Adam's POV
I feel my phone buzz, informing me that I have a text message. Finally Bianca texted me, I can go see her now. I cut Eli off mid-sentence as he's telling me about his summer plans with Clare, "Eli, I gotta go," I say quick;y, getting up from my seat.
"Alright. Catch you later, man," he says as I head for the door. I wonder if he feels like how I usually feel like when he dips out on me for Clare. Since when did hanging out with your girlfriend become more fun than hanging with your best friend? Whatever happened to bros before hoes? I think I've gotten bitter about relationships, I've been single too long.
As I walk out of The Dot I pull my phone out of my pocket to read the text message, to my surprise it's not from Bianca, it's from my brother, "Bianca dumped me." The text is disturbingly too simple for everything to be okay. I know Drew, if he's not angry about this that means he's depressed. Fighting the urge to go find Bianca, I decide to check on my brother. He needs me more than she does right now.
I hop in my car and drive back to my house.
Walking up to the front door, I can hear music playing from within the house. When I open the door the full effect of the music blares into my ears, the source sounds like it's coming from the downstairs. The neighbors won't be happy.
I shut the door and head toward the basement. The first thing I notice is Drew sitting on the floor with his back leaning against the couch. He looks so alone, sitting there by himself, wallowing. I walk a little closer and notice the open bottle of vodka sitting next to him. Looks like he found something to help with the pain.
The music is too loud for us to talk so I just walk over to him and take a seat next to him. He looks up at me and I offer a little head nod. He grabs the vodka bottle and takes a swig of liquor before passing it to me. I guess my brother and I are getting drunk tonight. I take the bottle and swallow a gulp of vodka, feeling it burn all the way down my throat. We sit like that for at least a half an hour, passing the bottle back and forth, neither of us saying a thing as we get drunker and drunker.
Finally, Drew picks up the stereo remote and turns off the music, which is nice because it was starting to give me a headache. I pass him back the almost empty bottle of vodka to which he just holds in his hands, staring at the label.
Drew takes a deep breath before saying, "I fucked up." I've never known Drew to own up to his actions, he's not exactly the accountable type. He must seriously be depressed.
"Nahhh, bitches be bitchesss," I say slurring the words a little. I don't know what made me say that, especially because I don't think Bianca is a bitch, but I blame the alcohol.
Drew laughs a little before he gets a somber look on his face and takes another sip of vodka, "Not this time, it's all on me bro, I ruined things." I can hear the self-loathing in his voice, which is very unlike Drew. He looks completely miserable. I guess getting dumped by the perfect girl does this to a guy.
"You'll find a new girl, a better girl, a hotter girl," I say nudging him in the arm playfully.
"No one's better than Bianca," he says gloomily. That's true, she's as good as it gets. He continues, "The worst thing about this is knowing I wasn't good enough for her."
"What do you mean?" I ask confused. It's always been the opposite, Bianca's always tried to fit into Drew's life. Why does Drew suddenly think he's not good enough?
"I wasn't good enough for her so she found someone else," he says and I can see his grip on the bottle getting tighter. How did she have time to find someone else? She's been with me all weekend.
"Who?" I asks curiously, probably not the best question to cheer my brother up but I want to know.
"She wouldn't tell me," he says gritting his teeth. Damn, maybe she'll tell me if I ask her.
"Oh," I say disappointingly. I wonder who this 'fantastic' guy is that came in a swept Bianca off her feet, right out of Drew's arms. Whoever he is, out of loyalty to my brother, I hate him. I don't hate Bianca, but I hate the guy she's with.
I feel my pocket vibrate, I check my phone and see a text from Fiona, "Where are you?" The time on my phone says its 11:01pm.
I send back a quick response, "My houde." Noticing my typo I send another text, "*hoise." I sent it before realizing I made another typo. Fuck, drunk texting is no good.
Drew speaks up, "Who's that?" He asks, referring to my phone.
"Fiona," I answer. "You gonna be okay or do you want me to stay?" I ask.
"I'm good Adam, thanks for being here though," he says patting me on the back.
"No problem bro," I say getting up from the floor and stumbling toward the stairs.
I wouldn't say I'm wasted, but I'm definitely drunk. I struggle up the stairs, using the railing to keep me up, and barely make it to the front door. Knowing that I'm in no shape to drive, I start stumbling along the sidewalk. I can pick up my car tomorrow.
I walk for a few minutes before realizing I can't make it all the way to Fiona's place, I'll need a ride. I decide to call Fiona, "Heyyy Fiiii, can ya come get me?" I ask, slurring a little.
