Sip by Sip

Chapter Seventy-Eight: He Slurred

(Sorry this is a long one guys...but I didn't want to have to split it into multiple different chapters. I hope you all aren't too mad. Comment what you think of it! And don't worry, this length is a one time thing.)

Noah got up after her, but she didn't seem to notice him. Or how he called her name, in a desperate attempt to apologize.

He followed her to her apartment building, which happened to be right across the street, explaining why she never had to drive, and how she could arrive so early.

Once in the lobby, she sped up, and arrived inside the elevator before he could do the same. She shut the doors on him, and he waited until he was certain she got off at the fourth floor before taking the stairs.

Up, up, up he went, up the four flights of stairs, until he was winded and sweating.

He had no idea which apartment was hers.

But he could hear faint sobs coming from one of the apartments near the end of the hall. It's door was cracked.

He started to walk closer, and the closer he got, the more he could hear.

    "Jason, I'm so sorry," hiccup, and a sob, "that you have to see me this way."

    So this is Jason's place? He was almost at the door.

    "It's okay," A hiccup? "Gemma. I'm always," Another hiccup. Why was Jason hiccuping? "Here for you."

    His eyebrows were knit together quite adorably, she would've thought, if she could've seen him.

    "Thanks. I'm sorry for," a shaky breath, and another sob, "Calling you a drunk. I'm glad you are doing better."

    Noah could hear Jason laugh. "Yeah, better,"

    He slurred.

    Noah's eyes widened, and he sped to the door.

    "Gemma!"

    "Get out!" She screeched, pushing against the door to keep him from entering.

    "Please, Gemma, let me in!" Panic seeped into his tone. "He's drunk, Gemma! He's drunk!"

    "Shut up!" She screamed, drowning out his words, not wanting to believe that she had no one to lean on.

    "Gemma, please," He begged, "Let me in. He could-"

    "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" With a final burst of strength, she managed to close the door all the way and lock it.

    His shoulders rose and fell with his heavy breaths, listening in intensifying worry to the silence. He leaned against the door momentarily before pounding on it.

    "I'll leave, Gemma! If that's what you want, I'll leave. But you have to get out of there." He shouted, and then in a whisper, "Please."

    A voice from inside slurred, "Ignore him. You're safe in here."

    Gemma's hesitant voice responded. "Thanks, Jason. I just . . . can't deal with him right now."

    More silence. Noah couldn't bare it.

    "Gemma. Please." He pleaded through the wood, hoping she would hear, hoping she would listen.

    "It looks like you need a drink." Jason commented from within the apartment, and Gemma gave a little sound of agreement. Noah heard one, long swish of the bottle, and then the sound of it being placed down on the counter, empty.