I re-tied the strings of my tank top around my neck as I walked across the street. There were cars lined up and down the street for this party. Scott, their bassist’s birthday party to be exact. I was almost positive it would turn into a drunken pool party by the end of the night, which didn’t thrill me in the least. I walked into the house and was immediately greeted by someone I didn’t recognize.

“Hey!” He said, “You must by Kinsey, the girl I’ve heard so much about.” He stuck his hand out for a shake. “I’m Brandon.”

“Um, hi.” I shook his hand tentatively

“I’m a friend of Scott’s, incase you were wondering who this strange man was shaking your hand.”

I chuckled. “Okay, well at least I know you’re not some psycho.”

“If you’re wondering where Zac is, he’s out back with Ike and Jason.”

“Thanks.” I said, beginning to walk towards the back door. “Oh, and it was nice to meet you Brandon.” I said, turning to look back at him over my shoulder.

“You too.”

I looked around the backyard for Zac and found him over by the basketball court, watching some other guys play a game. I walked up behind him and covered his eyes with my hands. “Guess who?” I whispered in his ear.

“Uhh… oh gee, this is tough…”

I looked at Ike and rolled my eyes.

“Um… is it… Kinsey?”

I removed my hands from his eyes and hugged him from behind. “Mm-hmm…”

He placed his hands over mine. “See, I AM good at guessing games.”

I laughed. “The best.”

“Did you bring your swimming suit?” He asked, removing my arms from around his middle and turning to face me.

I pointed to the two bright yellow straps that were tied around my neck. “Under my tank top.”

“And the rest of it is under your shorts I’m guessing.”

I smiled. “You guessed right… again.”

“Awesome. Now I know you’re prepared for when I throw you in the pool later.”

“Oh really? Throw me in the pool, huh?”

“Yep. It wouldn’t be a real party without me throwing SOMEONE in the pool, and I figure who better to throw than you?”

“No, you’re wrong Zac. It wouldn’t be a real party unless you got drunk. Haha.”

“Zac’s not getting drunk.” Ike said, joining the conversation

“Aw come Ikey.” I begged, “I really want to see Zac drunk, don’t you?”

“He’s my responsibility tonight, so if I go ahead and let him drink my parents will disown me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ike, they will not disown you. Relax.”

“I said no.”

“Zac,” I turned to him, “What do you think?”

“I think if I want to drink, I should be able to drink.”

I nodded in agreement. “See Ike? The kid agrees with me.”

“Jason back me up here.” Isaac looked at Jason helplessly, “You know it’s not a good idea to let Zac drink.”

“No it’s not.”

“How about this,” I said, “You let me take care of Zac tonight. If he ends up getting drunk, then I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t. I’ll take full responsibility of him, that way he’s not your problem.”

Isaac looked at Zac, then me. “You’ll watch out for him?” He asked

“Of course, isn’t that what I just said?”

He shook his head, almost like he was getting irritated. “Fine. Just… be careful.”

 * *

“How many is that?” I asked Zac as I watched him open yet another bottle of beer.

“Let’s see…” He looked up and pretended to be in deep thought. “Four? Five? Oooh, I wonder if it’s six.”

“Zac,” I scolded, “That’s enough. You’re not drinking anymore.” I grabbed the bottle from his hand and set it back on the counter. “Come on.” I dragged him by his arm out the back door and onto the patio. Not too many people were out there, which I found to be a real relief. I made him sit down in a chaise lounge by the pool. “Lie back.” I instructed. He did as he was told and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

I was just about to sit down in the lounge next to him when he bolted upright, his eyes flying open. “KINSEY!” He shouted

I jumped up and looked at him, startled. “What?!” I asked, panic in my voice

“I just remembered something.” He said, putting a finger to his chin

Rolling my eyes, I sighed and sat down. “What?”

“This morning, when I was taking a shower, I forgot to put conditioner in my hair.”

I stared at him as if he had just grown a second head. “Huh?”

“This morning,” He began slowly, “when I was taking – “

“No I heard what you said. I just… think you should lie back and try to go to sleep.”

“Sleep. Right.” He nodded, then started giggling like a little school girl. “Sleep. Hehehehehe…”

“ZAC!” I interrupted his giggling. “STOP!”

He stopped and stared at me for a minute or so. I sensed this and turned to look at him. “What?”

