ARI
I was settled comfortably between a cute freshman girl and Brad Jerome, a junior on the football team. He wasn't very bright—probably because of how much he gets tackled—but he knows his shit when it comes to sports.
We were in the midst of discussing this season when I spotted her—Erin Suster. She's the most absolutely drop dead gorgeous girl I've seen in my whole life. The guys say I have a weird taste in girls but personally I think skinny brainless blonde bimbos are a turn off. Plus, tall blonde girls practically scream Max. Can I get a ick? Well, besides the bimbo part.
"Ari? Bro you here?" Brad asked as he waved his hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, one sec." I said as I got up and walked over to Erin.
Her two friends were besides her and she was sipping on a coke. I was nervous, but I mustered myself up and talked to her.
"Hey Erin." I chirped.
"Oh… Ari right? Hi." She replied.
"Yeah, Ari. How's the party?" I asked as her friends inspected me.
Why are girls so fierce and intimidating?
"It's great so far. I kind of want to go swimming though." She admitted as she twirled a finger in her shirt and took another sip.
"Erin, Kristine and I are going to hang with Joe." Her friend told her as she grabbed the other girl's arm and began to pull her away.
"Oh, alright," Erin laughed as she turned back to me. "Guess it's just us, so… swimming?"
I glanced at her toes, they were painted a soft plum color. So adorable. Erin is around 5'6, with long raven hair, icy blue eyes, fair skin, plump lips, and curves. She's not fat or anything, just not spindly and anorexic.
I looked at the pool for a minute and remembered Max at the edge of the field with her arms crossed and her face scowling. The pool wasn't a good idea. Max is probably watching me like a little kid would watch a bag of candy.
"How about we go inside?" I asked hopefully.
I didn't want Max ripping my head off anytime soon. I knew she wouldn't hesitate to do so. All those Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons Jeb had been making us take since we were little had to come in handy somehow.
"Alright." Erin agreed, a little disappointed but her smile picked up when I took her hand and lead her inside.
On our way in I spotted Jane sitting outside with a few people, a towel wrapped around her soaked body. None of them were Max, which was shocking. Unless Max went inside to get a drink. This is Max's first real party and I thought she'd cling to Jane the whole time.
Honestly, I feel as if Max isn't at her… full potential. That's why I tease her—mainly because it's fun—but also because I'm trying to push her. I care about her but I don't want to babysit her all day. But, enough about Max.
Erin and I walked onto the dance floor and we started swaying together in rhythm. My eyes were frozen to hers—I was mesmerized. Everyone around us was pulsating with the music, like one organism. Erin eventually got hot and took off her shirt, hurling it in a corner. She was wearing a red bikini top and jean shorts and she was dancing against me. I'm so damn lucky.
After the ninth song we went to grab a drink. Erin took my hand and pulled me through the crowd. I spotted Max. She had her hands in some guy's hair and was pushing him against the wall, mouth against his. Interesting...
Once we got to the kitchen Erin popped open a coke and took a swig before pulling me into her and kissing me tenderly. I could still taste the sweet coke on her lips. I'm so damn lucky.
MAX
We broke apart, both of us gasping for air and I attempted to catch a breath before I kissed James again. His mouth was warm and wet and just… amazing. He slowly began to wrap his arm around my waist and I quickly pulled it lower, unfortunately onto my butt. His eyebrows raised but he didn't protest. We pulled away again and he pressed the back of his hand on my cheek.
"You sure you didn't drink too much?" He asked with a concerned face.
"Yeah I'm totally good!" I assured James as I held onto his arm so that I wouldn't fall over.
I grinned and he shook his head.
"You have an extremely low tolerance for alcohol." He grimaced as he gingerly helped me towards a nearby couch.
"That's a good thing right...?" I asked as I snuggled up against James.
He brushed my hair out of my face and smiled back. He picked up my hobo purse and rummaged around inside for something.
"What're…" I began but I couldn't finish because I couldn't help laughing my ass off at someone who tripped as they walked past us.
James pulled out my phone and started messing around with it.
"Stop—that!" I reached for my phone but fell short.
I couldn't reach past James' knee so instead I just watched him scroll through my contacts and create one for himself. Then he put my phone back in my bag. Suddenly an upbeat song began blasting through the house. I grabbed James' hand and pulled him up.
"Let's dance!" I cried as I yanked him along with me.
I rocked my body to the music, and not just with James. I danced with anyone who wanted to, which was a surprising amount. James stood near me always though, making sure I was okay. He's so nice.
Eventually James pulled me away from the crowd and lead me over to the backyard. We sat in the grass and watched people swim in the semi-darkness. I couldn't stop giggling at everything and everyone. James even prevented me from accepting another of those rum-coke things.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Are you upset?" I asked, taking a few minutes to get the words right.
