16. Langdon
Sixteen
Langdon
I have an eye twitch that won’t go away. Super embarrassing. I wonder if Delia notices it. The moon rises as we drive. The windows are cracked and the end-of-summer breeze flows through the cab. She hasn’t once complained about the breeze or her hair.
Delia’s been humming along to the playlist I have going so I haven’t tried to make conversation. I like her voice, the sound of her humming. She watches the scenery go by with an expression that makes me think she’s actually some wild animal trapped in captivity and longs to be running free in nature. It’s sexy as hell.
Hailie’s house sits on the top of the hill, looking down at the town. Hailie is loaded and her parents don’t parent. She’s been throwing this stupid party since freshman year .
“Who’s house is this?” Delia asks as we head up the winding drive.
“Hailie’s.”
“Figures,” she says. She looks at me long and hard. I can feel her eyes burning holes into the side of my face.
“What?” I ask.
“You and Hailie…” her voice drifts off.
“Are nothing. We dated for a hot second in seventh grade. That’s the history.”
“Me thinks he doth protest too much,” she says.
“Ugh, what?”
“Oh my god. Shakespeare? Do you read?”
“Not if I can help it.” I laugh and park the truck.
She pins me with an earnest look while unbuckling. “Are you sure it’s cool if I come?”
My hand reaches out and moves her hair over her shoulder. “Of course.” I try to snatch it back but it’s too late. Delia sucks her bottom lip between her teeth and searches my eyes. My fingers burn from where they touched her bare skin. “Ready?” I ask.
She releases her bottom lip and nods.
“Yup.”
I push open my door and hop out, waiting at the tailgate for Delia so we can walk in together. She fidgets with her top and then her skirt.
“Don’t be nervous. They’re just fellow human beings.”
She lets out a laugh that makes my chest swell. I caused that sound and I love it.
“I don’t really do ragers. It’s not really my thing. ”
As we approach the door, we can already hear the music blaring. The bass pounds, the vibrations ripple under my feet. Like A G6, Hailie’s go-to song. I push open the door and let Delia pass me. The house is packed. Half the school must be here. Delia’s eyes are wide as she takes in the chaos. People are already wasted and it’s not even ten pm yet. Red plastic cups are clutched in everyone’s hands as I push us through the crowd.
I hold out my hand for Delia as we pass through a mob of dancing kids. She stares at my hand like it’s poisoned. Some underclassman bumps her, making her stumble a step and I have to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.
“Watch it,” I holler. The kid gives a drunk grin and shrugs. Delia takes my hand and I tug her closer to me. “Don’t let go. We’re going downstairs. Stay close.”
I lead her to Hailie’s basement. As we descend the stairs I release her hand even though I don’t want to. Almost the entire senior class is down here. Shots starts playing and everyone sings along.
“Lang you fucker! I was wondering where you were,” Niko yells over the music. He waves me over. He notices Delia behind me and his eyes bug out and his arm stops moving mid-air.
Our group is around the wet bar, Campbell, Niko, Hailie, Hannah and some others. Two shot glasses are passed to me. I hand one to Delia. She wrinkles her nose. I down mine. It burns going down. All eyes are on Delia. Girls are sizing her up and the guys, Jesus, they practically drool at the new blood in the room. It’s going to be a long night.
Our class isn’t huge. About a hundred kids give or take a couple. They’re huddled in various groups around the large basement. Some smoking weed, most have a beverage in hand talking and laughing.