I never made it a foot out of that damn hospital room.
Jaison asked me a series of questions, and I was doing fine. I knew what year it was, our parents' names and birthdays. Then he started asking harder questions. Asking me personal questions. When was my last period? What had I eaten for breakfast, and how much? He then changed direction again, asking what had happened. I clammed up then, leaning back against the bed, refusing to answer.
"I don't know." I respond, too embarrassed to tell him that it partially was my fault. I knew that tapping out was a bad idea, but it was a rash decision. I should've stuck it out, fought harder, do anything but tap out. Again. Jai sighs from beside me, and I keep looking down and away from his piercing gaze.
"Fucking bullshit liar. Answer the damn question, Maureen Ophelia Ipkyss." Jaison demands. I stare at his feet, and notice how his feet are shoulder width apart. I shake my head as I keep looking down, and am surprised when I hear Keenan speak from beside me.
"She conceded twice in two days to the same opponent. He pinned her in the same position. Eric got frustrated, and made her stand in front of a a target." She explains. I shoot my head up and give her a nasty glare, a sneer that could rival Eric's. Jaison sighs from next to me, and I sneak a peak at him over my shoulder. I see him typing away on his phone. I knew that I had lost then, knowing that because it wasn't me answering him, he was going to make me stay. A deal was a deal.
"How long am I staying?" I ask ruefully, climbing back up onto the bed, a defeated sigh escaping my lips. Jaison smiles brightly up at me, taking my loss with great pride.
"Long enough for me to know that you are okay." He answers truthfully, a knowing smile on his lips. Dear God, please save me now.
The next three days drag by slowly, each hour passing as fast as a crippled man attempting to climb a flight of stairs, his bones creaking with every step. It was absolute torture. The nurses tried to make me take my medicine, often having to opt out of the pills and having to stick me with a needle, pumping me full of pain medication. It made my head feel loopy, and dizzy. I hated that feeling. I couldn't stand a cloudy mind, other than one slightly muddled by alcohol. I could still navigate my way around alcohol, forming coherent strings of thought, being able to get my point across rather easily, the words flowing from my mouth in an intricate way.
Pain medication, on the other hand, clouded my mind to a point that made me want to bang my head against the wall.
It slowed my reaction time considerably, the time I spent on thinking about what words I wanted to say was appalling. And quite embarrassing. I used the same redundant words over and over, repeating them often in conversations as my mind pulled up a blank on any synonyms. It was beyond frustrating, the boring, choppy sound of my words. There was no proper flow, no push and pull. Fast and slow. Long and short. It was all the same.
Jaison loved me on my pain medication, you could tell. It made me complaint in a less annoying way. He was more relaxed. He knew that I didn't have it in me to try and escape while I was doped up, the medication doing it's job, in his opinion.
Keenan came to visit me often, coming to stay and chat with me while recovering. Jaison was starting to warm up to her, becoming less and less tense in her presence. There was even a time that he asked for her to stay with me while he ran a small errand, trusting her enough to leave me in her care. It was almost sweet how he was starting to be friendlier towards her, and she looked excited at the progress.
She had admitted to me off-handedly about how she always dreamed of being a leader, and with her climbing the ranks so quickly she hoped for a spot in the top three. She wanted to be a leader. She tried over explaining, something about reassuring me that she wasn't using me to gain an inside to a leadership position, and I naturally waved her off. She was too sweet to try and pull something like that, the scheme more something Eric would do.
Eric never tried to come and visit me, whether that was Jaison's doing or his own. I'll never know. Jaison refused to talk about Eric and his involvement in my injury, only telling me to hurry up and get better. As if I had any control over how fast my body healed itself.
It slightly bothered me that Eric didn't even attempt to come and see me. Or apologize. He fucking stabbed me, whether it was an accident or not, the act in and of itself warranted an apology. I tried not to think of it too much in my time there, but I couldn't help but think of him most of the time, my drugged mind often pulling his memories to the forefront of my mind.
His smell.
His voice.
His embrace.
His laugh, one that I haven't heard in years.
The time that he and Jaison locked themselves in a walk-in freezer, and just happening to find them cuddled together. There was another time when Jaison and Eric came up with a studying game, a game where no one really studied.
