Empty Gold - {ryden}

15. Secrecy

15. secrecy (noun) - the action of keeping something secret or the state of being kept secret

Trigger Warning // alcohol use, mention of drug use, drinking while driving & death

"Ryan!"

Z's voice was cheery as ever as Ryan found his way to his friends that were huddled by a far wall at this random house party. He smiled toward them as Adam - Sisky, as everyone called him - handed him a drink. "You're late, dude."

"Sorry about that," he said with a soft laugh. "I had to convince my mom that Gabe wasn't going to almost kill me like last time. You know how paranoid she gets." All of his friends nodded as he took his first sip of the drink in his hands. "Now that I'm here though, what's the move for tonight?"

Z and Gabe laughs brightly as the pale blonde slung her arm around Ryan's shoulders. "No game plans," she said, a slight slur present in her voice, "we're just getting drunk and having a good time."

Ryan laughed and nodded his head, tilting back and taking a bigger drink than last time. "If we're getting drunk then let's get to it. Gabe, beer pong table."

- - -

Hours later, Ryan is laughing languidly as he sits with Z and Alex on a couch in the den, comfortable and completely drunk. There's kids smoking joints in the garage, kids passing bottles between each other because they're too lazy or too drunk to get off the floor and get their own, and there is soft laughter filtering through the whole house. It's comfortable, and it feels safe.

The party started winding down around two in the morning, leaving Ryan to decide where he would sleep in the large house when Sisky came and tapped him on the shoulder. "Ryan," he said, slurred words coming out softer than he'd probably intended them to, "can I talk to you please?"

Ryan nodded immediately and got off of the couch to follow Sisky into the empty kitchen. "What's up, man?"

Without a word, Sisky shoved what looked like his car keys into Ryan's hand and looked at him pleadingly. "I need you to take me home."

Ryan laughed gently, holding the keys back out to his friend. "I'm far too drunk to be driving myself home, let alone you, Sisky. You live farther away than me, it's dangerous--"

"Ryan, please," Sisky pleaded soflty. He took a deep breath before shaking his head gently. "I thought being out tonight would be good for me, with all the stress I've been having about taking my LSAT and everything. But I'm just more nervous. I've already had a panic attack, and I really, really need to go home. You're the only be I trust to drive me home in a state like this. Please, Ryan? You can even crash at my place, you know my mom won't mind."

Ryan swallowed softly. He knew he shouldn't do it. He's heard all of the stories, seen all of the videos that the police came up to his school to show kids about the dangers of drinking and driving. He knew he shouldn't get behind the wheel, but Sisky was right in front of him, almost in tears, begging to get out of here.

"Fuck," Ryan swore under his breath. "Fine," he aid softly. "Fine, come on let's go."

The entire walk from the house to Sisky's car he wouldn't stop thanking Ryan. As much as it amused Ryan, it was also starting to annoy him. He slid into the driver's seat as Sisky slid into the passenger and he started the car. The air conditioner kicked on and blew cool air into his face, clearing his eyesight just a little.

He cautiously pulled away from the drive of the house and started heading toward Sisky's home. They spoke about nothing and everything, blared music and sang at the top of their lungs, and the last thing Ryan remembered was the blare of a horn and the lights blinding him far more than they should have.