Bradford.

14. Home.

Chapter 14: Home.

"I can't find my shoe." I say as I start crying. The absinthe is really kicking in because I am so wasted right now.

"They're on your feet, Val." Tobias says in my ear.

"Let's go dance." I scream.

"We've be dancing all night. I'm tired." Riley says as she sits down on the bench beside the restroom door.

"Well, we have to do something. We can't go back to campus drunk out of our minds." I tell them.

"Calm down, we'll sober up." Tobias slurs.

"I need some water. I'll be back." I say and Riley nods.

I walk in staggered steps to the bar and I order a water. As the bartender fills a cup with water, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I am surprised to see Amir when I turn around.

"Hey." He says with a smile on his face, the dimple on his right cheek in full view.

He looks more casual today. He's wearing a t-shirt with sweatpants. His outfit today gives off a nerdy thirty year old vibe.

I like it.

Okay, maybe that's the absinthe talking.

"Funny meeting you here." I say, as I grab the glass of water off the counter.
"Thank you." I tell the Bartender and she sends a nod my way.

"Why is it funny?" He asks me as I sit on the bar stool.

"Because like I said, my first impression of you was a serious business man, not a thirty year old nerd who looks weird at the club."

Valarie, why would you say that?

"Ouch." He says with a smile on his face.

"I didn't mean it like that." I say, smacking my forehead.

"It's fine and I'm twenty five not thirty." He tells me.

"You don't look twenty five." I tell him with a frown on my face as I hold the cup of water with two hands.

"Huh? What do I look like then?" He asks me, lowering his head to where mine is, his lips inches away from mine.

His eyes are hazel brown.

"Forty five." I slur, sticking my tongue out at him.

"You're cute." He says, tapping my nose. I giggle like a little girl, then I catch a glimpse of Riley and Tobias. They look really uncomfortable.

"Um, can you give me and my friends a ride home?" I ask him.

"Yeah, my car's at the back." He tells me and I nod.

"Thank you. Give me a second." I tell him before I walk over to where Tobias and Riley are.

"Let's go." I tell them.

"Go where?" Tobias slurs.

"Oh, I know." Riley says, raising her hand up. "Outer space." She slurs.

Damn, she's wasted.

"Come on. Let's get you out of here." I say as I put her arm over my shoulder and hold her waist, helping her stand up from the seat.

"Are you ready to go?" Amir says, standing in front of me.

"Yeah." I nod.

"Let's go, but we have to use the back exit." He tells me.

"Okay." I reply, dragging Riley along with me as Tobias trails behind us.