𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒔 (𝑫.𝑮.)

𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑇𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒

On the way to the gala Diego was occasionally checking in on Talia. She had used her scream before but she had never killed anyone with it. Talia was spaced out for the most part, the constant picture of Caleb stuck in her mind made it nearly impossible for her to completely be there.

The four watched behind a wall as many people walked into the gala. Diego hopped over first, helping Talia over after him. Lila and five followed suit. They hid behind a car as they tried to figure out a way in. "So, what's the plan?" Lila asked.

"We infiltrate, we identify, we extract. Double time." Diego said, keeping and eye out for people.

"What the hell is he talking about?"

"Find the old man and get out fast." Five answered.

"That's what I said." Diego looked back at the three.

"It's not at all what you said, babe." Talia rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, on me." He quickly moved to the next car over, Talia following. Lila tried to let five go in front of him though, it didn't work. The four quickly rushed inside, hopeful to not get caught.

Stepping inside they were met with mariachi music and Talia quickly took a glass of champagne, not wasting anytime to get to her terrible coping mechanism. "I don't see dad anywhere." Diego said, oblivious to his girlfriend downing her first glass before grabbing another.

"Just keep an eye out for the majestic twelve. I got the upstairs. Diego, try not to do anything too stupid. C'mon Lila." Five said dragging the girl upstairs.

Talia went to walk away and find more alcohol, but Diego pulled her back. "Where are you going?"

"Finding something stronger." She smiled, Diego still didn't let go.

"If me leaving taught me anything it's that you shouldn't drink as a coping mechanism."

"And why not?"

"Because you do stupid shit. You wrote a song while drunk and leaked it on YouTube the next day."

"What song?"

"See you don't even remember it. You don't remember 'Sparks Fly'?"

"Oh yeah, I really liked that one." The song changed in the background.

"Let's go, they're playing our song." He smiled before Talia's eyes widened and he dragged her into the ball room. They danced around the room, the mariachi music in the background was playing, but the song Diego brought up was now stuck in the couples head. Diego smiled down at the woman as they floated around.

"I love it when you smile." Talia said knowing exactly what she was going to say next.

"Why?"

"Cause I see sparks fly, whenever you smile." Talia smiled and Diego lightly laughed at her.

"You should totally release that when we get back."

"I'll get it out right away." He spun her around and pulled her back into his chest. "Someone's got moves."

"My father insisted on ballroom lessons. 'One never knows when the paso doble will be the difference between life and death...'" He mimicked Reginald before dipping Talia. "'Children.'"

"I'm so glad I wasn't roped into that academy." Talia sighed as he lifted her up and they went back to dancing. "I'm also glad you changed up the hair. I love the wavy look."

"They didn't have a barber in the nuthouse so I had to grow it out." He said with a smile before his gaze trailed off. "It can't be." He said before dropping Talia's hand and walking off. Yes, she did consider following him, until a waiter walked up and offered her a flute a champagne. She took two.

Five flutes of champagne later Talia wanted something stronger. She began her search around the house for whiskey or a bar or something. After searching and finding nothing she decided screw it and began stealing them men's drinks that were left unattended. The drunken woozy feeling that made your brain fuzzy finally hit and she felt at ease. No more reminders of what had happened back in her old house. It was too fuzzy to remember so she ignored it. Then she felt someone grab her shoulder. "I leave you alone for five minutes."

"You should know better than to-" she hiccuped. "Leave an alcoholic unattended." She said with a drunken smile.

"Let's go find five." He said as he put her arm over his shoulder. He helped her upstairs where they found five fighting a Swedish. "Of course they choose to pick on us tonight." Before Diego could process another thought a wire was put around his neck, causing Talia's arm to come off his shoulder and her to stumble. The third Swedish was considering attacking Talia, but seeing the state she was in he saw it as a waste of time, he'd get to her when he finished Diego.

Lila made her way upstairs and was met with a dilemma. Help Diego and maybe gain brownie points with her crush or follow her mother's orders and protect five. She cursed herself for being obedient as she ripped something sharp off the wall and walked to help five. Diego fought off the Swedish men as Talia gained her footing again. She stumbled as she stood before kicking the Swedish in the groin so that Diego could handle the one with the wire. Once Diego was free he took matters into his own hands. He couldn't deal with walking Talia down in time so he threw her over his shoulder causing her to drunkenly giggle as he rushed down the stairs and outside.

"Was that him?" Diego asked once the made it outside.

"Yeah." Five answered as the car pulled away.

Talia smacked Diego's ass as she hung upside down. "Damn, you got a good recoil."