CHAPTER 6 : Live Like Legends

When Friday finally arrived I was more than excited to attend the game. I had never actually been to a football game and the prospect of going to one had me all giddy. But I was also really nervous. I would be attending the game with Paige and her friends. Paige was nice and we got along pretty well but I had never actually talked to any of her friends. I was terrible when it came to being around people I wasn't used to.

I had heard a bit about them from Abby and other kids around the school. Which really did nothing to calm my nerves. Paige hung around the most popular group in the school, which consisted of four members excluding Paige. There was Davis Youth the captain of the football team, he was tall, buff and creditably intimidating. He was one of those guys I used to work really hard to avoid back at my old school, the kind of guy who looked like he could eat you alive if you looked at him the wrong way.

Lilith Russo was just about the cutest thing I'd ever seen. She was five feet five, had dark chestnut hair that curled around her cute heart shaped face and big sparkling chocolate brown eyes, that lit up every time she laughed. She was beautiful as well as brilliant. She was at the top of every single one of her classes from what I had heard.

Oscar Smith, the party king of West Chapel high. According to rumors Oscar threw the most legendary parties. He was also part of the football team. He seemed like was your typical jock, loud, self absorbed and just plain old obnoxious. I didn't think I would like him very much.

Lastly, Brent Elliot, Paige's boyfriend. He was captain of the debate team, had a 3.6 GPA, and he was captain of the basketball team. He was tall, well built, perfectly tanned, had dirty blonde hair cut short and crystal blue eyes. He was cute in a surfer kind of way. He seemed easy going.

Honestly I was terrified to hang out with them. I was probably going to mess it up somehow. They were the popular kids and I was just me. Marcus Nelson the socially awkward new kid. I was going to blow this, I knew it.

Standing in the parking lot I spotted Paige and her friends standing by her car. My first instinct was to run. It wasn't too late, I could just back away, call Harrod to come pick me up and make up some excuse about being sick or something. I didn't have to do this.

She was laughing at something Oscar said, they all were, when her eyes landed on me. She waved me over and I swear I felt my stomach drop, this was it. My mind told my body to move but it refused to cooperate. It refused to walk straight forward into a lions dan. They would rip me to sheds if I gave them the opportunity. My only option was to run for the hills and find a hiding spot shrouded away from their view. I was scared but of what exactly, I wasn't sure.

What was the worst that could happen? My fear had no standing. I was being ridiculous. They were just people, flesh and blood, nothing to be afraid of. I was being irrational and I knew it. So with a large gulp I swallowed down my paranoia and I approached them.

They were just human...

"Hi Mark" Paige said wrapping her arms around my neck in an awkward hug I failed to reciprocate but it was over soon enough.

"Guys, this is Mark" she said "Mark, these are my friends, Lily, Brent, Oscar and Davis," She introduced them as she pointed each one of them out to me then she looked at me expectantly.

Oh right, it was my turn to speak.

"Hi," I said sheepishly and I nervously bit my bottom lip. They all greeted me with friendly smiles calming my nerves to a certain degree.

We hung out in the parking lot for a little while and I quickly learned that I had nothing to fear. They were pretty cool, even Oscar. He was funny. He told jokes that had everyone laughing. And I found myself relaxing even more. Davis seemed intimidating at first glance but after listening to him talk, I quickly learnt he was kind of a softy. Lily was exactly what I expected her to be, a real sweetheart. Brent was the most quite one in the group but he seemed like a genuinely good guy.

There was nothing to fear.

I didn't say much but they didn't seem to mind, they welcomed me into their group and I was happy with that. I liked this, having friends or least people to hang out with. I never thought I would have enjoyed being around so many people, but I did.

"We have to get going, or else coach will skin us alive," Davis said, smacking his hand against Oscar's shoulder, after only a few minutes after my arrival.

"See you guys after the game," Oscar said as he and Davis departed.

"I'll go get us snacks," Brent offered.

"I'll go with you, Lily and Mark, can you guys find seats for us," Paige suggested and I just nodded at same time as Lily said 'sure'.

We found seats somewhere in the middle. My eyes automatically scanned the field for Adrian, finding him in his number eleven jersey standing with the rest of his team in a circle around their coach, probably going over last minute tactics or whatever it was they were going over.

He seemed to be listening attentively to whatever his coach was saying.

"Hey," Lily spoke from beside me jerking my attention away from Adrian. Her voice was soft and sweet. "You're friends with Adrian, right?"

"Kind of," I said though I wasn't completely sure. I'd known him for about two weeks and as much as I wanted to be friends I just didn't know if he felt the same. He was nice to me at times then sometimes he'd completely ignore my presence. He was complicated but I'd like to think of us as friends.

"So do you know if he's dating anyone?" She asked and I nearly choked on air.

"Um, I'm not sure. He doesn't talk that much."

"Oh, but you could like find out for me, right?"

"I don't know."

"Please," she said with a pouty lip and puppy dog eyes. But I never got the chance to reply her as Paige and Brent showed up and she dropped the topic. I got to my feet making up an excuse as I slipped away from the bleachers. I didn't notice until I was in the parking lot that Paige was following me.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worry masking her face.

