𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

Beneath My Skin

~'~

Sabrina

I slammed down the last, now empty, shot glass on the counter. People cheered as I let out a cry of victory. Carlos slammed his last one down a few seconds later.

"Ha! I wiiiiin!" I threw my hands up in the air. Carlos coughed a little, straightening up. His eyes refocused as he laughed.

"Every time." He groaned. Lando laughed, patting my back.

"That's the point. I will never be defeated!" I stood up. I wobbled a little and grabbed the edge of the stool to steady myself. "Oh wow, that was strong." I muttered to myself. My vision cleared again, and I stood up.

"Hey, we're going to go back to Annie's and chill there for a bit." Layla had appeared.

"Leeeeyyy.... Hiii!" I grabbed her shoulders and hugged her.

"Hello darling." She laughed. She was clearly not as drunk as me. "Yeah, you're coming with us." She signaled for Lando to come and help me walk.

"There you go." Lando chuckled, taking my waist and slinging my arm around his shoulders.

"I can walk by myself; thank you very much, sir." I slurred. Everyone laughed.

"Sure, you can. I'll go find the others. Meet you out front in five." Layla asked Carlos. He nodded.

"Yes, fetch me my chariot, peasant." I said in the most exaggerated British accent I could do. Lando snorted with laughter.

"Alright, your highness. This way." He guided me around the dance floor and out of the door. Outside, it felt strangly quiet without the booming noise of the club. And the air was fresh.

"Where are we going again? I forgoted." I frowned at Lando. He smiled.

"Ann's house. She wanted to play some games and stuff." He replied. I nodded.

Just as the others walked out of the club, our two taxis pulled up. Ann said that there was no way any of us were going to be driving, much to the annoyance of Daniel, who insisted he was completely sober but then tripped over getting into the car.

I waited for everyone to pile into the cars first. The window seat was mine, non-negotiable, and I wasn't about to give it up for some cramped middle spot. Naturally, this meant I had to assess the situation before committing.

The first car was already overflowing, Lando, Daniel, and Ann packed in and laughing about who-knows-what. That left the rest of us awkwardly clustered by the second car. Carlos slid into the backseat first, pulling Layla down onto his lap. She giggled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, already smug.

Typical.

Charles clambered in next, his shoulders brushing Layla's as he stretched into place. Max followed. I stared at the last remaining gap in horror.

"There's no room," I declared. "I'll just stay behind and call a cab or...walk. I'm good at walking."

Layla leaned out of the car, frowning. "Don't be ridiculous, Bri. Just sit on Max's lap."

The suggestion was so casual that for a moment I thought I misheard her. My stomach twisted, and I clenched my fists.

"Excuse me?" My voice sharpened, but Layla only rolled her eyes.

"There's no other choice. Come on, we're going to be late."

"I'll pass."

Max, still reclined, tilted his head just enough to look at me. His expression was unreadable save for the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.