After the incident on Valentine’s Day I’d kinda been on a bender. I still went to class and practice but afterwards I would drink to forget. Didn’t help that I was twenty-one at the time Kellin and I broke up. I went straight to a bar after he walked out.

That’s where I was at the moment. It was Friday night of spring break and I was pre-gamming. My friend Jack Barakat had invited me and the boys to a party at his house off campus. Jack was a senior who loved to have a good time so that party was gonna be good. I just wanted to get some of my drinking out of the way beforehand so I wouldn’t go crazy when I got there.

Let’s face it, I would.

A threw back a shot of tequila and slammed the glass down on the bar. The bartender rolled her eyes at me but smiled as she poured me another.

“This is like your sixth one.” I shrugged as I watched the clear liquid fill the tiny glass. “Is something bothering you? You’ve been taking these shots like there’s no tomorrow.”

“I’m just getting ready for a party,” I lied. She chuckled.

“I’ve been working here since last year. In that time I’ve seen people who pregame. You sir aren’t one of them.” I gave her a look. “You’re running from something and I guarantee that you’re not gonna find your escape at the bottom of a shot glass.”

“So you’re saying I need a bigger glass.” She laughed.

“You know what I mean.” I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was really cute. Like, really cute. I watched her as she went to pour a drink for another guy at the end of the bar before returning to me.

“So, are you gonna tell me what’s going on or are we gonna pretend that you’re really ‘preparing for a party’?”

“Well for your information I am preparing for a party.”

“Really because I’ve seen you every night this week. I don’t really think people pregame for all of spring break.”

“Alright, you’ve got me there,” I said with a chuckle. She smiled.

“So tell me what’s going on. Why are you an alcoholic?”

“I’m not an alcoholic.” She shot me a look. “Not officially.”

“You’re just stalling for time now.” She was right. I sighed.

“I lost someone close to me a few weeks ago.”

“Oh no,” she said with a sympathetic look. “Was it family?” I shot her a confused look before laughing.

“No, not lost as in died. Lost as in they’re not in my life anymore.” She covered her face with her hands and laughed.

“I’m so stupid. I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s okay.” I drank the shot that had been sitting in front of me only to have her pour me another.

“So what happened between you two?” I drank the other shot. I knew I’d need it if I was gonna talk about Kellin.

“We’d been dating for about a month when it all started. My friends had been telling me that the person I was dating was in love with me. Well I’ve never been in love and the last time I told a girl I loved her I was lying. I didn’t wanna jump in too quick with Kell when I wasn’t sure. I put it off for about four months and well, we broke up on Valentine’s Day.”

“That’s so rough. Did you try explaining it to Kell?”

“Of course I did, ‘tried’ being the key word. Every time I worked up the nerve to try to explain I chickened out. I was just so afraid of a break up that I led us to it.” I cursed under my breath and took another shot.

“Well hey, if you and Kell are meant to be then you’ll be. I’m sure you two will work this out.” I sighed but nodded anyway.

“Hey, Vic!” I turned to see Jaime at the door of the bar. I looked back forward and put thirty bucks on the bar.

“Thanks for the drinks, and for listening to all my shit.” She laughed.

“That’s what I’m here for, right?” I smiled.

“Well hey, there’s this party tonight at my friend’s place. It’s not too far from here. If you feel like it when you get off you should come hang. It’ll be the house with a million cars out front.”

“I think I might take you up on that.” I smiled as I got up.

“Cool, I guess I’ll see you later.” She smiled at me as I walked toward Jaime.

“Bye Vic,” she called.

“Bye Danielle.”

***

One shot. Two shots. Three shots.

Twelve shots.

Eventually I lost track of how many drinks I’d had. All I really remember is that Jack had Jell-O shots and the boys and I were drunk out of our minds. We didn’t have anyone to impress. Kell was out of my life and Kaylee had gone to South Padre with her family for the week. We were done with shows for the week and spring break was almost over so we said fuck it. Nights like this only come around once in a while.

The music was loud and we were having a good time. Mike had gone to the back of the house to smoke with some dudes. Jaime was grinding on some random girl who I knew he was gonna forget about in the morning. Tony was just about passed on the couch. The little lightweight.

I was in the kitchen with Jack and a few of his friends. We had a really intense game of beer pong going. Guys were doing shots out of girls’ belly buttons or doing keg stands. I think Jack’s friend Alex was one of those guys.

I threw the ping pong ball across the table and watched as it landed in one of the two cups located on that side. I was so fucking surprised that it went in considering the fact that I could barely see straight. Fuck it though. I took another sip of my beer and pointed at Jack’s friend Nano.

“Drink up fucker!” He flipped me off as he downed the contents of the cup.

“It’s not over yet Fuentes.”

“Whatever.” I leaned back against a counter while I waited for Nano to make his move. The next thing I knew a hand was on top of mime. I looked to my left to see the beautiful redhead from earlier. “You made it.”

“Well yeah, you invited me. How could I say no to that face?” I probably let out the ugliest laugh but fuck it; I was drunk out of my mind.

“You want a drink?” She nodded. I walked over to the cooler and got her a beer. Then another. And another. This chick had a high alcohol tolerance. Maybe that was why she was a bartender.

After a few more beers, some shots, and some spiked punch Danielle was pretty far gone. Me, I was way past the point of return.

“You can really hold your liquor,” she slurred slightly. I chuckled.

“I’m Mexican. If you can’t hold your liquor then are you really Hispanic?”

“Good point,” she said with a smile. I stared at her beautiful face. Her red hair was in loose curls around her flawless face. Her lips popped with ruby red lipstick. God they looked so good. Maybe it was the liquor talking but I would fuck. I found myself looking over her body. She wore a black crop top that revealed her belly button and black shorts. I wonder if she’ll let me take shots out of that belly button.

“I can feel your eyes.” I looked back up at her smiling face. “Seriously, I may be drunk but I’m not oblivious.” My face got hot.

“Sorry.” I inched closer to her. “I just couldn’t help myself.”

She stared at me with lust in her eyes. It was so hot.

I took advantage of it. I put my drink down before pushing a lock of her hair back behind her ear. I took the opportunity to place my hand on the back of her neck gently. Her breathing hitched as I did so. We looked into each other’s eyes.

Then I did it.

Maybe it was because of the alcohol or because I hated the feeling of missing Kellin but I did it.

I placed my lips on hers and took in the feeling of her: her mouth, her body, her presence.

I kissed her like she was the air I needed to breathe. Fuck it though, I needed to get away from my thoughts for a night so why not?

Spring break’s supposed to be a week of regrets and releases.

Notes

Soooo the sequel is up! If you haven't read Misadventures then please do so you won't be lost as this story progresses. As always leave comment/rates and enjoy! :)