Redemption

11 - Intoxicated

Chapter 11 - Intoxicated

I help Zack bring Shawn to the car, earning a few stolen glances and whispers throughout the crowd as we pass. I make sure to keep an eye out for Jasmine or Harry but don't see either of them.

Zack insists he is sober after about fifteen minutes of me making sure he isn't lying. I never thought I would see the day where I didn't want something bad to happen to Shawn, even though he has never looked out for my best interests.

I stand on the sidewalk, watching their car disappear into the night of the city. Right when they are out of sight, I am crushed with the realization of what I just saw. I knew Harry wasn't a kind man, probably a ruthless one, but I would have never guessed he was capable of beating another person unconscious.

Stupid, I scold myself. You barely know him!

I'm guessing I was hoping he wasn't the type of person he was showing to the rest of us. Boy, was I wrong. I could run back to my apartment from here but I couldn't ditch Jasmine like that, even though she already left me to fend for myself tonight. Maybe if she never left me none of this would have happened. I tell myself that's true.

I saunter back inside, my head hanging low in shame. No one seems to notice I was the girl who just carried a half-conscious person outside. They are all too caught up in their own worlds to pay attention to anyone else's.

Starting my search in the entry room, I push my way through sweaty bodies to search for Jasmine. My vision is starting to blur, letting me know I am definitely drunk. I wish I hadn't drank so much so I could be more put together. I don't even know how I would react if I came across Harry, but I catch myself scanning the crowd for his curly head of hair. Even after all of that, I still want to find him and talk about what just happened.

I clutch the banister tightly under my hand to make sure I don't trip as I climb up the stairs. I should have asked Zack for his number so I could make sure Shawn would be okay, but then again, karma works in mysterious ways.

Once I reach the top of the stairs, I search every room, not really caring of walking in on people doing the dirty. I open one of the doors to reveal a group of people in a circle, passing a bong around, making the room smell strongly of marijuana.

"Hey, pretty girl, want some?" A guy with tattoos covering his whole arm smiles at me, his dark eyes squinting at me.

"Amber?" someone asks. My gaze is taken off the tattooed man, switching to a face that eases my anxiety.

"Niall," I breathe, walking in and closing the door behind me as I do. His blue orbs are red rimmed, letting me know he probably has been sitting here for awhile.

The four other people give of us strange looks, obviously not expecting Niall to recognize me. He gestures to the spot next to him on the bed. Although I should continue my search for Jasmine, I know she will come find me once she wants to be found. I decide to send her a text, letting her know where I am anyways.

Niall's blue eyes search my face, making his eyebrows furrow in concern. "Are you okay?" he asks, putting a hand on my shoulder. Usually I would flinch at the contact, but it feels quite reassuring to know someone else besides Jas, Isaac, or Candace cares about me and my wellbeing.

I pathetically shrug my shoulders. "Could be better," I try to joke.

His eyes continue to search my face for any signs of distress. He doesn't know how good could I am at hiding how I actually feel, especially around strangers. The tattooed man clears his throat, tapping my knee with one of his fingers cladded with rings.