my brother's best friend

chapter i

“when you come back”
through elise hampton

"i should get going"

it was late. as matter of fact, very late.

the bartender's eyes settled on me, he gave me a full-teeth smile, questioning "this early?" his hands dried some cups, the cloth covering the little water drops. i smirked, playing with my drink as I wobble it side to side.

i fluttered my eyes up, i almost couldn't feel my headache because of the godamn music. i responded "yes, i want to vary my routine. it's getting boring".

the corner of his lips curled up and he leaned down, putting the glass cup beside him. he said very slowly "are you saying clubbing is boring?" his muscular arms flexed as he supported himself on his elbows.

i drank a little more, replying "it is eventually, you see me almost every day. it's not exactly like i am enjoying myself out here" i ran a hand down my sweaty hair, feeling the tight knots around my fingers.

"dylan, right there, will be very happy to help you enjoy yourself" he signalled to his colleague with his eyebrows, his brown eyes with a playful glint. i rolled my eyes, sighing "of course he is" i drank the last sip of my gin, swigging it down my throat.

i stood up, taking my black coat on my arms and my shoulder purse. i bid goodbye at my bartender, whose name i still didn't know for almost an year now. we got along well though.

he passed me a shot, the little glass sliding skilfully through the sticky surface of the table. i catched it and smirked slightly, passing it to some girls that sat beside me. i mouthed "not today" i felt his smirk as i walked away.

i sauntered in between the very little vacant spaces, i felt the vibrations booming from the gigant sound columns.

once i passed through the doors of the exit, i felt the motionlessness of the night. the music could be heard, however the walls coating the large club muffled it. the air woke something within me, my head felt like spinning.

i licked my dry lips, ignoring the pain. i walked over to the street, watching the cabs and the cars speed driving, their noise and lights took over the silent darkness. soon i was inside the taxi, the driver dashed towards my parents' house. i lived there ever since i moved out of my past apartment, i used to share it with my old friends, elsie and catherine.

i stopped my thoughts, feeling the cab stop. my hands searched for my wallet and i gave the money to the driver.

his english mustache moved as he said "goodnight" he looked at my bottom while i got out. i ignored it and walked towards the front door, the car speed off behind me.

i put the key on the door, my foolish drunk mind making me stay put. i woke up from that trance and opened the door. the familiar hallway greeted me and i walked through, my head was killing me.

my feet woobled from side to side, the walls seeming to shrink around me.

god, i will never drink in my life once again.

with a strong thud, i felt myself lose conscience for a brief moment and hit the wall near the stairs.

i regained composture but once i reached the first step, i looked at my side and noticed the light emaning from the dining room, the sensation only worsened. the light was fully on and it took me by surprise, i closed my eyes tightly.

my hands sought for the table on the left and i got closer to it, my hand grabbed the chair with much force. my nails probably marked the wood. i pressed my other one on my forehead.

"elise?"

the voice made my eyes widen as much as they could, is that...?

i blinked and tried to correct my posture, my vision seemed to not concentrate. my head felt like spinning once again.

"god, don't do this to me" i whispered, my eyelids closing.

i catched a little bit of his face before i closed my eyes again. no, no.

i breathed in, trying to calm the feelings. the feeling of this horrible headache and the other one of my pouding heart.

i heard his feet walking towards me, my hand flew to my eyelids. what is this pain?

i felt his large hand involving my bare shoulder, his quiet whisper got to my ears "are you alright?" his touch felt so warm in the cold of the late night, i opened my eyes and directed them towards his own. his adam's apple boobled as we made eye contact. once his mouth opened, no words came out to my surprise.

our proximity was starting to fog my brain in all sincerity.

he kept his gaze on my teary eyes. i would like to blame it on the headache, i wasn't sure it was that though. i haven't feel this emotional in a good while, i guess i haven't see devyn in a good while too.

"let's sit, okay?" he asked, his caring eyes watching me closely. with his help, i sat on one of the chairs.

he moved to sit in the chair next to mine, one in many other ones. i watched as he poured hot water on the instant coffee, filling then one of our childhood cups.

he was looking fearful at first, he asked if i wanted tea. i told him no with a very foolish expression on my face. the silence settled between us, he sipped his coffee, i gazed at him like the drunk elise would.

"are you staying over?" he lifted his eyes to nod at me. my brows were furrowed as i looked at his eyes. i haven't seen that tone of brown since forever. "i moved here. patricia and bernard will let me stay. just for the summer of course" he chuckled. i nodded unevenly. my vision was starting to spin again.

those were my parents, which liked devyn a lot.

"you look quite different" i said, my words were slow. i leaned my head into my hand for support. "how so?"

my drunk mind blarted out –

"older"

he chuckled slightly "well it's been two years"

i stood up, walking towards the fridge, searching for something to drink. i saw the white wine and was just going to get one when devyn asked "where were you?"

i looked back at him and responded with ease "i went to a friends' house" i grabbed a glass and the bottle and looked for the opener. i sat down with him.

he stared at me as i gulped down the drink. i crossed my arms on top of the table slowly. our eyes were at the same level, his were examining my face. he had this really weird expression on his face, i couldn't figure it out. i don't think i would do so even if sober.

"i'm going..." my words slurred. moving my face eye level with his own, i whispered "it was good to see you, we should go out sometime when you come back again" he didn't look pleased by the smell of alcohol hitting his face. however, he gave a sympathetic smile.

"goodnight elise"

love,
miss sugar bubbles