Vanessa

That night was the first time I tried alcohol. A guy with a buzz cut and a tropical flamingo-print shirt handed me a vodka soda and at first, I didn't know what to do with it. I was never one for peer pressure but admitted that my curiosity got the better of me, so I cautiously took a sip of the mixture. It tasted sweet and went down easy. I took another sip, this time a little longer. I shrugged. Not bad. From there, one cup turned into two, two turned into three and before I knew it, I was drunk.

At some point, feeling courageous and like a woman of the world, I broke off from Matt and Addison to mingle with a few of the girls from my English class. I hadn't seen my best friends for most of the night but was sure that Addison was off fooling around with a jock from either the basketball, football, baseball, or soccer team; whichever. It didn't matter to her. As long as they were toned, tanned, and blonde, her lips would eventually find their way to theirs. As for Matt, he was most likely off on the outskirts somewhere trying not to have a panic attack over being forced to socialize.

It wasn't until around midnight did I see them again when I quite literally stumbled over to where they were standing by the fire. "Hey, it's Mattison and At," I slurred tripping on a stone that was wedged into the dirt. "Whoa, sorry," I apologized to the ground.

My friends exchanged concerned glances as I swayed on my feet before them. They had never seen me like this before. I had never seen me like this. My brain felt fuzzy and it was hard to focus. Grabbing at my forehead, I squinted at them. "Can you guys stop spinning for a minute?"

Addison rushed forward, wrapping her arm around my waist to hold me up. "How much did you have to drink, V," she whispered.

"Only like a drop." I pinched two fingers together to show her the amount I thought I had consumed. I erupted into giggles as I threw up my hands, "Or...or maybe it was a bit hiccup more than that. Who really knows?" Hiccup.

I glanced over at Matt to find his steely gaze on me. He was biting his lip as he furrowed his brows together. All I could think as he stared at me was how sexy he looked in his black jeans and t-shirt that hugged his fit body. How exciting it would feel to touch him and grab him by the hand, leading him down to the part of the woods where the stream babbled and the crickets chirped. I would roll around with him in the long grass as I ran my fingers through his dark hair, disheveling it until it hung in his eyes, freeing it of its gel hold. Then I would plant kisses all over his face; the kind that would leave a smear of lipstick around his mouth had I actually worn any. The thought was so enticing that my feet began to move towards him of their own accord.

Staggering my way over, I threw my arms around his neck with such force that it caused him to lose his balance for a second. I stared up at his beautiful face, beaming in awe at what I saw. I couldn't resist sliding my hands up to smoosh his cheeks together. "You are so cute," I blurted out. I patted his face for good measure before dragging my fingers down his neck, stopping just short of his chest.

Matt glanced over at Addison, his eyes wide and his face growing pale as he stood there helplessly, seemingly unsure of what to do.

"Ok. I think you had enough to drink. What do you say we get you home?" Addison sprang into action, pulling me off of him as my fingers clutched onto the cotton fabric of his shirt. I didn't want to let go but his hand covered mine as he gently pried me away. He smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt as I made another grab for him, missing this time.

I leaned against Addison, my eyes drifting shut. "He's so cute, right" I whispered to her.

"Yes, very cute," she muttered, struggling to hold onto my waist as I began to slump into her. "Now, shut up," she said through clenched teeth.

I heard the sound of Matt's whispers as I rolled my head back onto her shoulder. "Addie, we can't bring her home like this. If her parents see that she's drunk, they'll freak."

Addison bit her lip. "I can't bring her back to my house either. If my parents see this, they will freak and tell her parents." Suddenly her eyes lit up. "Bring her to your house and I'll just text V's parents to let them know she's staying with me."

Matt paused at the suggestion. His dad worked the graveyard shift as a watch guard so bringing me back to his house wouldn't be a problem. There wouldn't be anyone else there except the two of us. "Yea, alright," he reluctantly agreed. "I suppose we don't have much of a choice." He reached for my arm and draped it around his shoulder as Addison continued to hold on to my waist from the other side. Slowly, they began hobbling me down the hill towards Matt's Jetta.

