Parfait

10: Margarita Pt.2

It's a special kind of betrayal when it's from my own high heels. 

I take the smallest of steps and somehow trip and fall on a very muscular guy with tattoo sleeves on both his arms. I shoot him my most innocent smile and goes back to sipping from his drink, a two-toned cocktail with a tiny umbrella.

I feel someone holding my hand. It's Alex, who's smiling and nodding towards the door. I follow him, happy for the support.

As soon as we get out and the door behind us closes, I can hear static in my ears while the music from the inside is muffled but nowhere near gone. We sit at the steps and I take off my shoes, cringing at the red marks sprinkled where the straps were touching me. It's a little chilly, and the fact that I'm sweaty from dancing like a chicken doesn't help.

"Did you drink more when we left the bar?" Alex asks me, almost cautiously. "You seemed like you were about to fall all night."

I chuckle. "It's the shoes."

His face relaxes. "I didn't think of that." He lets out a yawn. "Do you think we should be going home?"

I take my phone from my back pocket and check the time. "I guess we should. Let me text Olivia and see how she's feeling."

"You were right, by the way," Alex says.

I'm typing the text for Olivia but my fingers freeze. "About what?"

Alex smiles. "I talked with Sofia, about...all my concerns and now we're fine. Thanks for helping me."

I can feel my cheeks flush. "No problem," I say and send the message to Olivia.

Alex scoots a little closer. "Don't you like anyone?"

I lock my phone and put it back in my pocket. I fight the urge to tell him the truth by stating something that's also true. "Calum Hood from 5SOS."

Alex chuckles. "C'mon, anyone real?"

As I'm looking into his light brown eyes and his half-smile, I consider telling him the whole truth, just for a second. "Only you," I say before I can think logically. Before he can react, I add, "Daddy."

Alex hides his face with both hands. "Alright, I took that joke too far. Please don't remind me." He drops his hands on his lap and pouts. "And it's fine if you don't want to tell your oldest friend who do you like."

I shake my head. I'm outright telling you I like you, idiot.

"Hey," Olivia shouts from behind us, dragging the last vowel and almost causing me a heart attack. "I found Christopher on my way out."

Christopher and Kal are right behind her, with Christopher steadying himself with Kal's help. The contrast between them couldn't have been stronger: Christopher is on the shorter side and his blond hair is glued to his forehead from the sweat while the striped dress shirt he has on is clinging to his torso. Kal is more casual in his black skinny jeans and the flannel he has wrapped around his waist, but he also looks fresh, since he barely got up from the barstool all night.

"Yeah, he's completely useless though because he's drunk as a skunk," Kal spits.

"What?" I hiss.

As if to answer, Christopher falls on his butt and starts singing a Dan + Shay song.

Yup, definitely drunk.

"So what now?" I ask, already thinking of what my parents will be saying tomorrow morning about us being irresponsible.

"We've all drunk," Alex says but then his face lights up. "Sofia didn't though! Wait, I'm going to text her."

I don't want to die because of her awful driving and so I try telling Alex we should just call a cab, but he doesn't listen. Less than five minutes later, Sofia and Kate walk out of the club. The redhead runs to Alex and wraps her arms around his neck.