Chapter 19: : Chapter 19

‘Flo? You look like you could use it,’ Orion says, handing me a beer. I’ve been sitting here in the woods with the guys for about twenty minutes. Apparently, I haven’t been keeping up a good façade. To be fair, I’m tired and have no energy left. Especially after throwing up all of my dinner.

‘Yeah, why not. Thanks.’ I smile softly but I’m more focused on someone else’s attention. I turn my head slightly to meet Elija’s eyes. He takes that as an invitation to come closer to me.

‘You sure that’s a good idea?’ he asks though it sounds less demanding than it did when we were in the shed. This time I think he might genuinely asking, not trying to tell me what to do. I appreciate it.

‘One won’t hurt, right?’ I tell him with a smile.

‘I’ll ask you again in the morning.’ I glance down at the bottle in his own hand.

‘How exactly are you the right person to talk right now?’ I challenge him playfully.

‘Just expressing concern for an inexperienced friend.’ My mouth drops at his audacity.

‘What did you call me?’ He simply laughs at me, bumping his shoulder against mine before taking another sip of his drink.

‘I’m joking. Cheers,’ he says expectantly. I clink my bottle with his but only stare down at it after. ‘Changed your mind?’ Elija asks with a slight smirk.

‘It’s closed. I don’t know how to open it,’ I tell him all the while thinking I really must seem inexperienced. Oh well, I won’t feel bad for not having drunk alcohol at 17. Almost eighteen since my birthday is soon but whatever.

Without a word, Elija places his bottle between his legs, reaches for mine, and opens it. Like, with his bare hands. HOW?

‘Here you go,’ he tells me. Then he chuckles, finding my apparent shock amusing. ‘You should close your mouth before you catch a fly.’

‘Very funny,’ I tell him though the smile on my lips is genuine. I guess I might not need alcohol to make me feel better after all but it’s too late to turn back now.

The other guys, led by a clearly drunk Jamie, come closer to us so we sit in a circle. Benji plays some music and we all start having conversations as we hang out. I keep sipping at my beer. And then the next one that is handed to me. I don’t particularly like the taste but the more I drink the better it gets. Or the less I taste.

‘Can I get another beer?’ I ask Elija, leaning onto his shoulder a bit more than I might should. It’s not my fault my body wants to be closer to his. I feel like tension has been brewing between us for a while now and I can barely take it anymore.

Maybe alcohol doesn’t have a good effect on me. I’ve been dangerously close to asking Elija what we are all evening. Like, are we friends? Our relationship doesn’t feel the same as the one I have with Benji does. Strictly speaking, we haven’t kissed or anything so we’re not more than friends either. But we’re spending a lot of time together so we can’t be nothing.

‘I think you’ve had enough for tonight,’ the guy tells me with a chuckle. The world is still tilting slightly so I bury my face in his shoulder and groan. Damn, he smells good. ‘You okay?’ Elija asks.

I nod against him. ‘A little tired.’ Before I can process what is happening, my head is no longer on the guy’s shoulder but his lap instead.

‘What?’ I ask dizzily.

‘I don’t think the guys are ready to leave and I need to make sure everyone gets back to the tents safely. Just rest a little,’ he tells me. Whatever protests I might have had vanished the moment Elija takes the clip out of my hair and starts playing with it. The last thing I remember thinking was, best hair treatment ever.

–

‘Is she okay?’ I hear a voice say from a distance. Who the hell is speaking? I could have sworn I was riding a hippogriff just a moment ago.

‘Yes. Now shut up or you’ll wake her,’ another voice replies. The words hardly register but I notice the ground beneath me is rocking. That makes my eyes snap up only to realize I’m being carried.

In a moment’s panic of being kidnapped, I push at whoever’s arms I’m in. My attempt at freeing myself nearly succeeds as the person stumbles.

‘Whoa, it’s me, Florence. I’ll set you down, hang on.’ I recognize that voice. Elija. Damn me, if I had known it was him I would have pretended to be asleep.

As it is, I enjoy the way the guy’s arms tighten around me as he regains his balance. Then he slowly sets me down but holds me by my waist as the world around me tilts a bit.

I laugh, unable to help myself. ‘I think I like beer,’ I tell no one in particular.

‘I think I like having you sleep on my lap. Though I’d prefer it if you were sober,’ Elija tells me. That finally makes my eyes rise to meet his.

‘You’re really tall,’ I say. Then I cover my mouth with a hand as if I’d said a slur. Finally, I feel stupid for both actions. ‘Sorry, something seems to be wrong with my filter. You know you’re tall. Not freakishly so of course. In a good way. I’m not saying short people are unattractive. You’d definitely be good-looking either way. I mean-‘

‘Florence.’ Elija stops my rambling by gently placing a hand on my cheek. My mouth clams shut and my cheeks heat up.

‘Sorry,’ I say, wishing for the second time that day that the trees could swallow me whole. Remind me to never drink again.

‘No need to apologize. You’re cute when you ramble.’ My heart’s beating at that ridiculously fast pace again. The unhealthy one, you know? This boy’s going to be the death of me.

‘You can’t say things like that,’ I tell him, making him laugh.

‘I can’t?’

‘No.’

‘Why’s that?’ he asks, still smiling so sinfully handsome.

‘You’re confusing me,’ I tell him. His smile drops a little.

‘I am?’ he says quietly. I simply nod, holding his gaze. I get the feeling I shouldn’t have said that and I’ll regret it in the morning but what’s there to do about it now?

Seriously, what is? I need suggestions.

‘Where’s that little head of yours drifting off to again?’ he breaks the silence.

‘Just wondering if I need to leave the country tomorrow.’ That earns me one of those laughs I love to hear so much. It also makes me more aware of the position we’re in right now. Elija’s hands are still on either side of my waist and our chests are nearly touching. If he looked down, I’d only have to get on my tiptoes and our lips-

‘I told you not to drink that last beer. Eli, I need your help carrying Jamie!’ Orion yells from wherever he’s standing. Elija groans and shrugs apologetically before letting me go.

He takes my hand instead and starts pulling me to the rest of his friends. There, he pretty much hands me over to Marcus before he goes to help Jamie.

I’d expect it to be awkward, holding hands with Marcus but he’s actually really sweet about it. He doesn’t sound sober either but it’s not stopping him from telling me when to pay attention to the ground.

I lose sight of where Elija and Orion went with Jamie but Marcus makes sure I get to my tent safely.

‘Thanks,’ I tell him as I pull my hand from his.

‘Of course. Drink some water before going to bed. You’ll thank me tomorrow.’ With one last smile, he stumbles off to wherever his tent is.