Chapter Six : Normal, Mostly

"So party tonight, we're going." Dakota said as we walked out of the school, heading towards the gym. Another practice. They're more consistent now since the game is in a week. Coach is going overboard, he's been making up conspiracies about the opposing team. I think he has some sort of beef with the Panthers coach because he doesn't ever shut up about him.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Come on."

"Nope."

"Gemma will be there."

"She's only a friend."

We reached the gym doors and walked into the locker room which was oddly empty. I think everyone skipped out on practice today because there was no one sight, they must of heard of the party tonight. Not even Alex was here and he loves football more than I do.

"Please, for the love of god, can we go party tonight?"

"So I can be your babysitter? No way." I chuckled and took off my shirt, shoving it into my bag.

"Come on." Dakota grabbed me by the waist, bringing me closer towards him. The hairs on my neck stood up, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin as he moved his face near mine; our noses almost touching.

"Stop that." I chuckled and shoved him away, rubbing my neck. I continued to change into my gear, ignoring the fact that his gaze was fixed on me the entire time. He's been like this all week, teasing, getting a little too close.

But I took his actions as jokes, after all we both agreed to remain friends.

"I'm going to keep bugging you until you say yes." Dakota said as he started to change.

"And I'm going to keep saying no because we've been to two parties and the school year has barely started." I walked out of the locker room and headed to the field.

"Luka, son come here." Coach motioned for me. I ran to the field with my helmet in hand.

"Yeah coach?"

"I'm certain.." He paused and looked around, as if someone was spying on us but it was just the two of us in the middle of an empty football field.

"I'm certain that the Panthers have a mole on the inside." He whispered.

"Coach." I chuckled.

"Now don't give me no lip, son."

"Yes coach." I groaned.

"I want you to find out who it is, you got that?" I nodded, not wanting to say something that will trigger him going off on a rant.

"I trust you ." He patted my back. Either he's bat shit crazy or has some serious competition with the Panthers coach. Part of me wonders how he even got into coaching at a high school and how he's managed to keep this job.

"Looks like it's just us today coach." Dakota said as he walked towards us.

"Then that's means you'll have to work twice as hard." He blew his whistle and it rung through my ears.

"Always do." Dakota grinned and put on his helmet. I put on mine and for the most part took practice seriously.

Near the end we started goofing off, after all it was just the two of us. Coach disappeared half way through practice like always. I tend not think of what he's doing or where he is. More than likely he's making up some other conspiracy about the Panthers.

Dakota tackled me from the front and pinned me to the ground. He took off his helmet and I took off mine as I felt his weight pushing on my chest.

"Are you going to get off?" I smirked.

"What if I don't want to?" He grinned.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. Oddly enough a part of me doesn't mind these jokes.

"I guess.."

"Yeah?" He said as he leaned in closer to my face.

"You'll have to kiss me." I looked into his eyes. There it was again, that look that he gave me that night that sent my heart in a frenzy. I stared at him and waited for him to do something, wondering if he would really kiss me or take it as another joke. Maybe I even wanted him to.

"You're funny." He pinched my cheek and got off of me. I sat up and ruffled my hair, feeling a little disappointed. I tried to shake the feeling off as I stood up.

"Are you going to stay later to practice more?" I asked, walking towards the bleachers.

"Might as well, I am the best after all." He grinned. I scoffed and shoved his arm as I sat down.

I watched as Dakota continued practicing on his own, no goofing off this time. I took a sip of my water and put it down beside me, turning my gaze back to him. He gave me a thumbs up and winked at me. I chuckled and winked back.

This is normal right? We wanted to stay friends so we are. Nothing has changed, it's normal.. mostly.

Okay, I'll admit Dakota has been a bit more skin ship friendly with me but friends can do what we were doing. I chuckled to myself. Who am I kidding.

"I'm done, let's hit the road." Dakota said as he grabbed his water bottle.

"About the party." Dakota said as we were half way home.

"No." I shook my head.

"Come on please." He put both of his hands together and gave me the usual puppy eyes.

"Fine." I sighed.

"You're climbing in through the window again."

"No way."

"You boys don't stay up too late." Mom said closing the door behind her. She came to read Dakota a bed time story. Joke. She came to dote on him, of course.

"One day I hope she catches us sneaking out so I could say it was your idea." I whispered harshly as I climbed out of my bedroom window. Dakota followed behind me.

"But even then, she would some how turn it against me." I shrugged.

