Kindred Souls

When we arrived at the party house, it was close to 9:15 thanks to Garrett having to stop and get gas. There weren't as many people there as I thought there was going to be. I spotted Alivia standing next to Kennedy, who was talking to Austin and one of the guys that owned the house, Chee. She didn't notice me, so I didn't say anything. Instead, Garrett led me into the kitchen so we could make ourselves something to drink.

I poured myself a Dr. Pepper and rum while Garrett stuck to a classic Jack and Coke. Just as I was about to turn and start a conversation with him, John barged into the kitchen, “Lee! You made it!” He exclaimed then wrapped his arms around me for a hug. He was a tiny bit buzzed, I could tell just by how affectionate he was being.

“Yes, I did! How could I miss your birthday? It only happens once a year!”

His eyes widened, “I'm glad you think so highly of me! My birthday should be every day, though.”

I laughed, “But if it was, that would make you about 8400 with leap years.”

He stared at me, blankly. I glanced over at Garrett, who was looking at me in slight amazement, “Did you just do that math in your head?”

I nodded, “...Yes?”

John pressed his palm to his forehead, “Shit, my brain just exploded.” Garrett and I laughed at his pained expression before he stumbled out of the room.

“Way to go, math whiz!” Garrett laughed and I rolled my eyes.

“I'm just math minded.”

He took a sip of his drink, “You're very smart.”

Shrugging, I downed half of my drink, despite how much it burned, “I enjoy knowing different things.”

He grinned at me from over the rim of his plastic cup, “So do I.”

I'd been at the party for a little over an hour, making it about 10:30. Garrett had wandered off in search of his brother while I decided to finally show my face to Alivia. She had jumped up from her spot on the couch, next to her boyfriend and ran over to me as soon as she spotted me. I laughed at her drunkenness and held her steady, “When did you get here?” She asked.

“Fifteen minutes ago?” I lied and she clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth.

“How come I just found out you were here?” I shrugged innocently and took a sip of my recently topped off beverage, “You look really cute. I love this dress.” She ran her hand over the lace and I couldn't help but laugh.

“Thanks.”

“Did you get all dressed up for Garrett?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me suggestively and I scoffed.

“No, Asshole. I didn't have time to change from my appointment with Lisa, so I drove straight to Garrett's.”

She eyed me skeptically, “Uh huh.”

I rolled my eyes, “Go back to your boyfriend, Boozy.”

“I love him, Lee.”

My eyes widened at her sudden confession, “What?”

“I can't help it; he makes me so incredibly happy.”

I smiled at her drunken rambling, “I'm happy for you, Aly.” I was being incredibly sincere. As much as I hated how often she wore her heart on her sleeve, I knew Kennedy was a good guy.

“I don't think I should tell him, yet, though.”

My brow furrowed, “What? Why not?”

“Because! What if he doesn't say it back?”

I rolled my eyes at her insecurity, “Shut up, Alivia. Just go be with him.” I shoved her shoulder, but she just bounced back and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, “I love you, Best Friend.” Hugging her back, I repeated the phrase to her.

Alivia went back to Kennedy after that, where he immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her body close to his, planting a kiss on her temple. I watched as her eyes closed and a small smile graced her lips.

“Leland!” I turned to John, who looked extremely stressed.

Instantly, I got worried, “What?!”

“How are you at beer pong?”

I rolled my eyes and visibly relaxed, “Pretty good, why?”

His face lit up almost instantly, “Great!” He tugged on my hand, pulling me into the backyard. “Everyone is being pussies and won't be my partner. You're my new partner.”

Next thing I know, I'm standing on one side of the beer pong table with John, playing an intense game against Jared and Tim. It had been neck and neck until I made one in and he did right after, giving us another shot. I got the next one, too, but John missed. This left us with two cups left and them with five.

“Fuck!” Jared cursed as the ping pong ball missed the cup completely and bounced off the ground.

“What's wrong, Jared? Can't concentrate?” Jared narrowed his eyes at me and I went to throw the ball.

Just as I went to let go, Tim yelled out “Holy fucking shitty ballsack!” causing me to lose concentration, “Fucker!!” I yelled back and everyone laughed around us.