"Yeah, just needed to take a breath."

"Are you sure?" She raised her brow.

"Yes" I said with a reassuring smile.

"Okay then, c'mon, the game is starting," Paige said grabbing ahold of my wrist and pulling me back towards the bleachers. We settled back into our seats.

Our team was the one in green and gold and the other in blue and white. Both teams took their places on the field as the game commenced. For most of the game I had no clue what was going on. Brent was nice enough to try and explain the game to me. By half time I understood the basic logistics of the game.

I watched out for the number eleven jersey. Adrian was swift on his feet as he avoided being tackled by the other team. He was really good and I cheered him on alongside the rest of the school as he made yet another touchdown.

At the end of the game our team was victorious sending the crowd into a flurry of applause and cheering. The crowd was ecstatic and I couldn't help but be caught in the moment. I cheered along with everyone else and ended up giggling at my own excitement.

Soon the crowd started to thin out as people were leaving. Paige dragged me along with Lily and Brent to the parking lot where we waited for Davis and Oscar. We were going to head over to the after party celebrating the win of the game.

As I leaned against Brent's car I spotted Adrian exiting the locker room from the back entrance. He had changed out of his uniform and was in a pair of dark jeans and a white t-shirt. His hair was damp meaning he had just taken a shower. He had his sports bag draped over his shoulder as he turned towards the parking lot.

I excused myself from the group and I approached him.

"Hi," I said nervously rubbing the back of my neck.

"Hey," he dropped his bag onto the seat on his bike.

"Great game," I said, and I kicked my foot into the dirt scuffing the heel of my shoe, "I just wanted to say-"

"Mark!" Paige called out for me, cutting me off. I turned my head to see Paige standing next to Davis and Oscar waving me over.

"I have to go" I said taking a step back from him. "I just wanted to say, you were awesome out there."

"Thanks," he said, his tone indifferent but a smile teased the corners of his mouth.

"Where are you guys headed?" He asked causally.

"To the, um-after party" I said. "I'll see you later," I turned away from him jogging back to the group.

Brent, Davis and Oscar piled into Brent's jeep as they drove ahead. I was in Paige's BMW with Paige and Lily as we followed behind them. We drove to the celebration party being held in the woods, at the edge of town.

When we got there, there was already a crowd of rowdy, drunk teenagers dancing to the music that poured out from the speakers. The music was loud, disrupting the steady rhythm of my heart.

Oscar and Davis immediately joined the crowd, gorging down bottle after bottle of beer. I followed behind Paige and Lily as we were joined by Brent. Paige and Brent had opted not to drink as they were the designated drivers.

"I'm going to get a drink, would you like one?" Lily asked .

"I don't drink." I informed her fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

"One drink won't kill you." She edged.

"Um..." I nervously rubbed the back of my neck.

"C'mon, just one drink," I looked at Paige for help. I wasn't a drinker, I had never consumed alcohol and I had never wanted to. I was already a complete mess sober, drunk me would be a disaster.

Paige gave me no help as she teamed up with Lily in her bid to get me drunk. With two against one I didn't stand a chance. I reluctantly agreed to one drink.

One drink turned into two, two turned into three, three turned into I don't know how many, but enough to have me losing my inhibitions. I found myself dancing with Lily surrounded by other dancing teens. She was basically grinding against me and I was letting her. The loud music no longer bothered me. I blurred into the crowd, I was one of them now. Just another rowdy drunk teenager. I didn't feel like myself anymore. I was someone else, someone more confident, more sure of themselves, someone more fun. It was like I was dreaming.

I was jerked awake when my eyes landed on a familiar blonde haired boy. He was standing at the edge of the party, alone. He was watching the crowd, or so I thought at first but I soon realized his attention was drawn to one figure. It took me a second to realize that figure was me.

My eyes met his and he dropped them, turning away. He walked into the woods leaving me behind staring after him dumbfounded.

I slipped away from Lily going after him. It was dark now and even darker as I walked further and further away from the campfire. The only light that lit my path came from the pale glow of the moon. My vision was slightly blurred and my body swayed from side to side threatening to topple at any second. Maybe this wasn't a great idea.

I wondered further into the woods but Adrian was no way in sight. I feared I was going to get lost. I stumbled upon Paige and Brent but they were rather preoccupied. Paige's body was firmly pressed against Brent's as they sucked on each other's lips. It seemed rude to interrupt. I averted my eyes as I continued my search for Adrian.

But doing so began to seem impossible. I walked a little further until the music was nothing more than a faint echo in the wind. Everything started to seem as if it was spinning so I decided to take a break.

I took a second to catch my breath as slumped against a tree to stop myself from falling. I closed my eyes taking in deep breaths.

"What are you doing?" I jumped half a foot into the air, clutching my heart on my return. How did he always manage to sneak up on me? I stared blankly at him when my heart rate was back to normal. What was I doing? I couldn't remember.

"Don't know," my words came out slurred.

"Are you drunk?" he asked.

