.

"I think Tk Ishida is the hotter of the two" Lena, the red head, says with a dreamy look in her brown eyes.

Rika shakes her head immediately, "You have got to be outta your mind!" She disagrees, "Have you seen Matt Ishida, he is a god" She swoons.

I've never seen Tk but she's described Matt pretty accurately, "Not like he'd ever give either of you the time of day, guy's such a dick" Kari says pulling into the house that rivaled a mansion. It was easily the nicest property in this town.

We get out as soon as the engine is cut off. "You know who will definitely be here?" Rika nudges Lena.

Lena snorts, "Zoe, duh…like she'd miss a party"

Rika laughs, "She's gorgeous though, no wonder her and her friends think they're the shit" She adds.

Kari shakes her head, "Still that's no excuse for her to be a bitch" She says, as we walk across the lawn that's already littered with red cups and beer cans.

We enter through the open door and immediately I feel like I've gone deaf. The music is blaring and the party has clearly already started. There had to be one hundred people here, easily. The ones that weren't grinding each other to the beat were making out in various corners of the vast living room. It seems like every arm chair is taken by a couple a step away from consummating.

Dayum. Tree Hill parties are so not this wild.

"Look, its Zoe and her hoe posse" Kari points over to three blonde girls sitting on a sofa with Coors Lite in their hands.

I could spot Zoe from a mile away, the scowl on her face remained unchanged as she conversates with the two girls on either side of her. Both of them were pretty but nothing compared to Zoe. Regardless, they were clearly the three most popular girls at the school, that much was clear.

"Zoe and Ken have been on and off since the eighth grade" Rika explains to me, "They break up every other week and then get back together, she's just mad because he hasn't asked her back yet" I thought that's just how her face was.

Lena comes back with four beers in her arms, "I didn't really know what you liked Mimi, so I just got you what Kari drinks" Lena hands me a can of bud lite.

I'm not a fan, "Thanks, but I'm really more of a Coors girl" I thank her anyway. "I'll just get it myself though" I assure her.

I secretly want to look for Matt because if he's here then I'd like to know. It shouldn't be like this, I know. But there's something about him that leaves me wanting more. And until I get to the bottom of this, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget about him. But I haven't seen him yet, and for some reason that worries me.

I wander aimlessly through the crowded room before somehow reaching the kitchen. A bunch of guys are standing around the keg exchanging stories about what seems like hookers and stripper poles. Not that I really care.

They nod appreciatively and two of them are halfway decent. I send a flirtatious wink over my shoulder before grabbing two bottles of Coors.

I don't wait to get back to the party to swallow my drink. It's attached to my lips before I find Kari and her friends. The familiar taste calms my nerves almost immediately.

"Mimi!" Lena yells through the crowd, her red hair is almost as distinguishable as Sora's.

Her eyes are glazed over and it looks as though she's already had her fair share of alcohol. Either this girl is a fish or she's got very low tolerance. "There you are" She giggles, looping her arm through mine.

Oh god, Lena seems like a nice enough girl but I can not stand people who can't hold their alcohol. "Yeap" I grunt, taking another long sip.

Imagine my surprise when nothing comes out. "Kari and Rika are this way" She pulls me through the crowd as I start on my second bottle.

On my way I see a familiar head peaking out from behind an arm chair. I carefully extract myself from Lena's vice grip and head over in that direction. I'd probably recognize that hair anywhere, seriously. And considering how things went last night, I'd love a neutral setting to reconcile. I don't like fighting with people.

What I see makes me want to puke.

She's in his arms, her legs around his waist. His mouth is viciously devouring hers, her skirt hiked up so high that I can see the color of her underwear. They're a step away from taking it to the bedroom. And to add insult to injury, Davis is a seat away with a blonde of his own, both boys taking no notice that I'm here.

The second I can't stand it anymore and physically feel the bile wrenching up my throat I grab bottle after bottle, forcing back tears and trying meticulously to forget everything.

When I'm finally satisfied with the drunken state that I'm in, its time to dance.

