It was past four in the morning when I faced the toilet in the second-floor bathroom. Someone was occupying the one downstairs, so I had to run up here. I felt so nauseated I began to puke all the liquids I had drank tonight. They had forced me into trying everything, and I had willingly accepted since I promised myself not to be a prude.

Groaning, I rested my head on the toilet seat. I was in no condition to walk, too drunk to even think straight. My stomach started to act up again as I began to heave uncontrollably with nothing more to hurl.

Instant regret.

A knock on the door made me stop making awkward sounds. I breathed heavily, trying to calm myself down. The person who had been knocking was persistent enough to open the door. I was too tired to even move, so I had not cared whoever it was that needed to use the toilet badly.

"Are you okay?" The guy asked. He seemed pretty sober, must be the designated driver.

I didn't answer him. It was obvious I was suffering from intoxication. I heard him get closer. From my peripheral, I could see him standing beside me. I looked up to see Nickolas, Max's older brother, who was carrying a towel around his shoulder. His hair tousled as he had just woken up from sleep.

"Oh hey, Nick." I croaked, finding it hard to speak.

I saw him bending to my level. He brushed the hair that fell on my face to the side. When he recognized who I was, I saw that small panic in his eyes. Immediately dropped his hand as if I had just burned him. It was an odd reaction, but I could understand if it was awkward for him to nurse a pathetic drunk girl at this hour. My mind was still working clearly, but my body just gave up entirely.

Sure, I had been to Max's house a few times, but only encountered Nick's presence rarely. He was a young doctor. He was only twenty-eight, practicing general medicine. Max's family was actually into the pharmaceutical business. His family and mine were a close-knit group, sharing the same field interest.

"Let me help you up," Nick grabbed both my arms then pulled me up. It was a little difficult for him to move me but he eventually made me sit on the edge of the bathtub.

"Thanks, let me just have a second. I'm going to let you use the bathroom." I whispered hoarsely. My throat was dry, and I knew I had puke breath. The taste was just awful in my mouth.

I attempted to stand a few moments later but failed when I lost a step. Landing on my knee, I groaned as my head started to ache badly.

Nick was quick enough to hold me up. "Have you eaten anything today?" Not sure why he was asking me that. But I replied anyway, "Not since yesterday."

"Fuck." He hissed.

Without warning, he carried me off my feet. I was too tired to fight back. I had no idea where he was taking me, but I needed to go home before they were going to find out that I had been out all night.

I felt a soft surface, and I immediately succumb to its comfort. "Mhmm..." I shifted and buried my face into the marshmallow-like pillow.

"You wait here. I'm getting you something to eat." I heard Nick say, then left the room.

I felt a soft surface, and I immediately succumb to its comfort. Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I slowly sat up to see Nick holding a cup of coffee and a croissant. I never realized that I had fallen asleep.

"Here, this would help you sober up." He carefully placed the cup in my hand as he put the croissant on the other.

I thanked him again as I started to nibble on the pastry. Nick was still in front of me, expectantly waiting for me to finish. I was having a hard time swallowing. As usual, I wasn't hungry.

But I did it eventually just so I wouldn't look ungrateful. I gulped down the coffee to the last drop. When I finished, Nick gave me a small smile. We were silent. No words were exchanged, just a comfortable silence that blanketed over us.

"You're probably tired of hearing it, but thank you. I feel much better." I told him gratefully.

Nick just smiled. "You're most welcome."

"I should probably get home," I mumbled, setting aside the empty cup onto the nightstand. I then had stood up and straightened the sheets before I had to leave.

"I'll drive you back." He offered.

"Oh. You've helped enough. You don't have to worry about me."

"Come on, it's no big deal. I'll start the car." Nick left the room, leaving no arguments to object to him.

I sighed; it made me uncomfortable when people wanted to offer their help. They tended to invest so much in a person who didn't even reciprocate their kindness. I get I wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but there are just some people who wanted to break all your walls to get to know you - to see you in all your naked form. And that scared me.