"Not at all!" He insisted, alarmed.
"You're just—so nice. You don't have to take care of me. Don't worry about it. I uh, I can just sit. Go have fun!" I insisted with minimal slurring.
"No, no. I'm enjoying myself Max. You are fun. " He assured me, smiling genuinly.
What a strange boy. Maybe the alcohol did help with my awkwardness. That's probably what Ari would say. Where was Ari? I hadn't seen him all night. Then I spotted Jane, I stumbled up and ran to her. Grinning my face off.
"Jane!" I cried as I hugged her. "I haven't seen you all night!"
"We got ready together." She scoffed
"Oh… Yeah, but that wasn't what I meant." I insisted as she squinted at me suspiciously.
"Max… are you drunk?" Jane was pissed. "You realize your Dad is a cop right?"
James caught up to me just then and Jane's glare turned towards him.
"Who are you?" Jane asked protectively.
"Ohhhh this is James! He's so nice." I claimed with a smile, locking my elbow with his.
"She barely had two drinks, I don't know what happened." James huffed sheepishly.
"Jesus, Max, are you sure you're okay?" Jane asked after giving James another death glare. I think she suspected foul play.
"I'm great!" I burped, "Excuse me." I gave James a side hug. Jane inspected me, but quickly deemed me insufficient of travel.
"I'm going to find Ari. Stay here, and if he tries anything, scream. Understand?" Jane commanded.
I nodded vigorously, still latched to James.
"Uh, is Ari your boyfriend?" James asked, holding me up slightly. He seemed a little nervous all of a sudden.
"No noo. He's my brother!" I laughed. He seemed a little relieved. James held onto me as I started laughing hysterically again.
"What's so funny?" He asked with a small smile.
"Your names Jamess and hers is Jane!" I exclaimed between gasps.
He just rolled his eyes at me, but in a nice way.
"You're realllly…cute. By the way." I told James, suddenly serious.
He just shook his head and grinned. I leaned up against him and pressed my mouth into his, savoring the kiss.
"I have a secret." I murmured in James' ear.
"What is it?" He asked me quietly.
I noticed he was a little shaky.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
He shook his head and motioned for me to continue.
"I want to—fly," I whispered in his ear, quickly bringing my finger to my lips in a shh motion. "Don't tell anyone."
He smiled and suppressed a laugh as if I had just told him the most hilarious thing in the world. He didn't seem to be laughing at me though.
"What's your secret?" I asked him eagerly.
"If we had more time… I'd show you, but something tells me Jane would personally brutalize me if I left with you." He said with a soft smile.
"We can leave and get away from here." I suggested as my lip trembled.
"That's probably not the best idea." James said quietly.
I saw Ari jogging towards us out of the corner of my eye and waved at him ecstatically. Something about his expression threw me off. Ari didn't stop to ask questions, he just grabbed James by the collar of his shirt and hoisted him up.
"Get your hands off my sister!" Ari snarled as he took a few steps forward and pinned James against a nearby fence.
"Ari!" I exclaimed as I grabbed his bicep. "Get off!"
Everyone was looking at us, attracted by the commotion and murmuring amongst themselves.
"You should listen to her." James warned, he didn't sound cocky thought... more like somber. He hadn't moved an inch.
Ari, the idiot, took his words as an invitation to start fighting and he threw a punch, slugging James in the Jaw. I lost grip of Ari's arm and nearly fell on my butt. Standing was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I swear, if I wasn't so tipsy I would kick my brother's ass.
"How high is your IQ?" James hissed after a second, he looked pissed now. "5'11?"
It took me me a moment to get James' insult. It was actually pretty funny. Ari looked even more enraged. Oh god, I sobered up as I realized the implications a fight may bring, besides horrible cliche and embarrassment. I was nearly ready to tackle Ari but James beat me to it. Ari went to punch James again, but James moved with the momentum, freeing himself from Ari's grip and sending my idiot brother sprawling. In one fluid motion the tides had changed. Now James had Ari restrained.
Word of the fight spread quickly and a mob rapidly swarmed around the three of us, encouraging the two to fight. Thankfully, Dave pushed through the crowd and told everyone to break it up.
"Iggy, don't hurt him," Dave pleaded. "It's not worth it."
"You're right." James agreed as he pushed Ari back down and turned leave.
I saw blood running down Ari's face and I looked between the two of them in confusion. Had James even hit Ari? I kneeled down and helped my brother up as Dave started to usher James away. I glanced back at James and saw him shake himself and then give me a sad look.
I'm sorry, he mouthed.