Chapter 34: One More Drink Tonight!

~“Today, I discovered he’s a liar. A room full of him, the scent of regret.” —GJan.~

Chapter Theme Song: “One More Drink” by GJan.

HARMONY

April and the girls are lost in a whirl of dancing and drinking, while I’m feeling like I’m being squeezed in a vice.

I manage to escape through a glass door at the back of the living room, which leads me to the expansive backyard. Kite’s got a big pool in the middle of it, making the whole area feel cool and inviting.

I remember the last time I was near a pool and the near-death experience that came with it. I decide to keep my distance from any chatty strangers with a beer in one hand and possibly a pack of cigarettes in the other.

I don’t need Blaze swooping in to save me again, only to find a way to get me alone and pressed against him.

There are a few people scattered around the yard, and I spot a couple making out with the girl straddling the guy’s lap. I avoid looking their way and instead focus on the pool’s blue-green water.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

The voice comes from behind me, and I turn to see Kite, the host of the party.

I offer a polite smile. “Hi.”

Now that he’s closer, I notice the two gold studs in his ears and the hourglass tattoo on his neck. I’ve always had a thing for art, so I can’t help but admire the ink on his tanned skin.

“You strike me as the type to hang out in the backyard at a party,” he says, standing next to me with a friendly smile.

His teeth are so white they practically sparkle, and the pool’s shimmering light dances on half his face, highlighting a sharp cheekbone.

He shares a few features with Tia. His nose is straight and small, and his lips are red and heart-shaped.

“Well, I guess I am.” I nod awkwardly, unsure of how to make small talk with strangers.

This is why I avoid these kinds of gatherings; I’m hopeless at socializing.

“I’m just not a fan of the noise...,” I add, trying to improve on my initial response. He smiles.

“I figured. Are you from around here or…?”

“No, I’m from Huston. I’m boarding at Homewood.”

He nods. “Oh, I see. I go to Jaxton University. It’s nearby.”

“Wow, that’s great. What’s your major?”

He grins. “Economics. You?”

“English.”

“Ah, an English girl.” He bites his lower lip.

“Yeah, I guess.” I chuckle, not knowing what else to say. ~I wish I was back at Homewood~.

“Would you like a drink?” He offers me one of the two red cups he’s holding. The fact that he has two beers makes me wonder if he came out here looking for me. But I’m not that special, am I?

I remember the last time I got drunk and ended up grinding on a guy. I decide it’s best if I don’t drink. I’m clearly not cut out for that life.

I shake my head at his offer. “I don’t drink, but thanks.”

He raises an eyebrow, looking impressed. “Okay, no problem.”

He takes a sip from his cup. As the liquid slides down his throat, I’m hit with the same urge I felt that night in Blaze’s room. It’s a rush I can’t control.

Then I think that maybe a drink would help me deal with my pathetic, possibly unrequited feelings for Blaze.

“Actually, can I have that drink?”

He looks at me, then breaks into a wide grin. “Sure, why not?”

He hands me the cup, our fingers brushing in the process. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but I try to ignore it as I take a big gulp.

Clearly, I didn’t learn anything from Blaze’s lesson about sipping slowly. Here I am, downing half the cup in one go.

I wipe my mouth while Kite chuckles. “Wow. That was quite a gulp. Boyfriend troubles?”

I look at him, grimacing at the taste. This is even worse than the first time; I don’t know why I’m drawn to this stuff.

“What?”

“Only a girl who just broke up with her boyfriend drinks like that.”

I swallow, feeling like he’s hit a nerve. Does it count if you feel like you’ve broken up with a guy who was never your boyfriend to begin with?

“Um, that’s not it.”

His eyes light up and he turns to face me. “No boyfriend?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Wow.” He smiles. “My lucky night then.”

I can’t quite make out his last words because suddenly, my head is spinning and I’m seeing double.

“Woah.” I blink rapidly. “Something’s not right.”

Kite laughs. “You know, that mix is pretty strong. It’s called ~Aunt Roberta~. It’s got gin, vodka, and some other stuff in it.”

I squint at him, struggling to focus. “Vodka? What’s that?”

He smiles. “It’s a strong alcohol.”

