CHAPTER SIX:
Drunken Drama

Lily sped up, and soon started running. In her apprehensive state, she barely had time to notice how hard it was running in heels.

"Hey, what's the hurry?" Travis called, breaking into a run himself to catch up with Lily.

Before long, they found themselves outside of Mickey's Discs, both huffing and puffing from the breakneck speed Lily had forced Travis to keep up with. They pushed through the crowd towards the center of the dance floor.

Travis spotted Ed and Ted, and asked if they'd seen Ray and a dark haired girl bearing a slight resemblance to Lily. Both grinning, they pointed to two people fiercely making out while still managing to dance, beneath the banner.

Travis couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Lily look so angry. The look in her eyes was positively murderous.

"Come on, Trav," Lily said through clenched teeth. "We're going to put a stop to this." With that, she marched up to Ray, and pried him off of her cousin.

Cassandra began to pout, reaching for Ray in vain. Looking distressed, Ray whined petulantly, "Let go of me, Lily! Cass and I are just trying to have fun —"

Practically seething, Lily cried, "God, Ray, you're drunk, aren't you?!" When Cassandra giggled, still trying to reach Ray, Lily continued, (though less surprised) "and so are you. That's just wonderful. Okay, let's go outside, and get you two home..."

Suddenly, in an alcohol-induced fit of jealousy, Ray exclaimed, "Get your filthy paws off her, swami!" and proceeded to punch Travis in the jaw, just because he'd taken Cassandra's arm to lead her out the door. The crowd parted as Lily led Ray and Cassandra outside, Travis following behind, completely stunned and rubbing his jaw. Even drunk, Ray had a hell of a right-hook.

Lily sat the two down at opposite ends of a café table outside, pulling out her cell phone. Travis, keeping his distance from Ray, asked, "Who are you calling?"

"Robbie of course — we've got to tell him what's going on."

His cell rang once, and he sounded worried. "Lily! What's up? Where are you guys?"

"Still at Mickey's. Listen, you're the only one with a car, so we need you to take Ray home."

"What? Why?"

"He and Cass are drunk, and he even punched Travis. So just end the broadcast... say something about an emergency. Hurry!" Snapping her phone closed and shoving it back into her purse, Lily turned to Ray and Cassandra. "Robbie's on his way, and he's taking you home." Glaring at her cousin, she added, "and I'm taking you home. I can't believe you ruined your own party!"

"Oh, come on Lil, you're no fun," Cassandra replied, pouting again. Ray moved his chair closer to hers, nearly falling off in the process. They began making out once more, much to Lily and Travis' disgust.

Finally, Robbie pulled up in the battered old truck that he'd bought from his uncle for just 600 bucks. It got him from point A to point B, and that's all Robbie cared about. He jumped out, a very confused look on his face as he surveyed Ray and Cassandra kissing and groping, then at a furious Lily a few feet away, as well as Travis, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.
With their combined efforts, Robbie and Lily were able to pull the two intoxicated lovebirds away from each other.

Robbie took Ray to his truck, having to partially shove him into the passenger seat. Without another word, Travis began walking in the direction of the station, while Lily slung Cassandra's arm around her shoulders to keep her from falling over.

Further down the road now, as Robbie drove towards the Brennan home, he was trying to coax some sort of explanation out of Ray. But, Ray appeared otherwise occupied singing along to his cell phone ring. Robbie was growing impatient. "Ray! Come on, man. What's up with you?"

Putting his cell back into his pocket with great reluctance, Ray sighed. "Cass and I were having a good time, okay? And now my hand hurts from hitting Fog's face." To further his point, Ray kissed his knuckles tenderly.

Eyebrow raised, Robbie corrected, "You mean 'Smog', right?" Ray shook his head. "Whatever. I'm just —" he yawned, "— tired."

A few minutes later, Robbie pulled into Ray's driveway. Opening his door and helping him out, Robbie warned, "Man, I hope your parents aren't home, or else you're dead." Thankfully, Ray's brother Tim opened the door, quickly ushering his younger sibling into the house. Robbie left before having to hear more of Ray's feeble excuses.

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A few blocks away, Lily was dragging Cassandra up the stairs of her own house, and into the spare bedroom. Cassandra fell back onto her double-bed, prying her boots off and tossing them into the corner.

Hands on her hips, Lily hissed, "I can't believe you actually got drunk, Cass." After her cousin stuck her tongue out, Lily heaved an aggravated sigh. "And that stunt you pulled with Ray! Getting him drunk too, then using him as your personal make out toy — "

"Hey. Whoa, there, missy," Cassandra said, eyes narrowed. She pointed at Lily. "I didn't force him to do anything. We really like each other, that's all." Having said her piece, she fell back against the pillows, arms crossed.

"Well news flash, Cass!" Lily exclaimed. "Before you came along, I was the one that liked Ray, and he liked me back!" Oh no, Lily thought worriedly. I did not just admit my feelings about Ray to my least favorite person in the world — Lily was relieved to see, though, that Cassandra had passed out, snoring loudly. Hopefully she hadn't heard her confession, and if she did, Lily could only pray that Cassandra would forget by morning...