Chapter Four

“Let’s go Tigers let’s go!” I stumbled out of the gates of the football stadium with Zoe after the game. We could barely walk a striaght line, let alone sing in tune or even remember our school’s mascot.

“We’re the Panthers. Fucking crackwhores.” Natalie said. We turned to see her standing by the door that the football players exited out of when they were coming from the locker room.Here she was staning with her titties perked up and out, waiting for a bunch of sweaty football players to come out and I was the whore? Hypocrisy at it’s best. But, at that moment, I was too drunk to do anything but laugh at her

“Your boobs are out.” Zoe said, causing us both to laugh. “That’s what your bra is for. Support dumbass.” she slurred.

“Do ya’ll go anywhere sober?” Natalie’s friend, Bethany added with an upturned nose. She was that type of girl. The one who looked down her nose at anyone who wasn’t wearing brand names or wearing the lastest hairstyle. My drunken eyes gave her a once over.

“The fuck you wearin’ leather pants to a football game for?” I asked. Just as Zoe burst into another fit of laughter, the football team walked through the exit. I watched as both Natalie and Bethany fixed themselves up and smiled. I followed their gaze to see that they were staring at Caleb. I may have been drunk, but I wasn’t blind. I understood why they were staring along with most of the females there. He was gorgeous.

“Caleb!” Natalie called out. She walked towards him with an extra swing of her hips and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. “You did so good!” she complimented.

“Thank you.” Caleb replied. He smiled politely, making Zoe laugh.

“Fake ass smile Caleb.” she said. Caleb looked in our direction and smiled once he recognized us.

“Hold on.” he said to Natalie. Se placed her manicured hand on her hips and wtatched as he jogged towards us.. I leaned against Zoe, trying to keep my balance.

“So ya’ll actually came? I’m impressed.” he smiled.

“You should be. It was a long, long drive.” I slurred. I don’t know why distances seem so much longer to drunk people, seeing as my house was literally ten minutes away from school. Caleb took a step closer to me and looked into my eyes. I laughed. “Whaaat?” I slurred.

“Are you drunk?” he asked lowly.

“Are you sober?” I laughed. He sighed and grabbed my hand as well as Zoe’s.

“Come on. Fun time is over, it’s time to go home.” he said.

“Nooooo.” Zoe whined. “More fun time.” she said, pulling at his am.

“Caleb come on man! We’re goin’ to Vinny’s party!” one of Caleb’s teammates yelled. Caleb turned and so did I to see a group of his friends waiting, along with the obviously horny Natalie and Bethany. In typical Caleb fashion, he surprised me with his response.

“I’m gonna make sure they get home safe. I’ll catch up wth ya’ll.” he replied.

“Man fuck them come on!” another guy yelled.

“Later.” Caleb replied. He turned with his arms around s both, guiding us to his car.

“Ya’ll are interesting females, to say the least.” he said.

“We’re not females! We’re uh….we’re…” Zoe stuttered.

“Aliens!” I blurted out. Caleb chuckled as we approached his car. “No, the car is that way.” I said, pulling his arm.

“We’re using my car. Drunk people and driving don’t mix.” he replied, helping us both into the backseat.

“Turn up the radio!” Zoe sang. Caleb got in te driver’s seat and I immediately leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his shoulders as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“You tryin’ to strangle me?” he asked.

“You’re a really nice guy Caleb.” I sighed.

“Like a boy scout!” Zoe added, dancing to music that wasn’t playing.

“Like a boy scout.” I repeated.

“Well do you think you’re sober enough to give the boy scout directions to your house?” he chuckled. After twenty minutes of slurred back and forths accompanied by laughter, Caleb was finally able to wade through our directions and find Zoe’s house first.

“Nighty night my Zoe.” I said. I laid down in the backseat as Caleb helped Zoe out of the car.

“Bye Nix! Night!” she replied. She waved over Caleb’s shoulder as he helped her up her front steps and used her keys to open the front door after ringing the doorbell did nothing. Five minutes passed before he walked back out and got in the car.

“She’s knocked out.” he chuckled, starting the car back up. I closed my eyes and listened to the engine purr as he pulled off. It was the most peace I’d had in a long time.

“I like your car. It’s peaceful.” I said drowsily. I heard Caleb’s chuckle, another ounce of peace in my lifetime of turmoil.

“My car likes you too. ” he replied.

“I like your laugh too.” I added. “And I like your head.”

“Thanks?” he chuckled in confusion. I laughed fighting my drnken sleep.

“And I like your shoulders too. And your arms. And your hands. And your eyes. And……” my voice trailed off and the last thing I remember hearing is the engine coming to a stop.



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“Fuck that. This hangover is way more important then some damn Chemistry class.” I stood in front of the bathroom mirror the ext morning, laughing as I brushed my teeth with Zoe on speaker.

“You suck.” I laughed.

“I don’t even remember how we got home last night.” she said. “I’m definitely calling this a skip day.”