"Are you drunk?" She asks in a surprised voice. Why is it a surprise that I'd be drunk? Can't I have a little fun once in a while? Not that getting drunk with my brother and attending his pity party was what I'd call fun, but still.
"Nooooo," I lie unconvincingly.
"Tell the truth," she demands.
"Fineee mom, I'm drunk," I confess.
"Where are you?" She asks, sounding worried. I like that she worries, its nice knowing that someone's looking out for me.
I look around, "A park," I answer. At least I think it's a park, it's got a play structure, a sandbox, and I think I see a swing set in the distance.
"Which one?" Fiona asks. No idea.
I shrug, but after a second I remember she can't see me, "Dunno," I say.
"Is it the one by your house?" She asks. Oh yeah, it is the one by my house! Gosh, she's smart.
"Yupp," I say and hang up the phone. No one has time to answer all those pesky questions.
She sends a text that says, "On my way."
I slide my phone back into my pocket before walking toward the park's swing set.
…..
Bianca's POV
"Adam?" I call out. I can see the outline of his body walking toward me, or shall I say faltering toward me.
"God?" He asks with uncertainty, looking around in confusion.
"No stupid, it's Bianca," I say. Is he drunk? He looks disoriented, he can't walk straight, and he's talking a little funny. He gets a little closer when I ask, "Are you drunk Adam?"
"Mayyyybe," he says drawing out his words.
He can hardly maintain his balance as he's walking, "You need to sit down," I say. He takes my suggestion literally and sits down in the grass. "I meant next to me," I say.
"Ohhh," he says getting up. He walks, poorly, over to the open swing next to me and collapses into the seat. He puts his arm around my swing pulling me closer and leans in, "Can I tell you a secret?" He whispers.
"Okay," I say nodding my head. Is this going to be some drunk confession?
Adam reaches up with his left hand and turns my head to face him. Knowing what's coming next, my heart beat picks up in anticipation. He leans in slowly and presses a soft kiss on my lips, lasting only a second. I can see the goofy grin on his face as he pulls away.
A smile spreads across my face, mirroring his own, "I like that secret," I whisper.
"Wanna hear it again?" He asks. I nod my head yes. He leans in and kisses me again, just like the first one. This time when he pulls away, he has a more serious look on his face.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"I want to be with you Bee, but I can't," he says in an upset voice. He went from happy to sad in like 5 seconds.
"Why not?" I ask. If it's because of Drew, that's going to majorly suck. Drew will get over it, he shouldn't get to stand in the way of me and Adam being together.
"You have another guy," he says sounding disappointed. Where is he getting this stuff?
"What guy?" I question. There is no other guy, it's always been Adam.
"The guy you left Drew for," he clarifies. I start to laugh, he's so off base and doesn't even know it. How can he be so blind? How can he not see that he's the guy I want to be with?
"Adam," I say shaking my head, "You're so stupid."
"That's why you won't be with me?" He asks. "Because I can change, I'd change for you Bee, I'd do anything for you. Just give me a chance," he pleads.
"You don't have to change," I say reassuringly. Am I going to have to spell it out for this guy?
"What's this other guy got that I don't?" He asks defensively, crossing his arms like a child would and pouting.
"You're a lot alike, actually," I say trying to give him a hint.
"What's his name?" he asks.
"Adam," I reply. Okay he has to get it after I told him that, only a completely oblivious person would miss that hint.
"What?" He says sounding shocked, "First he stole my girl and now he stole my name!" I can't help but smile when he calls me his girl, I never knew he thought of me like that. I mean there's so much I'm discovering from drunk Adam.
"He didn't steal anything from you because he is you," I relent, finally telling Adam the truth. I feel a sense of relief as I finally confess my feelings for Adam.
"He's me? I'm him? We're the same person?" He says confused.
"Yes," I say.
"So you like me? You wanna be with me?" He asks, still trying to connect all the dots.
Instead of answering him, I close the gap between us and kiss him. His lips instantly respond, pressing against mine.
Before anything gets too heated a voice interrupts us, "Uh guys? Should I come back later?" I break the kiss, which puts a pout on Adam's face, and look up to see Fiona standing a few feet away. She has a pleasantly surprised look on her face.
"Yes," Adam answers, leaning in to kiss me again. I let him give me a quick kiss before pushing him away.
"Come on Fi, help me get him to the car," I say slowly pulling Adam up from the swing.
