Something I Want

Chapter 28.

-Are you feeling better?

Niall holds out the water bottle a few minutes later, as the contents of my stomach appear on the ground.

I shake my head and take the bottle from his hands. I don’t even want to think about how tragic I look. Despite everything, my dress is covered in alcohol, I smell like vomit.

I drink water and lean against a tree. I take deep breaths to stop the urge to throw up again. Although it would only make things better, the embarrassment I’ve already experienced is enough.

-We’ll only drive when you feel a little better. Vomiting in Zayn’s car wouldn’t be a good idea.

-I agree with you this time, -I look at him as he sits down next to me.

He smiles and hands me a pack of gum. I pop a couple of gummies in my mouth and the minty taste spreads in my mouth.

-I’d advise you to stop drinking, -he looks in the direction Grace expressed herself.

-I'd advise you not to invite me to parties anymore, -I mumble.

He bites his lip on the inside and thinks about something furiously. I pull my legs closer to me because the stomach ache is starting to bother me.

-He was convicted of violence.

I look at him for a minute and only then do I realize what he's talking about.

-No, she can't stand this. He... doesn't look like that.

-And that's not all, -he runs his fingers over his chin, and I frown.

-Drugs and illegal work.

-Shit, -I close my eyes -What a shit. If I don't tell her, she'll find out anyway someday and it'll get in the way. I really don't need to fuck up my relationship with her.

-You can pretend you don't know.

-I can't. I can't hide it from her.

-It's a lie.

We both smile and when I feel her energy drain, I turn away.

-We can go now, -I sigh.

He nods and helps me stand up. We get back in the car and drive out of the forest. I notice that Niall is driving slowly and carefully. I panic.

-What? -he asks me.

-If I want to throw up, I'll let you know. You don't have to drive slowly.

-There's a person among us who's afraid of speed.

And I'm confused. He's driving not because I'm going to bring the car, but because I'm afraid of speed. What the...?

The awkward silence lulls me to sleep, but the nausea that's returning disturbs my sleep. I drink some water and roll down the window a little. But it doesn't help and Niall has to stop a few more times on the way home.

-I'm taking you to the hospital, he lets go of my hair.

-Then say goodbye to World War III, between you and my mother.

-You're crazy enough to die, what should I do?

-Don't panic and take me home.

-With your health like this, we won't be back until the end of the week.

-At least we're going back, -I rinse my mouth with water and get back in the car.

Finally we manage to reach the house, but I'm standing at the door and I want to bang my head on it so hard that I die. Why am I without keys? And what am I supposed to do now? Sleep outside?

-Combs!

I hear my name and turn around. Niall nods towards his house, and I shake my head.

-Well, good luck surviving in the minus then, -he says louder, and I look at the shiny asphalt. Damn November.

Soon I enter Niall's house and quietly take off my high heels. He doesn't turn on the light, but he turns on the spotlight through the phone. I follow him to the third floor and there are only two doors.

-Here's the bathroom, and here's my room, -he points to different doors -Come on, I'll get you some cleaner clothes.

-I'd be grateful.

-Yes, because you smell like shit.

We giggle and enter his room. I was a little different when I imagined his room. I think it would be full of dirty clothes, trash, and smells, but his room is tidier than mine. I can smell the washed sheets. Oh ... are we going to sleep in the same bed? Of course.

He hands me his T-shirt and towel. I tiptoe into the bathroom and almost fall over when I see myself in the mirror. I search his entire bathroom and find a hairbrush. I comb my hair, wash my face, and with a long struggle with soap, I remove my makeup. After washing myself, I put on his T-shirt. Although, judging by its length, I dare to doubt that it is his.

When I return to the room, I see Niall already lying in bed and someone texting on his phone.

-I told your friends that you were taken care of.

-Well, thanks?

He nods and looks at me.

-Hey, you look better.

I stick out my middle finger and climb into bed as fast as I can. I was right about the sheets. They smell like laundry detergent.

-Am I sober yet? -I ask Niall, and he looks at me.

-No. Sober Grace, even at her worst, I wouldn't agree to sleep with Niall.

-Well, then get ready to be scolded tomorrow.

I settle down and close my eyes.

-I'm going to watch you sleep all night, -Niall whispers.

-I'm going to gouge your eyes out and kill you a slow death.

-Oh, it looks like Grace is sobering up.

We laugh and I feel his warm breath on my neck. I quickly fall asleep, ignoring the shivers.