The Path To Us - Jennifer Van Wyk Page 0,2

poured these yourself, right?” I ask them both when I get near and they confirm, easing my concerns. Tyson and I pour ourselves a cup as well, the first time drinking anything alcoholic since before the season started. Neither of us want to risk getting caught and kicked off the baseball team so we’re careful during the season. But now that it’s over, all bets are off. We have just a month before we leave for college and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.

The beer flows and music blares from a car that is decked out with some insane speaker system. Everyone is in a good mood, dancing and messing around the bonfire. Flames lick the night sky as we sit on large pieces of wood and old chairs. The distinct scent of marijuana wafts around us and I look around for Lizzy, knowing that she’s probably in the middle of it.

It drives me crazy but I’m not about to tell her what she can and can’t do.

I lean over to Adeline who’s sitting next to me and ask, “Lizzy?”

She nods and shrugs. “Probably. She was saying that she was hoping… someone would bring some tonight.”

“Great,” I grunt.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault. Just frustrating.”

“I know.” Her voice is sad and quiet. “Have you noticed she’s been a little… off lately?”

I turn to look at her and notice that she looks nervous. Not something I’m used to with Addy. She’s confident and sure of herself but right now she’s fidgeting and her eyes are darting around. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, I guess. She’s just different.”

I’ve noticed as well but haven’t had the guts to confront her. She’s been disappearing and quieter than normal but I originally thought it was because of her parents’ recent divorce. But maybe it’s more than that.

I look around and can’t see her anywhere. “I’m going to go find her.”

“Want me to come?”

“Sure,” I murmur, tossing my now warm beer on the ground and then the empty cup into the fire.

We walk into the barn and come to an abrupt stop when we spot a couple making out so hot and heavy it’s damn near uncomfortable to witness. Even in the shadows, it’s not hard to see what’s happening. The guy’s hand is down the front of the girl’s shorts and he’s attacking her chest like a man starved just as he pushes down her top exposing her naked breasts. Addy gasps and darts behind me then starts giggling uncontrollably. She grabs the fabric of my t-shirt and buries her head into my back. “Oh my gosh, Beau! We gotta get outta here!”

Reaching behind me, I grip her arm and try to stifle my own laughter. The couple doesn’t even notice we’re here, they’re so caught up in each other. They must be from one of the neighboring towns, because I don’t recognize either of them. It’s hard to tear my eyes away. I’m an eighteen-year-old guy and it’s basically a live porn show.

“Shh.”

“I can’t… Beau! Let’s get out of here!”

“You don’t wanna stay and watch?”

“They’re about to have sex!”

“Well, no shit,” I whisper back. “Not planning on sticking around.”

We spin around and practically fall out of the barn door, laughing our asses off.

“Holy shit! Why didn’t they stop? I saw her boobs, Beau! Her boobs!”

“What? You’ve never seen boobs before?” I tease. Of their own volition, my eyes trail down to hers. Though, in my defense, they’re not small and have drawn my attention more times than I care to admit. Might make me an asshole since I have a girlfriend and Addy’s one of my best friends, but I’m an eighteen-year-old guy and I like boobs. Plus, hers just happen to be fantastic.

She covers herself and glares. “Shut up! He had his hand… you know!”

I grin at her catching me but not calling me a perv or anything. She knows I’d never do anything to betray our friendship or my relationship with Lizzy. “Want to go back and see if they’re about to do it?”

She shoves my chest and laughs harder. “Screw that!”

“I think they’re about to.” I chuckle.

“Gah, you’re such a jerk.”

“Yet you love me.”

I get another eye roll before she grabs my hand and tugs me along. “Let’s go find Lizzy. Hopefully she’s only smoking.”

“What do you mean, only smoking?”

She stops again and turns to face me, fidgeting nervously. “Umm… well, she mentioned wanting to try something.”

“Try? Something? What exactly is she wanting to try?”

“Yeah, I guess?”

“What do you mean,