Page 41 of Distortion
I cover my ears with my hands and clench my eyes shut. The party is suddenly too loud. The lights too bright. The floor tooicky. I want to go to my room. I need to be alone.
I force my eyes open and look down. There’s glass all around me. I sway and have to take a step so that I don’t lose my balance, and, suddenly, Shade is in front of me.
I look up at his eyes, and I try to count five seconds, but I think I mess it up because I’m still staring up at him while he’s telling me not to move.
‘Won’t move, Admiral,’ I mutter, trying for a semi-serious salute.
‘Fuck, have you been drinking? Marguerite?’
I stare up at him. ‘I told you ... it’s Daisy,’ I mutter. ‘I’ll call you Shade if you want, Jack, but you call me Daisy. That’s the ...’ I blink hard ... ‘deal.’
‘There’s glass everywhere. Get a couple of the pledges to clean it up.’
‘But they don’t listen to me,’ I mumble and he glances down at me.
He wasn’t speaking to me, I realize as I see Mav and Blake on the other side of the counter next to the girl Shade had his arm around. She’s got her arms crossed in front of her and is now staring at me with a look I recognize. She’s pissed about something.
‘I’m going to pick you up, okay?’
I wince, but nod and steel myself by tensing and shutting my eyes, but he hoists me up so easily, cradling me against his chest. I melt into him almost without realizing it, feeling oddly safe even though he hates me.
Tears come to my eyes. He’s right to hate me.
‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper.
‘It’s okay,’ he says. ‘It was just a glass.’
We’re going up the stairs and the sounds of the party begin to fade.
‘No.’ I don’t look at him. ‘I mean about what happened ... before I left.’
He doesn’t say anything.
We get to the top of the house, and he brings me to my room. He sets me down, and I immediately sway.
‘Jesus, Marg – Daisy. How much did you have?’
I frown. It’s all a little hazy now.
‘I was going to come straight up,’ I say, trying to remember.
‘Then why are you dressed like that?’ a new voice asks.
I turn my head to see Blake sauntering in.
‘My friend.’ I giggle. ‘She gave me a makeover like in the movies.’
Feeling delighted all over again that I have a friend and that I was fitting in downstairs, I smile widely at Blake, and he raises a brow.
‘She’s plastered. How much did she have?’ he asks Shade.
‘I was ... she was coming with me. My friend. But she had to go. I wasn’t going to stay ... I was heading to my room, but Marcus asked me to play the game.’
‘Game?’
I frown, wracking my brain. ‘I didn’t understand the rules. But I had to keep drinking. I think five juices.’
‘Juices?’ a third voice asks.
