Somewhere Only We Know

XL - Sweet and sour motivation

Saturday, 1:06 a.m.

I was sprawled flat on the kitchen island, cold granite pressing into my back, too drunk to even remember how I ended up here. My vision blurred in and out, and my body felt strangely weightless, hugging the massive vodka bottle to my chest.

I turned my head slowly, my neck stiff. Mica and Chase were stumbling toward the door, leaning on each other just to stay upright. Chase was clearly the drunkest—his steps wobbly as hell, but he seemed weirdly fine, grinning like an idiot. Mica veered off course, reaching for sleeping Leo, sprawled on the couch. She held a fistful of his messy hair and shook it around playfully. "Goodnight, baby brother," she mumbled.

She straightened up—barely—and turned to me. Her face shifted, going from goofy to sad, or maybe like she was about to throw up. She pointed at me. "Congratulations, baby sister," she slurred. "You're gonna do great things." She got it all out eventually before nearly falling over.

Chase hiccuped, nodding at me. "Congrats, Em," he added, giving me a lazy salute. They shuffled out together, bumping into the doorframe twice before finally pulling it shut with a click.

I let my gaze drift to Leo—his back turned to me, his head tilted awkwardly against the couch backrest, and his mouth hung open a little. Next to him, Cameron had his head heavy on Leo's shoulder, also passed out cold, with one arm dangling off the cushion.

I rolled my head to the other side toward the kitchen. Empty bottles everywhere, red cups scattered. Edward was on his knees trying to haul up Jesse, who kept flopping back down, laughing. Edward caught my eye and waved frantically for backup.

I slid off the island clumsily, legs shaky beneath me. I quickly made it over and slung Jesse's arm over my shoulder. We took two steps before I spotted the vodka bottle I'd left behind. I grabbed it mid-stagger and tipped it back, chugging the last of it straight from the neck. Warmth flooded down, leaving it empty.

Edward groaned long and dramatically behind me, his brows furrowed, eyes blinking slowly and heavily like a frog. "Seriously?" he muttered.

I laughed. He reached up slowly, patted my cheek softly with his palm, then fumbled together a weak thumbs-up. He waved his hand vaguely. He and Jesse lurched toward the door like zombies. "We're off to bed!" Edward shouted over his shoulder. "See you lot tomorrow," his voice trailed off to a tired whisper by the end, the door banging shut behind them.

Now it was quieter, just me stumbling around. I wobbled over to Leo, staring at the back of his head for a long moment, swaying a bit. I bent down low, tilting my own head sideways to finally see the side of his peaceful sleeping face—drool glistening on his chin. I stayed like that, crouched awkwardly, studying him.

Then I poked his cheek with my finger. Nothing. Poke again, harder. He jolted upright like I'd shocked him, eyes wide. "Gamóto!" he yelled in Greek, flailing his arms wildly before his head dropped right back down, snoring instantly.

I chuckled low to myself. My eyes swung over to Beatrice, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, Diane fully passed out with her head on Beatrice's shoulder, soft puffs of breath ruffling Bea's hair. Beatrice looked up at me, bleary-eyed but smiling softly. She waved her phone gently—signaling she was calling them a cab to go home.

I managed a tired smile back and nodded once. Shuffled toward the bathroom, each step a battle. I yanked at the doorknob, but it wouldn't turn. Frustration shot through me. I grumbled, leaning against the door.

I stumbled back to the kitchen island, grabbed the edge with both hands, and awkwardly raised myself, feet kicking air before I finally belly-flopped back down flat. The cold surface felt good against my flushed skin. The world started spinning slowly, colors bleeding together. My eyes drifted shut heavily, and sleep finally dragged me under.

4:19 a.m.

I woke up on the hard floor, my head hurting so bad I could barely think. I couldn't tell if I fell off the kitchen island during the night or if the alcohol was just hitting me back in the form of a hangover. Everything spun a little when I tried to sit up. I groaned loudly and held my head in both hands, pressing hard.

I got up slowly, still holding my head, my legs feeling a bit wobbly. I looked around the living room—empty. There was no one around. No cups lying around, no bottles anywhere, just nothing. What was going on?

Shit, I was supposed to drive Camila and Cameron back to their house last night. 

I shoved my hands in my hoodie pockets, feeling for my keys or phone. I sighed long and heavy as I pulled out a few coins and some lint. My phone was gone, and I had no idea where it had gone. 

I rushed to the gaming room, hoping to find someone on the couch or at least something going on. When I swung the door open, I was met with no one. Controllers lay scattered on the floor, and chip bags were strewn about.

Next, I headed to the bathroom and pushed the door open—again, it was empty. Surprisingly, it was also very clean. The toilet was spotless, the sink shone brightly, and the towels were neatly folded. "Who cleaned this?" I wondered.

Then it struck me. I walked back to the kitchen. It too was immaculate. The counters had been wiped down, there was no mess from last night, and the trash was empty. The kitchen island gleamed as if brand new. I checked the front door; it was locked tight, with the chain secured and the bolt turned. Everything was in order.

I went to my bedroom next, opening the door slowly and quietly so I wouldn't wake anyone. There they were—Leo and Cam fast asleep on my bed. Leonardo, on his back, mouth open, snoring. Cameron curled up next to him, one leg kicked out from the covers. Relief washed over me for a second. At least the kids were safe.

I pushed the door open more to check the rest of the room. Then I saw them—Camila and Kai—out on the balcony. Both were leaning on the railing and oddly standing close. I couldn't hear the words, but they looked serious. My eyes went wide. One of their shadows moved—one of them looked back toward the door, right at me.

I pulled the door shut fast but quietly. Ran straight to the bathroom, shut myself in, and locked the door behind me. I slid down on the floor with my back against the door, knees up to my chest. Held my head in my hands again as if trying to stop the throbbing.

That's when I noticed it—the white bandage wrapped around my right hand. Tight and clean. My face scrunched up in confusion. "What happened to my hand?" I stared at it, flexing my fingers a little. I closed my eyes tight, trying to remember.

My eyes snapped open wide. My hands fell to my sides on the floor.

word count is 1188.