Chapter 9: Chapter 3 - Where, on your arse? (3)

I found Jess almost immediately. She was dancing on the dance floor with one glass in her hand. "Autumn!" She threw her arms around me and put her head on my shoulder. "Oh, I miss you. Where have you been?"

I held my arms around her, afraid that she might fall if I let go. "Jess, are you drunk?"

"No, of course not. I only drunk a few glasses," answered her sleepily. I shouldn't have asked, no drunk person would admit they were drunk just like no criminal would admit they've committed a crime.

Carefully I guided her through the crowd and brought her to the living room. A few people were making out there but it was better than the loud music. Right now, I've mastered a talent of muting the kissing noises and placing my gaze where they were safe. At the ground.

"I'm gonna get you some water. Stay here." I went to the mini fridge and took out a bottle of mineral water. I unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle. She took a big gulp then put the bottle on the table.

Jess let out a sigh. "I feel so much better now." Jess blinked multiple times. She tried and failed to focus her eyes on me. "Why are you so sober?"

"Because I didn't drink as much as you?" I smiled and she nudged my arm. "Where's Colton?"

She gave me a stupid grin that only drunk people managed to recreate on their face. "Somewhere. Around. I don't know."

Great. She was drunk and he was nowhere to be found. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. After a few tries and he didn't pick up, I almost gave up but he answered on the last try. "Autumn!"

"Where the hell are you?! Jess is drunk," I countered, trying my best to remain calm although inside I wanted to throw rocks at him for not being responsible for my best friend. Beside me, Jess kept muttering 'I'm not drunk'. I rolled my eyes. She was going to have a massive headache tomorrow.

"I'm on my way. I swear when I told her I'm going to play with the guys, she was talking with some girls and she promised she won't drink." There was worried and regret in his voice, for that discovery I might let him live.

"Just hurry up!" I pressed end call and shoved my phone back into my pocket. I held the bottle in front of Jess. "Jess. Drink!" Tonight I felt like our roles have been reversed. She was usually the responsible one while I was being reckless and getting drunk somewhere, now she was the reckless one.

She grinned, sleepy and silly. "I need to make a wee-wee," exclaimed her as she raised one hand in the air.

I groaned. Batman, save me!

To make it even worse, I heard loud stomping steps making their way towards me and when I looked up, it was Phraser.

He looked down at me from his lofty height and there was no denying that he was furious. I dared to look into his fury eyes, refused to be a coward. I hadn't done anything wrong, I had no reason to be scared. He was human, just like me and everyone else in the room. There was absolutely no reason to be afraid.

He dipped down until his eyes leveled with mine. "I will make your life here in Columbia a living hell, little minx." He straightened and rubbed his hands together. "Everyone," he addressed to the crowd. The music died immediately, almost as if even the stereo knew who was the boss. "I have an announcement."

Then he told the biggest lie that brought the storm into my mundane life and turned my world upside down.