As we walked, I rested my head against Matt, inhaling his scent deeply and probably a bit too loudly. "You smell really good."

He chuckled softly. "Well, that's a relief. Nobody was talking to me at the party so I was starting to second guess my choice of not reapplying my deodorant after the beach."

I moved my face up to his neck, breathing in the soft pine fragrance of his skin. "I could sniff you all day." I wiggled my fingers against his neck before burying my nose in him again. "Scratch, sniff, scratch, sniff," I muttered.

"Oh my gosh, V, look at the stars," Addison burst out, yanking me back by my ponytail. "They're really vivid tonight."

"It's lovely," I said, a goofy grin plastered to my face as I continued to stare up at Matt adoringly.

***

Matt

I pulled up in front of Addison's house, putting the car into park. She turned to me and squeezed my shoulder. "Good luck, Matt. Call me if she gets to be too much of a handful." She lingered behind for a minute, biting her lip. "Try not to read too much into anything she says or does tonight, ok? She's so shy around guys that it's no surprise that with a little bit of alcohol in her system she's acting like a caged tiger that's broken free and mauling the first one that she sets her sights on."

I nodded my head. The truth was I hadn't been quite sure what to make of Vanessa's actions. It was all so very much not her and quite frankly, the whole thing had left me feeling perplexed. She had sniffed me and grabbed at me after all. However, I supposed that Addison knew her friend way better than I did and if she said it didn't mean anything then it didn't mean anything.

Addison leaned in to give me a peck on the cheek. "You're a trooper, Mattie. Thanks for taking one for the team." She slid out of the car and I watched her make her way up the sidewalk, only continuing on my way home after the front door closed softly behind her.

I glanced in the rearview mirror to check on Vanessa. She had passed out in the backseat the instant we got her into the Jetta and was now snoring softly, her fist pressed into the side of her face as she leaned against the window. I smiled to myself. This ought to be interesting.

When we arrived at my place, I opened the car door and tried to shake her awake. "Hey V. We're here," I whispered. "Come on, get up."

She groaned and turned the other way.

I sighed, dragging my hands down my face. Ok, so this wasn't going to be easy. I reached into the car and scooped her up into my arms, being extremely careful of where I was placing my hands. I looked down at her sleeping face as I cradled her against my chest. I had to admit, she looked lovely when she slept; her face relaxed and her dark lashes fluttering against her golden skin as she dreamed.

I carried her up the walk, stopping at the front door and fumbling to get my key in the lock. Eventually, I managed to swing the door open with one hand. Huffing a little bit under her weight, I made my way up the stairs and into my bedroom, gently placing her on the bed. That should do it. I looked around the room, contemplating now where I should sleep.

I thought about crashing on the couch downstairs but decided that I better stay close by in case she woke up and needed to vomit. I didn't have a chair in my room other than the wooden one at my desk, and I wasn't about to sleep on that, so I grabbed the sheet and a pillow off the bed and spread it out on the floor. The carpet would be a fine spot to curl up into a sad little ball for the night. I stared longingly at my bed. Until tomorrow night, old friend.

I grimaced as I lay down on the hard floor, trying to get comfortable. I couldn't wait to wake up tomorrow to a stiff neck and kinks in my back. So exciting! I kicked off my boots, frowning over the fact that I couldn't even strip down to my boxers and sleep the way I preferred. It's only for one night. Don't be such a baby.

No sooner had I closed my eyes, did Vanessa's soft voice pierce through the dark. "What are you doing," she called. Sure, now she was awake after all that effort of carrying her inside.

I reached up onto the mattress to give her hand a quick squeeze. "Shh...get some rest."

"Matt!" She bolted up.

Thinking she was going to puke, I sprang to my feet to grab my trash bucket but before I could take even one step, she grabbed my hand and yanked it hard. I stumbled forward a little bit but managed to catch my balance. "What is it," I asked alarm in my voice. Please don't puke on my bed, I silently begged. I do not want to have to clean that up.

"Come here," she ordered urgency in her tone.

Taking a deep breath, I gingerly sat on the edge of the mattress. "What's wrong?"