You asked questions on the content. Right answers were rewarded with time spent away from studying, wrong answers were punished with alcohol. Somehow, I was always the one that ended up drunk, the boys laughing at my feeble attempts to continue studying through the haze.
Another fond memory was some of the times when Eric and I were alone, sitting in silence, and he would randomly start reading to me. Sometimes it was the book he was reading at the time, some medical jargon or a book that had so many facts in it, it may as well either be an encyclopedia or a textbook. There were other times that the books were filled with beautiful poems, talking of love and life. There were times that I would read him the poems I wrote, always kept in a small notepad that I hid, tucked away in the inside of my jacket.
Walking in on Jaison and Eric yelling over one thing or another, always finding between them before fists started flying everywhere.
Having to help them separately if they did start a fist fight. Things were a lot simpler at one time, before feelings got in the way.
Before Eric swept my hair to the side, revealing my face to him under the moonlight as we sat on top of his roof, an open bottle of liquor between us half empty. I never could remember who leaned in first, all I remember was the soft feel of his lips against mine.
It was on that roof that time seemed to have stood still for us, where we were able to shut the world away and just bask in the presence of each other.
Did he hold these memories close, like I had?
Did he even remember when we got drunk and I drug him to my room, showing him everything there was to know about me?
Showing him a place where I never even allowed Jaison, showing him everything that was inside of me, my hope and dreams all written out and laid bare for him to see?
Did that even matter to him?
I was woken abruptly, one hand over my mouth the other pulling me from my bunk early in the morning. I scramble and panic, fear running through me as my eyes fly open. I'm soon standing pressed up against someone, someone big. I can feel their body, hard muscles against me. I start trying to scream, knowing that I'm not going to get anywhere with a bum arm. It's only been a week or so since the incident with Eric, and I've only been out of the hospital for two days. I was cleared for light training on my release, and was set to go back to regular trianing when I felt I was ready. I didn't heed the nurses warning, going right back into training once released. My mother was a doctor, I knew what signs to look out for. I knew what I was doing, for the most part. I hadn't hurt myself yet, anyways.
"Shut up, will you?" My assailant mumbles, and I instantly relax against him, eyes glaring into darkness. He could've woken me up in a nicer way. Asshole. I let him drag me into the training room, glare never leaving my face. He pushes me roughly as we enter, shoving me to the side as he continues walking to the middle of the room. "Run around, warm up." He mutters, writing somethign up on the board. I pay him no mind as I roll my eyes, setting a slow pace for a jog while I do what I'm told, not thinking twice.
Why was it only me that was woken?
After fifteen laps, Eric beckons me over with a whistle, and I glare at him offensively, a retort spilling from my mouth before I can think, the day being too early and my body already groaning in pain.
"I'm not a dog, you know." I tell him as I walk closer, feeling the sweat start beading at my hairline. Eric smirks as he looks over at me, mischief in his eyes.
"No, but you sure are a bitch." He replies, smirk widening at my glare. "Get on the mat, initiate." He orders, eyes hardening as he takes his black shirt off, revealing a dark grey muscle tank underneath. Uh-oh.
"Wait, wait, wait a minute. You want me... To fight... YOU?" I ask as he makes his own way onto the mat, rolling his shoulders. He simply gives me a sideways look from the opposite side of the mat, a condescending smile on his face.
"Did I stutter?" He asks, glowering at me slightly. I huff as I roll mys houlders, mimicking Eric's earlier movements. And confidence. I was going to need to copy Eric's bravado if I was going to get anywhere in this fight. Eric was big, and the way his tank hugged his muscles made him look much bigger and intimidating than I would ever admit. I would hate to go against him in a REAL fight, if it were life and death. He dropped down into a fighting stance, and I mimicked him once more, bringing my hands up to protect my face.
I'm the one who makes the first move, faking an attack to his right side. He takes the bait, attention going to block me. I tapped his left side experimentally, and he doesn't even flinch. In my retreat, he steps forward, sending a quick jab to my right side. I twist out of the way, relying on my quick feet to evade him.
We go in circles for a moment, sizing each other up before he steps forward. He sends out one, two punches, and I hold my ground, tensing my arm muscles to protect me.
