(The Best Friend)
•••••
Melanie pov
It has only been two days after my first day at Boston University, and here I am, stuck in the house, doing assignments in the living room.
I do have much more free time compared to when I was in high school but there are a lot more modules I have to catch up to. Geez.
I wish I could be more laid back and didn't have to be a perfectionist when it comes to studying. t I should be strolling around the town with Stacey, perhaps, grabbing some pizzas or going shopping at the mall. I glance at the clock. 11 pm.
Where is Jake? He's not back yet, and I don't remember him telling me that he had a football practice today. t Maybe he's having a date. I blow a sigh, placing my chin on the table.
The doorbell rings, and my mood brightens up. Here he comes. "Coming." I hum, tottering toward the door.
When I open it, I'm surprised to find Vaughn standing, by the door.
"Hey." He smirks, and I feel butterflies in my stomach.
The fact that he's wearing a white shirt with a black leather jacket and ripped jeans, doesn't help atall.As = always, he looks dangerously handsome.
"Hey." I smile softly. "Jake isn't here yet, but come in." He doesn't move from his spot, and I notice that he's staring at me before throwing his gaze away.
I swear, he looks flustered. What the hell? Am I seeing Vaughn Cooper losing his cool here?
Wondering why, I look down at myself and curse silently when I realize that I'm wearing a thin tank top with very short shorts.
I should think about dressing more properly now that I'm more likely to have my brother's friends coming over to our house.
When I turn around, Vaughn follows me before closing the door behind him.
"Make yourself at home," I say, making small talk. Awkwardly.
He sinks into the couch, and I sit down again on the rug, organising the papers on the table.
"Homework." I shrug.
He chuckles softly. "I'm here for assignments too. Jake is supposed to discuss with me about our new project."
I raise my brows. "Where's the guy? I thought he's with you."
Before he can answer me, his cellphone buzzes. The person from the other side of the line speaks, and Vaughn scoffs irritably. "Fine." He suddenly stands up.
"What happened?" I ask. "Are you leaving?"
"I'm going to pick him up. He's drunk." Vaughn walks to the door.
"What?" I blurt out. Jake isn't someone who can easily get drunk. He must be drinking too much. Like, a lot.
"I guess it's one of those special occasions," Vaughn explains like he knows what I'm thinking, considering the fact that Jake rarely gets drunk.
"Wait, I'm coming too," I insist.
He halts, turning around before shooting me a sharp look. "Then go change your clothes."
Again, I look down at my self and scoff before rushing to my room. I get the point. I don't want to look like this, in front of a bunch of his football buddies.
~~~
I'm such in a hurry that I can only think of changing into a pair of jeans and flats while stil] wearing the same top. When I step into the foyer, Vaughn is already waiting outside.
For a second when he sees me, I think that he looks irritated. But then he turns around, walking to his car. I follow him, catching up with his speed. To my surprise, he takes off his black jacket and tosses it to me.
I quickly cover my arms and body with his jacket, feeling the warmth emitting from it. The way he shows me how he actually cares, even in a rude manner, makes me flattered.
The car pulls in as we arrive at the club. Once we step into it, the sound of deep thumping music blasts in my ear.
And there he is. Jake Spencer. At the table. Surrounded by girls and his football teammates. Laughing and ' drinking, as if celebrating something phenomenal.
And here I am, worried about him. This fact makes me ' pissed.
Jake's eyes widen as he sees me and Vaughn approaching him. He laughs, and I'm 100% sure now that he's far from sober.
"Look who just came here for me." Jake smirks, talking
to his companions. "Vaughn, the bulllililldozer," he says, making the said guy roll his eyes in annoyance, his friends bursting into laughter. "And," he gasps. "My dear sister." The laughter around him stops short as they e swallow the information given.
I cross my arms on my chest, shaking my head. "Jake."
Jake snaps his head towards his football buddies. "Eyes down, guys." Then he looks back at me. "Hi, Mels. What up?" He hiccups.
Vaughn steps toward him and grabs his arm. "Come on, , buddy."
"Wait, I still have a celebration here," Jake protests, but Vaughn doesn't budge, yanking him out of the table. The other guys don't argue when Vaughn drags the captain | away.
I follow Vaughn, and when we almost reach the door, I can hear a guy shouting, "Thanks, Vaughn!"
Coming into the parking lot, I chuckle. "Having each other's back, huh?"
Vaughn doesn't answer, but I can hear him scoff in front of me. He unlocks his car and pushes Jake into the passenger seats at the back. Jake growls.
I'm about to head to the front seat when Jake grabs my arm, making me abruptly stop.
"You wouldn't leave a sick man alone at the back." I yelp as Jake pulls me to sit at the back with him. Then he shuts the door.
"You're not sick. You're drunk," I hiss. He laughs. "Same thing." I wonder what made him get drunk. What celebration?
Sooner or later, he'll have to tell me. Sighing, I watch as Vaughn starts the engine.
"You guys are so sweet," Jake mumbles, placing his head on my shoulder before falling asleep a few moments later.
~~~
Once we arrive at the house, Vaughn carries Jake to his room and throws the knocked-out guy on the bed. I sigh, sitting at the edge of it.
Jake sniffs the mattress stupidly. "Finally. My bed. Heaven." He chuckles and smiles like a little kid.
I stifle a laugh. I've never seen him drunk before and never thought that he could be this silly. Vaughn watches him too, shaking his head. | notice that he just dragged the drunk man all the way from the car but doesn't have any short of breath.
"Stop staring, you two," Jake mutters. "Alright, kiddo. I'm leaving." Vaughn heads to the door
"Thanks, Vaughn," I say, and he just nods slightly.
"Vaughn," Jake calls, his voice still sounding like he's in his own imaginary world.
Vaughn halts, looking back at him.
"I know I won't have to worry about leaving Melanie to you."
I'm stunned. Jake is drunk, so it's no wonder that he's talking nonsense. But the sentence has left us hanging in awkward silence.
I steal a glance at Vaughn, but when his eyes make contact with mine, I quickly look away. My heart beats twice.
Screw you, Jake.