I Need A Drink

Rylee was sitting in the living room, staring at his posters when Evan found her. He sat on the couch, catching her eye and offering a smile. "Feeling better?" He asked.

"Yeah, I think so," she looked at him for a moment, studying his face a little more closely. "I just never imagined I'd work on a comic like yours. I mean, your famous..." she whispered.

"Internet famous," he corrected. "My art is famous, I am not. You don't see any bodyguards do you?" He laughed.

She seemed thoughtful and smirked. "Maybe you should have bodyguards. What if a desperate fan girl chases you down?" There was that look again. Was it flirting? Teasing? He couldn't remember seeing this expression in her gaze before.

Rylee set the mug down, then leaned on her knees. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have really pretty eyes? They're like chocolate..." she described. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she smiled to herself. "Melted chocolate."

Something felt....off. The more she spoke, the more wary Evan felt. He thought maybe it was the news about his comic, but it seemed more different than that. Eventually, he glanced at the cup she had poured for herself, noting the juice in it. Quietly, he went to the kitchen, and pulled out the container. He didn't drink punch, but he was used to Zane bringing his own beverages. Pouring a tiny bit into a cup, he tasted it. The fruity flavor felt normal enough, but college told him never to trust strong sugary cocktails.

Not wanting to alarm Rylee, he snuck into the office and dialed Zane.

"Hey man, what's up?"

The other boy sounded somewhat groggy. Evan rolled his eyes, it was already past noon. "Hey, that juice in the fridge—"

"Oh shit! I didn't warn you to leave it alone. That stuff can give you a wicked hangover."

Evan felt dread sinking into his chest. "It's alcoholic." He sighed.

"Like, reaaaallly alcoholic. Tell me you didn't try any?" He sounded desperate. Evan cursed.

"No.... Rylee did."

The phone hung up with a sudden click. Evan set it down, cautiously heading back toward the living room. She downed quite a bit while he was working, and the mug was already empty. Rylee was where he left her, fascinated by one of his posters.

"Your art is so good, Evan. You should sell it." She turned to him, eyes out of focus. She seemed drawn to one of the cuts on his face, reaching toward him. Evan caught her arm and carefully pushed it back.

"Hey, Ry, I need to tell you something," he began.

"You hurt yourself," she frowned. She chewed her lip thoughtfully. "No, we got hurt." She touched her side, before grinning at him. "But my side doesn't feel as bad right now! But if your hurt, they say if you kiss it, it'll make it better!"

Evan felt the heat rushing to his face. Oh hell, her eyes were locked on his mouth again. She leaned forward. Her eyes were blindingly blue...

"Rylee, hey, you need to listen. Zane brought that punch over, and—"

"Zane knows how to make great punch!" Rylee laughed. She seemed to remember her cup and lifted it. Evan felt his heart racing faster with each minute. "You like Z of Legend too! It's my favorite." How could she seem so childish and attractive at the same time? He realized he was still holding her wrist, but every time he tried to let go, her small hand attached itself to him.

"Rylee, I think we need to get you home..."

"But I'm hungry! We should have lunch first, okay? Maybe Zane will bring pizza!"

"Okay, I can ask him, I just need to step outside and—"

"Don't leave..." it was like a switch triggered the reaction. Her eyes watered and she swiped at them tearfully. "Why does it matter? You're just a guy. Guys leave. Just like him. He left..." she let go and slumped in the chair, trying to curl up into a ball.

"Hey hey hey, Rylee, stop that. You'll reopen the stitches!" Damnit, he was no prepared for this! She wriggled out of his grasp like a fish and got tears on his shirt.

"I don't care! Leave me alone! Your just another stupid guy. Stupid stupid guys!"

"Ouch!"

A well aimed swat hit him on the nose. Through watery eyes, he watched as she grabbed his arms, apologizing quickly. "No, your not stupid, your creative and talented and I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you! Are you okay? Let me look."

There was a tangle of limbs, his legs catching on the chair, and he slammed back into the couch. Something solid slammed into him and his breath vacated his lungs. Evan found himself laying sideways, legs folded awkwardly beneath him. Something feather soft brushed his nose, and Rylee leaned back, smiling back at him. "There, kissed it better." She announced.

His face burned, he carefully adjusted his body so she was sitting next to him, as wary as if she was a tiger crouched by his side. His only salvation came when the door flew open, and Zane ran into the living room.

"Ry! Hey, let's have lunch!"

Evan wondered if he hit his head in the fall. Zane ran over here.... for lunch?

"Ooo are we having pizza?" Rylee looked delighted. Zane nodded, motioning to his cell phone.

"I have to order it, just wait there. Evan, come help me," he dragged his friend out of the room.

Grateful for the escape, they ducked into the kitchen.

"Lunch? Really? We need to tell Tara, she's going to murder us alive!" Evan hissed.

"We need to get Rylee food first, anything that'll dissipate the alcohol. Here—" he shoved a can of coconut water in his hands with a his. "Keep her hydrated, I'll get food."

"You can't leave me alone with her!" Evan blocked the doorway, looking horrified. "What if she thinks something happened? What if TARA thinks something happened?! It's a scandal waiting to see unleashed!"

"Hey, can I play your video games?" Came a childlike voice from the other room.

"How does me being here help with any of that?!" Zane cried helplessly. "I'm a guy too!"

Just like that, Evan had the answer. "My sister! I'll get my sister!" He snatched the phone of his counter and sent the S.O.S. before Zane could stop him.

"Anna, really? How is that better than getting Tara here?!!"

"Anna won't threaten me for ruining her best friend's innocence!" Evan snapped. His face was still burning with shame. Rylee's doe eyed expression was burnt in his mind, and he was desperate for anything to rescue him.

Zane paused, surprised by Evan's embarrassment. "Did something happen already?"

"No! But she keeps crying, and moving, and she's going to hurt herself!" Evan buried his face in his hands. A blaring noise came from the living room, and they rushed around the corner where Rylee was struggling with a remote.

"Make it stooooopppp," she complained, looking relieved when they snatched it away and turned off the TV. She blinked, grinning when she saw Zane again.

"Did you get food?"

"Not yet, but you can drink this!" He shoved the coconut water in her hands, desperation in his eyes.

"Is it punch?" She took a deep drink, and made a face. "Ugh, I don't like it."

"Drink!" Zane looked insistent. To Evan's surprise, Rylee obeyed.

When the container was empty, she lazily dropped it, leaving the boys to hastily snatch it before it hit the floor. A few moments later the doorbell rang. Evan ran to the entrance, filled with relief. Thankfully, reinforcements had arrived!