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DYLAN

I exited the cubicle, relieved. Drying my hands,I studied my reflection. Ugly. A figure appeared behind me. Before I could move,he had me trapped on the sink, between his arms. Brandon. I frowned.

" You don't smile much" he observed.

" I do. Just not around you". To this, he frowned, moving his arms to my hips in a firm grip. He was holding too tight .

" Get your filthy hands off me" I said.

" You're cute" he smiled.

" Get your hands off me or else_"

" Or else what?. You'll run to Alton like the damsel you are?".

" Why are you doing this?", irritation and boredom rippled in my my tone.

" Calm down kitty. Don't be such a drama queen" he touched my cheeks. I pushed it away. He bent closer and sniffed.

" You smell delicious. I'm horny. Would you like to give me head?". Disgusting. The fuck did I look like to him?. I was not some random service boy. I pushed him away, heading to the door when he pulled me by the arm and pinned to the wall. I am so fucking tired of being pinned down like some stuffed animal. With all nerves, I pushed him again.

" I get why he likes you. You're a feisty little one ". I halted in my tracks, rolling my eyes with a turn.

" I'll come clean. You're bait. I like him. He likes you. I get you. He comes to me. Simple theory "

" You're supposed to be invisible " I sounded harsher than intended. " Stay away from Alton" . He laughed like a maniac at my sorry excuse of a warning.

" He's mine baby. If I can't him, no one else will" he smiled like the mentally deranged person he was. I felt hurt when he claimed ownership of Alton. " See this" he urged me forward, allowing me a picture on his phone.

If it were a movie,I'd have passed out. It was a picture of Alton on a bed, looking very comfortable and tucked in. Whose bed was it?. Tears pooled my eyes . He scoffed, triumphantly. Somebody hand me an axe and the next person walking in will run out screaming bloody murder.

" Why are you doing this?" I wanted to know.

" I owe you no explanation for what I do. Just know that he's mine" he grinned.

" He doesn't like you"

" No sugar. He doesn't. But he does everything I ask him to do,ever since you waltzed into this institution. Very foolish of him"

" Leave him be. Please " I begged. Never thought I'd be doing this in real life. So much for wishing I was a character in one of my morally gray books.

" Damn . You're a beautiful creature. You are so fucking vulnerable. A kitty" he said, coiling his fingers around my neck and sniffing at a go. I hate feeling like a helpless little piece of shit. " I'll let you go for now. The next time he defends you in my presence, I'll call him over. And it's going to be real nasty " he smiled , tapping my cheeks . " Catch you later, whiny . little. bitch" .

That was it. I wiped those stupid tears. I always had to behave like a fucking damsel in distress. Shoving him out of the way, I moved to my table. Ryan greeted with a smile. I failed to return it. How could I when my choice of interest was being threatened by some lunatic using me as bait?.

" You kept long" Alton stated. I ignored him, snatched his drink and gulped it down in a go. I poured myself another glass and downed it.

" Don't be greedy. Take it slow. You haven't had anything" Ryan warned .

I didn't care at that moment. Alton looked at me , worried . I poured myself another glass but sipped it this time around. My interest asked if I was okay . I gave him a cold shoulder. I know it's not his fault but when I think about the picture , I wonder what had happened between them. I have no right to butt into his life but....ugh.. this is really complicated.

" Dylan. Be nice " Ryan put a hand on my shoulder.

" I apologize. We came here to party. Let's do that. We're out of whiskey. Order another bottle " I said. Ryan nodded, calling out to waiter who was swift with it.

Alton squeezed my hand. His touch , soft and caring . He asked again if I was okay. I nodded. Our order was in. We danced the night away, getting high on life . We retreated from the dancefloor, settling in a couch. Alton tapped me. I replied with a yawn. He signaled Ryan for us to leave, announcing it was 12:00 a.m. I swore I wasn't drunk. I could hold my liquor, I pouted.

" That's cute but you're drunk. You need rest and a towel bath" . I wasn't drunk, I stated . The boys held me up, together we made our way out the club to the lot .

" Your keys , where are they ?" Ryan asked.

" Pockets " I huffed. He found them.

" We'll do it this way. I'll drive your cycle to the hostel, you'll come along with Alton. Good?"

" Okay" I giggled, hugging Alton and positioning my head on his chest.

" Hey. Wake up " he tapped me. I looked up at him.

" Why?. Aren't you cute?" I cupped his cheeks. His grip tightened around my waist. I looked down and squealed.

" Boy. That's quite a grip you got there ,big and all muscles" . He's ripped.

" Well, well ,well, look who's giving tomato a run for it's color" Ryan smiled . I poked my tongue. Who was he to give my bunny a though time?.

" You brought the car?" he asked. My interest nodded.

