Heartbeats and Handholds

Chapter Twelve

Ryan Pov:

As Mia took those last four shots, the party's energy shifted dramatically. She was now fully intoxicated, her behavior becoming increasingly unpredictable. People were laughing as the game of truth or dare continued. Bella, Ben, Sara, Jake, and everyone else were daring each other wild and crazy things, and also the passing of dares was going on with the shots.

I tried keeping my attention to Mia who was now dancing with a few other people and also I could see her bit stumbling on her feet, her laugh now more free and loud as she was swinging her hips to the rhythm of music. For a minute I was captivated by how she was dancing laughing and having fun. It was far in contrast to the Mia I know. Her movements were clumsy and intoxicated but she was laughing.

Bella took her turn and dared Josh to down a bottle of beer. Josh, already tipsy, accepted the challenge with enthusiasm, chugging the beer as everyone cheered him on. The room was filled with laughter and shouting as people tried to outdo each other with their dares and truths. And now Bella was also very very drunk so she stood up on the table and started to dance swaying her hips in a flirtiouros manner and doing her moves.

However, my focus was just on Mia who was now at the bar sipping the fruit punch that was there. I was now regretting telling her it was just juice. Before I knew she also started to mimic Bella and stood on the table but the table she was about to stand on was not very strong so it broke and she fell on the floor. Her face was flushed, and her speech was slurred. I could see she was out of her element—this wasn't the Mia I knew and honestly, I was responsible for her state.

I knelt beside her helping to her feet but she was way too drunk and was stumbling so much. "Let me get you some water, Mia" I calmly said and tried to guide her to the balcony, my arms wrapped around her arms protectively. "N..No Ryan I want to dance and I want thi..this juice more" she sluttered.

"No Mia, we are getting you some water," I said firmly booking no room for argument but to my surprise, she giggled and poked my nose with her fingers, "Being serious does not suit you, Ryan" I sighed inwardly knowing that she was more intoxicated than I had expected. She kept poking my cheeks and nose but I kept my mind just to take her to get some fresh air to the balcony.

When I finally took her there and guided her to sit and gave her some water to sip. While I settled her there, I went inside, "Hey, everyone!" I shouted over the noise. "It's time for everyone to head home. The party's over!"

There were groans and protests, but I stood my ground. "Seriously, it's getting out of hand. We've had enough."

Gradually, the partygoers began to gather their things and leave. All were reluctant, and a few cursed under their breath but I made sure everyone left right away.

After the last guests also left I made my way back to the balcony where Mia was sipping the water. I looked at her as she was sipping some water still giggling, "Ryan I thought you were the king of fun but seeing you here so serious you are like an old man." She started to laugh at her own joke poking my cheeks.

I rolled my eyes but a small chuckle escaped my mouth, "I am the king of fun, Little Sheep but someone has to handle you right now." I tried to pull away from her fingers which were still poking my cheeks.