You drew stars around my scars

1

Eddie's pov

"Another round for everyone" Buck laughs towards the bartender, placing another 20 dollar tip in his hands..

I slightly smile, Buck must have been saving up for this birthday event for months. He's buying all our drinks and tipping very generously to the bartender. It's a very nice time we have all been having together.

   "Not for me, I gotta head home, see you in a while Chim?" Maddie hiccups

   "Of course, I'll be home in a hour or so" he Smiles back.

   "Fake ass sister" Buck complains across the room.

   "I'm sorry, I have ur niece still at home to care for" she laughs and softly punches his shoulder.

Buck hugs her and takes off back towards crowded dance floor. Maddie heads out and I see Chim promise to be home soon, Chim hasn't drank anything but Maddie ordered a Uber to get home as she was pretty tipsy. I walk over towards Bobby and Athena who were seated over off to the side.

   "He's wild" I muttered

    "This is nothing" Bobby laughs "should have seen Buck 1.0"

"Buck 1.0?" Ravi chips in

The others just laugh.

   Bobby wasn't drinking either of course, just sipping on a cherry lemonade. I have had a few drinks but I hold my liquor very well. I'm just starting to get tipsy.

    "Buck" Bobby says, getting me to look back out to see his Blue eyes "we're heading out too, be safe kiddo"

   "Happy Birthday Buckley" Athena smiles and grabs Bobby's hand.

  Now it's just Buck, Ravi, Chim, Hen and I. I order another mixed drink and slowly sip on it while watching Buck from across the room. He and some chick were starting to get a little close and feeling each other up on the dance floor. My grip on the glass tightens as, Jealousy? Ran through my gut. No, I have no reason to be jealous. Buck is just my best friend. It's just worry, I assumed, and pushed the thoughts away. Worry that Buck will just sleep with the girl and fall back into his old ways. Ways he's told me he really has worked on changing.

   "Woahh, lighten up on that glass soldier" Hen giggles softly and takes the drink from my hand. 

    "What that glass ever do to you?" she smirks.

     "Nothing, I just-" I trailed off

I notice her looking up and down at me, she was reading right through me.

     "The girl Bucks getting all close with, she's cute" i mutter

    She hums back like she doesn't fully believe me, but isn't going to push the envelope tonight.
I swig down the rest of my drink and turn towards the bartender.

     "Two shots of whiskey" I say. He nods.

The two shots show up and Hen goes in for one. I bat her hand away, shooting one, then the other back to back. She looks offended. Orders herself one also.

    "You know what Eddie, you and Buck are really good friends" she smirks into the shot and takes it winking at me.

   I roll my eyes and as I go to turn back to crowded dance floor, I turn my stool directly into Bucks chest basically. My breathing hitches.

     "How you doing buddy? get that girls number" I ask him

     "Mmhm" he smiles gleefully.

   I turn back around rolling my eyes.

     "Another shot" i whisper

An hour later, the others had already left. I was stuck chatting with some random guy who had too much to say, and watching Buck flirt up some chick, a different one. I decide he needs to head home, it's almost one.

   "Come on Buck, it's late" I tell him

   "I'm good, I'm good" he smiles at the girl waving me away.

    "Buck Let's go!" I beg.

I didn't want to leave him. I just wanted to order him a ride and get him home safe so I didn't worry. Why would I worry? I don't worry when anyone else goes out for a night like this. I scoff my thoughts away and move on.

     "I'm good bro. Go if you need, I'll see you Monday." Buck looks annoyed with me.

  I take the hint and drop his forearm and head outside to order my ride. I felt like crying but I haven't cried in years. The Army and hell, my parents taught me to never cry, especially around others. No one should see you weak. The car pulls up and I get inside, silently scrolling my Twitter feed, trying to forget the world. Yes fuckin Twitter. It's dead but it was the only place I didn't follow anyone from the 118. It was a private account under a fake name. It was a little secret part of the internet I had.

I was about halfway home and then it happened. I was scrolling and a recommendation for someone I may know popped up. It was Bucks account. But it wasn't just a stupid Twitter that he posts dumb things that popped into his head. It had thirst traps and other.... Things. I quickly locked my screen, scared that the driver saw, scared another soul saw that. My foot began shaking. I felt like throwing up. I should just swipe up and close the app, forget about this forever. But another part of me couldn't.
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