A couple of hours later, Taylor, Alex, Ethan and I were walking around campsites, rather I was walking while the rest stumbled. I hadn’t had a drop since the girl had used me as her mirror. My eyes were peeled and looking for her each and every step we took around the trashed festival grounds. We stopped at nearly every site, but there was no sign of her anywhere. Plenty of girls were around, but none stood out like that girl.
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“Ash! Come take a shot!” Alex whined in a slur from a homemade bar set up in front of a camper. I sighed, deciding one shot wouldn’t hurt. I slammed the shot back and winced slightly. Alex asked for another one and I bit my lip while I waited, tapping my fingers on the bar.
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“Yeah!!” I heard shouting from behind. I spun around and saw the girl I’d been looking for for hours walking up, cheering as she neared the bar. My mouth went dry and I swallowed hard. Her eyes locked with mine and she grinned, brushing past me, grabbing my wrist, and reaching out for the shot from the bar. She took it with no problem before beaming up at me once more. I smiled back, and she winked at me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she walked back to where a crowd of people were dancing and she mixed in with them.
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“Ashton! You are way too fucking sober!” Ethan complained, smacking my back and forcing a red solo cup into my hand. I sighed in aggravation, but drank the drink anyway. I reluctantly followed him over to Alex and Taylor who were flirting with guys and trying to get more free drinks.
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“Come dance,” Alex pleaded, grabbing my hand and dragging me over to the crowd. I tried to focus on dancing and having fun with Alex, but I couldn’t when I knew the girl was somewhere near. Luckily, Taylor came over with a guy and I was able to sneak away and get out of the mess of people. I passed by Ethan drunkenly trying to flirt with some girls, but if he only heard how ridiculous he sounded. As I stood off to the side, slowly drinking my drink I heard someone clear their throat.
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“Are you following me?”
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I quickly looked down at the girl, arms across her chest with a sassy look on her face. I opened my mouth and closed it multiple times like a fish out of water. She laughed, but her friend looked unimpressed. She narrowed her eyes at me.
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“You don’t say much, do you?” she questioned and I wet my lips, suddenly remembering that pretty much nobody except my friends knew I was mute. I scrambled quickly to dig in my pocket and grab my phone to type out a message, but I heard a familiar voice nearing as I tried to jot down a quick note.
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“Ashton!” Alex was calling and I mentally groaned. What would she do when she saw me with this girl?
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“Did you lose your voice from screaming too much?” the girl asked, touching my arm and as I was about to answer, I felt Alex grip onto my arm and hang on it for balance. I looked down, steadying her and looking back at the girl who raised her eyebrows in question. Alex suddenly snapped up and jutted her finger out at the girl.
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“Who are you? Are you bothering Ashton?” she mumbled, and I sighed. The girl looked utterly confused and her friend looked very concerned and like she wanted the heck out of the situation.
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“Chill, I was just making conversation with your friend, Ashton, was it?” she asked, looking back at me. I nodded with a slight smile. She held her hand out and I grabbed it.
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“I’m Marissa,” she grinned and Alex grunted.
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“Trying to make conversation? He’s mute! He can’t talk!” Alex sputtered and I closed my eyes, mentally face palming. I looked at the girl desperately and shrugged with a sigh. Marissa just gave me a warm smile and released my hand. That’s when I could feel she left something in it. She winked and looked back at Alex.
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“Hey, well it was nice meeting you Ashton, and Ashton’s friend. I’ll let you get back to it,” she smiled, waving and winking again before her and her friend walked away. As disappointed as I was, I remembered the piece of paper in my palm. I tucked it in my pocket before bending down and holding Alex’s shoulders while she looked at me in a drunken stupor.
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“You left me,” she whined, and I sighed, brushing her hair behind her ears. I kissed her forehead and held her close to me. I pointed back to the crowd and dragged her back over.
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