WHAT IF! cole walter

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE, hollyn's rough night and morning

When Cole and Julien found Hollyn, they were immediately alarmed. The girl was stumbling around, obviously very intoxicated. And clearly didn't want to be with Ryke. When Julien went over to the boy, the two ended up in a brawl. Julien won, leaving Ryke in a bloody mess. He would be fine but was going to have a very nasty black eye and bruises. Julien had a couple of bruises and bloody knuckles, the boy having put up a good fight.

They had left, going to find Hollyn's friends. They were, of course, very worried and even more so after seeing Julien's injuries. The girls had been very upset and worried and were relieved when Julien assured them he would be fine and when the boys had reassured them that Hollyn was okay. After that, the group decided to go home. Cole had to take Jackie and his siblings home since they all went together. Areli and Lillian left with Hollyn, taking her home since they came together. Hollyn was passed out by the time Cole had put her in Areli's car, the girl curled up in the backseat.

Areli dropped Lillian at home first and then went to Hollyn's house. After parking in the front, she went to the back to wake Hollyn up. "Come on, Holl. Time to wake up. We're at your house."

The girl mumbles incoherently, her eyes fluttering open. Her eyelids were heavy, her gaze unfocused. "Hmm?"

"We're at your house. Time to wake up." Areli repeats, helping the girl out of the car. She wraps her arm around her waist, keeping her steady. "Let's get you inside."

Hollyn nods, stumbling a little. "Mkay." She leans heavily on Areli, her legs unsteady. Her eyelids were heavy, her feet shuffling on the ground. "'M sorry. 'M a mess."

"Don't worry about it. It's not the first time I've seen you drunk." Areli smiles reassuringly, helping the girl up the steps of the front porch. "And it won't be the last. Come on, let's get you to bed."

The door opens before they can reach it. James Bellwood, Hollyn's father, steps out, a worried expression on his face. "There you are. Areli, thank you for calling ahead to let me know what happened and bringing her home. Thank you for everything."

"No problem, Mr. B. Here, take her. I have to get going before it gets too late."

Hollyn mumbles, her eyes fluttering open as she feels herself being transferred. "Dad?" She mumbled, realizing who was holding her.

"Hey, kiddo. Time to get you to bed. You're pretty drunk." James chuckled, adjusting her carefully to get a better grip on her. He sent Areli a thankful look and bid her goodnight before he stepped inside, kicking the front door closed as quietly as he could. Carolyn was already asleep so he didn't want to wake her up.

"Not drunk." She argues. "Jus a lil tipsy."

James chuckles, shaking his head. "Right, of course. How silly of me." He teases, knowing how stubborn and feisty his daughter could be when she was drunk. And when she was sober. "Come on, let's get you in the shower and in some fresh pajamas."

Hollyn whines, squirming to get out of his hold once they reached her home. "I can do it myself. I'm not a baby." She huffed.

"You can't even stand up without almost falling, pumpkin. A bath would probably be easier." He decided, carrying her to her bathroom and setting her down on the toilet seat after putting the seat down for her. She had trouble sitting up straight and almost fell off the seat but he caught her before she could, keeping her steady. "Okay, I'll get the bath started and get your pajamas ready. Stay put, okay? Lean against the wall."

Hollyn pouted but obeyed, leaning against the wall. She suddenly felt heavy, like her limbs are limp. Her vision was unfocused and blurred, her head spinning. Her eyelids were heavy, her whole body feeling sluggish. She tried to focus on the wall, her vision clearing a little.