Cloud Walking

fantastic night. I could just feel it.

    Cue the sarcasm.

Chapter Seven
    ~Rachel~

    Happy, happy drunk. That was me. And such a light weight too. One and half beers later and I was feeling the warm, fuzzy blanket of alcohol induced euphoria. I felt good. More than good. In fact, my earlier hurt feelings and overall need to kick Daniel Lowe's butt had subsided as I got my party on.

    Maggie and I had been at Melissa's bonfire for less than twenty minutes and I was beginning to relax. No signs of Daniel or Kylie. So far so good.

    I was nodding absentmindedly while Jeremiah and Lila tried to rope me into their latest fundraising efforts. I was half listening as they droned about a clothing drive for homeless tigers in Africa or something.

    My head bobbed to the music and I finished the last of my beer. Raymond Lewis stumbled by and shoved another Solo cup in my hand. “Here ya go!” he yelled enthusiastically as he pushed his way past me. I peered into the cup and shrugged. Looked okay. I took a drink and cringed. Yuck, warm beer.

    Okay, I was done with the philanthropic duo. I gave Lila and Jeremiah a polite smile and excused myself, looking for Maggie. Where the heck had she gone?

    Ah, I should have known. She was with Clay. They seemed to always find each other. Like magnets or flies to garbage...whatever. I chastised myself mentally for my immediate jump to the negative. I didn't even know Clayton Reed. All I did know was my best friend was bat poo crazy about him.

    I watched the two as I slowly headed toward them. And seeing them, standing close together, Clay's eyes on Maggie's down turned face, their bodies angled toward each other as though they couldn't resist the other's pull, I could admit it was sort of beautiful.

    So, maybe it was the alcohol talking, but I think I liked Clay right then. Because I could see how much he cared about Maggie. Body language didn't lie and his body was practically shouting how much he loved her. And she didn't think he thought of her in that way...psh...she was an idiot. Or blind.

    “Hey guys!” I yelled, overly boisterous. Maggie smirked as I joined them. I tried to smirk back, but I think my face ended up doing something else, because Maggie just looked at me oddly. I glanced over at Clay and my heart softened toward him. He looked so adorably awkward. Completely out of place but obviously not wanting to leave Maggie.

    “Clay, I'm so glad you could make it!” I grinned at him and he blinked at me in confusion. Then I did something that totally took him by surprise. I hugged him. I mean, I launched myself at the poor guy and held on for dear life. He was rigid as I squeezed. I was just so happy that he loved my bestie. I wanted them both to be happy forever. And ever.

    At some point during my consumption of beer number three, I had mentally deteriorated into a twelve year old.

    I pulled back and grinned at Clay, who seemed to be trying to smile back. Was there something wrong with his face? His mouth was twitching strangely as though smiling was physically painful for him. I was about to ask him about it when I heard Maggie's barely audible groan.

    I looked behind me to see Daniel. My heart sped up and I felt even happier than I had a second ago.

    Then I saw who walked entirely too close beside him. Stupid Kylie Good. I ground my teeth together and gripped my hands into fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palm. No! He was not permitted to ruin my good time! Oh, I hated him! But darned if I didn't love him too! There were those stupid contradictions again!

    “Mags! Rach! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!” Daniel gave Maggie a hug. When he pulled away from her, he turned to me as if to do the same but I took a small step backwards. I was not in the mood for his 'friends only' hugs. No freaking way.

    I couldn't stop the nasty snark that bubbled up. I glared at Danny, who was giving me a nervous smile, as though he knew niceties were not the agenda for the evening. “I seriously doubt you were looking for us, Danny. You seem busy enough.” I smirked at Kylie, who looked as though she were chewing glass.

    I couldn't help but give her the once over. She was fake as fake could be. Fake hair coloring (because I knew she wasn't a natural blonde), fake nails, fake tan. Fake, fake, fake. And she clung to Daniel's arm as though she would superimpose herself to his side. Feeling insecure much?

    Maggie's eyes flashed to me and I recognized