The Bucket List

Chapter Six: The Party and The Drink

"Abigail, would you just listen to me?" Levi demanded, following me across the mall.

"Why should I? How do I know you're going to tell me the truth?" I asked.

"I've never lied to you," he said. "I know that girl, I party with her. She was going to take me to a party tonight if I came alone, she doesn't do third wheels. I wanted to get into the party so I said I was alone. That's all."

My head was spinning. "I want to believe you more than anything but how can I?"

"I wasn't lying to you, I was lying to Riley. I'm not trying to hurt you," he said.

"So were you just going to leave me here?" I asked.

"No! I was going to take you home and drop you off at the front door, like a man. What kind of a person would I be if I left you here without a ride?" He asked.

"An awful person," I mumbled.

"Yes, an awful person. I just wanted to party," he explained.

"Okay, I believe you. So take me home so you can go party," I said. I headed back the way we came from.

The mall was dying down, becoming later into the evening. I don't know much about parties but I'm guessing they started at 8ish.

"I'm not going to party if you don't want me to," he said.

"Levi, it's not up to me if you party or not. We're not dating, you don't need my permission, you can make your own choices. But if you're going to get drunk and you don't have a ride home, let me come and get you," I replied.

"Let me just take you home," he grumbled.

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It was a quiet ride home. I must have hit a nerve with Levi. I was serious when I said he needed to make his own decisions. It's not up to me if he wants to drink and have fun. I just don't want him drunk and driving.

We got home around 6, the sun still hanging pretty high in the sky. Sunset wasn't over until 9:30.

Levi did walk me to the front door, like a man. I took off my jacket from the sudden heat. When I rode the bike, it was usually a cooling experience, the wind hitting my skin.

"I think I'm going to stay in tonight," he said once we were standing on my door step.

"You don't need my permission to party. Just go, call me if you need a ride home because you're drunk. Do not get on your bike if you can't talk clear, understandable sentences. I don't want to be responsible for your death," I explained.

"Now I feel like I'm being forced to go," he replied.

"I'm planning on staying in too, so why don't you take me with you?" I asked, knowing I would regret it.

His eyes went wide. "Abigail, this is a big step. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"No, but I feel like you feel like you have to stay in because of me. And I don't want to argue anymore, it makes me upset. Just take me with you," I said.

"Fine, but we aren't taking my motorcycle," he replied. He headed back to his bike.

"Wait. Is this appropriate for a party?" I asked. My jeans and tshirt were casual.

"Not really. You'll stand out but it'll be a different stand out. Most of the girls are usually 90% naked. You shouldn't get too much unwanted attention," he said.

I nodded and followed him back to his bike. I'm guessing if we were changing cars, we were going back to his house, but I would be wrong.

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