ONE

Sky observed the party rather disinterestedly, surprisingly not one for other people's domestic affairs, including weddings. The general atmosphere was too jovial, as she had resigned herself to living closed off and unfriendly. Even Aida was more inviting than Sky, at times.

The wedding party was one of those times, as Aida mingled good-naturedly (or as good natured as Aida was capable of being), and Sky watched the crowds with distaste. She hoped her own wedding would be an elopement. Her eyes darted to and fro, searching for a pleasurable way to bide her time. They landed on Diego, and for a lingering moment, Sky wanted to go talk to him. He was captivating to the girl, more so than she liked for him to be. He was clever, mature, and had gorgeous Adeshian looks. It was normal to feel a little drawn to him. Except in Sky's case, he was to blame for the death of her parents. And yet she still felt that little spark, which she could not will away.

She decided on the ale table. She went through several glasses before she really felt the buzz, but the feeling hit her hard when it did come. Aida sent her through a series of tongue twisters, and left Sky tongue tied and tired. Her drunken mind had difficulty focusing, and her reaction time was seriously impaired. The next drink seemed to send her over the edge, and she stumbled forward and was suddenly plummeting to the ground.

The impact never came, and Sky faced her rescuer, who was now holding her in an uncomfortable position with their elbow digging into her side. It was Diego.

Sky gasped, and struggled to stand on her own, but broke free only to collapse again, right into Diego's arms. The position was much more comfortable than the first, with his arms around either side of her waist and her body pressed into his. It was like a hug.

"Uh… th-thank you for n-not fa-alling," Sky mumbled, her mind lost partly to the ale, and partly to the distraction of Diego's closeness.

"I don't believe I was the one about to fall," Diego said, finally speaking. Sky mumbled something in response, and shoved her face into the fabric around his neck. He patted her back awkwardly, before pushing her away lightly. "C'mon, Sky, you need to get to your room."

"I don't wanna leave you," Sky muttered, the ale causing a looseness of speech she was sure to regret later. Diego rolled his eyes, taking her drunken honesty for drunken nonsense.

"Actually, I have heard from a reputable source that you hate me and avoid being around me at all costs," Diego replied tonelessly. Sky huffed, and crossed her arms.

"N-no… I l-like you, b-but not-t… not some of t-the things you d-do," Sky tried to explain, but Diego grabbed her arm and led her to her room. "Because… e-everybody does b-bad things… even m-me."

"If your sober self could hear this," he started, but seemed to have no ending. Silence followed, but it didn't take long to reach Sky's room.

Diego turned to go, but Sky reached out and clutched his shirt.

"Wha-" Sky didn't let Diego finish, and crashed her lips against his instead. He didn't move, but she liked the feeling of his lips on hers. In a few seconds, Diego pulled back, and unwound her fingers from his shirt.

"What's wrong?" Sky whispered. She looked at him with sad eyes, and he looked away.

"You're drunk, Sky." And with that, he turned his back and walked briskly from the room, leaving the girl to sulk until she fell into an ale induced sleep.