"Rave Ride."
Rae came out of the bathroom wearing a blue dress that I've never seen her wear. Blue definitely suits her, it's nice.
"New dress?" I ask.
"No. I found it hidden in the back of my closet. I haven't seen it in a while. I forgot I even owned it." She laughed.
"Why, does it look horrible?"
"No, no! I like it. It- it looks nice, I mean. Anyways, you ready to go?" I responded.
"Yeah. I just have to put these clothes in my bag and get my jacket from your room." She said.
"Okay, sure, go on. I'll go get my jacket and the helmets and meet me downstairs when you're ready." She nodded in response.
"You two heading off already?" My dad asked.
"Yeah." I replied.
"Be careful you two. Finn, drive safely and be responsible."
"Yeah, yeah dad I will."
"Thank you so much Mr. Nelson for allowing me to spend the night and for setting up the spare bedroom." Rae said gratefully.
"No problem, sweetheart." My dad said with a smile on his face.
"Alright, we're off dad. We'll be back late so you don't have to wait up." I said as Rae and I headed out the door.
"Have fun!" I heard my dad say as I shut the door behind me.
"You ready, Rae?" I asked handing her the helmet.
"Have you ever ridden on a scooter before?"
"No! I'm actually a bit nervous Finn. Promise me no erratic driving." She said with a smirk on her face.
"Promise. Don't worry. I've never had an accident and passed my license easily. Trust me, yeah?" I told her as I sat on the scooter.
"C'mon, Rae. It'll be fine. You might actually enjoy it." I said as I patted on the seat for her to sit.
She swung her leg over and adjusted herself until she was comfortable.
"You okay? You ready to go" I asked just to make sure.
"Yeah, I'm ready."
I revved the engine and drove down the road. As we drove I got lost in my own little world. This is the closest Rae and I have ever been. I've driven a few girls on my scooter before but this was different. The feeling of having her behind me. The feeling of her arms wrapped around me felt so right. I chanced a few glances back only to see the pure joy on her face. I wondered if she could feel the same thing that I was. That there is no one better for me than her and there is no one better for her than me. I felt as she un-wrapped her arms from me and lifted them in the air as if this moment was setting her free. I felt a pang of happiness hit me. I want her to know that she is free with me. That she is free to be herself around me. That I love her exactly the way she is. She rewrapped her arms around me and if I didn't know before, I knew now that her arms are the only ones I wanted to be wrapped around me like this. I looked down to see that she had intertwined for hands around my chest. I wonder if she can feel my fast beating heart. I felt her press her chest against my back. I felt her breath on the back of my neck which made every hair on the back of my neck stand up. I looked back and gave her a smile which she returned.
"Bloody hell Finn, pay attention to the road!" She yelled.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh. We reached our destination in the field where Chop, Izzy, Chloe and Archie and some of the others had just arrived. I was actually a bit disappointed. If it were up to me, I would've kept driving God knows where if it meant Rae being this close to me.
"That was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. Even though you broke your promise about the erratic driving." She laughed.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Sometimes the gear gets stuck." I joked. As I was unclasping my helmet I felt her begin to get off so I grabbed her hand to help balance her. I felt her other hand glide against my back sending a jolt through my body. How does she do that? Does she know that she makes me feel this way? I got off the scooter and noticed her struggling with the clip on the helmet.
"Let me help you with that." I unclasped it and pulled it off her. Her dark hair falling in front of her smiling face. Wow, she really is a beautiful girl. The way her hair glistens under the sun. The way her face lights up when she smiles. Nothing and no one can compare. I want her. I want all of her. Not as my mate but as my girl. I've sort of made up a plan of what exactly I want to have happen tonight. I need her to know how I feel. I want to try out a few things first. Grab her arms and place them around my neck as I place mine around her waist and dance a little bit. See how she reacts. See if she gives me any type of hint that she feels the same for me. Then I'll pull her away for a chat and let her know exactly how she makes me feel.
Everyone was finished changing into their rave attire and we all walked across the field to what looked to be an old, abandoned mansion or whatever. Rae and I walking side by side.
"You alright?" She responded to me with a nod as I linked my arm through hers. Needing to just touch her.
"Look, just try and have a good night. Enjoy yourself." I say to her with a smile.
