𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 // 𝗖.𝗙

𝓘 𝓓𝓸

"PUT IT down, Con." Sylvia states firmly, her fingers wrapping around the wine bottle and the glass in his hand, gently but decisively taking them away.

"Syl—." He began to protest, the slur in his voice evident.

"No." She cuts him off, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You've had enough. You're already tumbling."

"I am not." Conrad mumbles, but as he pushes himself off the wall, his balance betrayed him, and he stumbles forward just a bit, the evidence of his inebriation clear.

"You see?" Sylvia tilts her head, catching him before he could fall completely. She guides him back to lean against the wall, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "I'll be back."

"No." Conrad's hand shoots out to catch her arm, his grip surprisingly strong. "Stay with me."

"I'm going to get you a water." She says, trying to pull away, but Conrad shook his head vehemently.

"Fine, I'll stay," She conceded, a triumphant smile breaking across his face as if he had won a small battle.

With a playful squeal, Sylvia found herself pulled into his chest, the sudden motion catching her off guard. Conrad wraps his arms around her waist, but she winced at the pressure, and he quickly adjusted, concern flickering in his eyes.

In the back of her mind, she recalled the effort it took to cover up the marks on her skin, the bruises that whispered tales of vulnerability and pain.

With her mother's help, she had managed to conceal them just enough that they weren't noticeable, but the memory lingered, a reminder of the fragility of her situation.

Though, she focused on the warmth of Conrad beside her, hoping to drown out the shadows of the past with the light of the present.

"I'm sorry." Conrad murmurs, his voice heavy with regret.

"It's okay." Sylvia speaks softly, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his chest, looking up at him with a mixture of affection and concern.

"I didn't mean for that to happen. Well, I did, but I also meant to say sorry for how I broke up with you." He confesses, his gaze locks onto hers, revealing the turmoil behind his words.

"We can we talk about that later." Sylvia says, her heart racing as she felt the weight of their unfinished conversation. "Not now."

"We might not get the chance to talk about it later, and if I don't say it—." Conrad began, urgency creeping into his tone.

"Conrad!" The sharp call of Laurel interrupted them, and both teens turned to see her standing a few feet away.

"Perfect timing." Conrad mutters under his breath, frustration evident in his expression.

"Come here." Laurel waves him over.

"Go." Sylvia urges, reluctantly releasing her hold on him.

Conrad hesitates for a moment, his eyes lingering on her, but ultimately, he walks over to her mother, the connection between them temporarily severed, leaving Sylvia with a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

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"I got the snacks!" Beau exclaims as he hops into the car, his arms overflowing with an assortment of candy and chips. With a carefree flourish, he tossed everything into the compartment nestled between the driver and passenger seats, the sound of crinkling wrappers and clattering bags filling the air. "I also saw Belly—she's two cars ahead."