I got out of the room to find my friends. They were sprawled out in the living room, sleeping in very uncomfortable positions. All the guests had left the house, and they also left a huge mess for Max to clean. I could tell the party had been worth it. Almost everyone from the school attended last night.

Sydney was leaning onto Curtis' shoulder. I shook her gently, so I could tell her that I was going home. It didn't work; it only made her snuggle closer to Curtis. Peyton lay face down on the cold, hard floor, holding an empty glass. I tried to wake her, but she was passed out. Everyone was.

Great. I would just have to leave them a text then. I went outside to see Nick already waiting for me inside the car. He signaled me to get in. I was mortified to see my reflection in the glass of Nick's car. My doodle of a cat's nose and whiskers were smudged onto my face. My hair was all over the place. I was a mess, which was so embarrassing.

I got in and flicked open the sun visor, hoping to see a small mirror so I could fix myself. Nick chuckled at my failed effort. He opened the glove compartment and pulled out a box of tissue and alcohol.

"Thanks...again." I smiled. I had been thanking him a lot.

Nick started the car as I finished cleaning myself. Most of the eyeliner I used to draw on my whiskers had vanished. My hair was fixed in a messy, low ponytail. I snuggled back in my seat in contentment and a few minutes later; I drifted off.

"Scarlett," Nick spoke softly.

I opened my eyes, aware that we had stopped. We were already in front of my house, which was weird because...

"Wait, I didn't tell you where I live." I furrowed my eyebrows when I tried to track the last hour I was with Nick, remembering if I had told him my address.

He smiled sheepishly. "You probably didn't know, but I get called for meetings. Your parents invite me over in the morning sometimes during lunch. I never really saw you since you were always in school."

"That makes sense." I paused, not sure what to say next. "Anyway, thanks for the ride. I'm sorry you had to see all of this," gesturing to the state of the mess I was in.

"I've seen worse." Nick just smirked.

I gave him a small smile as I opened the car door. Before I went beyond the gates of my house, I should see him off first. I turned back around and waited for him to leave. Nick rolled his windows down, then gave me a wave. I waved back as his car started to disappear, turning left onto the curb.

When I was sure he had left, I quickly ran around my house. Climbing over the hedge, carefully avoiding the security camera, was a tough mission to accomplish. It was the only way that I wouldn't be able to get caught. My room was on the second floor, and I was thankful that the door below my window had a small roof over it so that I could easily climb up to my room.

I finally managed to get into my room safely. No one was up yet, which was good. I took a bath and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Sleep had finally caught up with me. It was now almost six in the morning. I jumped into bed and closed my eyes, detecting the sweet scent of detergent on my sheets as I dozed off peacefully.

I woke up to the sound of my door closing, turning to see Ellen bringing me a tray of food. "It's already lunchtime, Scarlett. You have to eat."

Groaning, I stretched my aching limbs, then sat up for Ellen to put the tray onto my lap. She had prepared some cheese on toast and eggs. Beside my plate was a glass of water and medicine for my headache. How she knew how I was feeling was beyond me.

Surprisingly, I felt the urge to eat a little. I thanked Ellen and picked up the toast, giving it a bite. Ellen was smiling weirdly at me, which made me ask, "What?"

"I should be nagging at you right now like a mom, but I'm happy that you went to that party. It did you good. But remember, no drugs and not too much alcohol. Okay?" She reprimanded playfully.

"Ellen," I groaned. "This is bad parenting."

Ellen laughed heartily, "Live a little. A piece of advice: don't come home pregnant."

"Oh my god," I covered my face with both of my hands. This was not happening. We were not going to have a conversation about this.

She couldn't stop laughing at my discomfort. "Okay, okay. I'm going to stop. Tommy has been waiting for you to wake up. Could you do me a favor, will you? Please convince him to change into some clean clothes. He had been wearing his costume since last night."

I chuckled at my brother's cuteness. "Alright, let me just finish my breakfast."

Things may not look up from here, but the thought that I could have a little taste of freedom made me question myself. Would sacrificing my happiness for others be worth it? 

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