He leaned forward and stared into her eyes hard.
"Why did you give up on me?"
The silence among them was deafening. Lori turned to stare at Jesse as Kendra and Scott stopped kissing. Chris stopped tickling Natalie and Daniel looked at Amara whose mouth hung open.
"I don't get it," she said quietly, "What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean! Don't play dumb."
She stared back at him shocked and confused. What was he talking about? Lori glanced her way with eyebrows raised. She looked back and shrugged slightly, just as lost.
"Hey Jess, man, are you sure you're thinking straight?" Chris started. He pulled out of Natalie's grasp and leaned forward also. "I mean...we're all pretty wasted here."
Jesse shot him a look of pure hatred before returning his gaze to Amara. "Well you just sit there and think about it, hon. Just don't strain or anything." He got up and headed for the door.
"You can't just leave! No, not until you tell me what the hell is with you." She jumped up and grabbed his arm, stopping him. He shook it off but turned around. "You were supposed to be there for me, to help me. You promised me Amara," he spit the words at her. Gripping her shoulders he shook them hard. "You lied to me and left me WHEN I NEEDED YOU!"
A look of sudden realization swept across her face and, breaking loose, she lunged at him swinging her arms and pulling at him. Suddenly everyone was on their feet. Chris and Scott roughly pulled Jesse up and pinned him to the wall while Kendra and Daniel held Amara. Lori stepped in the middle acting as referee. The only person left sitting was Natalie who looked from one person to another.
Jesse, still struggling, tried to reach Amara, but was forcefully thrown back into the wall by Scott and Chris.
Lori glared at him. "You done?" He snarled but nodded slowly. "Good, 'cause you're leaving. Both of us." She left the room in search of her purse and jacket. Chris and Scott cautiously let go of Jesse who marched out the door, letting it slam behind him. Lori followed him quickly with an apologetic look to Amara.
"Kendra mybe, uh...maybe we should go too." He looked at Chris. "Chris, you and Nat need a ride?"
Chris, slightly dazed with adrenaline pumping, nodded and went for Natalie while Scott and Kendra gathered their things. Amara still fuming, stood in her place supported by the arm of Daniel who gazed at her with wide eyes.
"Daniel, you coming?" Chris asked appearing with Natalie. Scott and Kendra looked up.
"No, I'm fine. I'm gonna stay and help clean up a little, I've got my key. Go on."
"Okay, whatever." He said shaking his head. Opening the door he led the way into the night with Natalie, Kendra and Scott following.
Amara swallowed as they closed the door and let go of his arm, surveying the room. She walked in and stooped to the floor to pick up and overturned bowl then started to clean up. Daniel slowly began working along beside her, glancing in her direction every now and then. She still seemed upset, though the effects of the beer had diminished some.
"I tried to help him, he shut me out...cut himself off. I had no reason to anyway."
Startled he looked up to see he starig at him. He tried to think of something to say but she shook her head and continued cleaning. He closed his eyes and yelled at himself. You stupid fuck, say something! Nothing came to mind so they continued in silence.
"You know, you don't need to stay. I don't need help."
Stopping he realized the voice was Amara's again and straightened up. She had stopped cleaning and ws turned to him, holding a paper plate and some cups. Her eyes showed the exhaustion she felt but also something else. A flicker of nervousness, maybe even fear, flashed in her eyes, but then was replaced by the cold, hard look they had posessed earlier. She set her jaw and stared at him. For no reason at all he flinched. Fury and anger radiated from her and he shifted his weight uncomfortable.
"It's all right, I want to. I mean, I'll only be going back to an apartment full of fornicating couples anyway." He smiled.
She didn't. "Fine." Dropping the trash she marched down the hall and upon reaching her open door, slammed it shut with such force the glass dishes rattled.
He flinched again. "Night."
