Sober

Ch. 4

(POV: Kyler)

As I enter the kitchen to dig around for booze, Nick follows me, though, to my amusement, he just stares at his hand the entire time. After unlocking a cooler, he gives me a weird look as he notices all the multicolored pitchers.

Nick gives me a weird look, and I chuckle.

"Don't worry, this is some stuff I made before the party. I got here early to stash it away so I could save you some." I beam as I pour him a cup.

"But how'd you know I'd be coming today?" He asks suspiciously. "Did you take my hoodie so I'd have to come to another one of these to get it back?"

I snicker. "Maybe. Anyway, try it and tell me what you think."

He takes a sip, and his face lights up. "W-Whoa, this is pretty good—what it is? It barely even has that nasty alcohol flavor. It just tastes like juice!"

I chuckle. "Well, it's really just lemonade and vodka."

Nick scowls. "You're lying."

"Maybe. I can't just go around giving out my recipes."

The boy chuckles softly and finishes the cup as I finally sit out the rest of the pitchers so other people have access.

"You want some more?"

He blushes. "Um, I don't know. I don't wanna steal it all."

"Well, I can keep one of the jugs in the cooler so you can save it for later and bring it home with you."

The boy nods frantically, and I try to hide my grin. I dig out a few of my favorite beers I had stashed away before locking my cooler back up and leaving Nikki's pitcher inside. I hand him three bottles as I hold the other three.

"Is this good for now?"

He nods, and we venture back to the basement, which was bigger than yesterday's, but we still found a slightly secluded corner to chill in. Though immediately after sitting down, Nick chugs one of the drinks and crushes the can, giving me the side eye.

"What?"

I chuckle and open mine. "Maybe you wouldn't get as drunk if you didn't chug everything."

He looks away and grabs another, but I snatch it from him and take the rest, sitting them to my left so he'd have to reach over my body if he really wants them.

He clicks his tongue in annoyance. "C'mon."

I take a sip and sigh. "There's no harm in pacing yourself. I mean, I don't mind if you get drunk but—I just wanna be able to talk to sober Nick for a little bit."

He rolls his eyes and starts to reach over me, but I grab his arm and push him back.

"Kyler, piss off. I already talked to you earlier, can't that be enough?"

I scoff and slide my arm around him, watching as his ears turn red. "Aw, come on Nikki! I just wanna get to know you better—like what year are you in?"

He combs his hair back, but as soon as he moves his hand, it falls back into his eyes. I chuckle, and he looks up.

"I'm a sophomore, and I'm majoring in business."

I nod. "And how's that going?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," He says under his breath, avoiding my gaze.

"Um, alright. That's fine." I think for a second as he tries to get me to move my arm. I lean on his shoulder with a smirk.

"You got a girlfriend?"