Too Close

Chapter Four

Melanie's POV

I forced myself away from the toilet as my queasy feeling subsided and I began to stare at my reflection in the mirror, regretting ever allowing my last name escape my lips. How could I have been so stupid? I had been mentally and emotionally preparing myself all week to make a name for myself…and in a matter of seconds I completely ruined it. There would be no escaping the fact I was Caleb's sister now and that's the only reputation I managed to secure for myself.

As I stood, both hands tightly gripping the cold porcelain counter, I continued to stare at the reflection looking back at me. My flame red hair was so bright in this light and the heavy shadow and liner upon my eyes was beginning to make me realize just how far outside my element I was tonight. What was I doing here? What was I wearing? I should have never came and I should just accept the fact that I would never be more than the quiet girl with her nose buried in a book; the girl who should have taken more after her brother as they would so quickly say to me. Caleb Danver's little sister who never could.

I felt tears welling up threatening to find their way down my face but my eyes caught sight of the door flinging open before bouncing back closed. Reid lunged in and crashed upon the marble tiled floor before hugging the toilet close. He quickly allowed his head to sink into the toilet while beginning to empty his stomach right there in front of me.

I was shocked and slightly nauseous myself as Reid continued to rid his body of the alcohol. I was left standing unsure what to do. I had Reid in the same room as me and Tyler most certainly standing right outside. I was stuck, the proverbial rock and a hard place scenario.

Moments passed of silence mixed with now dry heaving before I managed to find words.

"Are you alright? I think I'll let Tyler come in…and I'll just go."

"No…just give me a ssssecond here." He was quick to reply, still slurring slightly, as he took in a few deep breaths while raising up and proceeding to lean against the wall nearest him. His face had no color left upon it and beads of sweat were forming upon his face. He looked horrible; but I suppose that's what a night of drinking typically looks like at the end of the party. Pale and exhausted.

"So, your Caleb's sister huh?" his voice said in between deep breathing. "Go fucking figure."

"Look…I'd prefer if we just forget that I said that. This is going to be hard enough for me to deal with." I said while finding myself taking a seat upon the cold floor below. It was slightly relaxing to my tense body to feel the tile press against me.

"What's wrong with you…you're practically rrrroyalty. He's the god here at Spencer Academy, everyone worships the ground he-" he began before I began to shake my head frantically.

"That's exactly why I didn't want every single person to know! I'm not my brother! I'm sick of being compared to him!" I felt the warmth of tears freely falling. I quickly tried to wipe them away as they fell.

"Well that makes two of us." Reid said which caused me to raise an eyebrow.

"Red…I hate to tell you, but your brother is a fucking pain in my assssss!" Reid added only to further entice me into wanting to hear more, despite how drunk he still was. I didn't hate my brother, but I certainly couldn't deny some slight satisfaction in hearing someone speaking negative in any way about Caleb. That type of thing I assumed was forbidden, some mortal sin that would surely be punished.

I'm sure my awkward smile and inability to speak was confusing to Reid as he wrinkled his eyebrows towards me.

"I'm sorry…I'm staring, It's just I could hug you right now after hearing you say that!" I said in excitement.

"Well that's betterrrr than taking my parking ssspot I suppose." Reid chuckled slightly before an unusual expression crept into his face. Before I could ask why, his head was brought back into the toilet before throwing up yet again. I winced slightly before finding my way to my feet. I grabbed the red hand towel and allowed cold water to run over it. I then wrung it slightly dry before taking it to Reid who was now stretched out upon the floor. I took a seat beside his head and began whipping his face gently with the towel.

I found myself realizing just how handsome he was, even if he looked about half-alive in his present state. His lips were perfect and they seemed to be smiling as I continued to cool his features down with the damp fabric.

"It gets lonely…but not so lonely right now." He whispered while his breathing calmed into a steady pattern. He was passed out cold right here before me. I found it hard to stand and leave his side after hearing that. It gets lonely for me too Reid.

Before too long the door opened yet again, but this time the person made a less dramatic entrance. Tyler inched his way into the room.

"I'm sorry, it just got quiet in here and I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Yes, everything is fine; I hope he'll be okay in the morning. I've heard hangovers are not the most pleasant of feelings though." I said regretting the fact I just announce my inexperience with drinking. But Tyler laughed softly at my statement.

"Well thanks for helping him out tonight, I can never thank you enough for all you've done." He said while crossing his arms.

"I didn't do that much…" I said while standing.

