stuck :: hemmings

eight.

We downed the airplane bottles outside in the shadows, narrowly missing a run in with campus security. I reminded Luke that he'd driven to the event, his response being a laugh and him reminding me of 'a little invention called uber' that he'd take home; assuring me he'd pick up his car in the morning.

I only had one, knowing that being drunk around a boy I barely knew at a 70s themed campus event was not the best idea. Luke drank the remaining three bottles. I didn't know his tolerance, though I could assume it would be pretty high due to his tall stature.

Luke held the door open for me, a small notion that I couldn't help but acknowledge. Once we got inside, I took in the 'flower power' signs, the childish stations set up and the mass amounts of freshman. I looked at Luke's face to try and gauge his reaction to what was unfolding in front of him. His expression was placid, holding no clear indication of how he felt.

"Is that a photobooth?" Luke asked, holding back a laugh. My eyes followed his to the tacky photobooth surrounded by giggling groups of girls, some with their less than pleased boyfriends in tow.

"Of course, who wouldn't want to memorialize this event?" I responded, thinking back fondly to all the photo strips I have tucked away in a shoebox from events like these. My heart couldn't help but falter at the thought of who was front and center in many of the photos. I took a deep breath and pushed back the infiltrating thoughts.

When I turned back to face Luke, his attention was already focused elsewhere. A girl with caramel hair was standing alone in the corner, her face buried in her phone.

"Hey, Brooklyn, I'll be right back." Luke put a hand on the small of my back and walked in the direction of the stranger. I watched with curious eyes, wondering why there was a flare of white-hot envy that briefly ignited in my chest. He had a girlfriend, why would I be jealous of him talking to some girl? He leaned against the wall and said something which caused the petite girl to laugh.

I adverted my eyes in case he decided to look in my direction, although I knew he was too engrossed in his conversation to do anything of the sorts. I suddenly began to feel embarrassed once again. The single airplane bottle wasn't enough to give me as much as a buzz and this outfit was once again mortifying as I stood alone.

"Sorry about that." I looked up to see that Luke had returned. "Jenny's an old friend from freshman year that I haven't seen in ages."

"No, you're totally fine." I said quickly. "If you'd rather hang out with her, you're more than welcome to."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'd much rather enjoy the company of Daphne Blake here." Luke bit back a smile.

I inhaled sharply, remembering how I felt when Luke went over to talk to the other girl. "Do you think Leah would be okay with this? You hanging out with some girl on a Friday night?"

"Why do you care what Leah thinks?" Luke tilted his head to side and looked at me with a quizzical expression. "You hardly know her."

"I hardly know you." Was my response, resulting in Luke letting out an exasperated sigh. He shoved his hands in his pockets as his eyes flicked to the ceiling.

"Look, Leah and I are... we're complicated. But if it makes you feel any better, I have no intention of doing anything with you or anyone else. I joined you tonight because I was on my way home to watch Mindhunters and down my sorrows in a bottle of Jack Daniels. I figured going to a campus event, no matter how lame, was a much better option. If it's weird for you to hang out with a guy you barely know who just happens to have a... thing with another girl, I can leave." Luke finally said, his gaze on me unwavering.

"No, I'm sorry. I just know that if I was Leah..." I looked into his blue eyes. "You know what? Never mind. Let's just forget about it and just have a good time."