When we finally arrived at our destination, I was the first out of the car and the first to arrive at the door step. I was about to ring, when Nick took my hand.
"Don't bother" he laughed "They can't hear you. The music is too loud"
Realizing that indeed, the house was bouncing from noise, I burst in.
People were hanging from everywhere, forming drunk corners, make out circles and of course the dull chit-chat club.
I made my way to the liquor table.
Laurel looked around confused. Where had they brought her?
"Watch your back" Nick cautioned before disappearing to find Eli.
"Gee thanks" Laurel mumbled pinching her nose from the stench of booze.
When I reached the drinks, I grabbed a cup and chugged it at once. I wasn't one for alcohol, but this time, I made an acceptation. This would teach Brian to walk out on me.
"Sorry sweety, I didn't catch your name" a tall, matcho wannabe looking young man said holding a beer can, checking me out like a starved dog.
"I didn't throw it either" I snarled.
The man chuckled "Feisty one, aren't we"
I reached down for another cup, and chugged it down as fast as I did the first. Going against all principals, I smiled
"My name is Kate." I lied "And what might yours be?"
He laughed "What's in a name?" he quoted, opening his arms and slightly spraying me with his drink.
"Hey!" I shouted feeling the sticky liquor drip down my dress.
"Sorry" he apologized meaninglessly.
I watched as his eyes trailed their way up and down my body
"Want me to clean it up for ya?" he proposed, inching up to me.
Rage filling my being, I grinned seductively . I gently placed my hand on the back of his neck as he placed his hand on my back and moved me closer. I leaned my neck to the side as I felt his tongue trace my collarbone, and down my clevage. I closed my eyes, and when I did, I felt a violant tug.
"What the fuck?" Nick yelled at the guy holding him by the arm "get away from her"
The man looked at him, shrugged, and moved on to the next woman he saw.
"Nick!" I whined taking yet another drink "What you do that for?"
Nick seized the cup from my hand "Eli, you're gonna get drunk"
"Problem with that being..." I said rolling my eyes taking yet another cup and walking away from him.
Nick sighed. He wasn't in the mood to watch over his best friends girlfriend so that she wouldn't fool around, but he didn't want her to do something she'd regret either. Not to metion his feelings for her were still burning strong within him. Oh, who was he kidding anyway? He grabbed a Coke and tried to track her down again.
Laurel looked around the room for her friends. They were nowhere to be found. Why did she ask to come along anyway? She was having a blast at the other party with Nick. Oh yes, that's why she came. To be with Nick. Once again, she looked over the crowd.
She caught the eye of a blond spiky haired guy, who smiled and came up to her.
"I'm Michael, and you" he introduced himself.
She looked at him warily. He looked harmless so "Laurel" she answered, gripping onto her hand bag.
Michael looked at her wantingly. 'Pretty creature' he thought "So what's a girl like you doing in a dump like this?" he asked slighly.
"Not much" she answered with a small laugh. Although she would have preferred asking him to help locate Nick, she didn't want to bring up another guy just yet.
Michael put his hands in his baggy pockets "So, how about we blow this joint?" he proposed.
"I'd rather not. I'm here with some people, and I wouldn't want to leave with out them" she answered cautiously.
He thought for awhile "Wanna go upstairs then?"
Laurel bit her bottom lip stammering "Well... no-not, you know well..."
"You've got a twisted mind girl" Micheal laughed "You're getting way ahead of yourself. Wanted to give you a tour of this humble establishment, that's all"
She felt a bit silly for thinking he'd be so forward about suggesting "the bedroom"
"Okay" she smiled. Maybe she was being a bit naive about his claim, but what else was she to do?
**At The Hotel**
Brian wasn't much of a drinker, but he felt the need to have a stiff drink in the limo ride back to the hotel.
He walked in straight to the front desk, breathing heavily and rubbing his sweaty palms together nervously. He was so preoccupied with what he wanted to say, that he didn't notice the girl stepping up behind him.
"Baby"
Brian heard an annoying shriek sending shivers up his spine
"Hello Becca" he said as she leaped in front of him .
"Oh honey buns, I've missed you" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Brian took in a wif of her Exclamation perfume and almost gagged. He couldn't believe that she'd show up like this. Why couldn't she understand it was over?
Not even caring about the lack of enthusiasm on her boyfriends face, she took his hand and pouted her lip "Baby, these people didn't let me in your room" she then giggled "I wanted to surprise you, but they didn't believe that I was your girlfriend"
"Yeah, I know" Brian sighed. He wanted so much to tell her to fuck off right there and then, but he was too much of a gentleman to do so. "Becca, we need to talk" he said nicely.