"Where've you been?" I hear Kari ask but it's too hard to register.

I shrug, "Partying"

Unabashedly, I walk right up to a boy with dark hair and blue eyes. He licks his lips and I bat my eye lashes. His hands are on me in a second and I drape an arm around his neck, pulsating to the song. I vaguely notice Kari's expression but at this point, who gives a shit? I sure don't.

"What's your name?" He murmurs, trailing his lips down my neck.

It takes a second for me to answer him, "Mimi" I breathe out, pulling his lips up to mine.

"I'm Ken" He manages to say. The quarterback guy who's throwing the party.

He's a good kisser, from what I can tell. No wonder girls are throwing themselves at him. And he's not obnoxious with his hands either, they never once traveled below or above the waist. Weird, for the star quarterback. And here I was expecting my behind to be sufficiently molested while being too wasted to care.

Well maybe there's some decency left in the world after all.

-x-

Zoe had caught sight of the make out session before things got too complicated. The scene she made was grand, even for her. From shrieking, to smacking Ken to walking out, she put on a fairly good show. Her "hoe posse" (as Kari adequately put it) followed on cue.

"Sorry" He tries to kiss me again, but it doesn't work that way.

I push away slowly, before bounding off in a drunken haze. I'd almost made it to the keg when I bumped into something very solid. And very human.

I blink up at a familiar pair of brown eyes, "Fuck you, dick" I slur, trying unsuccessfully to shove past him.

Tai seems confused, "What's your problem?" He asks, "Aside from the fact that your drunk off your ass" He says, almost disapprovingly.

Like he has any right to judge me or my choices, "Well thank you, Captain Obvious" I'm not a witty drunk, "Now let me leave" I command and even to my own ears I sound like an idiot.

He shakes his head, "You need to go home" He sighs, taking me by the wrist.

Who the hell does he think he is? "Shut up asshole, I don't need you to do anything for me" He doesn't deserve this, but my mouth is always ahead of my head. Especially when I'm plastered.

I wrench my wrist away. "Seriously? What is this?" He's obviously annoyed.

Like I care. "Go fuck her" I point at a random girl.

He seems to have realized something, "That can't be why you're acting like this" He scoffs.

I don't understand why he's bothering to have a conversation with me right now. I don't think I'm going to remember a thing tomorrow morning anyway. And thank God for that. Since there is absolutely nothing I'd like to remember about this night anyway. "Better yet, go fuck yourself" I offer him an alternative, "We're done" I seethe, managing to get around him.

He doesn't come after me and part of me thought he would. But I'm glad he didn't.

Need more alcohol now.

A guy with shaggy brown hair and a nice smile offers me a pretty red cup. I take it willingly. "I'm…"

-x-

July 5th, 2007

My head feels like it's been ripped open and then sewed back together by a very unskilled taxidermist. My mouth tastes like a cat died in it. My legs don't feel attached to my body and I can't seem to open my eyes. But when I feel a fresh bout of vomit regurgitating back up, I have no choice but to find the nearest trashcan.

To my surprise, I feel a hand on my back, "Its okay" And even in my drunken/hung over/whatever stupor I recognize his voice. The melodic sound, the soothing quality.

"I don't feel good" I moan, letting my head fall to the carpeted floor.

"I'm sorry" I say so softly I can barely hear it.

He doesn't say anything; instead he lifts me up in his arms and carries me back to the bed.

I open an eye to see him anxiously peering over me, "Two times now" I mutter.

"W-What?" It's his turn to stutter.

I try to lift myself up but one stern look from him and I'm rooted in place, "Second time I've woken up somewhere I don't know, with you in the room and have no recollection of the events that lead up to this point" I'm surprised with how coherent I sound.

It doesn't change the fact that I feel like shit.

For the first time since I've opened my eyes I listen to the lack of noise. No more music, no more voices. Just dead silence.

"What's going on? Where is everyone? What am I doing here? What time is it?" It feels weird to talk; my lips feel like they haven't been used in years.

He takes a deep breath and hands me a glass of water, "Are you all right?" He's got a question of his own.