I send a jab to his jaw, catching it and I smile as I feel the connect.
My happiness is short lived as he grabs my wrist, and I know that that punch was a mistake. He pulls me forward, dropping my hand, and I gasp at the unexpected turn of events.
His hand lands onto the back of my neck, grabbing it in a tight grasp. He shoves me forwards, face towards the mat and to his left, his body turning to follow me. I stumble slightly at my equilibrium being thrown off, and he uses that to his advantage. He sweeps my feet from beneath me, and I belly-flop down. His other hand grabs my arm, pulling it at another awkward angle, hand even tighter around my neck as a lone knee finds its way to the center of my back. He pushes, and I hold in a groan of pain.
"Start now." He spits, venom coating his words as his hand tightens around the back of my neck in a bruising grasp. "Start where you are. Start with the fear, the doubt. Start with hands shaking, voice trembling. Goddammit, start and don't stop. Start where you are, with what you have. Just... fucking start." He lets me go suddenly, getting off of me. I turn and roll on my back, glaring up at my leader who looms above me, breathing heavily from either anger or our work out. I can't tell.
"How dare you. I have been trying, I have started this!" I sneer, tears welling up in my eyes. Why couldn't he see that I have tried? I got stabbed in the arm for trying, never backing down from any challenge he gave me, and he was the one that stabbed me. He gave me an order and I followed it. Every time. Even if I didn't LIKE it. Because I trusted him, because I knew that he would never give me more than I could handle. I start to feel overwhelmed, my breath coming in short gasps, and not from the intense workout Eric had just given me. It was from the doubt, the thought that I wasn't good enough. Thinking that ERIC thought that I wasn't good enough.
"What, are you gonna cry now, is that it?" Eric asks icy from above me, a tone in his voice that I had never heard directed at me before. A righteous anger lights flame in me, starting at the pit of my stomach. My head snapped up, features frozen in a state of stone cold fury.
"What makes you think that I would ever waste tears on YOU?" I respond hastily, the words feeling heavy and tasting bitter on my tongue as my arms come up to support me in a seated position as I sneer at my leader. Eric simply kicks my arms out from supporting me, smirking at the thud my head makes when it hits the floor. He stalks out of the training room, the slam of the door alerting me to his exit.
I lay there, breathing labored from the whole ordeal, fire still burning in my veins. I pull myself up, and walk over to a punching bag, taking my fury out on the inanimate object.
He had no right to come in here, insult me almost to the point of tears, and then try to turn this around. This was not my fault, and I wasn't going to be like everyone else in this damn compound, Jaison included, and let him treat me that way. I had been respectful, and nothing but nice to him since I arrived here. I even forgave him when he stabbed me, trying to find a connect with him and simply be his friend. I gave him respect, even when he didn't deserve it. I defended him, especially when he didn't deserve it.
I don't know how long I stand and punch this damn bag. It was long enough for my arm to start screaming at me, begging me to rest. My hands were also groaning in protest, but the burn led me on. It pushed me, and dare I say, it was a bit satisfying. I hear the door open and close, but I refuse to turn. The training room was free to anyone I presumed, seeing as the I had never found the door locked at the awkward hours that I ended up finding myself here.
Whoever it was stay away for a while. I ignore them, and continue my assault, thinking of Eric and his words at each punch. I stop as they stand beside me, and I turn to see Four a few bags down. He starts his regimen, evading before light punches. Enough to get his heart rate up, but not enough to pull a sweat from him. I start unwrapping my hands.
My shoulder continues it's screech, but I ignore it. There was some painkillers by my bed. I should have just enough time to go and grab them before I have to be back here for training. Before I turn to leave, Four looks at me for a moment. We lock eyes for a fleeting second before he turns his attention back to the bag before him.
"You're bleeding." He states calmly, voice sounding as bored and even as the first day I met him. I turn and look at my arm, seeing a lone trail of blood surely making its way down my arm. I smirk a bit, wondering how he could keep such a calm and bored exterior.
