There Is Freedom Here

Chapter 7: Day After

What number was this?

Fourth? Fifth?

All you knew was that you should really stop drinking, but holy shit, hanging out with a group of friends as awesome as this was so much fun. You don't remember the last time you had ever teared up from laughing so hard. In fact, you couldn't remember much right now.

Reiner downed his shot right next to you, face completely red as he placed it down on the table. He and you had been going at it for the past hour--drinking, cracking jokes, and just overall having a great time.

Bertholdt stared at you with frightened eyes as the empty glass was slammed on the counter by your sweaty hands. He worriedly glanced at Jean who was too busy whispering something in Marco's ear. He knew that Jean drove you here and he was just wondering whether Jean could actually drive you back. He and Marco did not look completely sober, either.

Reiner and you were both shit-faced, which Bertholdt knew was a recipe for disaster. To be honest, he wasn't one to stop his friend from getting with a girl but Annie sure was. Every time Reiner leaned a bit too close, Annie would glare at him with such a fierce aura that even drunk Reiner got the message.

He didn't know why Annie was being so protective of you. Perhaps you had talked to her about a crush of yours? Or she just must hate Reiner to extent of stopping him from getting a girl in his bed tonight. Bertholdt hesitated. It was probably the latter.

You and Reiner could not stop laughing over one of the stupidest Tiktok that had shown up on your for-you-page. Honestly, nobody knew why you two were on your phones in a club, but nobody cared enough to question it.

But after dancing with Reiner for at least an hour straight, collapsing on the booth was heaven. Reiner and your video just made it ten times better.

Your cheeks became warm as you glanced at Reiner, who was staring at the video that had replayed for the tenth time. He wasn't too bad, you thought. Even if he was basically exposed as a player, you couldn't blame the girls who fell for his charm. He had thin eyebrows and a thin goatee, and although most men you've seen couldn't pull it off, he did it quite well.

Reiner glanced back at you as your eyes slowly trailed down from his eyes to his lips.

His eyes slowly dropped down to your own set of soft lips. You licked them to make sure they weren't dry and just as you were about to go in, a hand-pulled you away.

"No."

She gripped your shoulder and tugged you back. A bit surprised, you frowned and turned around to face her, a deep crimson red painted across your face. Even drunk, you knew that you were a grown woman and could make the decision yourself. This man was sexy and you wanted a piece of him. 

"Annie, let me go!"

Annie shook her head. "I'll let you make out with him when you're both sober. It's almost one in the morning, you should head home."

"Jean drove me here."

Annie glanced at Jean who was currently all over a blushing Marco and groaned. "Hey!" She shouted at the two men. Marco shoved Jean away, causing him to fall back rather harshly.

"Yes?" Marco asked, a bit embarrassed.

"What's her address? I'll take her home."

Jean pulled himself up and narrowed his eyes. "Is she even alright with that?"

Annie glanced at you who was rocking in the booth absentmindedly. It seemed that you got over Annie preventing you from kissing Reiner rather quickly. Reiner was frowning in the corner while Bertholdt sent him a supportive smile.