“You’d look hot naked.” He stated matter of factly

“That’s enough, Zac. Do I have to tape your mouth shut?”

“Maybe you should.”

“Dudes!” Scott announced, approaching us from across the yard. “And… dudetts.” He nodded at me. “How goes it?”

I hitched my thumb in Zac’s direction. “Ask him.”

“Zac, how goes it? You enjoying the party?”

Zac started laughing. “You… have… a blue… SHIRT ON!! AHAHAHA!!!”

Scott looked down at himself. “I do, you’re right. Huh. And Kinsey, are you enjoying yourself?”

“I was until I took on the task of babysitting Zac. Hey, maybe you could take over…?”

“No can do. It’s my party, I can’t sit here and watch him, sorry.”

I huffed. “Wonderful.”

“Do you guys wanna know something?” Zac asked, looking back and forth between Scott and I.

“Okay Zaccy,” I said, standing up. I wasn’t in the mood to hear any more of his drunken nonsense. I grabbed his hands and pulled as hard as I could to get him to stand up. “Come on, work with me here.” He was a quite heavy, let me tell ya. As soon as I got him standing on two wobbly feet I wrapped his arm around my shoulders and slid my arm around his waist for extra support. “I’m gonna take him upstairs.” I said to Scott. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thanks. Hey Zac, I hope you feel better, man.” He patted Zac on the shoulder as we began our slow walk towards the house.

“Where are you taking me?” Zac asked, looking down at me, his mouth right by my face. The smell was intoxicating, I had to wait a few seconds before I was able to take another breath.

“Upstairs.” I answered him when I was able to breathe again.

“Oooh, are we gonna make out? Cause you know I’ve wanted to do that ever since you were in L.A. a couple months ago. Then I saw you tonight and I was like, ‘DAAAAAMN BABY!! You look FINE!!’”

I flashed a few apologetic smiles to the people who gave us looks as we walked by them. We stepped into the house and made our way through the kitchen. I rounded the corner to the back hall and just about ran right into someone.

“HOLY CHRIST!” Zac shouted

I elbowed him in the side and looked up. My eyes widened in shock. “Ike… hi.”

He eyed us skeptically. “Hi…”

“We were just uh… on our way upstairs.” I said

“TO MAKE OUT!!” Zac hit Ike in the shoulder, nodding his head knowingly.

Isaac narrowed his eyes at Zac. “Are you drunk?”

I reached up to cover Zac’s mouth, stopping him from answering the question. “He’s tired.” I said

“He looks drunk.” Isaac stated flatly

“I said, he’s tired.”

“Kinsey…” Isaac warned

Zac ripped my hand away from his mouth. “DUDE! I’m SO not drunk!! See…” Zac leaned close to Ike and blew right in his face.

I closed my eyes and looked down at the floor, ashamed. I didn’t want to admit to Isaac that he was right. Zac shouldn’t have gotten drunk, and yes, it was my fault.

“Kinsey.” Ike said, his voice stern, “Get him upstairs. NOW.” He pushed past Zac and I, bumping my shoulder with his.

I stood there for a minute before lifting my head. “Zac, I cannot believe you just did that.”

“Did what?”

“BLEW IN HIS FACE! You’re fucking DRUNK! What the HELL were you thinking?” I shouted at him

His mouth dropped halfway open, but no words came out. He stared at me with a confused look on his face.

“Forget it, you need to get upstairs.” I dragged him down the hall and up the back staircase to his room. I pushed him down on his bed. “Stay there, I’ll be right back.” I went down the hall to the bathroom to get a warm, wet washcloth and a glass of water. I returned to find him lying in the center of the bed, a pillow covering his face. I sat down next to him and took the pillow away. “Here.” I said, handing him the cup of water. “Drink this.” He did as he was told, and when he finished it he dropped his head back on the bed, closing his eyes.

“I’m starting to feel a little…”

“Sick?” I supplied

“Yeah. Sick.”

I placed the washcloth across his forehead. “This should help a little.”

He opened one eye and looked up at me. “What did I do?” He asked weakly

“What do you mean?” I questioned, smoothing the hair back off his face

“To deserve you.”

I was shocked, to say the least. I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.

“Tell me Kins.” He begged. It was weird how his mood had just done a complete 360 from five minutes ago when we were downstairs talking to Ike.

“I don’t know.” I said, “I really don’t.” I watched as his eyes slowly closed. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Goodnight, Zac.” I whispered

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