“Leland!!!” Jared yelled in an obnoxious voice.

“Leland! You green-haired evil bitch!” Tim dragged out. I knew they were trying to get me to lose my focus, but I just tuned them out. Noticing their plan was failing, they began to wave their hands over the two remaining cups to psych me out.

John was quiet next to me, watching intently. Finally, I let go of the ball and watched as it soared through the air before landing in one of the cups with a splash. “Yes!” I cheered along with John while Tim and Jared cursed heavily.

“Come on, John.” I said encouragingly as he took his position. I knew he had an advantage because he was tall, but he also had to stand a little further from the table so his elbows wouldn't go over. It was quiet other than the loud psych-outs Tim and Jared were yelling at him.

“Johnoooo!!” Jared yelled, “You lanky fuck! You're going to miss it!” I couldn't help but chuckle.

Then the ball was in the air and hitting the last cup, going in. My eyes widened as I began cheering. John was yelling right along with me. He then grabbed me around the waist and hoisted me up, “Whoa! I'm in a dress, John!” His arms loosened and I was on the ground again.

“Sorry.” He laughed then lifted his hand up for a high five. I slapped his hand with a laugh then turned to the crowd that had formed.

“Who wants to play us now?” I saw Garrett exchange a look with Trey before they both stepped forward. Smirking at him, I spread my arms, “Bring it on, Nickelsen!”

He smirked right back at me, “You're going to lose, Ashland.”

“We'll see about that.” I smirked.

I couldn't believe how good Garrett and Trey were. By the time we both had almost all of the cups gone, I was beginning to feel it. When Garrett sunk another ball, leaving only two on John and my's side, I felt the beer at full force.

“Holy shit, I'm so drunk.” I said as I swayed. John looked at me and laughed. We were both extremely drunk.

Trey missed, so it was our turn. I don't know how, but I threw the ball and sunk it in one of the three cups left. Blinking my eyes to see if I was seeing things, I smiled when I realized I wasn't. John missed his. I wasn't expecting him to make anymore because he wasn't concentrated enough, being more drunk than I was.

When my turn came around again, after Garrett sunk another one of the balls, I was a little frustrated. Garrett kept smirking at me and it was pissing me off. I wasn't thinking as I turned the ping pong ball in my sweaty hand. I threw it at his head, hitting him directly in the eye. At the realization of what I had just done, I shot up and slapped my hand over my mouth.

“OW! What the fuck?!”

I couldn't stop myself from laughing. It was just so funny! Everyone watching laughed, too, finding Garrett's pain humorous.

“Oh, my god!” I laughed, wiping tears from my eyes. John was doubled over in hysterics next to me and Garrett looked a little pissed. His brother was even laughing at him.

“C-Come on, John-n, you have to m-make th-this shot, mmkay?”

He stood up straight and wiped at his eyes, still laughing at what I had done, “O-okay, ok-kay” He giggled.

He missed, just like I thought he would and I groaned, “J-J-John! That's n-not what I t-t-told you to do.”

He looked at me sadly, “S-sorry, Lee. I'm too drunk for this shit.” His half-lidded, glazed over eyes only confirmed that he was, in fact, too drunk for this. I wasn't too far off, though.

I watched Garrett dunk the white ball in the water and shake it dry. He was focused on the one red cup all the way on the right side, faking throws to get it lined up right. I smirked as the ball bounced off the table, coming short of it, “Damn it!” He stomped his foot on the concrete and I laughed at his misfortune.

As he threw a fit, Trey had thrown the second ping pong ball and gotten it in. My eyes widened and my mouth dropped, “Piece of shit!” I yelled as they celebrated.

“Fuck.” John dragged out in disappointment.

“Good game, Leland.” Garrett smirked from across the table.

“Fuck off, Nickelsen.” I chuckled as I took the cup John handed me. He had split the remaining beer into the two we had failed to get, and I was very unhappy. Garrett's smirk only widened.

The four of us walked away from the table, well John and I more or less stumbled. I was glad I was wearing flats and not the heels I had planned on. John threw his arm across my shoulders just as we met up with the winners.

