drinking games

Chapter Twenty

Isabel has been spending time with Calum after he followed me to lunch. She had told me she asked him out and he said yes. I would not have the courage to ask someone out, I have no idea how she even managed to do that herself.

Calum invited her to join him at Luke's party tonight, and of course being as smitten as she is she said yes. She didn't even think about it after he asked she just agreed which resulted in her panicking after he walked away. She begged me to join her.

I eventually caved and agreed to show up at the party. As much as I hated to go to Luke's once again, I'm doing it for Isabel.

As I know Isabel will be by Calum most of the night I need to drag someone with me. So else but my amazing brother, Alex.

I brought it up on the ride home, he gave me a blank stare bringing up what happened last time. But it was great leverage to get him to join me this time.

I sit in front of my mirror applying makeup to make myself more presentable. I don't pick anything extravagant to wear since I'm not going to hook up with anyone. I smile as Ashton enters my mind. He's the only boy I need.

Alex and I told mom we're both going to a friend's house tonight and most likely stay the night depending on if we end up drinking or not. We thought we'd be out all night to be safe.

Alex shows up spinning the keys on his finger telling me that he's ready to head out.

"I'm not going to tell you not to drink, so I'm asking you to not have too much." Alex says once we're in the car.

"I've learned my lesson last time."

Alex parks down the street and gawks up at Luke's house. I had forgotten that this would be the first time he would see his place. I laugh at his expense.

I part ways with Alex promising to text him if I need him at any point tonight. I set off in search of Isabel.

I spot Michael after I grab a drink, I pray there's no alcohol in it but it's a fifty-fifty chance.

Against my will, I decided to ask him if he's seen Isabel or Calum for that matter.

He leads me to the room I first met Calum in. Isabel lights up when she sees me walk in and opens her arms for a hug.

"We were just about to start a game of beer pong, but with the drink replaced with something better. You should play!" She pushes me towards the table.

"Oh, I don't know." I look at the cups being set up with uncertainty. Ten cups are set up on each end of the table.

"It'll be fun, I promise. Please." She begs. One game couldn't hurt.

"Okay." I give in.

"We can play against our best friends! Ooooh, me and Calum will play against you and Michael!" She gets excited and pulls Michael to join me. He stares down at my bubbly friend in confusion.

"Um, okay? I guess I'll play then." Michael reaches behind his head. Of course she'd pare us together.

"I'm taking you down, Michael." Calum smirks at his friend, and I just roll my eyes and scoff at Isabel. The things I do for her.

We rock paper scissors to see who would go first, Michael and I end up losing.

"Ladies first." Calum hands a ping pong ball to Isabel. She throws the ball and it just misses one of our cups.

"Dammit!" Isabel cusses at her bad throw. I laugh as I grab a ball and aim it at the end of the table. I've never been one for good aiming, I'm not even good at walking.

The ball bounces and lands in a cup in the middle. That had to be beginners luck. And it's easiest when all cups are present. Isabel glares playfully as she takes the drink and downs it.

It was now Michael's turn to throw and I hope he makes one. He bounces the ball perfectly into the first cup and smirks at Calum.

"Drink up." Calum rolls his eyes as he takes the drink throwing the cup behind him when he's done.

Isabel chants 'don't fail' before I throw the ball this time. I bounce the ball but it goes off course allowing them to throw it into our cups. I groan at my fail as I wait in anticipation for Isabel to throw the ball.

She lands the ball in a cup right in front of me and I prepare myself to drink it. The drink burns as it goes down and I crinkle my nose at the taste. It was vodka mixed with something that was sweet, but the vodka was very overwhelming, it overpowered the whole drink.

Two drinks later, I am feeling the effects of the alcohol. More people have gathered around the table waiting to see which side will win.

Michael and I are in the lead with three cups left on the table while Isabel and Calum only have one. Calum holds the ball hoping for a Hail Mary to win the game. I laugh when he misses giving us the next throw.

It was now up to me. I was slightly disoriented as I try to line up my line of sight with the ball in hand. I place my other hand on the table for stability. I close my eyes after I toss the ball.

Screaming could be heard all around me. Many people have patted my shoulders before I open my eyes to Isabel finishing up the last cup.

"Yes! We won!" I shout happy, turning to Michael to celebrate. My hated had faded for him the more drinks I consumed. We share a quick high five and rub it in our friend's faces.

Isabel and Calum were very drunk by now. They had had five drinks each while I had only had three and Michael four.

Me being the lightweight I am though, the drinks went straight through me and I can only imagine how Isabel is at the moment.

I high five many people as I head to find a bathroom to relieve my bladder. Those drinks didn't stay with me too long.

It takes many moments before I find a bathroom, the alcohol not helping one bit in the process.

Luckily no one was currently using it as I lock myself in. Looking in the mirror I find my cheeks flushed from drinking and my hair slightly disheveled.

I primped myself up before leaving, and start my new search for Alex. I hadn't seen him since I had left him and wonder what he's been up to.

Finally, after what felt like forever I find Alex stood on the sidelines of people dancing, drink in hand.

He smiles when he sees me approach him clumsily.

"What have you been up to? It's obvious you've been drinking." He laughs at my demeanor.

"Beer pong with Isabel. I won!" I giggle.

We end up finding a room to crash in for the night. It was much trial and error to find an unoccupied room. We found one on the second floor that looked to be untouched and claimed it immediately.

Alex locks the door behind him as I lay horizontal across the bed.

"Move over you twit." Alex lightly slaps my legs.

I laugh as I move to lay correctly in the bed. I kick my shoes off and make myself comfortable under the covers.

Alex turns out the lights and crawls in next to me. I move closer to him to steal his radiating heat. He allows me to do so placing a protective arm around me.

I fall asleep to the thump of his heart mixed with the soft him of the base downstairs.