The Morning After [Victuri] ✔️

Party

The snow had finally cleared, the last of it throughout the day and I was beyond thankful. As I stood there on the side of the road waiting for the moment where I might see Phichit's sleek silver car appear from around the corner all I could think was, at least it's not snowing, at least the ice has gone. Because after all, it could have been worse, it felt as if it was my gift from God, the little bit of kindness to help me through the day.

Another shiver ran through me and I pulled my scarf closer around my neck.

It could be worse.

As the minutes passed I took to counting the vehicles passing, and when that failed to amuse me pulled out my phone, checking the time. Phichit was never punctual so, to be honest, I don't know why I had expected anything different on my birthday; it was already nearing eight-thirty and out of the dozens of silver cars I had managed to count, Phichit's was not one of them.

I was just about to give up hope of ever seeing the allusive automobile when finally across the street I spotted it. And without a moment's hesitation, I rushed across the road and through the bitter air, eager to find myself in the warmth of the seat next to my tardy friend.

"How's the birthday boy?" He mocked as I slid into the seat next to him, undoubtedly shivering and perhaps my lips were also blue.

I was quick to send a small glare his way before huffing and bitterly replying "Perfect."

He smirked at me before turning his attention back to the road, and as he did so I leant back in my seat, reaching over my shoulder for my belt and swiftly buckling up. I still didn't know where Phichit was planning to take me, but I did have a small inkling that it might be somewhere we would be allowed to get drinks - considering he was still only seventeen - and somewhere where he might be able to get some special favours. Somewhere where the manager's name might begin with 'Ch' and end with 'ris', and have some connection to my current chauffeur.

I'll admit I really wouldn't have been surprised if that was where we ended up considering the circumstances but either way I'd applaud Phichit for trying to keep it a secret, even though that was the only club we've actually ever been accepted into.

And as his foot clamped down on the acceleration I instantly remembered why I had never let Phichit drive me anywhere, because oh god was it a mistake. We sped down the road as if we were a cheetah on steroids, a weird thought I know but there was honestly no other way I could think of to describe the sheer speed combined with the god-awful steering as we swerved around corners, narrowly dodging countless inanimate objects, to name a few - lampposts, letterboxes, other parked cars - how he passed his test was a mystery to me and one I feared I would never find the answer to as we narrowly missed crashing head-on into a tree.

And as my near-death experience and quite possibly the most terrifying car journey of my life came to a close I was pleasantly informed that my assumptions had indeed been correct and the car was pulled up outside Chris' club. No doubt Phichit would be glad to be seeing him tonight.

"We're here!" He cheered, shifting the car out of gear and pulling up on the handbrake. His head turned to me and as his eyes scanned me a puzzled look crossed his face, his eyebrows furrowing, "What're you doing?"

Upon his remark I instantly released the chair I had been clinging onto for dear life and allowed my muscles to relax one by one, "N-nothing," he shrugged, taking one final glance at me before unbuckling his seatbelt and climbing out of the car. Once I was alone I allowed myself a few seconds, taking deep breaths to calm and steady myself before following his lead and unbuckling my own seatbelt.

Phichit greeted me upon my departure from the quite terrifying vehicle, leaning against a brick wall, a glint of something in his eye and a hand tucked suspiciously behind his back.