"Well actually you did. Reid usually doesn't pass out, he drinks, gets sick, drinks more and well it's not pretty the situations he finds himself in. So you've helped, trust me." He said with a smile. I couldn't help but return the gesture. Tyler was so gentle and kind with how he presented himself. I then felt his eyes upon me intently as if searching for something. I felt myself blush instantly.

"So…you're Melanie Danvers?" My smile instantly faded. "I wish you would have found us and let us know who you were the first day. We would have looked out for you and helped you out; being the new kid isn't exactly easy."

"Really?" I asked, that was a kindness I wasn't expecting.

"Well of course, you're Caleb's little sister. You're one of us; we look out for each other. Plus, Caleb would kill us if anything bad happened to you that made you want to leave." He said with a laugh, well I guess one good thing would come from an older brother. It's true though, as much anger and resentment I harbored against my brother, I could never deny the fact he was a good brother to me. He was the typical, overprotective older brother. The kind that would punch any kid who broke my heart or steal my favorite toy; it was impossible to hate him completely when he would be the first to come to my rescue.

"Well, I honestly haven't spoken to my brother much and usually when he starts talking about his amazing life he had back here…I would tune him out. I guess that meant missing out hearing too much about you guys. That must sound terrible." I said while biting my lower lip slightly.

"I've been sticking with this guy my entire life, trust me I know a thing or two about tuning people out." He said while squatting beside Reid who hasn't moved an inch since he passed out. Tyler then looked up at me and smiled.

"Well it was a pleasure to meet you Melanie, I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. I think I better take the party boy to his bed, are you alright for the rest of the night?"

"The pleasure is mine, thank you. I'm fine; I'll go back out there and see if I can't find my friends." I said giving a slight wave before leaving the bathroom. I let out a huge sigh of relief as I made way down the hallway; I have to admit that could have gone a lot worse than it did. And I could already tell why Caleb liked the guys so much, they did look out for each other; and by turning back and watching Tyler walking towards the opposite side of the house with Reid slung over his shoulder, that thought was confirmed.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you! Come on; let's see if you can down those shots as much as you claim!" I heard Ally shout as she dramatically flagged me down. She slid off of the dinning room table before staggering slightly. Apparently she wasn't joking about starting the party early. I then looked over and saw Ashton and Ashley waving me over as well, all three had a shot poured in front of them and one set aside for what I was afraid to be mine.

I slowed my pace towards them as it dawned on me just how much I talked myself up as being a drinker back in Europe. In all actuality, I never drank. Well there was that one time I snuck into my mother's wine cabinet but the smell alone was enough to turn my nose to alcohol. But as I neared my group of friends who were laughing, smiling and appearing so excited to see my face; I realized that maybe I should let loose this once.

I stopped my steps as I found myself surrounded by my friends, a cold shot glass of some light brown liquid in hand, and a smile on my face that felt so good to let shine through. I hesitated slightly to pour back the liquid; this was a big step for me. But this was a party, my first party. And this was just one shot…what harm could one shot do?

"Give it up for Melanie! Six shots! Not bad!" Ally shouted before we all slammed our empty shot glasses onto the wooden table. I blushed the second I heard some people clapping and cheering for my accomplishment of keeping up with Ally so far.

"Six shots and you're still standing? I'm impressed." I heard a voice say behind me. I turned only to lose my balance slightly as I was caught by Tyler Simms. I felt slightly embarrassed at my obvious drunken state as I comprehended the fact he said six shots. Had I really drank six shots? By the warm feeling in my face and the slightly spinning room I accepted that perhaps I overdid it on the drinking.

"I spoke to soon didn't I?" he added before helping me find my way to the couch. I refrained from giggling as much as I could when I saw Ally sending winks and obscene gestures my way once she saw I was with Tyler.

As I sat, I could hear Tyler talking to me, but my eyes traveled about the party. I was so proud of myself for coming here tonight. The music still pounding through the walls, the people all dancing, talking or making out was an experience that I was excited to retell in the future.

"You're either a really good listener or you haven't heard a word I said." Tyler began to chuckle as I quickly returned my eyes towards him.

"So sorry! I'm so sorry. That's what I meant to say." I said while tilting my head in confusion as to the slowness and incoherence of my words. I guess I'd have to add being drunk to my future retelling of the night as well.

"If your brother knew I let you drink…" I heard Tyler say as he began rubbing his eyes.

