Into the Darkness

We walked over to the drinks table. Logan grabbed a cup of punch, and his facial expression said it all. Yep, it had been spiked but thankfully Logan could hold his booze. I on the other hand didn’t want a repeat of the last eighteenth birthday party I went to. I grabbed a bottle of Coke, knowing I would probably be the only sober one here.

Logan put our drinks down and pulled me onto the makeshift dance floor. He had the moves; I’d always enjoyed dancing with him. He grabbed my waist and pulled me into him, then I rubbed myself against his thigh. This is what we did. We didn’t care that people thought we were a couple. We were just having fun. The song finished, and I pulled away from Logan.

“I’m going to check on Adriana. Behave, Logan.”

I found her standing in the kitchen with Samantha, pouring Grey Goose into a new batch of punch. Alex was standing at the corner doing something with his cell. I made a conscious effort to avoid contact with him at all costs.

“Hey, Char!” she greeted a bit too cheerfully.

“Adriana, why are you spiking the punch? Did we not learn from the last party?”

“Oh, lighten up, Char! I’m eighteen now. WOO!” This was like a bad scene straight out of Girls Gone Wild.

“So, Charlie, Adriana tells me you and Logan…” Samantha teased. Alex instantly looked up from his cell, his face enraged as he gazed at me. “You looked pretty cozy on the dance floor,” she continued.

It was so awkward to have this conversation in front of Alex! I felt the need to defend myself. “It’s not like that. We are just great friends. Have been since we were born.”

Adriana laughed loudly, the punch in full effect. I sensed that what she was about to say would not paint the best picture of me. “Please, Char, good friends don’t just lose their virginity to each other!” She continued laughing.

Alex shot me a fierce glare before leaving the room. I was livid. “Adriana, I can’t believe you said that out loud!” I angrily responded.

I left the room to look for Alex. I wanted to know what his problem was. I continued searching the house but couldn’t find him. I searched the gardens, no sign of him. Then I walked onto the street, wh

ere under the pale moonlight I saw the shadow of Alex leaning against his car.

“Alex?”

He turned around, his face softening as he saw me. I leaned against the car as well, knowing it was best that I didn’t make eye contact with him.

“Alex, did I do something to make you angry? I’m sorry about that conversation in the kitchen. I didn’t particularly want my sex life announced to the whole world. Adriana will get an earful from me tomorrow,” I joked.

His face was still serious. The silence was deafening. “So, it’s true?”

“What’s true?”

“You and Logan are an item?”

“No, we aren’t. I told you I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“So what, you’re fuck buddies then? It sure looked like it when you were dancing.”

His hands caught my attention: his fists were clenched. I didn’t get why he was so fucking angry and it was now making me angry. I was shocked at his response. What did he care, anyway? He was married; he had a wife to go home to. Why would my sex life bother him in the slightest?

“First of all, we are not fuck buddies. We did it twice, over a year ago. It was not good so we never did it again. Second of all, he is a good friend and yes we like to have fun—it’s harmless. Besides, both of us agree we are better as friends. And lastly, why would you care? Are you worried I’m going to have unprotected sex like the rest of the teenagers here and get knocked up before graduation?”

“Charlotte, it’s just…you—”

“What about me?” I was confused. What the hell was going on?!

Just then, he quickly leaned over, his lips crashing against mine. I could taste his desperation as it was mirroring mine. My head was screaming at me to stop but my body was aching for it. His hands were now cupping my face, but I wanted more. I wanted him to touch every part of me. I grabbed his jacket, pulling him closer to me, the kiss becoming more intense, his tongue searching for more. I wanted to give him everything, right then and there. I didn’t want to stop. My heart was beating fast, and my body felt like it was on fire. I wanted all of him.

He quickly pulled back, a look of shock on his face. No, no! Please don’t regret it. His pupils were dilated, like an animal ready to attack except now it was feeling remorse. The gold band was a symbol of love and devotion and was screaming at me. What we just did was very wrong.

“Charlotte, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that… I’m married,” he said, his worlds stumbling out.

I felt numb. How could something so wrong feel so right? I needed to get away quickly. I ran back inside, leaving him alone under the watchful eye of the stars.

When I got back inside the crowded house, my heart was still beating fast, adrenalin running through me. I found the drink table again and knocked back a cup of punch. There, that felt better, but shit that vodka was strong! I felt the warmth spreading through my body and instantly calming me down.