He smiled a side smile and then took her hand bringing it to his lips which sort of excited Claire. She smiled at him even more glad he had not taken offense at her granting him an handshake instead of what he had seemed to be asking for at the onset. She later learned his name was Cole and he was the person organizing the party. Claire had never been in such a place before and the fact was that she felt lost in the crowd with all their fun going on. At first it was she and Danielle together but as time went on, Claire found herself majorly alone as everyone wanted to dance with Danielle.
“First time at a party Claire?” someone she had come to know as Matthew said to her.
Claire smiled and said indeed it was her first time. He asked her what she was drinking and she told him apple cider. He scoffed and then apologized saying he could not understand why she would go with that when there was booze everywhere.
“Well that’s because I don’t drink.” she said politely
“Wanna know what it really feels like to be in a party?” Matthew asked her with his eyes twinkling a little
“I don’t know if I should be doing that.” Claire said
“Come on Claire, you should try it at least. Now’s the right time.” he said
“How’s that?” Claire asked him.
He smiled and then asked her to look around her. She did and all she saw was a bunch of young persons busy tearing at each other. She might just be the only strange one in the lot. Claire turned to look at Matthew and flashed him another of those innocent smiles of her that simply made him want to know her unknowing to her. He explained that she was in the party already and besides she might not be sure when next she would let herself have the opportunity. Before Claire could say anything, he had walked away from her and she waited only a moment for him to return with two plastic cups. Claire looked at him skeptically and then he took a sip from each as a way to reassure her that it was perfectly safe for consumption. Claire giggled and although her insides were screaming for her not to take it from him, her curiosity and naivety was singing a whole different song. It was something on how she would be hurting his feelings if she should behave that way to someone so nice to her. It pointed out to her how of all persons out there including her friend who was now dancing out the middle, he was the one who cared for a total nutcase like her.
Claire shrugged her shoulders. What harm would be done. It was just a cup and not anything of great consequences since he was there too and unharmed after tasting it.
“Cheers, I guess.” she said after taking it from him
“Of course. Cheers Claire.” he said bringing his cup against hers.
Claire smiled and drank rather too quickly from the cup. It was totally different and hit her differently when she tasted it at first. She brought it away to peer inside the cup. She realized Matthew was looking at her and looked up at him.
“So…?”he asked her smiling.
He obviously wanted to know what she thought about it. She smiled and took another sip. This time, careful to take it slow so she could savour it’s taste. She knew she should not but that look in his eyes seemed to be asking her to do more and impress him.
“It’s… hot… and,” she began unsure of what it really was.
He chuckled.
“Take another sip Claire.” he said waving around his cup and took a gulp.
Claire had seen her motivation obviously and then raised hers to her lips. She took a good quantity and then closed her eyes as the taste hit her.
“It’s cool now. Minty like.” she said again smiling at him.
He looked at her for a moment and then the corners of his lips tilted up, folding into a smile of the sorts.
“Congratulations Claire. You just managed to taste your first alcohol.” he said to her and Claire smiled.
It was true actually. She had never actually tasted alcohol for fear of acting stupid as she was used to seeing on the television. She got addicted and started taking more from her cup obviously enjoying the sensation it was giving to her. At a point, she had the tingling sensation she usually gets around Tristan that made her look up to find Matthew looking at her. Their eyes met and she started wondering if perhaps she had found just about the right person to assist her get over Tristan and perhaps keep Jake away. In her drunken head, this would be passing for love. She raised her cup to her mouth and found it was already empty. She had no idea she had drank so much already and smiled not knowing how to tell it to Matthew.
But the keen eyes of the wolf had not left it’s prey. He smiled at her and excused himself to get her another cup obviously with the aim of getting her to waste herself totally. He had his eyes on the girl since she was introduced to them and was certain she was pure from the way she acted. He wanted her flower. He moved away and just about then, her phone began buzzing in her bag. Luckily she had not wasted herself enough not to feel the phone. She started fumbling until she could grasp the phone and looked at the screen. Claire blinked a lot of times before finding it was her father calling. Suddenly it dawned on her that she had overstayed. Claire looked around for Danielle but the girl was far away. She decided to go take the call outside and possibly see if she could get her father to let her stay outside. No way could she go home in this state without her to step mother making it clear to her father that she had been the little pest she saw her as.
Claire stepped around the dancing people until she was outside. The outside was rather different once the door was closed actually. Really calm and cool. The cold breeze brushed on her face and she smiled as she went to a corner. Her phone was calling again and she managed to take it.
“Hello dad.” she said
“Where are you Claire?” the man demanded obviously angry at her
“I’m at Danielle’s.” she said
“Who’s Danielle?” he demanded
“My friend. Girlfriend.” she said
“Girlfriend? Are you gay Claire?” her father asked.
That was a rather shocking question that hit her like a wave. She had never thought of that but instantly told her father she was not. He asked why she was not home yet and Claire did a quick mental math. No way was she going to tell her old man she was not just at a party but drunk. Instead she did something she was not used to. She told a lie.
“Danielle is really sick dad. Can I spend the night?” she asked him.
The man said he did not even know Danielle and instead he would want to come pick her up wherever. Claire begged him that she promised she was safe. She just wanted to stay with her friend. He thought about it for a bit and then said yes but she was to make certain she gets home the very next day. Claire smiled even as her heart pierced her with the judgement of her telling a lie just not to be judged. But then, what would you have her do at the moment.
Claire had been squatting down and just now as she tried to stand, it hit her suddenly and badly. She was really drunk. She staggered and would have fallen had someone not caught her. She gasped and looked up to find Matthew at her side. According to him, he had seen her staggering outside and had been worried. He wanted to make certain she was safe and followed her. Next he asked if she was having trouble with him but Claire not wanting to look stupid told him she had it all sorted out. He asked if she could stand but her legs wobbled and the ground seemed to deepen. He explained to her it was just like that for everyone at their first time but he could help her get sobered up. He explained there was a grocery store just around the corner and they could go there to get her something to help her.
Naively, Claire agreed to his preposition resting against his support as they moved away. She had forgotten he was a total stranger she only had met in a party with her friend. He continued talking to her and they disappeared to the corner. There was no grocery store yet but he continued telling her they were just close to the place and she followed him.
She was beginning to get scared and then he stopped in front of a building that was no grocery store. She looked up at him but the nice smile had disappeared. They were now facing a dark staircase and Claire tried to pull away. He frowned and tried to pull her in, she struggled and he smacked her across the face. She froze instantly when he leant to carry her over his shoulders but then he was pulled away to face someone who suddenly dealt him a heavy punch across the face. Claire gasped as she fell away.