mess it up, conrad fisher

chapter two: in between comfort and chaos

MILENA FOUND HERSELF sitting as close as she could to the ocean without getting wet in the first twenty minutes of being there. Bonfires were always more likely to get shut down so she was always too anxious to get caught in whatever state she'd be in.

Plus she wasn't even supposed to drink an excessive amount on her new anxiety medication her psychiatrist had put her on. Also, she thought beer was awful and that was all they had.

Didn't bother her that much as she liked being sober whenever she was at parties with Conrad because then if he got himself into any sort of situation she would be able to help him.

She'd always make herself available to help him.

That's what friends do she would tell herself at least three times a day.

She heard Nicole (Conrad's situationship) call his name repeatedly causing her to get up and see what was happening.

"Hey, what's up?" She called out to Nicole who looked relieved as Milena approached.

"He's being stupid is what's up," Milena looked over at Conrad who was trying to grab the beer from Jumper, most known as the person people can buy stuff off of. Weed, alcohol, pods, you name it.

"Conrad, just get a new one," Milena told him, half expecting him to just drop it and listen to her.

"That's mine though."

"You can have a new one, Conrad. just drop it." She was a little annoyed as he continued to ignore her.

"Aw, look at that, she's fighting your battles for you yet again," Jumper taunted.

"Do you realize how stupid you sound?" Milena questioned, dead serious as she focused her attention now on the idiot standing in front of her.

"Watch how you talk to me you fucking bitch." Multiple gasps came from bystanders and Milena was close to punching him before Conrad stepped in and took it upon himself.

"Conrad!" Milena went to try and pull him off of Jumper and she finally managed to slightly pull him back as Jumper went to throw a punch at Conrad but of course, just her luck, Milena lost her footing, and before she knew it the boy's fist had collided with her cheek, not Conrad's.

Suddenly the sound of sirens approached and people started to run off, not wanting to be caught by the cops with whatever was in their system.

"God, Lena, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Conrad asked, his voice full of concern as he placed his hand on her cheek right where she had gotten hit.

"Let's just go, c'mon, I'll drive you," Wanting to break up the strange tension she suddenly felt.

"Y'know, I think first I should make sure he knows not to--"

"Conrad."

"Coming, coming."

Milena put her seatbelt on and connected her phone to her car before hitting shuffle on her driving playlist.

"Are you gonna put your seatbelt on?" She questioned looking over at him.

"I'm really glad we're friends," He said it so quietly she could barely hear him.

"I know, I mean, what would you do without me?" Milena joked.

"I'm being serious. You're the best thing to happen to me," her breath hitched as he reached out and fixed her hair so it was behind her ear. "I like your hair long."

"I thought about cutting it for the summer," she was hoping he'd move his hand from where he left it on her neck.

"You'd look pretty either way," He smiled. God she loved his smile.

"You're clearly drunk, put your seatbelt on."

"Don't wanna do that right now," He moved his hand so it was now more on the back of her neck.

"Why's that?" Milena tilted her head looking at him and for some reason, her eyes gravitated towards his lips and she failed to notice his eyes on hers.

"Then it'd be harder to do this," Conrad said, going to lean in when she very quickly stopped him.

"Don't do something you'll regret in the morning," Now she was the barely audible one.

"Who said I'd regret it?"

What she said next is something she never would've said if he was sober. It wouldn't happen in a million years but, there was just something about that night.

"You'd either regret it or not even know it happened. But I would. I'd remember and I have a strong feeling it would be hard to be in the same room as you if we kissed, me remembering every single detail and you going on as if nothing happened. Because in your mind, nothing would've happened."

"First, I'd never regret you. Second, if I somehow forgot you could sure as hell remind me. You'd probably do a damn good job at it too."

"I don't think I can risk something like that, Conrad."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he just put his seatbelt on and turned up the radio as Dancing On My Own began to play.

She began to drive, neither one of them saying anything. The only sound was the music quietly playing. Maybe she should've caved she thought to herself. What was the worst that could've happened?

No, she couldn't think like that. Lots of bad could happen. Plus he was drunk, he couldn't possibly of meant what he said.

At least that's what she thought. And that's what she'd continue to think.

"I know you probably don't care what I think, but I like your hair long, I don't think you should cut it," Conrad told her as she came to a stop in his driveway.

"Maybe," She smiled, playing with the end of her hair.

"Well, have a good night. Thanks for the ride," He got out, carefully shutting the door before walking up to the front door.

She waited for him to get in before she drove the two minutes down the road to her house. There were no cars in the driveway, apart from now hers, but the front porch light was on for some reason.

Milena honestly didn't think much of it, figured she might've accidentally turned it on knowing that her dad was out of town for work. She accidentally turned the door knob while fishing for her key in her bag which revealed that it was unlocked already.

So, she was either about to be murdered or she forgot to lock it.

Probably option two. Especially in a town like Cousins.

Milena slipped her shoes off and set her bag down before walking into the kitchen where she noticed an envelope, she picked it up reading her name on the front in a fancy print.

Just as she was about to open it she heard footsteps, turning around quickly (half expecting an axe murderer) she felt the biggest relief when she saw it was just her dad.

Also slightly confused as to why her dad was here.

"I wanted to be down here when you got home, damn it," He told her walking over to where she was standing.

"I hope you know I thought I was about to get murdered or something. Why are you home? Not that I'm not happy you're home but--"

"The Cousins venue is opening earlier than expected so I'm here for the summer."

"Really?" She looked up at him in disbelief. She couldn't recall the last time he had been home for longer than a month.

"Yup, oh and that, that is from Susannah Fisher. She came around looking for you but she gave it to me to pass it on, something about doing it as a favour so someone named Belly could have a familiar face? Not sure," he told her, pointing to the envelope in her hand.

"Weird. . ." She set it down. "I'll look at it in the morning but I'm really glad you're home."

"Yeah, me too, kid."

IVY'S NOTES!
pretend this got posted friday like i said it would. also, her dad is lit gonna be so phil dunphy coded bc only like one of my ocs besides her has a decent father bc all of my ocs r just like me