Note from the Author-

Chapter 13: Intoxication

Ross' Pov

I exploded on someone so fragile. Someone I cared so deeply about. I revealed a menacing side of me. I was revolted with the person I portrayed myself to her. The guilt kicked in and I suddenly felt the urge to call Laura and plead for her forgiveness. I took my phone out from my pocket and my fingers rapidly dialed her number. There was no answer. I called again. This time there was a silent answer.  I inhaled air and muttered two words softly.  "I'm sorry."

There was loud sneerful laughter that sounded miles away. I spoke into the phone again. "Laura?"

"Laura's busy right now. Leave  her a message, will you?" The male voice spoke in between chuckles.

My heart almost stopped. Who was that? I spoke in a heavy tone. "I'm not leaving her a message. You're going to give her the phone right now."

The stranger erupted in laughter. I almost lost it in that moment. "I'm really fucking serious."

"Damn, dude. Calm down. Even if I did hand her the phone she probably wouldn't remember the conversation. She's wasted."

I prayed that the guy I was talking to wouldn't hang up. I needed to see her. "Where is she? It's important."

His words were sloppy. "We're at my pal's party. Just leave her alone, night."

I sighed heavily and ended the call. I knew there was no chance that this guy would tell me where they are.

Suddenly, I heard a loud cheering crowd. This easily caught my attention and as if I were hypnotized I followed the sounds. Surprisingly, they lead me to Laura. She was parading her not so sober self and by her side was one of Daniel's friends, Derek. I went towards the both of them, glaring at Derek. He replied with a similar facial expression.

Before starting any fires. I pressed my palm against Laura's upper back gently. "Laura," I said softly. "Are you alright?" She turned around swiftly and beamed a smile at me. "I'm great. Thanks to Derek."

Her grin was wide and she flashed her shiny set of teeth at me. I couldn't help but smile back at her. She looked so blissful. "Laura, come with me. I have a jacket you can borrow."

Her smile fell into a frown. "I already have a jacket. And I don't need to wear it right now..."

My patience was running thin. "Laura. You're topless. You're in your bra. Either you find your clothes and put it on or I'll get you some because I'm not going to stand here and watch you make a complete fool out of yourself."

"Hey! I don't know who the hell you think you are but she doesn't need this shit. She's gorgeous and deserves a great night. So, you can either sit down and respect her choices or deal with me because I'm not letting you ruin her moment," Derek sneered.

My fists tightened. "Get the fuck out of my house. I'm Ryan's brother. You may not know me but I sure as hell know you. You're a little fag who likes making girls drunk so that you can get into their pants!" I objected.

Derek was silent and Laura was angry. Her bubbly face immediately changed into a face full of fury. She reached for my shirt tightly, pulling me close to her. Our faces were only inches apart and she smelled of liquor. It's almost humorous how I felt the need to grab her fragile face and kiss her but I could see the anger in her facial expression.

Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were quivering. "I don't know what you're trying to pull off... One second you come swooping in as my hero and the next you're a giant ass! You want me to go. Okay. That's fine. I'll leave. Just grow a pair and spit it out. I honestly don't care anymore. I've already dealt with rejection... lies, emotional and physical abuse all my life so, you saying two damn words isn't going to break me. But whatever Ross. I'll save you a breath and just go."

She let go of my shirt and turned to face Derek. "Get your keys. Let's go to your place." Astonished, he nodded his head and reached into his pocket and jingled the keys.

I gazed at her with a bitter, disapproving face. "Laura if you go-"

"If I go what?" You're going to come after us? Call the cops? You aren't my father, Ross. You're barely my friend. And you know what you're the exact same person as Dianne. You're evil and I hate you."

I stood paralyzed in my tracks as I watched her and Derek exit my house. All I was able to do was stare until they disappeared from my sight. Her last words left me miserable. They played through my mind like a reoccurring vinyl. "You're the exact same person as Dianne. You're evil and I hate you."

Minutes felt like hours and my mind was wrecked with anxiety. My only capabilities were to dwell about her safety. I felt trapped in my consuming thoughts. I know the unlikely hood of her answering was high, but I called anyway. A couple rings blurted and the call was surprisingly picked up.

"Please don't hang up. I want to make this right. I don't want you to hate me like that," I pleaded.

She replied in between sobs. "I- I. I'm so, so sorry, Ross. It was the alcohol speaking. You are nothing like her. Nothing! All you've ever done is help this shitty person that I've become. I hate myself so much, for comparing you to such a horrible person."

I cringed at the sound of her heavy, shuddering sobs.
"No! you had every right to pour your heart out. All that anger. It shouldn't be bottled up. You need to express it sometimes."

"Ross, no. You don't get it. You don't understand! That's not my heart! My heart doesn't hate you! I'm not bottling any hatred for you. It's the complete opposite. It's- "

"It's what?! What is it?" I desperately asked.

"It's um, I'm drunk."

"That's not it. There's something you aren't telling me," I argued.

There was a lingering silence as I waited for her response. "Laura? Did you go?"

"I hear you. I just can't think clear right now. My mind is pacing with boozed thoughts... I think I'm going to take a walk at the park."

I trembled at the thought of Laura walking by her lonesome, heavily intoxicated. "Don't. Please. At least let me walk with you?"

She didn't give in easily. "You can't. I need to be alone."

There was no way I was going to let her win this. "Just because you need to be alone doesn't mean you should."

"I'm going to Dalton Park. You can come, but not one word from you. I won't be taken advantage of."

My lips formed into a frown. "I could never do that. Not to you."

Her voice rough, but sweet vibrated through the phone. "I'm drunk. I'm being utterly honest. Don't make me say things that could ruin me tomorrow. Do you promise?"

"I promise."

"Pinky?" She questioned.

"Pinky."