Sweet Evil(17)

“Aw, crap!” she said, and we both laughed, falling all over each other. My laughter was not right. It was smoother and lower than usual, and I was suddenly much too calm to work up a good belly laugh. I noticed how soft Veronica’s shirt was. I rubbed it between my fingers.

“You’re feelin’ it now, girl!” she said.

“What was in my drink?” I asked, curious.

“Some crushed-up X. Don’t be too mad at him. You’re so lucky! I would have done it tonight, too, but my dad won’t give me any money.”

I wasn’t mad. Just the opposite. Scott had been right. I wanted to thank him. I threw my head back, submerged in the sensation. The fact that I was high was what mattered. It was like a long-lost friend had found me and wrapped me in a cozy blanket. I wanted it to last forever.

There was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, but I ignored it. Soon I couldn’t focus on anything except the fact that my mouth felt like it had been stuffed with a sock.

“My mouth is so dry!” I yelled. “And my teeth are chattering.”

“Come on. Let’s go get you some water and gum. That’ll help. And I need another frickin’ drink, too!”

Once again Veronica pulled me through the crowd by the hand. I felt as if I were walking on a squishy cloud and everything were in slow motion. We pushed our way to the kitchen, where she spun to me and shouted, “Holy hot guy! Who the heck was that? Did you see him?”

“Who?” I looked around.

“Back in the hall. Hel-lo! When we passed him he was staring right at you!”

I looked in the general direction of the hall, but there were too many people.

“I don’t know. I didn’t see him.” I shrugged. “I’m happy we’re friends.”

“Aww! You are so sweet. I can’t believe we’ve never hung out before.” Veronica slid a piece of gum in my mouth. I chewed like crazy, my jaw racing with a mind of its own while she made herself a drink, splashing stuff all over the counter.

Someone tapped my shoulder. My movements were sluggish as I turned, and it took a few seconds to process his face.

“Jay!” I brought my arms up to his shoulders, gazing at him and letting my head flop back.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I am so good.” I tried to talk normally, but the breathy voice that came out was totally unfamiliar. I rubbed little circles on his shoulders with my palms. “You are the bestest friend, Jay. I love you.”

“Are you drunk?!”

Uh-oh. He was upset. No, no, no. Everything was so nice. So perfect. I needed Jay to be happy, too.

“She’s rollin’,” Veronica said, popping some peanuts in her mouth with manicured fingers.

He looked at me with huge eyes, and then moved my arms down and took a step away from me. “What the hell, Anna?”

“Jay, please. Please don’t be mad at me.” I reached up to him, but he deflected my arms.

“That’s a little hypocritical, don’t you think?” he asked, his face tight. All I could do was stare like a fawn in a spotlight. Jay had never, ever yelled at me.

“Whatever, man, forget this.” He reached between Veronica and me, grabbing a half-full bottle of clear liquor before disappearing into the movement and noise around us. I was thankful when Scott walked up and filled in the empty gap Jay left behind. I didn’t want any gaps tonight.

“You just missed Jay being a total buzz kill!” Veronica said to him. “And did you know that me and Anna are totally best friends now?”

Scott looked at me hesitantly, but when I smiled he slid an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. Jay’s words had already filtered through me and were gone. There was no room in paradise for anything as ugly as anger.

“Hey, you.” Scott’s voice was all melty and buttery in my ear. “Sorry, Veronica, but I’m going to have to steal your new best friend.”

“Y’all behave yourselves, now.” She winked.

I turned to her and we hugged like we’d never see each other again, and then Scott was weaving the two of us through the partygoers, up a curved wooden staircase, down the hall, and into a room.

The sudden quiet was a shock to my ears when he shut the door behind us. Scott led us to what looked like a guest bed. He sat, so I sat. He lay back on his elbows, so I did, too. When he turned his body to lean over me, I dropped my elbows and lay back, completely still.

“Are you mad at me?” he asked. I shook my head.

“Everything feels so soft.” My fingers caressed the sides of my jeans. Even the normally rough feel of denim was like silk under my fingers.

“When I’m on E,” he said, “I always think everyone should be naked. Just like Adam and Eve.”