"Thanks." I mutter, turning to walk away. I stop for a second, finding my courage through anger to fully thank him. Two birds with one stone, right? "I also wanted to thank you for helping me last week." I continue, turning back slightly to look at Four over my shoulder. He stops punching and turns towards me respectfully, a tight polite smile on his face. "When Eric stabbed me, and all that." I explain further, feeling a bit uncomfortable as I over-explain. He nods my way in acknowledgement, no words coming from him as he turns back to his task at hand.
I walk out of there feeling a bit better than I had walking in, and the fire was starting to settle down. It still stayed a small ember in my stomach, just waiting for the certain spark to light it, knowing that someway, somehow today that Eric was going to hit that nerve again and wake a fire that even he couldn't put out.
I take my pills, only taking one instead of two. I was reconsidering Keenan's offer as I look through my clothes, pulling out a dark pair of leggings and a shirt that was a tad too big, that came off of one shoulder. I go to he showers, looking around to make sure no one was in here. I strip and shower quietly, hissing in slight pain as the warm water irritates my shoulder. Everyone started waking and walking to shower as I walk out, a few muttering hellos.
Others, like Greyson and his goons, simply glare at me as I walk past, a look of disdain on their face. They knew better than to try anything, but stupidity had a way of making people reckless. I couldn't let my guard down, not anymore. If Eric could stab me, anyone could hurt me.
I walk to the mess hall looking for my lone friend, not seeing Keenan as I woke. I spot her sitting by Jaison, and I smile brightly to myself. I don't know who decided to make the first move by sitting next to each other, but I was pleasantly surprised. They haven't been getting along much lately, but they were trying. That's all that I could ever ask for.
I bring my tray over to the table, sitting down next to Keenan with a smile. Keenan smiles back at me as Jai continues speaking, ignoring my very presence.
"-and then he decided to slap me with more paperwork, even though I wasn't even at that meeting. Like I'm supposed to know what was said and done." He grumbles, stabbing his pancake with more force than necessary.
"Aw, is the big baby complaining about a job that he signed up for?" I mock, voice deepening as I pout. Jai sends me a glare, pointing his fork at me.
"Watch your mouth, Mo." He warns, but after the morning I had I decide to push my luck.
"Or what, big shot? Gonna tell on me?" I ask, voice full of sarcasm. Jai smiles at me as he takes a bite, humor written all over his face.
"That's it, you're grounded." He says through the food in his mouth. I drop my utensil and slam my hands on the table, appalled by his retort. Keenan laughs from beside me, and it only send a small breeze onto the coals in my belly, fueling my response to Jai.
"EXCUSE me, but you are my brother. Not my father." I inform him, an edge to my voice. Keenan continues to giggle, and I shoot a glare her way making her shut up. Jai simply shrugs, drinking from his cup with a satisfied look on his face.
"I told you to watch your fucking mouth." He says calmly. The fire is set aflame within me once more, and I shove my full plate at him. He moves to the side, watching it clamor to the floor. I stand suddenly, turning to walk away before any more damage could be done. "What the hell is wrong with you, Maureen?! I was just joking around, damn." He calls after me. I simply flip him off as I continue walking, hand above my head.
To my surprise, Keenan falls into step beside me, sighing a bit.
"I don't know what's going on, but you're tense. Too tense. Why don't you come out with me and a few of my friends tonight? We could drink, let loose a little?" She tries, stopping me in an empty corridor. I drop my head to the floor, eyes stuck on a crack in the ground as embarrassment floods through me, quenching a bit of the anger. "It's not your fault," She explains hurriedly, acting as if she offended me. I could see how she thought that, but the truth was she hadn't. She was just looking out for me, being a friend. I sigh as I look up, eyes meeting hers.
"I know you weren't trying to be rude." I say with a small smile, pushing my hair behind my ear. "I'll think about it." I answer her question, taking in her dazzling smile at my answer.
"That's just as good as a 'yes'." She exclaims, linking her arm with mine. She steers me down the hall and into the training room, and I see we aren't the first ones there. I see Greyson from across the room, his body not nearly as big and intimidating as Eric, and the simple thought of him sets my skin on fire, his words echoing in my head.
What, are you gonna cry now, it that it... Just... Fucking start...