“I would but the last thing I want is to hear the queen bitch’s mouth all day.” I replied.

“I’d come pick you up but my car is nowhere to be found. Oh well.” her onchalant tone made me laugh as I brushed my hair. We talked for a few more minutes before my father’s voice broke our conversation.

“Here we go.” I grumbled.

“Good luck kiddo.” Zoe said before hanging up. I glanved at myself in the mirror before grabbing my bag and dragging my hungover feet down the stairs and into the kitchen. My father stood beside his wife, both of them giving me glares of disapproval.

“Good morning parental units. Shall we dine on breakfast?” I beang sarcastically. I sat down at the kitchen aisle and grabbed an apple.

“She doesn’t take a damn thing seriously Daniel.” Caroline said angrily, turning towards Nadia’s high chair to continue feeding her. I shook my head and chuckled as my father walked towards me with his arms folded.

“Hey there pops.” I said.

“Dammit Phoenix.” he said through clenched teeth. “Do you have any explanation for last night?”

“I pobably would if I could remember last night.” I answered. “I’m surprised you were even here last night.”

“I wasn’t.” he replied. “Caroline told me everything.”

“Of course she did. That’s how it always goes.” I replied.

“This isn’t about me young lady.”

“It’s never about you. It’s always about me and my fuck ups so why should I stop now?” I asked clamly.

“I don’t give a damn how grown you think you are, you better watch how you speak to me.” he replied. “Jacob Wright’s son dropped you off last night and had to carry you in here. Do you have any idea how that’s going to make me look at work?”

“Who is Jacob Wright’s son?” I asked before the last name hit me. “Wait, Caleb dropped me off? Caleb Wright?”

“Yes. And I’ll be damned if my daughter is going to be known as some drunk lowlife.” His words hit hard. A little too hard. For the first time since I was eight years old, I wanted to cry. I stood up from the kitchen stool and glared right back at him.

“Well, sorry dad but it’s a little too late for that. I’m your lowlife daughter whether you like it or not. Enjoy your breakfast.” I said before grabbing my bag and storming out of the house. I slammed the front door as he called after me. When your own father begins to see you as a nothing, it gets harder and harder to actually be something. I stomped down the street with tears burning my eyes. If there was one thing I hated more then my life, it was crying.

“Phoenix!” a voice called. I turned to see Caleb pulling up beside me.

“Caleb?” I asked. “Wh..what are you doing over here?”

“I came to give you a ride to school. Zoe left her car at school so I figured you’d both need a ride.” he explained. I looked down the street, trying to come up with a valid reason to deny his offer. But, when nothing came to mind, I decided I could use a ride.

“Thanks.” I said, climbing into the passenger side.

“No problem.” he replied. He pulled off down the street as I threw my backpack into the backseat.

“And thanks for driving us home last night.” I said with a smirk.

“So you actually remember?” he chuckled.

“No.” I laughed. “My dad told me. I don’t know what I said to you last night but let’s just forget I even said a word.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked.

“Shut up.” I laughed. He glanced over at me before shaking his head. “What?”

“I’m still trying to figure you out.” he replied. I shifted nervously and I didn’t even know why. I hadn’t been nervous around anyone since I was nine.

“That makes two of us.” I replied. “You’re not the easiest guy to understand either.”

“Really? I thought I was a simple young man.” he said, lifting his head in arrogance. I laughed, another one of those genuine laughs he gave me.

“Keep telling yourself that.” I replied.

“I think I’m starting to get you though.”

“Oh really?” I asked with a smile. I hadn’t had a real, honest conversation with anyone else but Zoe. Whatever Caleb was doing to me, he was doing it very well.

“Yeah really. Maybe you can help me out.” he added.

“Now why would I do that?” I smiled.

“Because you like my shoulders.” he teased with a grin. Suddenly, I remembered saying something along those lines the night before.

“Ugh!” I exclaimed, shaking my head in embarassment as he laughed. “It’s not funny.” I said as I fought my own smile.

“No but seriously, you can help me out.” he said.

“How?” I asked, intrigued. He was interesting. The most interesting guy I’d ever spoken to. Hell, he was one of the first guys I’d ever actually spoken to.

“Go on a date with me.” he said. He gave that smirk that made my stomach scream.

“A..a date?” I asked. I didn’t mean to stutter like a ten year old with a crush, but I’ll be damned if he didn’t make my throat dry. He nodded.

“A date.” he repeated. I was too nervous to speak. I smply nodded my head yes as his smile grew. “So that’s a yes?” he asked for clarification.

“Yes.” I squeaked.

“Good. I’ll pick you up tomorrow around eight.” he said. I nodded as he opened his door. “And don’t touch that door.” he demanded. I watched in confusion as he walked around to my side of the car and opened the door for me. Chivalry. Something else I wasn’t use to. He smiled as I got out ofthe car. “I’m your boy scout remember?” he teased.

“Stop it!” I laughed, pushing him as he laughed as well. A few eyes landed on us, but I was too at happy to notice.