How to Date a Nerd

Chapter 14 - How to Confess to a Drunk Girl

“Ah, let the girl have some fun, Freddy,” Dad said handing his glass to Sarah.

We all watched her took a sip. Then two. She seemed alright so the adults get on with their small talk while I stared at my wine glass. Hopefully she won’t wreak havoc tonight. All this replay thing wasn’t working as well as I thought it would. Maybe I should just tell her directly. It wasn’t like I had any choice. Maybe if she knew about us, some of her memories would come back.

“I’m completing a new project for Sonnet Records,” Freddy said putting down his wine glass. “And I’ve been having problems with my equipment right now. Maybe I should get back to LA to record.”

“No need. We have everything you’ll need at home,” Arthur replied. “You should see the private recording stu—“

“Dad,” I cut him off immediately before Sarah could hear and start asking questions. “Why don’t you just take Freddy there so you could talk in private about… business matters?”

“Great idea,” Freddy said a little too excitedly. “Let’s go see it now… and talk about business.” He threw Arthur a meaningful look which my dad didn’t quite get.

Anyhow, they both headed across the street to check out my newly constructed private recording studio in the basement. I’d been using that so I won’t have to fly back to LA every time I had to record a song.

I tried to help Emma do the clean-up in the kitchen but she smiled at me and said, “Can you do me a favor and look after Sarah instead? And please keep her away from the wine bottles.”

With a grateful nod, I headed back to the dining table. I pulled a chair and next to Sarah. The wine bottle was nearly empty. Which was bad. Sarah’s cheeks were pink and she was smiling at me now. That wasn’t a totally good sign. Before I could hide the bottle from her, she grabbed it from the table and downed it in one gulp.

“Whoa! That’s enough, Sarah,” I said, taking the bottle from her hand.

“Why? I’m eighteen.” Giggling, she got up and went to the counter to get another bottle.

Cursing silently, I got up and snatched the corkscrew from her hand before she could poke her own eye out. With a sigh, I said “You should turn in.” But she just ignored me. She leaned on the counter, filled a glass and pushed it to me.

“Let’s play a game,” she said with a serious look. “I’ll take a guess of who you are. If my guess is wrong, I’ll drink the shot. If I’m right, you drink it. Deal?”

“You’ve had too much—“

“Okay, first guess. You’re gay?”

“What? No!”

Before I could stop her, Sarah already glugged the first shot. “I thought so, but I just had to ask,” she laughed and toppled the empty wine bottle off the counter by accident. I caught it before it crashed on the floor. “Nice catch!” she cried, still laughing.

“Kids? Is everything okay?!” Emma called out from the kitchen.

“Yeah, Emma! Everything is…” I glanced at Sarah. She was already drinking straight out of the bottle. “…under control!” Exasperatedly, I took the bottle from her and plunked it between us. “No cheating,” I whispered through my teeth.

“Okay,” Emma answered. “I’ll head up now to check on Jer. Don’t stay up too late,” she added.

“Sure, Emma! Thanks for the dinner,” I said wincing. Okay, I could do this. I could easily handle the situation. Like a responsible adult. I heard Emma climb the stairs while Jer screamed and bawled from his room at the second floor. The kid was possessed, obviously.

Sarah poured us another shot. “You’re from chess club,” she guessed.

“No,” I answered while watching her down another glass. “But I did beat you in chess once. Wait, don’t you think this is a little unfair? You’re getting all the shots. Maybe I should give you a clue. Just so you won’t end up… drunk.”

“I don’t mind,” she said inching closer to me. Her storm-gray eyes were scrutinizing. Like she was observing a specimen. All of a sudden, she took off my glasses and stared harder.

“What’s with all the staring?”

She kept coming closer until her face was just two inches away from me. “No. I’m not staring… I’m just… not blinking,” she said softly. At this point, all I wanted was to kiss her. All I could think of was her stunning eyes, her lips, the sweet smell of red wine in her breath… She was messing up my head. Just when I was about to lose control, she cringed back to her seat groaning.

For the love of all things holy…

“You dated Becky,” she guessed again, rolling her eyes. She slumped on the counter woozily.

“No,” I grunted, rubbing my forehead as she took in another shot. “You know what? I’m having a feeling that you’re intentionally making the wrong guesses.”

“Why? Becky’s really pretty and all the guys seem to like her now. Know what? I feel like she doesn’t like me anymore. Can you be my best friend instead?” she sounded like she was about to cry.

Her head lolled back and forth and I had to catch her before she dropped on the floor. “Sure Sarah, just… please stop this.”

“Last guess,” she mumbled, gripping on my shoulder to keep from falling. “You dated me,” she slurred looking up at me.

Without any hesitation, I took the wine bottle, tipped it to her and glugged it to the last drop. “Right. Okay. So you win. Game over. You know what? I’ll take you to your room now.” I couldn’t believe it. I finally said it. Now everything would be okay.

Sarah didn’t say anything for a while. She just kept looking at me from behind her long lashes. Then she started laughing quietly and mumbled through half-closed eyes, “You’re too nice… You know that? You don’t have to try to make me feel better because I’m just so happy now, I might just start believing.”

“It’s true, Sarah,” I told her.

“Yeah, yeah,” she murmured smiling. “I thought you’re too… good-looking for me anyway. But thanks.”

“Sarah. Come on. I’m not kidding.” I lifted her face just to see that she was already fast asleep.

Swearing under my breath, I scooped her up and carried her up the stairs. Sarah seemed lighter now. Maybe she lost some weight. I kept my eyes on the way but they kept veering toward her. To her innocent face. To her lips. I just wished she got what I told her.

With a sigh, I placed Sarah on the bed and draped the sheets over her.

“Too nice,” she sleep-talked, still smiling.

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Oh god... long time no... uh. whatever. Well yeah, a long chapter to make up for the lost time. Might upload again after 3 days depending on the feedbacks on this so please continue voting commenting dancing singing playing computer games chatting with friends and voting, especially voting. Really sorry for the delay guys. Been really busy these last few days. :) Thanks so much for your understanding.

Peace, Love and Pepperonni Lasagna,

~shim :)