The game itself started out particularly innocent with the usual stupid things people briefly mention in order to initiate the game. Addison, however, shocked us all on her proclamation, "I have never flown on a broom."
"What?" chorused throughout the room as we all stared at her in surprise, "Fix your life!" I murmured before taking my drink as everyone else followed in suit. Which brought the game to Roger, who stared blankly off into space in attempts to think of something to say.
Finally, Roger murmured, "I have never dated someone twice."
"Damn you," I grumbled, taking another drink. I had already drank my fair share amount, but this was starting to get ridiculous. My mind was buzzing and I could barely hold my attention on the game itself. I found myself mostly leaning on Oliver, who in return was also leaning on me because he too was pretty drunk. We all were at that point. I surely wasn't going to remember today when I woke up tomorrow.
"I've never been scared to date someone," Harrison boasted from his seat, which caused me to glare at him more as both Oliver and I took drinks…which also earned a round of odd looks from everyone in the room.
I decided to counter him, since he blatantly was out to get me at this point, and burst out with saying, "I've never dated someone from the same house as me!"
The game continued long until everyone either passed out from their intoxication or fell asleep, leaving Wood and I to be the only two still semi-conscious. My body just felt so heavy from drinking so much that I was unsure how to handle it. Normally by this time I would just stagger into my room and collapse into bed, or just crawl into Roger's bed, but I felt that given that Wood was here, albeit he was also drunk , that the latter would not be in my best interest.
"I'm tired," I whined, and Wood's eyes flicked over to mine before he nodded in agreement with my whining, "I'm going to bed."
For whatever reason, I felt that this was an acceptable decision to make, and highly necessary to announce. Looking back on this moment, I wish I would have just stayed frozen into place, for when I stood up, I found myself toppling over, hitting my head on a bedpost. Or was it a trunk? I wasn't sure. Wood burst into giggles as he tried to help me up, which proved to be more difficult than it should have been, even in our inebriated state.
It took a while, but we were finally both standing, particularly wobbly, but still standing. It took even longer for us to somehow stumble into where my own room was. The room was empty, which I would be thankful for the next day and I collapsed onto my bed, not even bothering crawling under the blankets and Wood followed in suit.
I allowed my eyelids to grow heavy and then I was out like a light.
I awoke the next morning and felt plastered into place. I opened my eyes and the pounding of my head began which made me groan and try to roll over, but I couldn't. My mind reeled as to why I couldn't move, but then it decided to reveal to me that I was secured into place by two strong arms that had forced me into cuddling like I was some teddy bear or pillow. Wait…who was it? My mind was fuzzy and I couldn't recall the events of last night very well. My head throbbed painfully, and something on my face really hurt as well.
I groaned, knowing that I needed to start inhaling water soon, but I couldn't move, which was more irritating than anything. I decided to try to peel myself from whoever's grip I was trapped in until something slammed in my head, causing me to remember just who was gluing me into place.
"Oliver," I tried, my voice softer than I had expected. It sounded weak, probably due to my incredibly huge hangover, "Oliver" I repeated, but his snores beside me proved to be indication of how successful I was.
It was then that I realized that I had called him 'Oliver', not 'Wood'. Oliver. My stomach violently churned. This was strange. I was strange. Perhaps we were at that point. Maybe it would be okay, or would it be too weird for me? I groaned as my migraine hit harder as I struggled to try to slip out of Wood's grip.
"Wood!" I snapped, finally, "Wake up, Merlin!" I was exasperated. My head was pounding that I was pretty sure my eyes were going to explode out of my eye sockets.
"Mmm?" he hummed as he began to shift around more, "What the—"
"Let go of me," I hissed, which he did and I rolled off the bed with a thud, groaning, "Merlin. Dammit."
"Hadley?" he asked suddenly, sounding thoroughly confused.
"Mhmmm," I grumbled.
"What am I…"
"I don't know," I interrupted, "My head hurts."
"How much did we drink?" he inquired, finally sitting up and looking down at me on the floor before his eyes widened, "Holy shit."
"What?"
"You're bleeding!" he exclaimed, rather harshly which made me gently kick him before his words sunk in.
"What?" I asked, still equally confused before moving a hand to my forehead to feel dried blood caked to it, "Merlin," I groaned, "I'm never drinking again."
"That's what you always say," another voice joined in, "Yet it has been three years and I've seen little improvement."
"Go away, Harrison," I grimaced.
"Hangover potion," he explained, and I assumed he gave one to Wood before staring at me on the floor, "Do I even want to ask?"
"I don't even have an answer if you were going to."
"Fair enough," he shrugged, handing me my vial of potion, "The ones who are awake are going to go down to breakfast in a few if you two feel up for joining us."
With that, Wood and I were completely alone again, and would be silent if Wood didn't insist on prying, "Where is everyone else that lives in here?"
"Who knows?" I questioned, forcing the potion down my throat, "Addie is probably with my brother…and the other few girls are…somewhere. Hell, I don't even know if they're alive most days."
"Aren't you concerned?" he questioned, drinking his own potion as I shook my head, "Do you even talk to them?"
"Nope," I shrugged, "No need to. I have too many people to keep track of anyway."
"That seems a bit…"
"Harsh?" I cut him off and he nodded, "Well, everyone else just has to deal with it. I don't need people to make me happy. People leave."
"That's a bitter outlook."
"So it seems," I sighed, "I think it is reasonable. Anyway, are you interested in getting more food? I just want to go back to sleep for a couple more hours."
"Sleep sounds good," he mumbled before slumping back into my bed, causing me to groan. I hadn't meant he sleep in my bed, though I had a feeling he knew that. Or maybe he was just too tired to care. Or hungover. I crawled back into my bed and almost immediately drifted off.
When I woke up a second time, Wood was still snoring beside me, but I didn't want to lay here anymore. So I didn't. I got up, showered, and changed before realizing I couldn't just leave Wood here (the idea did cross my mind however).
"Wake up," I demanded, causing the dead body in my bed to stir, "Seriously, I'm starving and there is no way I'm going to leave you here to go get food."
Wood just nodded before slowly easing himself up, rubbing his eyes before getting up altogether, "What time is it?"
"Around two," I grumbled, "So I have to hope there are still scraps from lunch."
"There should be," Wood offered and I rolled my eyes before the two of us began our trip down to the Great Hall. I scanned the common room, not identifying any of my friends (except Mason who jumped up at the idea of getting food) and continued down the tower. While we were walking, I became very aware that Wood's arm was wrapped around my waist as I tried not to think about how much I enjoyed it there.
Upon our arrival in the Great Hall, we exchanged an awkward goodbye (made more awkward because Mason was there) before we split off to go to our own tables, causing Mason to finally pipe up, "So are you dating him now?" I shook my head before shoveling some soup into my bowl.
I want to apologize for the delay-I had to sort through some issues and things the past couple months that took priority over my writing. I'm still recovering, so my responses may not be as frequent as I'd like,, but I'm really trying.
xoxo
Leighton