Fifteen

Chapter 20: Problem

Stefan smiled as the fog of sleep began to lift. He drew circles on the back of her hand as he listened to her breathing. Everyone seemed to have passed out when they lay down, but he and Aria stayed up until 4am talking. If he thought he was interested before, Stefan knew he was a goner now. They were so much alike and to be honest it was a bit frightening.

There was something about the stars and the smell of the fire that just coaxed out the truth from both of them. He told her about his family, or lack thereof, and he watched as she fought the tears when she spoke about hers. He understood that pain. The feeling of abandonment and rejection and if he thought she wouldn't freak, Stefan would have held and kissed her right then and there.

When they did finally sleep, Stefan was roughly awakened by a slap. Aria was beautiful and looked every bit of a lady, but she slept like a large, angry man. He moved and pulled her closer to him and nestled her onto his chest. It felt nice, but he was really doing it for his own safety. He couldn't deny that seeing Caleb's arm around her boiled his blood. You're acting like a jealous boyfriend. The thought was very true, but he couldn't shake it.

He knew he was being crazy, but there was something about her that just affected him like no other. She mumbled something in her sleep and Stefan smiled as he looked down at her. Aria had the longest eyelashes he'd ever seen and her lips were mesmerizing. He fought the urge to kiss her, but before he could trace them with his finger, he felt a squeeze on his shoulder.

"Hey Romeo, I need your help." Stefan stared up at a kneeling JT and wondered if he could punch him without waking Aria. JT could apparently read his thoughts and backed away a few inches. "Look, it's Elsa. Can you please come help me?" The sincerity in his eyes and the mention of Elsa were the only reasons Stefan moved.

It almost hurt to break contact with her, but he gently shifted Aria so he wouldn't wake her. As he put on his shoes and followed JT, Stefan turned around to see Caleb pull Aria closer and cover their heads with the sleeping bag. As he stomped away, Stefan glared at JT. I'm going to make sure Elsa is okay and then I'm going to kill JT. Regardless of what actually is happening, I know this is somehow his fault.

"I thought you said Molly didn't usually have side effects," Stefan huffed holding up Elsa's long, dark hair. Daisy gave JT a glare. According to Daisy, Elsa woke up thirty minutes ago and had been vomiting ever since. The nearby trashcan was covered and filled. "I want to die!" She cried between heaves. "I know," Daisy cooed, "but we're not going to let that happen. Just let it all out."

Brooke let them know that there were showers between the courtyard and the gardens, so the guys carried Elsa there. Daisy had assisted in removing her clothes that were covered in vomit. Stefan leaned against the adjacent sink in an attempt to get as far away from the stench as possible.

"Yeah, it usually doesn't." JT looked at the ground. "He must have messed up the baggies or something." The calm in JT's voice did not match the horror on Stefan's face or the anger in Daisy's. "Relax! I'm sure it's just a bad batch or something! Besides, I'm pretty sure this is because of all the alcohol she drank." Daisy propped Elsa gently on the wall of the shower before grabbing JT and pushing him up against the sidewall. She was clearly stronger than she looked, because both Stefan and JT's mouth were held open.

"You're a real asshole you know that? You can't be nonchalant when your friend is sick off of some cheap ass shit you gave her!" JT tried to remove himself from Daisy's glare and grasp, but Stefan was right next to her with an expression that told him to stand still. "Geez Daisy, tell me how you really feel!"

Stefan slammed his palm against the wall. "Can you be serious for once in your life? Do you not see Elsa right now? What if something is really wrong with her and we have to take her to the hospital? Her family will freak. You were so worried about her cramping your style that you didn't even think about any adverse impact!" Elsa began to moan either in pain or for their attention.

"Guys," Elsa mumbled. "Please stop..." The sound of gagging and vomiting stopped her instructions. For the next few minutes, Daisy helped Elsa get cleaned up. Olivia brought over some soap and shampoo to assist, while Brooke searched for towels and clothes.

JT and Stefan knew she would kill them when she came to, but at least she'd be clean doing so. JT opted to clean up the trashcan and areas nearby where Elsa missed. He was trying his hardest to avoid any more confrontation, so Stefan happily obliged to go back to the Aria.

Gracia blinked into awareness. There was a mass of red wavy hair infront of her, and she was spooning against the softest skin. Her arm was wrapped around her chest, tracing the silkiest of materials. She took a deep breath and smelt the mixture of peppermint and vanilla. The smile that crept onto her face was instinctual as the warm body wiggled against her.

This feels like Heaven. Sophia Kate nuzzled deeper into her arms as sleepy inaudible words escaped her. I could get used to this. Gracia thought taking another breath. Just as she was going to try and fall back asleep, Gracia heard the words more audibly and froze. "I do love you, Trey." As if slapped, Gracia removed her hand and turned to lie on her back. Well, there goes my answer!