"Hold that thought" she laughed "I need to tinkle. Let's go up"
Brian sighed desperately, but let her lead him to the elevator anyway.
**At The Bash**
After Howie had gotten over the initial shock of seeing Dawn again, he invited her to sit for a drink along with Kevin, Naila and Kristy.
Kevin looked back and forth between Dawn and Howie. He remembered who she was, and was relieved when Howie gave him the 'I'll tell you about it later' look.
Before long, his mind returned to Naila. He wanted so much to put his arm around her, but didn't think it would be appropriate.
Naila watched Kevin's twitching arm and smirked. Deciding to take initiative, she put her hand over his and began to slowly caress it. Kevin looked at her and smiled with relief.
"Has anyone seen Alyssa?" Kristy asked, oblivious to the twisted emotions that were surrounding her.
"No, I haven't" Howie said taking the opportunity to observe Dawn. She was holding her drink staring vacantly off into space. He wished that he could read her mind, for something was obviously troubling her.
**Earlier That Day**
The cab ride over to the hospital had been silent. A.J would focus on an object, and would not let it leave his sight till his eyes gave in and blinked. Worry was the only expression printed on his tanned face, and Alyssa felt the need to say something but could never bring herself to it.
When they pulled up, A.J showed his first signs of life by running in as fast as his legs could carry him, while Alyssa strugled to follow.
"Doctor!" he yelled, spotting a white coat.
"Yes" the middle aged man said.
"Amanda Lewis" he panted as Alyssa caught up.
The doctor looked at him warmly "Follow me"
The three took the elevator and got out soon after.
As they reached a room, the doctor stopped.
"Sir" he said addressing himself to A.J
"Yes" A.J said biting his lip.
"Have they informed you of Miss Lewis' condition?"
A.J took in a deep breath. This had been the moment he'd been dreading since he had received the phone call "No" he said nervously.
The doctor nodded and opened the door, motioning for them to enter.
A.J's eyes shut in fear of what was to come.
Alyssa noticed his sealed lids and took his hand, intertwining her fingers in his.
At the touch of her soft hands, he let his eyes take in the sight.
"Oh god" he whispered in shock beneath his breath.
There lay Amanda. His beautiful Amanda. Her body still, her arms at her side with IV's in her veins. A sheet lay over her till her waist line, where it transformed into a pockadot blue gown leading to her neck. He looked up a bit to her face: a respirator tube held her mouth open; her dried lips round it. Her eyes were locked with dark marks circling them, making it the sole pigmentation on her once rosy face. The only contras between her and the white pillow her head lay on was her black mane which spread out round, lifeless as her body.
The sight was almost too much for A.J to bare. Her inert form drew him away from the beeping of the monitors as he asked "Is she dead?"
"No" the doctor answered.
A.J, and even Alyssa let out a sigh of relief.
"She's in a coma"
Those words startle A.J as much as the word death would have "What happened?" he asked still watching over the immobile shape.
"I'd ask for you to please join me in the hall" the doctor said knowing he'd have to take him away from her.
Alyssa squeezed A.J's hand in order for him to follow.
A.J turned and went out to the doctor "What happened?" he asked again loosing patience.
"Sir, Miss Lewis had a drug overdose"
"What?" A.J chocked.
"She was brought in early this morning. She had taken much more harroine than her body could possibly handle. She's lucky she didn't die." he spat out those last words making the point quite clear.
"But that's not possible" A.J said shaking his head in disbelief.
Alyssa had kept her mouth shut long enough, she had to know
"Who brought her in?"
The doctor looked at her oddly "A young man. We suppose it was her boyfriend. He left right away. We're trying to get in touch with him so that we can get a better idea of what happened. All he had left us was a small paper with a number on it."
"I'M her boyfriend" A.J said showing a bit of the rage that had been welding in him.
"That's not the issue" the doctor said not enjoying the tone he had spoken to "If you have any questions, ask to for Dr. Wiser" and left.
A.J felt lost and confused, and feeling a force pull, he returned to the room Amanda lay in.
Alyssa let her fingers untangle from his. She watched A.J carefully, his face like steel.
He hovered over her bed, not knowing quite where to settle.
Finally, he gave in a bent to his knees, taking Amanda's slender curled up fingers in his own. His eyes began to shimmer with tears and with one horrendous sob, his head dropped to the sheet as he began to weep.
A lump formed in Alyssa throat due in part to the sight of a crying man, but mainly for herself. She realized that A.J was in love with Amanda, and it hurt. She felt selfish for thinking that, and as her eyes weld, she collapsed to his side- taking him into her arms as they both clung to each other in tears for support.