The sooner I answer his, he can answer mine. "No" I say truthfully, "I feel disgusting but I mean… I passed out so" I justify it more to myself then him. I don't even know him.

His brow furrows. "What is wrong with you?" He's angry at me. Dude, WTF? "Haven't you ever been to a party? Don't you know you're not supposed to take drinks from people?" He asks incredulously. "Especially shady guys like Jacob Anson!" He's borderline shouting at me now.

I want to yell back but my hoarse voice is barely working as it is "Matt please? Not right this second?" I feebly lift my hands to cover my ears. "I can't right now" I say softly.

His eyes soften but his mouth is still pressed in a thin line. God, he's good to look at. "Fine" He concedes.

I give him a grateful glance, before shutting my eyes. "Can you maybe tell me what's going on?" Somehow, this is the second time I've ended up becoming his damsel in distress. "I'm sorry, by the way" I mumble, I feel so bad inside and out.

He sighs, "You've got the worst luck" He comments before continuing. "You were pretty trashed when I saw you but I left it alone coz it was your thing" He starts, why am I always so embarrassing when he's around?

"But then I didn't see you for a while but I remembered seeing you with Jacob and—" He breaks off and looks away, ashamed. Almost like he blames himself for this.

How is that even possible? "Then, I just well stopped him before he could…" He doesn't elaborate and I don't need him to.

A tear leaks out of my eye and I really hope he doesn't notice. "And Tai?" I try to keep my voice steady.

"He, well left" Matt answers.

I wipe away the moisture before it travels to my ear, "Even though everything…" I whisper.

But Tai probably had every right to walk away from me. I remembered screaming some nasty things at him, none of which he deserved. "What time is it?" I ask groggily, shielding my eyes from the penetrating beams of light.

"Almost eleven" He answers nonchalantly.

Fear courses through my veins and into my heart. My mother is going to kill me, "Oh god, oh god, I'm gonna be murdered" I shoot up.

Wrong move. My head is throbbing all over again. "Lay back down" Matt says tiredly.

"Your friend Kari called your mom way before any of this to let her know you were sleeping over there" He informs me.

At least my heart rate can go back to normal now. "Where's she now?" I ask quietly.

"Passed out somewhere downstairs with the rest of them" He shrugs.

I run a hand down my face, "I can't believe this happened to me" I groan.

He's trying really hard to control his anger, I can see his hands shaking, "What?" I ask carefully.

"It took all I had not to kill him" He admits and even in this state I'm beyond surprised.

Why should he care? My "friends" didn't seem to. Hell, Tai walked right out the door. "I-I don't understand, why?" I feel like a five year old.

He shakes his head but doesn't answer my question, "You're so breakable" He uses that stupid word again. "Mimi" My name has never sounded more beautiful.

"I just…what if I hadn't gotten there in time?" He visibly cringes and inwardly I do too. I don't want to think about what would have happened to me.

I manage to sit up with out any real discomfort, "Thank you" I meet his eyes with the most sincere gratitude I've ever felt.

He doesn't seem angry this time, "You're welcome" He says.

"I feel like you're always saving me…" I trail off with a fresh coat of embarrassment on my face.

He grins and God, if it isn't the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. "Someone had to" And I think he's right about that one.

"How come you're not passed out down there?" I nod towards the door.

He shrugs a shoulder, "Coz you were puking the entire night" Well that isn't at all humiliating.

"And then?" I don't think I want to know the answer.

"You passed out" He replies.

A horrible thought occurs to me, "Oh my God, I, I didn't say anything did I?" I've had a habit of sleep talking since I was six years old and my parents divorced.

He breaks into another grin, "Do you want me to lie?" And this is what I'd been afraid of.

"Oh no, no, no" I moan. "What'd I say?" I hope it wasn't anything too detrimental. All though after last night, I doubt anything could make things worse.

He gives a small laugh, "You were drunk…I couldn't understand half the things you said" If he's lying at least it's for my sake.

I put my head in my hands, "I don't know what's wrong with me" Comes my muffled response.