"What's up with you two?" Chloe asked Rae and I.
"What do you mean?" I responded.
"You look like a couple." She said not sounding too amused.
Was I making it that obvious that, that is exactly what I wanted? That I wanted her to be mine. I turned to look at Rae's face and she didn't seem repulsed by the thought. She actually had a small smile on her face that I mirrored. Guess that's a good thing right?
Once we got inside, the music was blaring. There were people everywhere. Most of the people here I didn't really recognize. It was a bit hot in here with all the dancing bodies everywhere but the gang managed to stick together as we made our way inside. Fucking Chop! I told him about the pills. We don't need them to have a good time.
"Rae, don't take that!" I told her as I seen Chop handing her a pill.
"Oh c'mon Finn. It's a fucking rave isn't it?" She said.
"Yeah but-" It was too late. She'd already put the tablet in her mouth. Now I have to keep a close eye on her. I don't know how she will react to taking the drug and she came here with me so she's my responsibility. Things were going well. Everyone was having a good laugh and dancing about. I kept an eye on Rae who was dancing and having a conversation with Chloe. She seemed fine. Just seemed a bit louder and hyper than usual, which was an obvious effect of the pill Chop had given her. I heard Rae call Archie over for a dance. Chloe made her way over to me and was dancing a little too close to me. I backed up a bit keeping my gaze on Rae and Archie. I watched him lean in and kiss Rae on the lips. I felt my heart drop. It felt like I was kicked in the stomach. Watching her kiss him back hurt. How could she let him kiss her after what he did. How could she give him a chance. He was a right dick to her. I don't understand. My hurt and sad feelings turning into anger and confusion. I had to get away before I go over and punch Archie in the jaw.
How could I have thought that Rae and I could be more than just mates. How could I have been so stupid to think that she possibly like me more than just a friend. Why do I feel so angry at her? She doesn't know how I feel about her. She hurt me without knowing. Fuck, I need a cigarette. I walked outside the cool air feeling good against my skin. I need to calm down.
"Fucking, Archie!" I mumble to myself as I light my cigarette.
The nicotine instantly calming me as it hits the back of my throat. Once I was done, I made my way back inside seeing Rae standing at the bar with Archie taking shots. Chop and Izzy are on the dance floor having a good time. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see its Chloe.
" Wanna dance?" She asks sultrily.
"Sure, why not?" I say to her as we make our way to the dance floor.
We danced for a bit then she started to get handsy. Running her hands through my hair and down my chest. Any other time I would have told her to calm down cause we're just mates and that I didn't like her like that way. But tonight was different. I hadn't seen the girl I was in love with kiss my mate those other nights. Tonight, I let my anger and hurt feelings get the best of me so I allowed Chloe to touch me this way and I let her lean in and kiss me. I was hesitant at first as the kiss caught me off guard but eventually went with it. She put her arms around my neck and I put mine around her waist as we deepened the kiss. I eventually broke out of the kiss as the thought of Rae crept into my mind. I glanced over at the bar seeing that she wasn't there. Where the hell is she? I tried looking to see if I could spot her sequined jacket that gleamed under the rave lights on the dance floor but didn't see her.
"Why'd you stop? Chloe asked beside me.
"What?"
"Why'd you stop kissing me? I thought we were enjoying it." She said as she leaned in again but I backed up.
"Look Chloe, um- nothing can happen between us. I'm sorry if I led you on. It's just that…we're different people. You're my mate and I don't want to hurt you." I had to be honest with her because I felt guilty using her as a way to distract myself from my hurt feelings.
"Why, do you like someone else?" She asked.
"Yeah, yeah I do. But she doesn't like me back but it feels wrong you know, I don't want to hurt you by leading you on." I say to her again.
"Don't worry about it Finn. It was just a kiss." She said to me as she walked out to the dance floor to dance with some random bloke. I looked around again for Rae still not spotting her anywhere. I looked around and didn't see Archie anywhere either so I assumed he and Rae took off somewhere. The thought making my blood boil. Chop and Izzy made their way over to me. Then out of nowhere Archie popped up. Sweating and smelling of alcohol. He wasn't with Rae. Now I was worried. Where the hell is she? Is she alright?
"Any of you seen Rae lately?" I asked them.