"I can do it myself," he says taking a step forward and almost falling over. I reach out and grab him, putting his arm around my shoulder. Fiona gets the other side of him as we walk Adam toward the car.
Adam's quite chatty once we get him in the car, "Where are we going?" He asks eagerly, "On an adventure?"
"Yeah, an adventure to Fiona's loft," I say, playing along.
"Cool! What are we gonna do once we get there?" He asks. He has so much energy all of a sudden. Eventually he'll calm down and pass out, I just hope that doesn't happen until Fiona and I put him to sleep.
"It's night time Adam, we're gonna go to bed," Fiona says.
"Sleep?" He says like he doesn't understand.
"Yes, sleep," Fiona says.
"In a bed?" He asks.
"Yes in a bed," I answer, talking slowly so he'll understand. Okay note to self, Adam is a lot slower when he drinks alcohol. It's a little bit like communicating with a 5 year old.
"Together?" He asks me, a grin spreading across his face. Maybe he's not so dumb after all.
"We'll see," I tease.
Adam changes subjects, "Oh yeah! Fi guess what?" He says enthusiastically. "Bianca likes me," he says proudly. "She kissed me and everything!" He says, talking like I'm not there.
"I know, I saw," Fiona says, smiling at Adam in the rearview mirror. She looks over at me and asks, "So you told him you liked him?"
"Technically he told me first," I say. The alcohol gave him the courage neither of us had sober.
He leans forward over the back of my seat and whispers, "Technically I showed you." He gives me a quick peck on the cheek before sitting back down.
I feel myself start to blush, still not used to all this affection from Adam. Fiona speaks up, "I'm happy for the both of you," she says sincerely.
"Thanks Fi," I say genuinely. With all the challenges Adam and I will have to face, it's good to know we have at least one person rooting for us.
After a few quiet minutes, I glance at the backseat and see Adam passed out. Thank god Fiona has an elevator, or else there's no way we could get him upstairs to the loft. We finally get there and Fiona tries to wake Adam up, "Wake up Adam, we're here," she says gently shaking him.
"Five more minutes mom," he says in a low, barely awake voice.
"Wake up Adam," I whisper in his ear. He opens his eyes and lets out a yawn. He's slow moving but we manage to get him out of the car and up the elevator. "Come on, bed time," I say as Fiona and I walk him to the guest bedroom. We lie him down on the bed, "I got it from here Fi," I say.
"Okay, I'll see you two in the morning," she says turning to leave.
"Hey Fi," I say and she turns around to face me, "Thanks for everything," I say walking toward her and giving her a quick hug. I don't have best friends, let alone friends that are girls, but Fiona's the closest thing to it.
"Goodnight Bee," she says exiting the room.
I turn back toward the bed expecting to see a passed out Adam, but the bed's empty. Instead I see him standing in front of the bathroom sink, gargling mouth wash.
I walk toward the bathroom and lean against the door frame, "What are you doing?" I ask.
He spits out the mouthwash and says, "You a favor."
Adam has a stupid grin on his face. I already know what he's thinking about when he reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me in for a kiss that I reciprocate. My hands snake around his neck, gently tugging on his hair. He bites the bottom of my lip aggressively, then sooths it with his tongue. I part my lips, allowing our tongues to meet as he continues to kiss me. He tastes minty fresh. Adam starts to guide us over to the bed, turning off the bathroom light on the way but never breaking our kiss.
We fall onto the bed together which causes our lips to part, but it's only a moment before Adam's lips find mine again. He has one arm supporting his weight as he lies on top of me and the other is tracing circles under the fabric of my shirt, feeling slightly ticklish but oh so sensual.
"Wait," I say, pulling myself away from all the good feelings Adam was making me feel.
"What's wrong?" He asks, removing his hand from under my shirt and shifting his body so he's lying next to me rather than on top of me. "Did I do something?" He asks.
"No, it's just… I don't want this to be some drunk hookup," I say, worried that he's going to feel like I'm rejecting him.
He seems to ponder my words for a moment. "Okay," he says leaning in and giving me a chaste kiss on the lips before lying on his back and pulling the sheets up to cover us. It's good to know drunk Adam is as understanding as sober Adam, maybe the alcohol didn't change him as much as I thought. He's still the same lovable, cute guy I was hanging out with earlier today.
He lifts his arm and I snuggle up closer to him, resting my head right above his heartbeat.
"Good night Bee," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. I fall asleep to the rhythmic beat of his heart.
A/N: Reviews would be nice! I'll keep up the good work, but only with your encouragement! :)