“Good game.” He said. Trey raised his hand for a high five. John tried to slap it, but ended up missing terribly. This only caused me to double over in laughter at him. Garrett was laughing at the way I was reacting and John had slunk away sadly, mentioning he was going to do shots inside.

“Leland,” Garrett laughed. At my name, I stood up straight, still giggling with tears in my eyes, “are you okay?”

Nodding, I giggled again, “I'm going to go take shots with John.” As I turned to walk away, I stumbled over my own feet.

“Whoa.” He said, grabbing my arm to stop me from face planting. “Are you sure you should be doing that?”

I nodded more enthusiastically than I needed to, “I'm perfectly fine, Garrett.” Just then, I noticed Trey had left somewhere. My eyes widened, “Oh, my god! Where's Trey!? He disappeared!” Garrett looked like he was trying his hardest not to laugh at my drunkenness, “Do you think the aliens got him?” I asked, a bit frightened.

“Maybe! Who knows?” He played along.

In reality, Trey was on the other side of the yard, talking to John's brother, Ross. He must have slipped away when I was laughing hysterically.

Garrett followed me into the kitchen, where a group of people were crowded around the counter.

“Lee!” Alivia yelled drunkenly. She was standing all the way on the other side of the kitchen and there was so much loud chatter, but I still heard her yells. “Lee!” She yelled again, fighting her way through the crowd.

“What?” I giggled.

“Kennedy is taking me home.” That's when I noticed her boyfriend fighting the crowd to get to her.

“Babe,” He breathed, trying to catch his breath, “Stop running off!” She giggled then stood on the tips of her toes to plant a kiss on his lips. This only made me curl my lip up in drunken disgust.

“I'm going to take her home because she's about done.” He told me.

“So is Leland.” Garrett said from beside me.

At his words, I turned and looked at him in shock, “I am fine, Mr. Nickelsen.” He was giving me a look that clearly read “really?”. Kennedy was raising an eyebrow at us and Alivia was giggling drunkenly, “I. Am. Fine.” I said, poking him in the chest with each word. “Don't you worry your pretty,” poke, “little,” poke, “head.” poke.

He gently grabbed hold of my hand and put it back at my side, “Okay, whatever you say, Leland.”

Kennedy shook his head with a laugh, “Well, good luck.” Garrett scoffed. “I'll see you later.” As he turned back to his girlfriend, who was leaning most of her weight against is arm, eyes closed, she swayed, almost falling over.

I laughed as her eyes opened, startled and he jumped to catch her, “Bye Alygator!”

She waved weakly, “Bye, Bumble Lee.” She mumbled.

“What a lush.” I thought. It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be long until I was in the same state.

Two back to back shots of Don Julio later and I was nearly there. I was swaying to the beat of the Rolling Stones song playing from somewhere and couldn't care about anything else happening around me.

“Leland,” Garrett said, gaining my attention. I whipped around and looked at him through half-lidded, bloodshot eyes, “Come on; it's time to go.”

I didn't object as my body felt the need to slow down and pass out.

“I-I-I didn't get-t to say...” I swallowed the immense amount of saliva collected in my mouth, “bye to John” I mumbled as he led me to his yellow car parked across the street.

“Sweetie, John won't remember in the morning. Just tell him you did.” I wasn't a fan of affectionate names, but I didn't even bother telling him. He got me in the passenger side door and left me to put my seat belt on myself as he got in on the other side.

When he fired up the engine, the radio came to life, the local rock station playing the latest Muse single. Garrett quickly made a u-turn to get out of the neighborhood and my stomach lurched. Why was I so drunk from so little? Then it dawned on me: I had been so busy all day that I forgot to eat.

This happened quite often. As soon as I moved out on my own, my meals came less frequently due to the fact that I lost track of time so easily. It seemed to always got me into trouble.

We were almost to his neighborhood when I got incredibly nauseous, “Oh, God.” I groaned, “Pull over.”

Garrett shot me a worried look, “What?” Then he saw the miserable look on my face and didn't ask again. He hadn't even come to a complete stop before I was thrusting open the door and throwing up all over the sidewalk.