"So let me get this straight- you tumbled down through a rift from a place called earth?" Maven chortled, clutching a bottle of amontillado.

They were cozied up in Drift's, Maven sprawled on his bed and Drift slouched in his gaming chair. Maven was wearing an oversized while pullover hoodie with a Borderlands graphic on the front. A pair of leather thigh high boots were the only thing that covered her legs. Her hair was unkempt, wavy black tresses cascading down her shoulders. Drift had opted for a light pink Power Chord shirt for himself and black sweatpants.

"Yeah. It's crazy," Drift replied, grinning. His cheeks were hot and flushed with liquor, and his heart beat swiftly in his chest.

"Naw. I don't believe it," Maven took another swig. "Actually, I might. Hot guys like you are solely extraterrestrial." She laughed.

Drift's stomach warmed pleasantly. He loved the attention Maven was giving him. "Well, I'm glad I fell into this dimension," he scooted over to give her an affectionate smile. Their eyes locked, and Drift felt a knot inside of him unwind.

The spell was abruptly shattered as Drift's phone vibrated with an incoming call. He froze when he saw the ID. Maven raised herself on an elbow to look.

"Damn, unicorn girl isn't it?" She commented as Brite's called ID lit up the screen.

"S-should I respond?" Drift whispered.

"I guess?" Maven prompted.

Drift accepted the call. "Hello?" He said cautiously.

"Drifty?" A familiar voice replied from the other side.

"Oh, hi," Drift said uncertainly.

"Do you want to, uh, hang out again?" Brite asked.

"Are you serious?" Drift could hardly believe his ears. Blood rushed through his head. He excused himself and shut himself in the bathroom.

"Yeah..." Brite replied.

"What makes you think I'd hang out with someone like you again, after what you did?" He hissed.

"Because... because..."

"Fuck no, you little bitch," Drift snarled, then hung up. He felt a pang of regret as he left the bathroom, but resolve replaced mercy. She had assaulted him.

"Everything okay?" Maven called.

"Yeah, it's whatever." Drift silenced his phone and tossed it onto his desk. He shook off his anger and grabbed his liquor. A hard swig later, he settled on the bed next to Maven.

"Something happened, didn't it," Maven said. She set her empty bottle down. Damn, she drank fast.

"Yeah, I might as well tell you, Brite- she- never mind," Drift said. He blinked as objects in the room started to shift and swirl. "Dammit, I'm getting wasted."

"I've been like this for half and hour now," Maven giggled. "You don't fully experience life till you've seen true colors in drunkenness."

"Are you gonna start lecturing on the four stages of flight and the equations for proper thrust now?" Drift teased. He was leaning in so close without realizing it.

"Hell no, babe." Maven replied, her voice a tone soft and angelic. In his drunken state, Drift could perfectly picture a shining halo in her mussed locks.

"Did you just call me babe?" He smirked.

"Hey, it's pretty obvious I'm into you by now, isn't it?" Maven's lip curled. Her eyes sparkled at him.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, then pulled away guiltily.

"Yup," Drift said. He laid down and closed his eyes.

Maven sighed. Her eyes rested on the photo of him and Brite at Lazy Links taped above his desk. "You know Strider?"

"Yeah?"

"She knows. She knows I like you," Maven admitted in a rush of words.

"How do you know?"

"On her test. Stupid prick wrote 'I know your drift secret' or whatever the hell. Not like I can do anything about it," Maven growled.

"She's just jealous. She's my ex from about a year ago and she won't stop pegging me even with ten guys worshipping the ground she walks on daily," Drift explained. "I would ignore it at this point, she doesn't deserve our attention." He poked Maven's nose with his fingertip. "Especially beautiful teachers like you who have so much more to set their minds to."

Maven's cheeks colored at the praise. Drift patted her black hair affectionately. Why not just kiss her already?

Maven seemed to be thinking the same, but neither of them acted on it. The silence grew tense and awkward.

Drift cleared his throat. "Say... I'm gonna see that new Wreck It Ralph movie at Risky Reels tomorrow night, wanna come along?"

"So is it a date?" Maven asked knowingly.

"If we have drinks, cozy blankets, and each other, then I don't see why not." His mind felt so fogged up and giddy. He just wanted to live.