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts as Four begins to speak, and I suddenly realize that we were the last ones in, the remaining initiates gathering around our instructor. I notice that it's not only the nine of us, and it startles me that all of the initiates are here, Dauntless born included. On the board area list of names, and I see mine against the board not only once but twice, in Eric's neat and controlled handwriting.
Maureen(T) v. Louise(D)
Maureen(T) v. Greyson(T)
I cringe inwardly, knowing that he's going to make me fight not one, but two people today. Three, including him. I see everyone up there three times, and am not surprised when Greyson makes his opinion known, talking loudly, and rather rude, to Eric as Four is talking.
"Why is she only up there twice, and us three times?" He asks boldly. I turn my attention onto Eric, and see the controlled neutral expression on his face, a look he gave to his parents often. He was losing his patience. "Isn't that special treatment?" He continues, ignoring how Eric's body becomes more rigid, back straightening, shoulders going back slightly. "What, can everyone fuck their way to the top and out of fights, or is it just her?" He spits, arm shooting out from beside him to point at me. I don't see Eric move, his actions happening in a blink of an eye, but my ears hear the resounding 'thud' as Greyson finds himself on the floor, the foot of Eric's boot pressed against his throat. Four had stopped talking, and raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, annoyance flooding his features at Eric's rash actions. Lauren simply watched, eyebrows raising to her hairline. Everyone's attention was either on Eric and Greyson, or stealing looks at me. I ignore them as the scene unfolds, a flash of happiness running through me.
"She isn't fucking anyone for anything. How I train my initiates is up to my discretion. I don't have to explain shit to you." He tells him, looming above him in a menacing manner. Greyson starts to spit something back, but Eric simply pushes down harder on his throat, constricting his ability to talk. "I suggest you worry about your own training if you want to keep a spot here." He finishes, lifting his foot off of Greyson's neck. Greyson coughs from his spot on the ground. but Eric heeds him no mind. No one does, not even his little followers. He calls the first pair up to the mats, eyes locking with mine for a second. He doesn't smirk my way or wink, smiply hold my gaze for a moment too long before calling out the fight, and I smile as he turns his attention away.
Eric was an ass, a self-proclaimed one at that. But he was not heartless in any way, no matter what he portrayed to anyone else.
Fighting had taken up the majority of my day, watching them and learning how different our techniques were from the Dauntless born. Most of the transfers won their matches, me included. I had her pinned and tapping out in my match with her, and was on cloud nine for the rest of my day. Even when Greyson had knocked me out cold, and I came too with Lauren and Four hovering over me, Eric snapping at them telling them to give me some air and leave me alone. That there were more fights to be scored and how they shouldn't waste time on a single one because I had been knocked unconscious. I shook off his words, rolling my eyes at his antics. HE just didn't want anyone to think that he favored me, even though he did, In his own special way.
Keenan walks with me to lunch, gushing on and on about her three fights. She had pinned every one, winning every match.
"They were Dauntless born, Maureen. And we PINNED them, we won." She exclaims, practically vibrating from excitement. I personally think it's from adrenaline, but I keep that comment to myself. "So, you're coming out to celebrate, right?" She asks, tone hopeful as we get lunch. I spy a salad bar, and am pleasantly surprised that it looked fresh and dark. I take a large helping, adding croutons, seed kernals with cheese and diced ham, drowning it in salad dressing. I see Keenan has chosen her usual, a burger with fries. I sigh as I shake my head, not really feeling like I had won much.
"I was pinned from two of my three matches, i don't feel like celebrating." I sulk, mixing my salad as we take a seat by ourselves, away from everyone else in the back. I can feel Keenan's gaze, and mentally take not on how it's different from Jai and Eric's stare, trying to memorize it.
"Three? So you did have three matches?" She asks, tone light. She was curious, and I didn't blame her. And I trusted her. I mulled over telling her the truth as I take a bite, already knowing that I was going to tell her anyways.
"Yeah, Eric woke me up at an ungodly hour." I tell her, hoping she would fill in the rest. She doesn't staring at me, expecting me to finish. I sigh as I turn towards her, feeling a bit annoyed at her lack of understanding. "I fought Eric this morning, and lost. Big time." I admit, the fire from before coming back in tiny waves, the anger and embarrassment running hand-in-hand. Keenan merely nods, taking a bite of her burger.