He doesn't say anything.

"Why'd you do it?" I ask tentatively, because I honestly need to know.

It's now or never. Do or die. If I'm going to get a straight answer, it'll be now. "You didn't have to stay with me…or take care of me"

He runs a hand through his blonde hair, "Mimi, I don't know" He says, slightly aggravated. "But I suppose, it's because it was either I stay with you or you make another trip to the emergency room" When he puts it like that…no more questions.

"And I took your last venture there into account before I made my decision" Well, thanks for that.

I nod slowly. "I'm sorry I'm all over the place right now" I've been randomly changing topics throughout this entire conversation.

"Its okay" He says simply, stifling a yawn.

I'm an idiot. "You didn't get any sleep did you?" I'm such an idiot, my god.

"Here and there" He replies coolly.

I bring my knees up to my chest and rest my head on them. "I'm sorry" I mumble.

He sighs loudly and exasperatedly, "Stop apologizing" He says, irritated.

But I don't know what else to do. "I just—

"I'll take you home now" He cuts me off abruptly.

I don't argue with him. "Lemme just go to the bathroom"

-x-

I walk around the limp bodies that occupy every inch of the carpeted stairs and floor. Cups and cans were everywhere and I feel bad for this Ken guy who's going to have one hell of a cleaning job ahead of him.

The four aspirins I took did nothing for the splitting headache I still feel and I wish I had let Matt carry me because I feel like my legs are going to give out at any given second. So this is what it felt like to be "roophied"

Matt's leaning against the hood of his car by the time I reach the front yard. I put my hand above my eyes to shield them from the blinding sun.

He's got a cigarette in his mouth and he looks very pensive. Okay, for all those girls that say there's nothing hotter than Matt Ishida, well they haven't seen Matt Ishida brooding. I don't think that there's anything or anyone in world that could rival that kind of sexiness.

And if he wasn't so cold all the time, I'd let myself fall for him. But I'm just going to settle to being eternally grateful to the guy who didn't let me get date raped.

"Get in" He grunts, throwing his cigarette on the ground.

I make sure to step on it before I get it, the last thing I need is Ken's house burning down on my conscience. "Do you know how to get to my house from here?" I ask, putting on my seatbelt.

He nods, "Been there, remember?" He revs the engine before peeling down the side road, blowing through two stop signs.

I suck in a sharp breath, "Do you have to drive like a maniac?" I seethe.

He glances at me, "What are you talking about?"

"You just went through three stop signs and you always drive like twenty over the speed limit" I hiss.

He seems unfazed by my complaint, "I don't like driving slow" Never in my wildest dreams, did I consider a speed limit of sixty to be slow.

But then again, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being in a car with someone like Matt Ishida. Who I have yet to figure out…

He doesn't seem to be in the mood for questions though, so I'm going to leave it alone.

It had taken Kari a total of twenty minutes to get from my house to Ken's but I knew with they way Matt was accustomed to driving, we'd be there in ten minutes—max.

After a few scathing glares and dramatic sighs (from me), he slows down slightly.

My house is exactly the way I had left it last night. Even though so much has happened in between then and now, it hardly seems appropriate that some things get to stay the same. Inappropriate as it is, it's comforting.

I mumble another "thankyou" before stepping out of the car.

"Mimi" His voice calls me back.

He rolls down the passenger side window, "Try to stay out of trouble?" I'm not sure if he meant it as a joke, because clearly with me it never is, but I nod anyway.

"I'll do my best"

He gives me that heartbreaking smile before speeding off.

-x-

Fact: Sometimes, I get more than I deserve.

-x-

A/N: Early update to make up for our last late one! Sorry the update scheme is out of whack, we're still adjusting! Thanks for putting up with us and we hope you like the latest installment.

Just a little side note- If things seem like they're going a bit fast—sorry, but just keep in mind that they only have Thirty One Days (hence the name of the story, lol) but so we kind of do have to keep pace.

There is a sequel in the works and we've been throwing around ideas for some time now!

Anyway. Read, Review, Enjoy!

-Liya and Chris