As we walked through the doors of Mark's house ( the host of the party) I saw exactly what Elliot meant. By this time, most people were either drunk, crying, passed out, or vomiting. The few sensible people who had come, were long gone. I looked around desperately hoping that neither Chelsea nor Lilly were among them. Lilly was no where to be seen, thank god, but Chelsea stood in a corner with her hand on a girl's back, probably reassuring her of something. The girl was crying.
" see?." Elliot says nudging my arm. " Best part of the party."
Chelsea chooses that moment to look up, her eyes falling on me. She motions me over, a look of surprise on her face.
" I'm going to go check on Chelsea, be right back" I tell Elliot.
" sure thing, I'm gonna go get the latest news from Brittany, she usually knows whats going on and keeps her drinking to minimal."
He left, to go search out Brittany, a girl who I'm pretty sure, is in my socials class. She's only attended maybe twice this year. I walk over to where Chelsea is standing still trying to comfort the crying girl. She steps away from her as I approache, apparently deeming her momentarily inept for conversations.
" Hey Lindsey, what are you doing here?"
"Ummm… good question." I think about how to answer it. No matter if she's at a party, or in class, Chelsea's role as 'big sister' never really left her… even after Mia, her little sister, did.
"uhhh…, so, after you left earlier today, this guy came over and asked to sit with me. I let him, then he started to talk to me about random things and eventually convinced me to go to this party."
Chelsea looks horrified.
" You agreed to go to a party with a total stranger?"
" well… yeah, I guess…" I'm actually a bit horrified myself, as I fully think through what had happened.
"soo… who's that?" I asked nodding in the direction of the crying girl, in an attempt to change the subject.
"oh, right. That's Carmon. Her boyfriend cheated on her tonight, and she caught him doing it. She's umm… a little upset."
I kind of laugh at that, "yeah, I would be 'a little upset' too."
We walk over to Carmon who is still sobbing away, to her hearts content… or un-content…. can you say that?
" Hey girl, are you feeling any better?" Chelsea says in that way of her's that could make even a clinicly depressed puppy wag it's tail again.
The girl just shook her head, tears still flowing a steady stream down her face.
" This is Lindsey," Chelsea says gesturing to me.
" Hey," I say awkwardly. " umm… so I heard what happened…. Do you want to get out of here and get some pancakes?"
Chelsea looks at my like I'm crazy. What? I mouth, Pancakes are my comfort food.
I wasn't sure how much of that Chelsea actually got, since my mouthing skills are pretty much non-existent, but she understood enough to give me a condescending look.
But Carmen surprises us both by nodding her head a bit, and even manages to get out the word, "sure."
" Alright, umm… kay, hold on a sec. I'll be right back with our ride."
I leave and start looking around for Elliot. I finally find him, comforting a friend of his own.
" It's okay man, you didn't need her anyways!" I hear him saying to some pretty upset looking guy.
" Elliot!" I yell over the music.
He turns and smiles when he sees me. I walk over to him, and tell him about the pancake idea.
" sure, mind if we bring this guy?" He gestures over to the guy he was talking to when I found him.
" It's your car, I don' really care." He nods, like he agrees with me, then leaves to go tell him our plan.
The drive I-Hop is both uneventful and awkward. The guy that Elliot brought along, his name is Steve, ( I kid you not) Connects his his iPod to to the car speakers, and starts to play some weird rap music that consists mostly of swearing. I can't blame him for it though, even if my ears feel like they're about to bleed, His girlfriend dumped him tonight then openly started making out with some other guy. I pray to god that the guy wasn't Carmen's boyfriend or this already awkward situation, would become even more awkward. Like I'm talking monumentally awkward. Luckily, both of them were pretty drunk, and don't remember any details.
Everyone piles out of the car, and we make our way across the parking lot to I-Hop. A tired looking waitress leads us to our table and hands us the menus.
" Lindsey, wanna share the blueberry pancakes?" Chelsea asks me, "Last time I was here the portions were pretty big."
I nod, " yeah, sure. I ate before coming so I probably wouldn't be able to finish the whole thing anyways."
" Well I," Elliot says happily, " am famished. I sort of forgot to eat today."
I look at him bemused. " How the hell do you forget to eat? That's like forgetting to breath or something, I'd be dying right now."
He locks eyes with before saying, " Some people have this thing called a social life Silvera."
"Sorry Elliot, but my stomach will always come first. It's a fact of life." Lindsey laughes and Elliot gives me a toothy grin. Even the corners of Carmen's lips twitch up a bit. Maybe I'm better at this comforting thing than I thought.
Our food comes and as it turns out Chelsea was right. The portions are pretty big. Carmen struggles to finish her skillet, while both Steve and Elliot rip through their oversized portions like it's nothing. Chelsea and me, slowly work through our pancakes together, and are both full by the time we look down at our empty plate.
" I actually feel kind of better now," Carmen says almost happily.
" yeah, same." Steve says, looking pleased.
I look at Chelsea triumphantly. " See? Pancakes do help."
She laughs and gives me a hug.
" Okay, definitely calling you up after my next break up."
I snort, " Oh great. More drama to deal with." I give the most sarcastic eye roll I can manage, which makes Chelsea laugh even harder.
Elliot drops everyone off at their designated houses, Steve first, then Carmen then Chelsea, then finally me.
" Thanks." I say to him before opening the car door, " You really helped me today."
I hadn't noticed until now that I was actually feeling a lot better. I was still far from fine, but better was a start.
" I have no idea how I've helped you, but I'm happy I did." he says back.
I look at him, and before I can fully think things through, the question comes out before I can stop it.
" Do you seriously not know?" I ask.
" Know about what?" he asks, though I'm pretty sure I can see the answer in his eyes.
" My dad. You know don't you."
For the first time that night Elliot stays silent.
Finally he says, " Yes. I do know, but I thought I wouldn't bring it up. I've kind f wanted to get to know you for a while, but I always thought you'd be busy, or you just wouldn't want to. Also,I figured mentioning your dad would probably lower the slim chances I had. "
" I'd tell you that isn't true, but I'd be lying," I say. " I've always been pretty content with my friends, but right now, I think I just needed someone new, you know?"
He looks at me and smiles, " I think I do."
I feel awkward just leaving after that, but it's late and I kind of just want to go home, so I stick out my hand.
" really?" he asks, " A hand shake?"
I smile. " Take it or leave it." I say happily.
He takes it, and then I get out and walk to my front door. I fumble around looking for my keys in my bag, but it's dark and I can't really see anything. Suddenly two giant rays of light shine at my door, and I look behind me. Elliot has turned the headlights of his car on and is smiling at me contentedly through the windshield. I find my keys and unlock the door. I step into the house, and wave at him before closing the door and walking up the stairs to my bedroom. I change into a tank top and sweatpants before climbing into bed, and falling into my first dreamless sleep in three weeks.