"Well, yeah. Everyone would lose against Eric, Greyson included." She says offhandedly. Her eyes brighten as she looks at me, bouncing a bit in her seat. "That mark, on his chin. That was from you?" She asks. I shrug, not really taking notice of any new marks on his face. She turns around, eyes searching the crowd. Once she spots her target, she elbows me harshly, and I elbow her back, eating my food. She turns me around forcefully by my shoulders, turning me towards Eric. "Look," She points fearlessly at Eric, head closer to mine to make sure I had a good view point. We were a distance away, but not far enough for his features to be distorted. There, on his chin, was a small bruise. It barely tinted his pale skin, but it was there. "That, is what you did." She says proudly, giving me a side hug. "You left a mark on our fearless leader." Keenan continues, letting me go as she turns around, shoving her face full of food. "It's worth celebrating." She comments, voice muffled from her food.
I giggle at her response, shaking my head in amusement. Maybe she was right. I had done that, I had left my mark, my EVIDENCE that I wasn't totally useless in a fight. It was worth celebrating. It was worth letting my hair down, so to speak, to let loose and relax. It was worth being HAPPY over, an accomplishment made.
"Alright," I relent, smile on my face. "I guess I'll go."
We had been there in the Pit for a while before I spotted Jaison and his goons, Eric being one of them. There were a few people with them that I had never seen before, and I hoped that I could be able to blend in with the crowd. Stay away from them. Far away. Lady Luck isn''t on my side, however, when one of his goons points me out, making Jai's gaze fall onto mine. Shit. Jai smiles innocently at me as he shrugs, making his way to the bar. I turn back with my group, getting pulled into a conversation with Jakob.
"I mean, it's not like we haven't done enough already." He rants, but I ignore im as I turn to try and find my annoyingly overprotective brother, dreading if he made his appearance now. Sure as shit, I feel a light tug on my hair before his arm is placed over my shoulders, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to get rid of the impending headache bound to come.
"Maureen!" Jai exclaims, pulling me closer as he ruffles my hair. I sigh, hand not leaving my nose. "And... other initiate." He greets, voice sounding put off. He doesn't like him. Great. I bring my drink up to my lips, the sweet taste of liquor hitting my tongue as I gulp it down greedily. This was not going to turn out good.
"Jaison, what are you doing here?" I ask, voice tense as I open my eyes and bring my hand off of my face. No amount of pinching was stopping the pain train. Jaison simply laughs, arm gripping my shoulders tighter under Jakob's stare. Retreat, Jakob, retreat.
"Can't a big brother come and have a drink with his little sister?" He asks, hand coming up to his chest as he tries to appear wounded. 'Tries' being the operative word. I scoff as I steal his drink from him, the strong offending taste of bourbon not strong enough to deter me from drinking half of it in a couple of gulps. Jaison simply chuckles, turning me around to walk him back to his posse without another word.
"You're rude. He was just making friendly conversation with me!" I explain, the alcohol buzzing in my veins.
"I don't like the look of that guy." Jai explains, throwing a look over his shoulder. I scoff as I try to fling his arm off of me, my hair whipping me in my cheek.
"You don't like the look of any guy if they are in a three-foot span of me." I retaliate, finishing his alcohol. Jai shrugs, at least he doesn't deny it. "And I was behaving. Honest." I reassure, trying to make it known that I wasn't flirting with him like he was with me. Jai merely nods, mulling my words over before an innocent smile spreads over his face.
"Well," He starts, grabbing a second drink from Eric, "there is ONE guy I don't mind being within three feet of you, other than myself." I scoff and glare at my brother, and his innocent smile never falters while he sips his drink patiently. I shake my head as I go to smack him, stumbling a bit at the sudden gesture. Jaison grabs my elbow, puling me uprigt, getting smacked in the face with my hair as I fling my head back, trying to get the hair out of my face. Eric laughs from beside us, and I turn my glare onto him.
"Shut up, I hate you." I spit, alcohol fueling my words before my brain can filter them out. Eric continues laughing, a small smile playing on his lips. This wasn't the first time he had heard those words, and he knew that this wouldn't be the last time.