"No," I said with a hiccup.

"Where's Paige?"

"Making up-out. Making out with Brent," I said keeping a firm grasp onto the tree, I was suddenly feeling very dizzy.

"Great," he grumbled under his breath, "wait here." He stormed back to the party.

I slumped down to the ground, putting my head in my hands as I tried to focus.

Adrian returned a few minutes later with a very disgruntled Paige. I tried to get onto my feet but miserably failed. Adrian stretched out his hand for me which I gripped firmly as he pulled me up. The fast movement had me feeling sick and I bent over puking behind a bush.

"I don't feel so good," I murmured as I stood up straight wiping my mouth with the back of my hand then learned against the tree as the dizziness returned.

"We're taking him home," Adrian told Paige who just glared at him.

"I have a party to get back to," Paige huffed.

"You have a job to do."

"He's fine," she said putting her hands on her hips.

"No, he's not," he sighed exasperatedly "seriously how did I get stuck with you?" He pinched the bridge between his eyes.

"I wanna go home," I mumbled. Adrian came up next to me slipping his arm around my waist and I draped my arm over his shoulders.

"Let's go," he said to Paige and she followed behind, grumbling something under her breath about how this was a waste of her talents. Adrian led me to Paige's car.

Paige settled into the driver's seat as Adrian opened the door to the backseat.

"I'm gonna sleep now," my words were slurred as I slumped down into the back seat and closed my eyes. Adrian plopped onto the passenger's seat next to Paige as she started the car. My head was fuzzy as I fought against unconsciousness. I didn't want to sleep, not yet. I had no idea what was going on but I was curious.

I wasn't aware that Adrian and Paige knew each other or even talked. The way they were arguing suggested they knew each other a great deal. I wanted to ask them about it but my mind was hazy and focusing was near to impossible.

"What were you thinking?" Adrian yelled at Paige.

"We were just having fun," she said calmly.

"We're supposed to be watching him, not getting him drunk," he reprimanded.

"It was just a couple of drinks."

"He's unconscious," Adrian deadpanned.

My semi-unconscious brain could not make sense of their conversation. I heard the words but their implications were lost to me. I didn't understand why Adrian sounded so mad at Paige. I hadn't meant to get her in trouble. I was just trying to have fun. All the other kids were drinking, why was it wrong that I did the same.

"It's not my fault he can't handle his alcohol," she said with a huff. I mumbled an incoherent apology that went unheard over their argument.

Their words became muffled as I slipped away into unconsciousness.

When I opened my eyes we were parked in front of my house. Adrian was helping me to my feet. The motion made me feel nauseous but I swallowed down the vomit as I tried to steady myself. Adrian had his arm wrapped around my waist so I wouldn't topple over.

"I'm sorry," I said as I tried to keep myself up on my wobbly legs. I felt guilty for getting drunk and ruining the party for both of them.

He shrugged off my apology. "Can you walk?" He asked instead and I simply nodded. But the moment he let me go my knees buckled and I would have crushed to the ground if he hadn't caught me.

"Wait here," he told Paige who stood by her door, arms folded over her chest as she huffed exasperatedly.

He led me to the front door where I slipped in my key to unlock the door. I really hoped that Harrod was asleep. I could only imagine the consequences of being caught stumbling in drunk at midnight.

Once we were inside Adrian asked for the directions to my room. The house was dark except for the light from the moon that sipped through the windows. I was pressed against his body as he helped me up the stairs and down the hall to my room. His pine and cinnamon scent luring me to sleep. I felt safe in his hold, and I took comfort in that as I rested my head onto his shoulder.

I quietly slid my door open and Adrian walked me in, then lowered me onto the bed.

"Thanks," I said as I wiggled in my bed trying to get my pants off, "you didn't have to."

He didn't respond as he reached out for the band of my jeans. I was too sleepy to be embarrassed as he tugged my jeans down my legs then I slipped into my blanket. He turned to walk towards the door.

"Good night, Adrian," I said as I snuggled into my pillow, and lazily shut my eyes with a yawn.

"Good night, Marcus," he said before he softly shut the door behind him.

I was dead asleep in a matter of microseconds. And plunged into yet another nightmare.

Claws dug into my flesh gripping my bones as a hot searing pain worked through my body. I cried out in agony but my screams floated away, unheard by even my own ears. The beast that had me at its mercy, dragged my body towards a dark hallow pit. I kicked and screamed to no avail only to end up thrown into an endless abyss. I felt frozen as I sunk further and further into hell.

I woke up grasping for air, only to scramble out of bed as a wave of nausea washed over me. I made it to the bathroom just in time. I puked until there was nothing left in my stomach and then I just dry heaved. It was painful, my throat burned and tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. When it finally stopped I curled up on my bathroom floor shaking. But I couldn't be sure if it was from the hangover or the nightmare.

I waited to regain my compose before I made any attempt to move. I took a shower then brushed my teeth cleansing away the stench of alcohol and vomit. Changing into my pajamas I plopped back into my bed. It was only four am and I was horribly exhausted. It didn't take long before I fell back to sleep.