"Last time I saw her, I was pulling her away from Kendo who was trying to pounce on her." Chop said.
"What do you mean pounce on her?" I said.
"He was trying to force her to kiss him. Don't worry mate, I pulled her away before he did anything." He said.
"Fuck, you serious?" Rae was in trouble and I wasn't there to help her. Next time I see Kendo, I'm gonna fucking kick his arse.
"Last time I saw her, she was looking for you then she ran away crying." Archie slurred.
"What?" You saw her crying and didn't stop her to ask her what was wrong? You didn't follow her to make sure she was alright?" I yelled in Archie's face as I my teeth clenched.
"Calm down Finn-mate." Chop said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
"How can I calm down when I have no idea where she is or if she's all right? She came here with me. I'm supposed to watch after her!" My frustration and worry building.
"Look, me and Iz will look around in here and you go look outside alright? Archie is too out of it to be much help and Chloe is too busy with that bloke over there." Chop said giving me a nod.
"Yeah sounds good." I said as I made my way towards the exit.
Once I got outside, the cool air hit me. It's a lot colder than it was earlier when I came out her for a smoke. I went around the corners of the old mansion calling her name but got no response. I then made my way towards the same path we walked when we came and saw something gleaming. As I neared it, I realized it was Rae's jacket. "Oh shit, Rae?" I called out but got no response from her. I ran towards her. She was face down on the grass. I leaned down and put my ear towards her face to hear if she was breathing. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard her shallow snores. She's just passed out. Must have been the mixture of the pill and alcohol. I looked up to see Chop, Izzy, Chloe and Archie making their way over .
"You found her, thank God. Is she alright?" Chop said concerned.
"Yeah, mate she's alright. Think she passed out on her way over to the cars." I said to Chop.
"Oh my God, her skin is so cold." Izzy said as she reached down to grab Rae's hand.
"Rae? Rae?" Chloe was saying as she leaned down patting Rae's back. But it was no use. She wasn't going to be up for a while.
"What are you going to do Finn?" Chop asked.
"I'm gonna stay here with her. It's almost three so the sun will come up in a few hours. I don't want to risk driving her on the scooter like this. Plus my parents are asleep and I don't want to wake them while trying to bring her upstairs or whatever. Chop, mind if I borrow your keeps to get my stuff and Rae's stuff from the boot?"
"Sure mate. Here." He said handing me the keys.
"Watch her for me, please." I said before I ran towards the car.
I grabbed mine and Rae's jacket and her blue denim bag. I also managed to find an old duvet in there too. I ran back and handed Chop his keys back.
"Thanks. Mind if I borrow this?" I said to him as I gestured to the duvet.
"Yeah, no problem. You sure you'll be alright out here?" He said.
"Yeah, we'll be fine."
"Alright then. See you later at the debrief, okay?" He said as he patted me on the back before grabbing Archie by the waist who was stumbling as he tried to walk.
"Sounds good, see you guys later."
"Bye Finn." Izzy and Chloe said in unison.
I waved them goodbye then made my way over to Rae and lay down beside her. I slowly turned her on her side so she was facing me so she wasn't inhaling dirt and grass. I gently lifted her head and placed her backpack under her head as a pillow. I pulled my leather jacket on and I folded up Rae's jacket and placed it on the ground to use it as my pillow. I grabbed the duvet that I got from Chop's car and covered us with it. I rested my head back and turned on my side so I was facing her. I looked at her face intently. Her eyeliner and mascara had run under her eyes. Must have been when she was crying. Why was she crying I thought. I place my hand on her cold cheek that was smeared with blue and yellow face paint and started stroking it with my thumb. I reached up and wiped away some dirt that was on her forehead and removed some grass that got caught into her hair.
Even in the condition she was in, she still looked so beautiful. I reached under the duvet and grabbed her cold hand and placed it over my waist and I placed mine over hers and pulled her body up against mine. I heard a groan leave her lips then she sighed as she placed her head into my chest. It had been a shitty night. Things did not go the way I planned but this moment, even under these circumstances was special. To have her this close to me. To have her body pressed against mine. To be able to hold her like this, to be able to protect her, is all I want. She is all I want. I leaned down and place a quick kiss on her forehead before I drifted off to sleep.