ROMEO

26

E.V.A.

The party was in full swing when we returned. The lights were dim, the sky going orange as the day fades.

Alex speeds over to me with wide eyes, Malcolm on her heel. "Eva?! Wha- What ha-"

I shake my head, strands of uneven hair tickling my cheek. "Don't ask. Let's just enjoy the party."

I run my fingers through my hair, hoping the strands would cooperate.

She nods, eyes stuck on my head. "OK."

Romeo searches the rooms, hands massaging each other. "Where's Zach?"

Alex groans, eyes rolling, hands slightly trembling. "Drinking."

I nod, the distaste for liquor heavy on my mind.

I had distaste for everything at this point.

Zach staggered over to us, red cup in hand. "Hey guys. WOAH, EVA I LOVE THE HAIRCUT!"

Romeo's hand find my shoulders, squeezing them in a comforting manner. I look up into his dotting eyes and wonder which one of he's trying to comfort.

I place my hand over his, giving it a squeeze before turning back to Zach. "Zach, how many drinks have you had?"

He couldn't be this much of a light weight. Doesn't the size of your body affect that?

I don't know. I don't drink.

"A couple," he burps.

"You're unbelievable," Alex growls, storming off.

Malcolm runs off behind her, glaring at Zach who looked like he didn't know what was going on.

"Why is everyone mad at me? Is it because I'm drunk?" He asks, his fingers tapping to a song thats on. "Drunk is fun. Drunk doesn't hate my parents because of me."

My brows pull down, not understanding what he was saying. "Who hates your parents?"

Romeo sighs, clearly knowing more than I do.

"It doesn't matter," He burps, drinking more from his cup. "I don't need grandparents."

I frown, pulling Zach's body to mine in an embrace. He wraps his arms around me loosely, his head hanging on my shoulder.

"I really like your hair," He slurs in my ear.

The pungent odor of liquor fills my nose as Romeo pulls me back. He lets me go, wrapping his arms around Zach's shoulders and walking him away from me.

"I'll be back."

I search the room for Alex, lingering in the crowded living room for a few minutes. She walks out of the bathroom with Malcolm as she wipes underneath her eyes.

"Alex!" I call out, waving her over.

She trudges over to me, looking as if she wanted this party to end already. "Why would he do this? I mean, whats the point!? Just because its a party doesn't mean you have to get shit-faced!"

My eyes widen at the emotion in her voice.

She sighs, glancing at Malcolm then me. "Sorry, he's just really important to me."

I smile a sympathetic smile. "I understand."

The crush she had, still probably has, is eating at her. She cares deeply for Zach, that much is obvious. I just hope it stays a crush and doesn't morph into something more.

It would crush Malcolm to be led on.

The way his distressed eyes look into mine, the more I can tell he thinks the same.