"Why, I'm such delight." He retorts with a scoff. Jai chuckles with Eric from beside me, and shrug my brother off, crossing my arms over my chest with a pout on my face.
"Keep laughing, I have half of a mind to throw you over into the Chasm." I mumble, grabbing the attention of the bartender with a bright smile. He turns to me with a smile of his own, elbows coming to rest on the bar as he leans closer to me.
"What would the pretty lady like?" He asks, eyes not leaving mine. Bad move, guy. Jaison comes beside me, pulling me roughly off of the bar as he turns to the bartender.
"Vodka and juice." He answers, voice tense. The bartender stumbles back with an apology. I giggle at the situation, loving how I can get such a reaction from him at the most innocent of things. Jaison turns and throws me a look, taking my swaying figure in.
"Are you seriously that fucking drunk?" He asks, an angry tone in his voice. I giggle at his words, knowing that he really isn't angry at me. I bring my fingers up, putting my forefinger and my thumb about an inch from each other before I speak, knowing that I can only do one action at a time while I'm this wasted.
"I think I'm a little drunk..." I confess, a giggle falling from my lips. I see the nice guy has brought my drink, and I grab it from him, sipping the straw greedily as the sting of alcohol hits my tongue. "Just a little." I reiterate when I'm done, flashing a brilliant smile at my brother, getting a lazy smile in return.
Eric and Jaison start talking about something over my head, and I don't pay them much mind as I look around me, spying Keenan over by my old group standing with Jakob, sending glances in my direction. I smile as I lock my gaze into hers, beckoning her closer. She smiles sadly, shaking her head. I sigh as I slouch against the bar, stuck between dumb and dumber.
"I'm bored. And you won't let me go with my friends." I pout, turning and poking Jai in the chest. He sighs as he looks down at me.
"I'm having a drink with my sister." He tries, voice sounding annoyed. I scoff as I shake my head, swaying as I take a step back and put some space between us.
"No, you're holding me prisoner, and I don't quite appreciate it. First the hospital, and now this?" I ask, voice raising with my answer. I hear Eric laugh at us from behind me, and I turn to him. He wants to laugh, I'll let him have it too. "And you-" I point, eyes squinting. "have no room to talk. You STABBED me to prove a point. Then you belittled me, MOCKING me by trying to motivate me in some sick, twisted sociopathic way." Eric's eyes widen as he stiffens his stance, downing the rest of his drink before he places it on the bar, pointing his own finger at me.
"Alright, alright. This is getting out of hand." Jai says from beside me, grabbing my cup quickly. I whine in protest, going to take it back when Jai's other arm circles around my waist, holding me back as he finished the sweet drink. "Let's take this party somewhere neutral, shall we?" He asks rhetorically, sarcasm dripping from his words. I cross my arms as he pulls me away, and I look over to see Jakob and Keenan staring. Jakob a look of betrayal, and Keenan a look of sympathy. The least she could've done was come help. Jaison brings us to his apartment, arm not leaving my waist as Eric trails behind us.
"This is stupid." I grumble, pouting as I make my voice heard. Sure, I was his prisoner for now, but if he was forcing me along the least he could do was put up with me and hear about my dislike over the situation. "I'm supposed to be CELEBRATING, and LETTING LOOSE with some friends, not be around my stupid brother and his sociopathic friend because they don't like the looks of my friends." I ramble, making Jai laugh from beside me.
"Well, maybe the sociopath and the brother miss you. And decided to throw a celebration of their own." He talks in the third person, and it's only then that I realize just how intoxicated my brother really is. He leads me into his apartment, and I'm taken back by the scene in front of me. There's a CONGRATS sign hung on the back of the couch, a table full of liquor and mixers on one table, snacks on the other. I frown, slouching a bit as I feel embarrassed. I felt like such a bitch, shocked and appalled that they would do something like this for me.
"Eric told me about how you won your first fight." Jai explains, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of my head. "This was all my idea, Eric only supplied the alcohol." He admits drunkenly, shoving me to the couch. I giggle as I walk over to the alcohol, pouring myself a glass. Before too long, there is a knock at the door, and Jai wears a small smile. He walks over and lets his guest in, and I turn to see that the guest isn't his.
She's my guest.
