New Haven

“CHEERS!” someone yelled as we all drank from our glasses before moving towards the dance floor.

People were dancing, drinking and just having a good time, as time passed by. The night was becoming darker, people were getting wasted and the music was getting louder.

I was having a good time, surrounded by great people and great music. Olivia was on the dance floor all night, jumping up and down to the music, joined by myself. I tried to keep up with her running between the dance floor and the kitchen, but ended up staying in the kitchen after a while. It turned out James had some really nice friends, a bit old to be anything more than friends but still very polite and handsome.

“I’m so happy right now, thank you Soph for bringing me with you” I turned around to see Olivia hanging on Noah’s very muscular arm. He didn’t look happy, I wondered if it was because he was tired of Olivia or just tired in general.

“Happy to hear that” I said and walked away. The plan was for Olivia to come for Gabe to get to know her better, not for her to make him disappointed by flirting with another guy.

I heard her talking to Noah, saying something about wanting to sit down due to her head spinning. That was probably a good idea.

I have never been an alcoholic, meaning I usually don’t get very drunk at parties like these. The point of partying isn’t drinking, at least not for me, so I try to keep myself to that motto. Dancing before drinking.

“It has now been proved that we are the worst wingmen ever” Cole sat down next to me in the sofa while looking at Olivia and Noah a few seats away.

“I guess so” I sighed and looked at them too. “Forcing two people together never works out well. It wouldn’t have lasted for long anyway” I continued and sighed.

“Well, well. Are you having fun? I saw you talking to some of James’ friends earlier. Anything I need to know?” he raised his eyebrows in a flirty kind of way, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

“They are too old for me” was my only response. I couldn’t deny that they were all very handsome and funny.

“Glad we agree on that one” was his last words before giving me a quick smile and walking towards Olivia and Noah.

He said something that made Olivia roll her eyes, sigh and then walk towards me. She sat down next to me with another sigh.

“Noah is not my type, you can have him,” she said as I was studying Noah and Cole’s lips trying to figure out what they were talking about. At the same time I noticed another face next to Cole, a brunette male with a red t-shirt. I blinked once and he was gone. Strange. It must be my imagination – let me correct myself, the alcohol – affecting my sight.

“Well here I was thinking about how to steal him from you” I responded and we both burst into laughter.

“I haven’t seen you all night, what have you been up to?” she looked interested, though she couldn’t hide the tiredness that was hitting her.

“Dancing, talking, drinking – partying. Did you and Noah…?” I don’t know if I asked because I should or because I actually wondered. Olivia and I always share details when hanging out with a guy, obviously, but this time was somehow different. I didn’t want to know if they kissed. I think that would make me jealous.

“We didn’t kiss, he was very distant and didn’t say much. I don’t even think he likes me as a person, but I’m totally fine with it” she put her hands up to amplify what she meant.

I was just about the respond when Olivia gave me a quick look saying ‘sorry’ before throwing up right in front of me. Actually some of it came on me.

“It could have been worse” Cole said as he handed me a glass of water. I don’t really know why, it’s not like I was the one throwing up.

“Yeah? I stink” I said and crossed my arms over my chest to keep myself warm. We were currently sitting outside Gabe and James’ house as the other ones continued partying inside. Someone throwing up isn’t a big deal. Unless you end up getting some of it on you, that’s for sure.

“I’m sorry” he said and sighed. “It feels like these things always happens to you, for some reason” he shrugged and gave me a small smile.

“Tell me about it. That’s what you get from being friends with Olivia” I said and cleared my throat.

We sat in silence, not for long but long enough to realize Noah was standing a few feet away from us.

“Hey man, what’s up? Take a seat” Cole said and Noah sat down on his right side. On the other side from where I was sitting.

“Olivia doesn’t seem to feel very well, she’s vomiting again” he made a disgusted look and I agreed with him. It doesn’t matter how much I love Olivia, she’s my best friend and accidents happen, but I will not forgive her for this until I am sober. My drunken self wasn’t going to forgive her tonight, I knew that.

“Glad that’s not me” Cole said and shuddered. “And I am very happy it is not you, because it would take a lot of my energy to get a vomiting Sophie home” he said to me and grinned.

“I am not going to enjoy trying to get her home, that’s for sure” I said and laughed a little to assure them I wasn’t too mad about it.

Noah didn’t say much; he just sat there listening to Cole and I fooling around. Sometimes he would say something, or answer a question. And when he did, he seemed bored.

“I have to ask you something” I began and moistened my lower lip. “Who was the guy in the red t-shirt sitting next to both of you before? Right before Olivia threw up” I waited patiently for an answer as they looked at me in confusion.

“Who?” Cole finally asked. “There was no one sitting next to us,” he continued.

I suddenly felt very stupid, as they had both denied sitting next to someone. To ease the tension I decided to make a joke out of it.

“Well I guess I am more drunk than I thought. It was very strange anyhow, he was there one second and gone the other. I guess it’s my mind playing games” I laughed a little, so did Cole.

Noah didn’t say anything, but that seemed like normal behavior for him.

Det tredje kapitelt är nu ute, woho! Jag hoppas ni gillade det.