"Don't worry, I'll take full blame for it." He patted my back as we started walking down the street.

"Where is this party anyway?" I asked.

"Um.. not too far, not as far as the Platz that's for sure."

The house that the party was at was just as huge as the houses in the Platz. Loud country music was blaring as we walked in. These super rich kids never cease to amaze me with the amount of unused space in their houses.

"Luka, how nice of you to come to my party." Queenie walked up to me in a red skin tight dress before I could even grab a drink.

"Queenie, didn't know this was your house." I said through gritted teeth, glaring at Dakota.

"Well, help yourselves." She batter her eyes at me before walking away. I'm surprised she didn't put her meat hooks on me.

"You hate her huh?" I glared at Dakota as he sipped on a drink.

"I heard she throws great parties." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a drink, necking it in one go.

"Guess I'm playing babysitter tonight?" Dakota asked.

"Oh hell yes." I necked a shot of vodka, that ever so good burn following behind.

Somewhere along the way Dakota and I got separated and I ended up with Gemma and her friend for most of the night. Jane and I were moderately drunk and Gemma was getting close to being a hot mess. I had to cut her off.

"Pay no attention to anything Queenie says. Half the time she's talking out of her ass. She only likes you because Gemma likes you." Jane said to me over the country that was still playing.

"I don't like Gemma that way."

"That's fine." Jane smiled and shrugged.

"What?" Gemma slurred walking over to me, sitting on my lap. I think she was too drunk to realize we were even talking about her. That or the music is at fault.

"I was telling him how jealous Queenie is of you." Jane said, obviously lying.

"Oh!" Gemma slapped herself on the forehead and almost tipped over. I chuckled, holding onto her forearm so she wouldn't fall. She reminded me of the little sister I never had. Aside from the unwanted advances on me.

"I just became friends with her over the summer. Jane and Queenie have been friends for years!" She slurred.

"Why are you friends with her if she's a bitch?"

"Good question." Jane smirked as she took a swig of her beer. Jane took Gemma to the washroom while I scoped out the back yard for Dakota who was supposed to be babysitting me tonight. Not that I would ever really need it, I was probably more responsible than most people my age. And if you're ever friends with someone like Dakota, responsibility is key. I sighed as I sat down on a patio chair with no sign off him, temporarily giving up on finding him.

Not long after Queenie had come up to me and sat on my lap with two drinks in her hand. She reeked off cigarettes and booze. Do I look like a chair to girls?

"Luka, I was thinking maybe you were delirious from the heat that day I asked you about the dance so I'm going to ask you again." I arched my brow at her as she handed me one of the drinks.

"Get your skanky ass off of him." Gemma came out from the house, fuming. I felt intimidated by her facial expression alone. Queenie rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, I know you'll be kissing my ass again sooner or later. And you might as well give up on him, if he can resist me, he must be gay." She chuckled and walked away. I scoffed and took a swig of my drink.

"Dakota is passed out inside." Gemma said as she sat down beside me. Her dark hair was all over the place and her eye makeup was smeared. I rolled my eyes and downed the rest of my drink. Funny how he was the one that was supposed to be watching over me this time but it turned out this way.

"I'll see you around." I nodded towards her.

"Ciao." She winked at me. I chuckled to myself as I walked inside. It baffled me that she still hung around, even after I turned her down.

I thought I had Queenie all figured out from our first meeting but there's more to her than just her bitchy exterior. I won't understand why Gemma and Jane continue to be friends with her and vice versa. All I know is every time I try to stay away from her she slithers towards me, like a snake.

I walked into the living room of the house to find Dakota sprawled across it, his neck was covered with hickeys and a penis was drawn on his cheek. I chuckled but was also pissed off that he passed out on me again. And who did he hook up with this time.

I slapped his face hard on each side and shook him, taking pleasure in giving him a little pain.

"Dakota, we have to go." I said as I grabbed him by the arm. He mumbled and groaned as I helped him to his feet. I struggled to get through the crowd and out the house with him, he was putting his whole weight on me.

"You need to stop drinking protein shakes Kota." I said as we walked out, he felt like he weighed a ton.

The journey home felt endless and Dakota felt heavier than ever on my back. I was huffing and puffing feeling thankful that I made the decision not to get too shit faced at the party. I sensed it not to drink too much. The night sky was now the morning sky as we neared closer my house.

"You owe me for this." I said to him over my shoulder. Dakota stirred and mumbled in his sleep before kissing my cheek with his alcohol ridden breath.

"Now I don't."

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