Let Me Explain

T W E N T Y F O U R

Easton Sandoval

THE lights in the house were off, yet certain, vibrant lights flickered across the room. Music was playing and conversations drifted through the air.

A good amount of people filled spaces in every direction. Some I had seen around at school, some I had never seen a day in my life.

There was no way in hell that Laken knew all these people.

It surprised the fuck out of me at how he was open to having anyone in his house.

Weston stuck her fingers in the belt loop of my jeans. "This doesn't just seem like people from our school."

She attempted to remain as close as possible to my side due to frequent groups jostling into her once they passed by. We were equally both bumping against several people, but it only affected her the most because of her height.

"It never is," I pointed out, knowing that the news of a party spread like a wildfire. "I know for a fact he doesn't know half of the people here."

"I don't know," She snagged her body closer to mine to avoid getting pushed. "He knows a lot of people."

Weston had a point. I couldn't quite name a time where I went somewhere with Lake and he didn't know somewhere there.

I walked inside the kitchen, seeing a few people standing there. Alcohol bottles covered the counter, ranging from dark to light. Stacks of red solo cups were alongside the bottles.

A small amount of light food items were on the island too. Bags of chips and pretzels were already open and half eaten.

Conversations swarmed around, barely touching above the music that was playing.

Asra looked over her shoulder and noticed Weston and I. Smoke left her mouth, traveling slowly before fading upwards in the air. Laken was standing next to her. He turned his head a second later and glanced over.

"Look who decided to show up." He smiled, taking the passed blunt from Asra. "Kind of thought you went ghost."

I recognized more people in the kitchen than I had thought I did. It consisted of guys from the football team and others I hung out with more frequently.

Kade leaned his back against one of the counters. Susanna stood beside him, raising a hand to his curly hair and messing it up.

Devin stood off to the side, drinking from a bottle of crown royal. He was talking to a few guys from the football team, but he would occasionally look over at Asra.

I could see that they still hadn't rekindled.

"I would've liked that." Kade admitted. He held a plastic cup in one hand.

I lifted my shoulders. "You would've been sad without a partner for drills."

He easily shrugged his shoulders before sipping from his cup. "Could've replaced you easily."

"I agree," Laken interceded, passing the blunt over to Asra. He switched his gaze over to my sister. "I feel like Weston could throw better than him."

"I know I could." Weston finally removed herself from my personal space once she stepped closer to the counter. "It's already been proven."

I raised my brows, finding this whole thread stupid. "Where is the logic there?"

"The announcements at school said she pitches at 63 miles per hour." Kade informed me. "Tell me she doesn't have an arm on her."