“Oh...” I hold my head and nearly fall over, but he grabs my arm to steady me.

“Woah, easy there. Are you drunk already?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t know, but you have two heads.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “You’re interesting, Harmony.”

The sensation is so alien that I start to freak out. This can’t be normal.

“Oh my God, I feel strange. I...I think I need a doctor. Something’s not right.”

“It’s okay. It’s just booze, babe,” Kite says, biting his lower lip to hold back a laugh.

But I can’t make out his words because I feel like I’m floating on clouds or in space or something. I’m pretty sure my feet aren’t touching the ground.

I wonder if this is what that chatty stranger who nearly burned me with his cigarette gave me to drink last time. He did say it would make me feel like I was walking on stars.

The alcohol seems to be rushing through my veins and soaking into my blood. Suddenly, I feel this powerful urge to be wild and free and crazy.

“Do you wanna...” I swallow hard. “D...do you wanna dance?”

Kite looks at me, surprised, an eyebrow raised. “Dance?”

I nod. “Yeah, like what those two people are doing over there.” I point a shaky finger to the corner of the deck where a girl is sitting on a boy’s lap while they kiss.

Kite laughs. “Well, I don’t think they’re dancing, Harmony. I mean, they could be, but not the kind of ‘dance’ you’re thinking of.”

I burst out laughing. “Oh yeah. Right.” I hiccup and almost fall over again, but he catches my arm with a smile.

“Be careful, babe.”

“I still want to d-dance.” My voice is slurred, sounding oddly distant. “You know, like this....”

I start to sway my hips to illustrate my point, and Kite laughs heartily, running a hand over his face. “Wow, okay, you’re a dancer. Nice.”

“Pleaseeee?” I give him puppy-dog eyes and pout, my lips red and wet from the alcohol coursing through my veins.

His eyes twinkle with amusement as he studies me, then he chuckles. “You’re even cuter when you do that, so I can’t say no. Okay, let’s dance.”

I grin and throw my arms in the air like a little kid. “Awesome!”

He takes the cup from my hand and sets both our drinks on the pool deck.

He takes my hand in his and leads me toward the house, sliding the glass door open and crossing the room to what looks like the dance floor. I’m too out of it to really notice, but I can see a few people dancing around me.

“Turn your back to me,” he says over the music.

“H-huh?” I can barely understand anything because my brain isn’t working right and the music is so loud, it’s making me even more confused.

Kite smiles and holds my waist, spinning me around effortlessly so my back is against his chest.

My eyes go wide, and I swallow hard. “What are you—”

“We’re dancing,” he says into my ear. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

His cologne surrounds me and his breath smells like mint candy. My senses and the rush of alcohol are at war with each other. I want to pull away, but the strange feeling in my body won’t let me.

He starts to guide my hips against him, showing me what to do. After a few times, my hips start to move on their own.

“You’re getting the hang of it.” I can feel him smiling against me.

“Oh my God, isn’t that Harmony?” Yuna’s eyes nearly pop out of her head when she spots me dancing with Kite from across the room.

Tia’s eyes go just as wide and her jaw drops. “Oh my God, it is. Where’s April? April needs to see this!”

“April needs to see what?” Blaze asks them, walking up with a red cup in his hand.

Yuna points and he follows her slender finger to me, where I’m now facing Kite, my arms wrapped around his neck as I dance against him.

He pulls me closer to his body and presses his lips against my neck. I stiffen at the contact, not liking it at all.

His mouth is cold and wet, and it feels like he’s kissing me there. It’s really uncomfortable, but I can’t find the strength to pull away because I’m not thinking clearly.

“Um...” I take a deep breath.

“It’s okay, babe,” he whispers, pulling me closer while his lips suck on my neck so hard, I think he’s trying to give me a hickey.

Suddenly, someone grabs my arm and yanks me away from Kite.

“What the fuck?”

I’m drunk, but I know those blue eyes and that angry voice filled with swear words anywhere.

Blaze.

“Whoa, easy Blaze.” Kite holds up his hands, stepping back. “Is she your girl?”

“Stay the fuck away from her, Kite, or I’ll fucking kill you,” he warns, then pulls me away from the dance floor.