" You can never be too careful with this kid" he looked down at me.

" I'll be 19 next year" I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest. Both of them laughed.

" I'll take my leave " Ryan excused himself. Funny how he's barely visible in my sight.

" Can we not go to the hostel?" I whined.

" You're drunk and I need you to sober up".

" I'm not"

" Prove it. Walk over to my car. I promise I'll take you wherever you want if you do " . I agreed, walking over to the car he pointed in a few strides , without faltering. I wasn't drunk. I proved my point. He neared me, laughing.

" Wrong car. But close enough" he pat my head, directing me to the opposite vehicle.

He unlocked it and sat me down, buckling the seatbelt . I pulled him by the collar , nearly causing a collision. What the heck am I doing?. His hands were at either of the seat, nose,inches away from mine. I released my grip, snaking my arms around his neck. His breath fanned my lips . Slowly my hands descended, undoing a button, then the second . He held firm my wrist before l could reach the third.

" You're sober I see ". Way to kill mood. " Let's get out of here" he rose to his height , gave a glance and slammed the door shut. In a flash, he was in his seat. " Any place in mind? " he adjusted the rear mirror. I shook my head. He was lost in thoughts a while. " How about the restaurant downtown?, open 24/7, an hours drive ".

" Okay"

" Great. Catch a nap. I'll tap you when we get there". I nodded. His frame hovered above mine. I don't even want to start with the unreasonable pace of my heartbeat. He pressed a button, leveling down the seat. " Sleep easy" he planted a kiss on my head before starting the vehicle . Was that brotherly or the next step?.

.................

I was tapped awake by him when we'd arrived. Maybe I'm really drunk because I don't recognize the place. He came over to my side and helped me out. Such a gentleman. A man at door door smiled at us . What is he?. A valet?. Curse the shots I took in the bar .

The door was wide open. The interior looks divine and screams goth. I felt like the odd one, my dressing didn't make me fit in any better. We were ushered to our reservation. Our table is situated at the center of that floor , closest to the glass which gives a wide view of the town. Quite exquisite.

" I knew you'd love it. Your focus to the view proves me right" he smiled. I returned it.

The menu . I wasn't exactly hungry, making Alton order. His order: A fricassee and 2 glasses of kir. The maître d' returned with our meals. Suddenly I grew hungry. The aroma must've spiked the hunger. Dipping a slice of meat in the sauce, I sipped my glass and frowned. I asked if I could have Alton's. His glass was halfway his lips. With brows raised and lips sealed, he swapped our glasses.

His drink tasted weird. I made him aware . It was the sauce,he suggested. Time?. It was 2 am. Soft melody filled the place. He asked for a dance. Feeling a bit tipsy, I nodded. I lent him my hand,and together,we swayed to the music , I front on the table. I thought for a while.

" Won't people talk when they see us?. It will affect you. Aren't you guys given some rules or something?". To this, he laughed. The sound, prettier than the melody. His grip grew tight around my waist.

" I'm not in the military. I have the right to everything. I enjoy my time with you". I turned red.

I shook my head, hoping it'd subdue the dizziness. I was drunk. It had to be the wine. He was concerned, asking if I was okay. I nodded and buried my face in his neck. He smells nice. Propping my head on his shoulder,I spotted a figure. An all too familiar one. Brandon?. I was drunk and partially blind. But the dude carried so much darkness,that had to be him. I whispered his name.

" Brandon?" Alton asked,worry stealing it's way to those divine features. He needed to be sure I saw right. I nodded. He made me seat, kneeling whilst throwing questions at me.

" What would he be doing here?" his tone carried panic, expression, worry. He was more than worried. Fear. Alton was afraid. The same applied to me a few hours back,in the washroom. Was he following us?. Worse, Alton?. I hated it so much.

" Perhaps I was hallucinating" I suggested. Anything to get him back to being calm. His face creased with worry. Shit. I should've just listened more and spoken less. Then he wouldn't have to look as worried as a mother hen.

" Stay here. Finish the meal if you can. I'll go scout the perimeter and be back before you miss me" he managed a smile before disappearing.

I sat, thinking about Brandon. Just what would it take for him to leave us alone?. I emptied my glass, feeling depressed from thinking. A wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me to rest on the table.

" I've paid the bill. We have to head back now" Alton said, tapping me awake. My phone decided to ring just then. I frowned. Ezzard Greene.

" Anywhere but the hostel?" I pleaded. I knew Ezzard would get me there. I couldn't afford that. It was a stupid decision of me, thinking I'd be further away from him if I checked in. Alton was quiet. I pleaded some more.

" Okay. But we must leave now. The rain will pour soon" he urged in a rush. He didn't fool me. Something was wrong.