PAPER RINGS || MARCUS LOPEZ.

𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀

It was as if Dylan stepped out of a car and into Project X. Shabnam's house was quite literally overflowing with teens, even the garden was full of already plastered idiots stumbling around or people smoking.

She fidgeted nervously on the sidewalk, holding her purse in front of her with both hands. Devon offered to stay with her while she waited for Marcus, but Dylan sent her on her way, assuring her she'd be fine.

In the short amount of time between Devon leaving and Marcus arriving a trio of boys had approached her, each trying their best to chat her up. While it was funny at first, rejecting them got annoying fast and it quickly went from amusing to uncomfortable.

❝ Finally. ❞ Marcus' voice came from behind the boys, his figure pushing through them ❝ You look gorgeous, come on, darling. ❞

Taking her hand in his, he led her inside. She was thankful he arrived when he did, and that he pretended to be her boyfriend in an attempt to deter the boys.

Inside the party was even more hectic then she'd imagined. Marcus had plucked a drink from the hand of a drunk passerby and took a swig before shrugging and passing it to Dylan.

❝ So, hook up with any strangers yet? ❞ She joked, looking at him over the rim of the cup as she took a swig.

He gave a sarcastic roll of his eyes in response ❝ Not yet, do you plan to? ❞ He looped a finger into the belt around her waist and pulled her closer, his signature grin resting on his lips.

The femme shrugged, offering him the cup once more ❝ That depends. ❞

❝ Mm? On what? ❞

❝ You. ❞

Before he could say, or do, anything she pulled his hand away and disappeared into the kitchen, glancing over her shoulder just in time to see him laugh and shake his head as he walked off.

In hindsight, abandoning Marcus and sending Devon off was probably a mistake. The only other people she knew were Billy, Lex and Petra and she was too sober and too awkward to approach them.

A blonde girl linked her arm through Dylan's and dragged her over to a table full of students necking shots like their lives depended on it.

❝ Go on, love! ❞ The girl cheered, passing a shot into her hand and cheering for her to drink it.

Dylan had no idea who any of these people were, but she wasn't going to turn a free shot ( or five ). What started as simple shots turned into a drinking competition, one she knew she wouldn't win so gave up almost immediately but had fun watching.

Of course, a house party wouldn't be a house party without someone kicking off about something, but Lex seemingly needed no reason to be an asshole.

She hadn't managed to catch what exactly had been said prior, just that Lex had been stood on the table shouting at people. By the time she had arrived to the living room it was Marcus' turn to be told about himself, maybe, she hadn't heard the first half of their conversation.

Whatever had been said had resulted in Marcus throwing his cup to the ground, making an attempt to step to Lex only to be stopped by Dylan. Shoving past the onlookers, she pushed Marcus into the downstairs bathroom and barked a 'fuck off' at whoever wolf whistled at them.

❝ I don't need a babysitter. ❞ The boy snapped, leaning against the counter behind him.

Electing to ignore him, Dylan stood in front of Marcus ❝ This is new. ❞ She mumbled, tracing over the cut along the bridge of his nose.

He hummed in response ❝ Chico's handiwork. ❞ He shrugged, playing with her belt once again ❝ Is this the part of the movie where we're meant to kiss? ❞