6: Pride or dignity.

Brian.

“Call her again!” Casey yelled at me for like the millionth time.

“I already told you, she's not answerin___”

“Call her again!”

If only Casey knew how annoying he is when drank. So annoying I felt like literally drowning him in his drink.

But I just did what he asked. I called Connie again, and just like the last seven times, she didn't pick up.

“Nothing... Again! And don't make me call her again cause I won't, ”

“I'm not going to wait for her anymore!”

“What, you're going to walk all the time their place?”

“Walk?! Don't be ridiculous. I have a car!” he dug for something in his pocket then frowned, “I don't have my keys... Could you go get them for me?”

“Casey just be a little more patient. Connie is probably stuck in traffic or something,”

“There is no traffic! It's two in the morning! She's not coming okay! Go get my damn keys!” I'm seriously starting to doubt my friendship with this guy. He's complicated and stubborn... And so difficult to understand!

I mean sure, he was right about the traffic thing... But I knew Connie was coming. She would never leave Casey alone. I just couldn't understand what was taking her so long. Cause Casey driving at this state is dangerous. But once he's made up his mind about something, especially when he's drank, there's no talking him out of it.

So I'll simply help him look for his keys. But when I find them, no way in hell am I giving th to him.

“Where did you leave your keys?”

“Umm... You know... There...?” he simply pointed in a random direction. I don't even know why I bothered asking, “No... No! It's Umm... There! Around?”

“Anywhere in specific?”

“The pool? No! The um, I think I left them in Mike's room! Yeah! It's most definitely almost there!”

“Okay. Stay here. I'm going to go check it out! And don't do anything stupid while I'm away, ”

He looked at me with half closed eyes but then smiled.

“Sure thing mom!”

I'm used to it. Maybe I should stop giving a damn about what my friends do when they're drank... But if I do, they'll most probably end up in jail.

I've been here multiple times, and now I could very easily find my way around. So getting to Mike's room didn't really take me much time either.

I heard a few, crashes, glass break and... A scream? I wasn't really sure. But whoever was in there was wrecking everything. And I hat to be 'that guy', but I had to do something.

I went in, ready to shoo away the people who were there, but it turns out it was just Mike with... Connie?

She was under him, trying to pry him off... Hitting him and screaming for him to let go.

And Mike was simply smirking all the way. He always has said he has a thing for 'feisty girls'... But he can't have this' feisty girl'! Casey's going to kill him... And me!

I Jersey him off of Connie, I guess he wasn't prepared for that cause he fell back on his ass in a really lousy and embarrassing way. He was super ticked off about it too.

“What the hell is your problem?” he staggered back on his feet. With how drank he was, I'm wondering how he was even able to pin down Connie. The chiq fights a lot.

“My problem?! I've got no problem at all. You on the other hand?”

“We were just having a little fun! Right princess, ”

Connie just sat at the corner of the room, knees to her chest, staring off into space... Lost... Confused... Not saying a single word.

“I think you're the only one here who was having fun,”

“She just needed___”

“Mike you can't keep doing this!”

“What? Having fun?! This time she's mine! I saw her first. You can't take___”

“Saw her first? Dude! That's Co... That's Casey's girl. You can't have her,”

Mike and Casey may be friends, but even he hasn't met Connie. I was actually lucky to have met her at another party, when she came to pick up Casey.

Mike has no idea what Connie looks like in person, cause if he did, he wouldn't be doing this. And it isn't my place to tell.

As it seems, Mike, even when drank, understands that Casey's girl is off limits. And I'm glad he did, cause if he hadn't, things would have been so much complicated. We'd most probably get into a brawl, and well, against Mike, I really didn't stand a chance.

“It's not fair. Why does he always get the hot ones?!” h grumbled like a little kid, kicking a few things that lay on the floor.

He'll get over it!

I approached Connie, careful not to step on the broken glasses. I squatted down in front of her and tapped her shoulder lightly... Twice! She didn't respond... Just kept on staring off. Another tap and she finally snapped out of it, looking up at me.

But this time, she looked more angry than confused. Her fists were balled up in, since she was wearing a white sleeveless tip, you could easily see her muscles tense up.

“Are you okay?” that was a dumb question to ask... I realize that now.

