Tinkering Hearts

Chapter Sixteen

Sicre

The following week went by on a whim.

Well. Maybe not. But it felt like that to me. Or maybe I wanted it to feel that way?

Exam week did feel like a slow-burn rollercoaster that just doesn't come to an end. But days overall? They're going by like a fucking Flash.

The music blasts through the speakers hidden somewhere around the room; the planners really did a great job on it all. The air reeks of cologne and teenage hormones, but soon enough it'll be embraced by a heavy blanket of unauthorized-by-me alcohol. I could feel people getting horny. Makes me fucking puke.

"Dude, if this turns into a rager, I'm kicking everyone out," I say to Reece, my tone suddenly turning into disgust when I see my next-door neighbor playing tongue hockey with a girl from our school. I don't mind these matches as long as they don't goal into my room.

"Chill dude!! It's a party!" Kody joins us again while trying to convince me for the third time in his whiny, always half-drunk voice. "And I know it's your first time, but a bit of teenage rage is like, necessary for an ass-blowing pre-summer partaayyyy!"

I groan and facepalm. Maybe this wasn't a very good idea after all. I don't know why my dimwitted brain thought everyone needed a break after a stressful week. People sugar-coated by calling me kind enough to look after their mental health, but seriously? This was so close to turning into a disaster.

I abandon my friends to help myself to some margaritas. I made sure they were extra lemony just to eradicate some of the consciousness-driving ingredients in them. I sit at the kitchen island turned mini bar and ask the bartender for the drink.

Suddenly my phone buzzes and I almost drop the phone in a hurry to check who it was.

Naureen: After a LOT of flattering, she's down

A huge change of mood overcomes me and a part of me all of a sudden doesn't care if this hell of a party goes flop.

Zee is coming. She's finally touching grass. And oh I'm so happy for her.

I realized in the past few days how her socializing skills have ground-rocketed. The other day a bunch of girls approached her to advertise their clubs and she just left them with me to deal with. That girl avoids interacting with humans so much that I don't even think is humanly possible.

But thanks to Naureen—

Naureen: ISTG YOUR GF IS DRIVING ME FUCKING BONKERS!!!!
Naureen: I better get paid after this day

And a few knife emojis.

Yep. I knew this wasn't the best idea, since they literally just got over their misunderstandings. But I'm taking my chances of making these two get along again like the old times.

Sicre: I'll treat you to some kimchi rice next weekend if this mission is successful :>

The bartender arrives with my margarita, and a sip of it makes my throat burn. Thank heavens it's well diluted. The tequila was already pretty lavish and strong. Sienna sent it to me especially from NYC for the occasion.

That duck head wants to kill me.

My phone buzzes.

Zee: I HATE YOU FOR SENDING NAUREEN OVER YOU MORON

And knife emojis here too... I should really watch my back.

Sicre: LOL DEAL WITH IT :P

. * ● ¸ .