ALONE WITH DAN

Lily went outside to take a breather. She had too much beer for the night. Only three shots of beer but she was already pretty dizzy. She was only grateful it was beer in tonight's party menu and not vodka. Vodka was a different level of dizziness for a casual drinker like her.

The Joneses' humble abode was not exactly humble in structure or impression. It was a mansion. It was not Lily's first time at Douglas' place but every single time she was there it always felt like it was her first.

It was huge.

I wonder if there are secret chambers and door traps in this house, Lily thought. She was curious.

Tonight, the back patio was empty so she chose its emptiness to hide away and breathe.

Most of the people were still inside partying and singing along with another Fram Hill band. Ronins. She heard of them and even featured them in the Bugle back in the summer. Solid rock band. A 7 of 10 band rating.

It was a cold fall night; the night breeze was chilly yet soothing. There were a few pumpkins and candles scattered on the wooden floor. Dried, maple leaves slow dancing in the wind, swaying and hanging from the trees. Their quiet sound was comforting to Lily. Reminiscent.

Lily sat by the patio steps and leaned against a post, a bottle of beer in her hand, and a little sick stomach. She didn't mind the sick stomach. She was drunk before. This was nothing. If this was what people called getting a life, then she pretty thought life was about getting drunk.

Get me drunk so I could finally get a fun life, she thought.

She was almost lost to her November night musing when she heard someone at her back. No, not someone. They were the lovebirds–Dan and Sophie. She tried to look back to see what they were doing there but she stopped herself. It was silly. She mentally slapped herself. She bet they were kissing, making out, and didn't notice that she was there.

Ouch! This was what she was talking about of not coming over. She felt like a voyeur though she wasn't really looking at them.

As if they were reading her thoughts, the lovebirds stopped the kissing, and Dan started, "Oh. Hi, McQueen."

Turning around, unsure what she would find, Lily looked up. Dan was hovering over her, and Sophie was gone.

Maybe, she went back inside. Lily replied, "Oh. Hello, Pierce."

"Dan. You can call me Dan." He moved down the steps and sat beside her. "Why are you all by yourself here? Does the party suck? Aren't you cold?"

No. Seeing you kiss your girlfriend sucks. Of course, she didn't tell him that. "No, I'm fine. Just taking a breather here. The party is cool. Douglas hosts great parties. I was at a party like this recently. Three weeks ago."

"Oh, I see, " was Dan's only reply.

There was an awkward silence between them so she changed the topic. "Hey, you were awesome back there. I knew you play the drums but I didn't know you guys have a band. The Rescue Blues? Whoa! Are you a Ryan Adams fan?"

Smiling at her, he said, "Yeah, I'm a fan. How did you know--- Okay. I see. And thanks. I hope you liked the setlist. I'm the drums guy all right. Well, it was Alas who thought of the band name. He's a Ryan Adams fan too. We just recently named the band but we have already had it since we were younger. Hmm… I think we were eleven. Twelve? I'm sure we started it back in middle school. The Rescue Blues isn't my favorite song from Adams."

Intrigued, she asked, "Oh really? What is your favorite song then?"

"Two." He nudged his bottle of beer to hers. Winking at her, he continued, "What's yours?"

Never saw the question coming, Lily thought of a song. There were a lot of great songs from Ryan Adams. To her, all of his songs were freaking-tastic, and she had all his albums purchased from iTunes. Even the Vinyl collection she got them all. She reminded herself to thank her mom for the AmEx.

"Hmm… it's hard to think of a song. Truth be told, I love all his songs but, if you insist, then I say 'Come Pick Me Up'."

"Oh! That didn't cross my mind. Damn. I love that song too." He smiled sheepishly. "Well, silly Lily, I never thought that there's one thing that we can agree on aside from having to put up with Mr. Simpson." He stared at her. Those smoked gray eyes of his were beautiful, deep, and calm. She would love to stare at him forever; however, she had to look away before he noticed she was gawking at him.

"Yeah." She tried to clear her throat. She felt like the beer was stuck in there. "By the way, thanks for inviting me over. I get to drink beer."

He laughed. "Not a problem, silly Lily."

"Hey! Why do you call me silly Lily? Am I being silly?" She wasn't only gawking at him but also looking silly to the boy she liked.

"Oh no. Not at all. I just think that it sounds cute. You know what? I like your name. Lily. Lily."

Oh my god! Her name sounded so beautiful when he said it. Uttered by his pretty lips. She could die right there.

"But if you don't want me to then I'll stop. I don't want to offend you or make you feel uncomfortable."

"No. No. No. I don't mind. It's okay. Just don't let other people know about it. Please. Let's say only you can call me that."

He only smiled. Idiot she was, she smiled back and found herself staring at him. Again.

Drunk or not yet but she felt something. It felt like the world suddenly stopped-no annoying crickets and loud music. She was just staring at him, looking at his face. His face that she had memorized so well, each plane and angle, more than she had ever memorized any Math formula. Dan was a good memory to keep.

Right at that very moment, a very slow passing moment, she wanted him to lean forward and kiss her.

This is getting a life. A life out of a love-starved human body, right? She could need that spark and heat. Oh god! Let him kiss me. Please, she hopelessly pleaded.

Drunk or not yet but she leaned toward him. Real slow just like in the movies, Gone with the Wind or Notting Hill.

She thought it was a bad idea; he had a girlfriend. He was close enough for her to put her arms around his neck, take it from there, and kiss him. I really like you, Dan. She prayed to him.

It was the alcohol and its magic to make people brave in times like this .

Closer, leaning closer, her lips hungered for his pretty lips. Closer, trying to close her eyes, she held her breath and waited.

A painful wait.

Kiss me.

"Wow! What a night! Whaddya think?" It was Ray Carter.

Shit! Not Ray Carter... Why do you have to be so loud and ruin my fantasy? Why?! Lily wanted to ram his face with the bottle of beer.

She had to look away from Dan and drank her beer, almost swallowing the whole bottle. God! I feel like dying here right this minute.

Dan, on the other hand, seemed dazed with what happened or what was supposed to happen. When he tried to say something to Ray, he stuttered. He looked so confused.

That gave Lily hope that he felt something too.

Silly Lily. Yep, that's me! Lily couldn't help but feel more embarrassed by the second.

"Ray. Ummm… Lily and I were just hanging around, taking a breather, you know." He refused to look at her and stood up.

"Lily? Wow! I didn't know you're close friends now." He sat down beside Lily, the very place where Dan previously occupied. "By the way, Sophie was looking for you. She asked me to tell you that important bit."

He was talking to Dan but he was looking at Lily. "Go now." He waved his hand telling Dan to get going.

Dan didn't hesitate and went inside. So, Lily was left there with Ray. She pretended to drink her beer and avoided any glances from him.

Whenever she was near him since the Bugle's List had been published, she made a promise to herself not to talk to him.

It was awkward, and he was awkward. He was quiet, drinking his beer. With him this close, she could smell the beer, sweat, and smoke on him.

All those reminded her that she did smell too.

Stupid beer shower. Oh my god! Dan might have smelled beer on her too.

Way to get a kiss from your crush, Lily McQueen. Smooth. How many times should she mentally slap herself tonight? How many times should she be so silly?

***