"Come lay with me." Eyes still closed and a broad grin on her face, she patted the space beside her.

I sighed. Was that all it was? The girl acted like it was Armageddon or something. Ignoring her request, I turned towards her to pull off her boots. I had planned on sleeping on the floor to give her the space and respect she deserved and wanted to hold firm on that decision. There was nothing I despised more than the guys at school who bragged about taking advantage of a girl that had a bit too much to drink.

"Go to sleep V," I said, a little more sternly this time. "You'll feel better in the morning."

"Why won't you lay with me? I thought we were friends." She started sniffling as she began to cry.

I rubbed my forehead. Oh fuck, what was I supposed to do now? I did not have the experience to deal with a sobbing, intoxicated female. I wished Addison was here because she would know exactly how to handle this. Reaching over, I brushed the loose hair off her face that had broken free from her ponytail. I gave her a quick peck on the forehead. "Hey, it's ok. I'm here and I am your friend. I'm not going anywhere."

"You promise?" She pulled on my arm again and reluctantly I laid my head down onto the pillow next to hers. It would be fine. It's not like we were going to do anything. I rolled over and stared up at the ceiling, repeating that to myself but I wasn't sure it would be fine. I could handle Vanessa sleeping in my bed alone, her hair sprawled out and leaving her scent of vanilla behind on my pillow. I just wasn't so sure I could handle Vanessa in my bed, right there next to me.

As if taunting me, she began to giggle and walked her fingers up my chest. "Hey, Matt," she said her voice low, "I'm in your bed."

I gulped. Yup, you most certainly are. Not under the circumstances I would have preferred though. I would gladly have her there when she was sober and because she wanted to be but tonight, I wished that she was anywhere but curled up beside me. She snuggled her head against me, flopping one arm across my chest and throwing her legs over mine. My body tensed up. Ok, this I definitely couldn't handle. I nudged her. "Do you think you could move over a bit? I'm feeling kind of crowded."

She ignored me. My pulse quickened and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Deep breaths, Matt. You got this.

I felt her fingertips stroking my arm as she buried herself into me even more. "Do you think Addison's prettier than me?" Her voice was quiet as she spoke and I could barely hear the question.

I stilled. How the hell was I supposed to answer that one? I hesitated before replying, "Uh...I think you're both equally pretty. Just in your own ways. Addison has that whole glam, girly vibe going and you have the more laid-back and natural look. Both have their own appeal."

"You like girls that wear short skirts, makeup, and have silky long curls, don't you?"

My palms began to sweat. Damn Addison for leaving me alone to fend for myself. "V, if this is about what Aaron said to you, don't even give it another thought. Yes, some guys do go after girls like Addison but then there are also guys that are into girls like you."

She stopped caressing my arm as she whispered. "Which kind do you prefer?"

My heart hammered against my chest so loudly that I could hear it in my ears. Out with it, Matt. Now's your chance. I took a deep breath. "Girls like you."

I held my breath as I waited for her to start giggling and tell me that she didn't like guys like me. Guys that only felt comfortable in dark clothing that didn't call attention to themselves. Guys that wanted to just cover their bodies in piercings and tattoos because it looked cool and they liked the pain. But she didn't do any of that. Instead, she remained quiet.

"Hey V?" Nothing. I glanced over at her. Her eyes were closed and I could hear the steady sound of her breathing. Her head remained nestled against my chest as she sprawled her limbs over me.

Sighing and no longer able to fight it, I gave in just a little and reached down to find her hand, lacing her delicate fingers through mine. When I was sure that she was asleep and couldn't hear me, I lifted her hand to my face, planting a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I lied," I muttered. "I don't prefer girls like you. I prefer girls that are you."

With that, I closed my eyes thinking that I could definitely get used to having her here right beside me, forever curled up into my arms.

A/N 

Next update will be coming probably tomorrow 01/18 before I take a couple day hiatus to begin writing the fourth and final book in the series. (Actually, there will be a fifth but it will be more like a special feature type book and may be more of a novella.)

Get excited for the next part because Matt will definitely be bringing up that comment to Vanessa. You know the one; you are sooo cute.

***