“I didn't ask for your help!” she aid it in such a bitter tone I almost flinched.... Almost... “I could have managed very fine on my own,”

“Oh yeah? And how well is that going for you?!” it slipped out, and I wished I could take it back. If I could, I would. But I can't!

I could have sworn I saw a tear trickling down her cheek. She just quickly stood up, shoulder tackled me aside and left the room.

What is up with Larson and their egos? Casey did mention that Connie doesn't like being helped. And I think I've just proved that already.

“She seriously didn't need your help,” Mike smirked, and it took me all my strength not to punch that stupid smirk off his stupid face. This was all his fault! Why the hell was he smirking?!

But then again, I can't really tell him anything. I'll just simply talk to him when he's sober. I have to get Casey and then check on Connie... Maybe even apologize while I'm at it.

This is the reason I can never have fun at any party. I have to constantly watch my dumb friends and make sure they don't do anything stupid... You know, like raping the mayor's daughter? The guy could end up decapitated.

But I think it may be best to not help Connie again... She can he terrifying when she's mad.

********

I finally managed to take Casey to Connie's car. Her blue Range Rover really stood out from the crowd. The minute I sat Casey in the back seat, he immediately fell asleep.

Connie wiped her eyes. She simply stood outside the car the whole time, trying super hard to put on a tough act but she failed miserably.

“I'm really sorry for what happened... He was drank and___”

“Don't give me that shit! Don't! He was drank so he had an excuse to... To...” Connie cursing? She really is mad! “He was sober enough to understand what he was doing,”

“Don't hold it against him,”

I have no idea why I'm Eben defending Mike.

“I'm holding it against you! You're the one who called me___”

“After Casey told me to!”

“Do you have any idea how tiring it is to have clean up your messes? You can't keep on making sneak out of the house in the middle of the night just so I could come and help you! The have a life too... And it doesn't revolve around any of you!” a few tears trickled down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them with shaky hands.

“I'm sorry___”

“Don't apologize, cause you're still going to do it again,”

I know Casey is going to get wasted again, and the only person who can help will be Connie.

“Fuck! I can't believe I'm even crying!” she chuckled bitterly, then wiped her tears again. She mumbled to herself something like 'pull yourself together Larson!'

“Did he hurt you?”

“I'm fine. It's just a scratch,” she reached for her neck, flinched, then brought her hand in front of her face... She was bleeding.

The tip of her blonde hair was soaked in blood, her top at the back also had blood on it.

“Connie? What... What Happened?”

“Im fine!”

“You're bleeding!”

“It's okay,”

“Connie___”

“I said it's NOTHING!”

“Okay okay. Just...” I took off my Hoodia, and I even had to put it on her. And she didn't even fight it like I thought she would, “... It's cold... And... To cover up the blood... So that your parents don't see it,”

She rolled her eyes, and then gave me a small smile.

“You're a jerky you know that? And I hate you! But you're a great friend,”

“Thank you?” I couldn't help but chuckle. Would it be so hard for her to just tell me that I'm a good friend?

“You do know you're not getting your hoodie back,”

“Sure, you can keep it,” who could refuse?

I opened her door for her, and held it, waiting for her to get in. She turned around with a smile and gave me a hug. I stood still at first, I had no idea what was happening. The Connie I knew would never even shake my hand, later on hug me... Or even smile at me. She usually just kept a straight face.

But slowly and unconsciously, I found myself hugging her back. Whatever shampoo she uses, the scent was hypnotizing.

“I know I said earlier that I didn't need your help,” she spoke softly in my ear, “But I'm grateful that you came when you did,”

She broke the hug, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and proceeded to getting in her car. I close the door behind her, and she shot me one last smile before die drove off.

I guess it's a Larson family thing to change personalities? In a single night, I have seen Connie get angry, confused... Even scared! All of which I have never seen in her. I've even seen her cry... And heard her curse... I guess she isn't who I thought she was... Turns out she is human after all.

But for the first time also, she hasn't given me any sarcastic remarks... And she's actually shown me compassion.

Looks to me like the Larson family have more personalities than they let us in on.

It left me wondering... What else is Connie hiding behind that confident, proud, attitude?

********

What did you guys think?

Is this the beginning of the a beautiful friendship... Or something more?😘😙

Stay tuned to find out.