Bubble Gum Kisses

Kapittel 21.3

Kapittel 65

Vanessa

"This bi–" Oh fuck. Don't tell me a fight's about to ensue!

"I brought drinks!" another familiar voice suddenly went past our ears. I turned my head and saw Toshiro coming into the picture, bringing a pitcher of God knows what. "Woah, Van. You're here!" he exclaimed happily. I didn't know why but his expression reminded me of a puppy.

"Y...Yeah," I managed to reply, although taken aback. "It's good to see you here."

"Likewise," he replied, chuckling before turning to the others. My mouth curled as I watched him look at the brawl that was supposed to occur. Confusion was evident on his face as he asked: "What's going on?"

It was the Bailey girl who quickly turned away and grudgingly sat back on her spot, seemingly sulking. "Nothing."

"Sophie?" he looked over the girl who was defending her boyfriend's honor. She, as well, turned her head the other way and sat on the opposite side of the sofa where most guys who cheered for me were.

Silence took over the lounge, what remained among us was the music and the clueless crowd's chatter. I was thankful that the scene was stopped right on time, since one: I didn't want to deal with it; and two: I didn't want to be mistaken as one of the insinuators.

Toshiro looked at the group that had now parted like the Red Sea, divided between those who weren't in favor of Friso and those who were. I followed his gaze. Bailey remained perplexed and her girlfriends were huddling over to her side, Sophie meanwhile, was holding a large scowl on her face. He then looked at me, who remained in the middle, along with Madison who had been quiet the entire time while drinking. I wasn't very much acquainted on one side and the other had bad blood with me.

"Dude, is that strawberry lemonade vodka?" someone from Sophie's side asked, his eyes shining at the sight of the pitcher Toshiro was holding. It was a translucent drink that was red in color, it had a good amount of lemons in the middle part along with a bunch of ice shaped like a crescent, and there were also sliced strawberries floating on the surface.

"You bet it is. Took me a long time to find the right amount of triple sec!" the abrupt question eroded the awkward silence as Toshiro replied, changing the heavy atmosphere.

I admired how it looked appetizing when Toshiro poured them over on the glasses each had salt on the rim and a slice of either strawberry or lemon on one side. It glistened against the flashing lights, making it stand out in my sight. It didn't take long for the others to catch up with the attempt of segueing to ease the towering tension by taking their glasses for a drink.

"What'd you like, Van?" the new main man asked, probably noticing that I didn't ask for the drink, unlike the others. "Beer? Cocktail? Juice? I'll get you whatever you like," he offered, making me think that he was probably an aspiring server.

"I don't think now's the right time for that," I respectfully declined, shaking my head. Everyone went back to being festive as if nothing had happened, especially when a pretty waitress in a bunny suit showed up with a stack of hotdogs. The boys hollered, and we didn't hesitate to show our disgust.

"Oh come on, girl. Every time's always a good time for a liquor," Lazarus suddenly came to my side. I jolted in my seat when he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Seriously, this guy still had the knack to show up and disappear then show up again.

"Mhm mhm." Still, I remained true to my prerogative, shaking my head in refusal. I was no stranger to peer pressure.

"Well, that's expected." Bailey suddenly spoke. We all looked at her in unison, the suffocating tension returning. It looked like she was still sour over things.