Chapter 35: You’re Leaving with Me

~“I never meant to bruise your heart.” —Alex & Sierra.~

Chapter Theme Song: “You Will Find Me” by Alex & Sierra.

HARMONY

The night air bites at my cheeks and sears my nostrils as Blaze drags me into the backyard. His grip on my wrist is so tight it borders on painful.

“Ouch, that hurts!” I complain, my voice sounding slurred and high-pitched, thanks to the alcohol.

Once we reach the pool deck, he lets go of me. I nearly trip over my own feet, but somehow manage to stay upright.

I rub my sore wrist and watch as he runs a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath.

“Harmony, I didn’t peg you as the type to grind on guys at parties.”

I hiccup, my brain struggling to process his words. I push my curly hair back from my face, squinting to see his blurry features.

“Why’d you stop me?” I grumble. “I was just dancing and having fun. Why do you have to be such a buzzkill?”

His eyes narrow, clearly taken aback by my choice of words. He steps closer, sniffing at my breath. “Have you been drinking, Harmony?”

I burst into laughter, pinching my thumb and index finger together. “Just...a little bit.” I sway slightly, and he frowns.

“This is more than a little bit.” He sighs, hands on his hips. “I told you not to drink when I’m not around. Look at you, grinding on some guy while he’s practically sucking on your neck.”

I step back, laughing like a madwoman, and Blaze just stares at me.

“What? Are you mad that I didn’t grind on you this time?”

His lips press into a thin line, and I can tell he’s genuinely angry now.

“Because Kite felt just as good as you did when I was grinding on him!” I giggle, stumbling as he grabs my arm, his face twisted in irritation.

“Enough of this nonsense. I’m taking you back to the dorms.”

He starts to walk away, pulling me along, but I yank my arm free, nearly tripping over my own feet. “No!”

He turns back to me, looking worn out. “Harmony.”

“Don’t drag me around. It’s not fair!”

Suddenly, I’m crying, tears streaming down my face. The alcohol is making me feel everything all at once, and I can’t control it.

One minute I was on top of the world, and now I’m sobbing, and I have no idea why. Blaze must think I’m crazy, but he doesn’t seem surprised by my sudden mood swing.

He sighs. “You really need to sleep this off, Harmony.”

“No, I know what you want!” I shriek, hiccupping before I continue. “You want to take me back to the dorms, get me alone, and then I’ll fall for your charm like an idiot.

“Then you’ll touch me and leave the next morning without a word! Then lie about forgetting your toothbrush!”

He rubs his face. “Harmony. Let’s just go back to Homewood.”

He reaches out to grab me, but I step back, continuing my drunken tirade.

“Then the next day you’ll give me that cute smile...” I swallow.

“That cute smile where your dimples look like this.” I press my fingers into my cheeks to mimic dimples, and Blaze starts to smile but quickly hides it behind a sigh.

“Then I’m all yours again!” I yell. “Because I’m so...stupid and...”

Suddenly, the world spins and I nearly fall, but he’s there, holding me up against his chest.

“You drank way too much...,” he mumbles, sighing as he scoops me up into his arms.

My hands instinctively wrap around his neck, my chest pressed against his. I look up at him, my eyes wide.

“Put me down,” I whisper.

“I will when we get back to the dorms.”

~No.~

“I’m not going back to the dorms alone with you!” I protest, struggling to get free, but he’s too strong.

“I want to leave with April!” I insist as he turns to head back inside. “Let me down, I want to leave with April!”

“No, you’re leaving with me, Harmony. You’ve had enough for tonight.”

I must be really drunk, because the next thing I know, I’m in his white Mercedes, staring blankly through the windshield, my cheeks wet with tears.

“Okay, thanks.” Blaze hangs up his phone and turns to me. “Yuna will bring your purse back for you.”

I cross my arms and look out the window. “I don’t want to leave with you.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want Kite to take you back either,” he mutters, but I’m too drunk to hear him.

I lean my head against the seat, turning away from him as he starts the car and drives off.