BARCODE
Being young sucks, I think with a sigh.
This has got to be my tenth sigh this evening but how else am I expected to react? Everyone at damn this party has an alcoholic drink in their hand but all I have is a glass of pineapple juice like a damn toddler.
There are at least ten of us here and everyone is having alcohol.
I eye the drinks in their glasses and fall back against the chair with another annoyed sigh. I turn nineteen in a months time but even then, I won't be able to drink because I have to be twenty to be legally allowed to consume alcohol.
"If you keep frowning that much, you might develop wrinkles before your next birthday" P'Jeff says from my side and I turn to look at him.
He is one of the best looking men in our group with his hair in a messy bun and eyes so sharp they pierce into your soul. He and I acted as onscreen couple in the KinnPorsche series and have another bl series together but when it comes to offscreen, he acts more like a big brother. An annoying one for that matter.
"Can I have a drink? Anything but pineapple juice?" we're in a club for heaven's sake. No one will care.
"Barcode, you know I promised your parents that I would look after you. I cannot in good conscience let you have alcohol."
I open my lips to protest but he's already shifted his attention to someone else. I follow his gaze across the room and to Bible who is standing at a far corner talking to the phone. It's hard to miss the love in Jeff's eyes with how he stares at Bible. The two have been dating for a year or so and I'll admit that at first I was heartbroken.
Jeff was my first crush.
When I was first introduced to Jeff on the movie set, I was star struck. He was handsomely pretty. I believe the word is exotic. The onscreen romance between us did not transfer off-screen and he never looked at me as anything but a little brother. Not even when I turned eighteen and now, he is in love with someone else!
Someone older than me and way cooler. I've come to terms with the fact that Jeff will never look at me like that. Well, almost...
Fuck!
I sit up, almost knocking the drinks over. I don't care to excuse myself as I stomp away from the table. Someone from the group calls my name but I don't care to respond as I make my way out. they know I won't go far anyway, Jeff was my ride here anyway.
"Fuck!" I shout, kicking a rock when I finally make my way out.
I thought it would be fun having older "brothers" but it's a nightmare. After our series KinnPorsche aired, it became so popular that we had to tour all over to promote it and the entire cast got closer. I consider all these men my friends so why the hell won't they cut me some slack? When I join them for a night out, I have to drink a fucking soda like a child.
I seethe into the dark, staring with envy as people stagger out of the club, looking happy and buzzed and... I want that too.
I want the excitement that comes with being a grownup.
I want friends that will let me do what I want and not what my parents want!
I kick another rock in frustration and almost trip and fall to my ass but I catch myself just in time. I figure it's time I went back in but I don't want to. I can't have alcohol and Jeff, the one person I have... I mean had a crush on, is dating Bible. What is there for me?
My phone pings in my pocket but I don't bother to look who it is. Everyone sees me as this little child that needs protecting but... I'm not a child.
I'm eighteen!
In a month, I will be turning nineteen and then what? Will they still continue to view me as a child or will it change.
They're only looking out for you, says a little voice at the back of my head and guilt floods in. I am privileged enough to be surrounded by such amazing people and yet, I'm here pouting because they won't let me break the law?
I let out a sigh and decide it's time I went back inside and apologized for my behavior earlier. I should be thankful that the guys are even willing to invite me to join them when they go out. Most of them are in their mid to late twenties and if they wanted, they could stop inviting me out with them!
I kick another rock just for the hell of it and turn around to head back inside when I run smack into someone's chest and back up a step. Huge strong arms reach out and grab my shoulders to steady me before I can fall back on my ass.
"Mile," I gasp when my eyes lock on familiar brown eyes. He has such as prominently handsome face and everything about him is curved to perfection. Today he is dressed in one of the dark custom suits he likes to wear so much. He must've come straight from work for him to be dressed like that.
"Easy there," he says with a chuckle. "Is everyone here already? I was running a bit late for the party."
"Uh, yeah," I mutter, swallowing hard at being in close proximity with Mile because he scares me a little. He is the oldest in our group and I am the youngest so it's rare that we'll ever have anything to talk about. He is this large force that commands attention of every room he walks into and I guess it helps that his family is one of the wealthiest in the country.
I watch his eyes as they shoot past my shoulder and to the loud club before shifting back to mine. "If everyone is in there then what are you doing out here all by yourself?"
"Uhm... I..." I let out a shaky breath as I avoid meeting Mile's sharp gaze. "Phi, I just needed some fresh air."
He doesn't believe me. I see it in his eyes that he doesn't believe a word I just said.
"Tell me what really brought you out here?" His voice is firm but not mean. It's the kind that gets him answers and I am no different as I am find myself telling him the truth.
"I... they won't let me drink. I know I'm not the legal drinking age of twenty but can't they make an exemption for me? No one has to know."
Mile stares down at me with humor in his eyes. "Why do you want to drink so bad?"
"To... aahh... I mean... I want..."
"Let me ask that again," he says, stepping closer to me and I have to back up a step. "Why do you think adults drink?"
"I am an adult..."
"Of course you are but answer my question first."
I bite into my lip and open my lips to answer when someone stumbles out the club. He is laughing out loud and there is a flush on his cheek and I watch him until he's staggered out of sight before turning back to Mile.
"That right there. You see how happy and relaxed he looks? I just want to feel good too."
Mile slips his hands into his pockets and tilts his head slightly to the side and I don't miss the smirk on his lips.
"You think alcohol is the only way to go about that?"
I swallow hard at his words. "W-what else is there?"
"You just discovered adulthood, Kitten." I back up another step when he takes one closer to me. My heart beating so hard it threatens to break my chest. "You have so much to learn."
"Then tell me..." Show me.
The unsaid words linger between us for a hot minute before Mile lets out a deep chuckle. He starts for the entrance but I grab his arm to stop him, my eyes desperate as I stare into him.
"It's getting chilly, let's go back inside before the other guys begin to get worried for you," he says, his smile dropping.
"But..."
His eyes drop to mine and I shut up before nodding. Everyone in the group is older than me but I don't always act like it around them but with Mile... the need to follow his command and do as he asks is strong.
"Good boy, now lets go."
