Red Sir, Red

Seven

He was incredibly inebriated. I know that's what the bartender said when he called but it's incredibly different when you're seeing it close up.

I stand in the doorway watching, Cade stumble on top of the bar belting the Weeknd lyrics from the top of his lungs. He quickly loses his footing and goes to fall flat on his back but the bartender keeps it from happening.

"What the fuck, kid!" He snaps at Cade. He flinches at his words, and tries to rip his arm from his hold.

I take that as my que to take him home. I approach the bar, slowly catching Cade's eye. His face lights up when he sees me and he struggles out of his hold.

The bartender grimaces and quickly lets him go. Cade runs to me, tackling me in a hug. "Hanna! Hanna! Hanna!" He says and bends down to nuzzle his head in the crook of my neck. His arms wrapping around me.

Hanna? Shocked by his touch, I flinch but eventually lean into the hug. "Let me take you home." I mumble to him trying to exit the bar but he doesn't budge.

"Cade, come on." I say a bit sterner. I notice how he flinches. He lifts his head and looks at me with watery eyes.

I gasp and furrow my brows. "What's wrong?" I watch as tears spill from his eyes. This is definitely a new look for Cade.

He rubs at his eyes, smearing his tears. His eyes instantly turn blotchy as he continues to cry. He suddenly grabs me again and cries deep in my shoulder. What is going on?

I rub at his back and try my best to soothe him. "It's okay, Cade. It's alright. Let's get you home, yeah?"

He nods in my shoulder. I continue to shush his tears and start walking him out the bar. It's a hard task but he's actually walking making it easier. I open the passenger side to my Camry and set him in.

He puts on his seatbelt and instantly brings his knees to his chest. The action makes my heart break. What's wrong? Is he just a sad drunk?

I start the car and roll out of the parking lot. Cade continues to sniffle softly. I look over at him and ask,"Why were you here all alone?"

He shakes his head softly. "No one wants to hang out with me, but it's okay. I wouldn't want to hang out with me either."

I bite my lip at his confession. Last time I checked everyone wants to hang out with Cade. He has a bunch of friends to hang out with and girls to paw at him.

"Well, I like hanging out with you." I say softly looking away from the road before me to the broken boy beside me.

He giggles a bit and uses his hand to cover his mouth. "Ofcourse you do, Hanna."

I furrow my brows at him. Why does he keep calling me that. Who is this Hanna girl. I don't bother correcting him, however. He can call me whatever he wants as long as he stops crying.

Which thankfully he does. He trails his fingers on the tops of his knees, looking lost in thought. He hums softly to himself and doesn't say anything else. So I don't either.

I pull into the parking lot of the college dorms. I consider texting Gemma and let her take control of this situation but then I remember tonight is her special night with Cherry. I don't want to ruin that at all.

I also don't want to just drop him off in his dorm. One glance at Cade, a giggling vulnerable adorable Cade, I'm pretty sure he doesn't want anyone to see him like this.

I sigh and bite my lip. I can't take him to my dorm. There's a strict no boys after dark policy. But, since Gemma isn't there, there's a spare bed.