"Woah! No big brother talks here mister! I want to enjoy my night thank you! Plus, I'm a big girl…I mean what else does leather pants say about a girl hmmm?" I said loudly while tilting my head back, it was feeling far too heavy to keep upright. I heard Tyler laughing at me which made me smile.

"Yes ma'am."

"Well how's Reid?" I asked.

"I think he's on round four of throwing up in the bathroom…but he'll be alright." Tyler said while joining me leaning back onto the couch. I laughed slightly at the response before closing my eyes and allowing myself to rest off the overwhelming feeling that the entire house was rotating.

"Well are you having fun at least?" Tyler asked.

"Yesssss. The best time, thank you for-" I started until I quickly lifted my head up and my eyes shot open at the sudden feeling of sickness churning within my stomach.

"Are you alright?" I heard him ask but all I could do was shake my head frantically before scrambling towards the bathroom, trying my best not to spill the contents of my stomach before reading the bathroom.

I swung open the door and fell onto the floor and placed my head onto the side of the cold toilet seat, not caring in the slightest of how filthy the thought was. I took a few breaths before becoming sick.

"Fancy seeing you in here again…I see Tequila is still being a bitch tonight." I heard a voice say with a laugh as I managed to bring myself to a sitting position. I then allowed my spinning vision make out the features of Reid Garwin standing there, drying his hands from a quick wash. He must have been there the whole time. Wonderful. This had to be some odd form of karma.

My insides felt like they were on fire and not being able to focus on anything around me was beginning to be overwhelming. On top of that, I could have sworn I was wearing shoes but I felt the chill of the floor tickling my exposed feet. The need to cry was creeping in as I regretted allowing myself to test my limits with alcohol at my first party appearance.

"Just breathe Red; you're going to be fine." I heard Reid say gently while finding a seat in the floor across from me. The gesture was enough to make me smile but not enough to keep the feeling of fear from taking hold of my mind; I felt so sick and I felt my temperature rising without any sign of stopping. I felt my head roll onto its side as I found it hard to breathe in the heat that was radiating from my body. I grabbed my shirt and began to try to lift it over my head before the garment was pulled back down into place.

"Let's leave the clothes on." He said with a laugh. Perhaps I did jump the gun with that decision.

"Your brother is literally going to cuss me out for even being in the same room as you while your drunk." Reid said while crossing his arms across his chest tightly.

"I swear if I hear anything about my brother again I'm going to scream! I'm a grown ass woman, I can make my own decisions and so can you! Caleb doesn't rule our lives ya know?" I said while trying to make my way to my feet.

"Well said Red." He said while standing and helping me to my feet. It seemed as if he was towering over me with his height but I still managed to focus my eyes on his face enough to see that the color had returned to his face.

"You are very attractive sir." I said, chuckling at my choice of words.

"Fuck. Alright…time for me to go get Tyler to help you." Reid said while moving us closer to the door but I instantly felt offended at his statement. I just told him something that I never in a million years would tell him if I didn't have intoxication on my side. He must look at me as a child. Yet another instance of Caleb is interfering with my life.

"Really? I'm not attractive to you in any way? It's the hair isn't it? You see I was trying to go for a bold look. I mean I did have brown hair, but then I figured I'd look too much like Caleb. But you're not the only one who can be sexy alright! It's not a son of Ipswich only power!" I began to ramble until I watched Reid's lips curl perfectly into a smirk that silenced my racing thoughts spilling from my lips.

"Red…it's because you are attractive that I'm going to call for Tyler now. This is my attempt at being a gentleman…that I'm already regretting but, anyway. TYLER!" Reid then began to shout for Tyler with his head peeking out of the door. I was completely satisfied with his answer though, Ally was right about the leather pants. I had to remember to thank her for that.

Reid continued to call for Tyler as I remained in the stability of Reid's arms but I felt my eyes becoming heavy and my legs were beginning to feel the need to give way. I watched as Reid offered a comforting smile to me before telling me that passing out was just part of the ride. And what a ride it was…darkness swept over me instantly. As conscious left me, as did all feeling of my body and what was going on around me. Not even the sound of the stereo blasting could be heard as I drifted to what was sure to be a long and quiet sleep.

Author's Note: So good to be back! Thanks for everyone who have stuck around hoping I'd get back to updating! I do hate that this update is more partying but I have more serious/action packed chapters on the way with some magic and some twists and turns! So stick with me and please take a moment to drop a review I will respond in the author's notes in the next chapter. Thanks!