15. Arya

A painfully sharp throbbing in my forehead wakes me up on Tuesday morning. I groan, roll over and try to force myself to go back to sleep. Instead, my stomach churns and before I know it, I am sprinting out of my room and towards the bathroom. I fall to my knees in front of the toilet bowl, hold my hair back and empty my stomach into the bowl.

My throat aches with soreness when I'm done and my whole body shakes. When I look into the mirror, my reflection almost scares me. My make up is smudged all over my face, my long dark hair resembles a birds nest and my skin looks pale enough to belong to a corpse. I groan and turn on the faucet, letting warm water run over my hands before splashing my face with it and washing out my mouth. Not satisfied with the result, I grab my toothbrush and brush my teeth for at least five minutes. My stomach is still upset and I try to remember what I ate last night that has me feeling like absolute--

"Oh shit," I curse and slap a hand across my mouth, memories from last night filling my head like a fast forwarded movie.

"I see, someone's up." As I turn, Sam appears, arms crossed in front of his chest. He gives me a look that can only be described as furious and I prepare for the scolding of my life.

Instead he just keeps staring at me so I sigh and try to push past him to get back into bed. I feel like I could sleep for the next two years if no one stopped me. But of course, you can't always get what you want.

"You know, you have school today, right?" Sam follows me into my room as I fall down on my bed and wrap myself back into the sheets.

"I don't care..."

The headache is seemingly getting worse as I lie back to relax in bed. Unfortunately Sam is not quite empathetic and appears next to me again. He grabs onto the blanket that covers me and with one swift tug, I am exposed to the chilly morning air again.

"Listen Arya," I don't have to look at Sam to know that the not-so anticipated lesson is coming right now. "I don't care if you feel like shit right now. You got yourself into this so now you're paying for it. I've got some Aspirin for you downstairs and you're already late so you better get going. And don't even try to sleep! I'm trying my hardest not to shout at you right now. Don't push it!" His voice is loud without any sympathy for me.

"Trust me."

Before I can answer, he chucks the blanket onto the ground and leaves me by myself.

All I want to do is stay in bed and sleep off this horrible headache but instead, I get up and force myself to get ready. I know that what I did last night was terrible. I didn't think about it then. I let Ethan take me to the bar but I made the decision to drink and drink... and drink.

As I slip into the shower to wash the cigarette smoke stench out of my hair, I vaguely remember Sam punching Ethan in the face and cringe at the thought. Hopefully Ethan doesn't hate me now. Even if he does, I wouldn't hate him but I barely even got to know him... I thought maybe he could have been a friend.

The second Sam stops his car in front of the school building, I feel nauseous again. No matter the Aspirin or all the water I had this morning, my head is still throbbing painfully and I feel like I could fall asleep any minute. I'm never drinking again!

"If I don't make it through the day. Just know, that you made me go," I mutter moodily, pushing open the door and stepping out of the car.

Sam just gives me a wicked grin and I glare, shutting the door and watching him drive off.

I have missed first period and am now late for second so I don't even make an effort to get into school fast. Doesn't really matter how late you are if you're already late anyway. And it's not like I would be able to contain much information today anyway. As I trudge through the hallways, I feel my brain capacity shrink to that of the intellectually challenged - like let's say Leena or even Seth and his group of meatheads.

The thought of him makes me stop dead in my tracks and I consider turning around and running back home. If I don't, that means I'll have to face him. After what I said to him, that's impossible. The chances of him forgiving me are close to zero, while the chances of him now trying to officially ruin my life are off the chart. Seth doesn't seem like the type of guy who forgives and forgets. He's the type of person who would smile in your face while planning how to best get rid of your body after he takes revenge on you.

Ok, that may be a little harsh... Just a smidge. Blame it on rest alcohol in my system.

I shake my head, banning all Seth-related thoughts to the very back of my head. The hallways are as empty as expected and I make my way to class. Maybe I'll somehow manage to avoid Seth today. Then I could use my spare time to apologize to Ethan for Sam's behavior and use him as a shield for when Seth does decide to take his anger out on me.

Just as I am about to enter the classroom, that plan goes down the drain. My hand is on the door handle when someone clears their throat behind me. I don't have to turn around to know that it's Seth. His presence is so dominant and fear-inducing. We don't even have this class together! Why is he here?

I slowly turn around to face him and a weight is lifted off my shoulders when I realize it isn't him. I must've been so afraid of coming face to face with him, that I'm starting to hallucinate.

"Ethan?..."

"No," he holds up his hands and grins brightly. "Don't say anything. Do not apologize. Just come with me."

His left eye is surrounded by a circular black and blue bruise.

I can't protest as he grabs onto my hand and pulls me right back out of school. Even if I could protest, I probably wouldn't. I am grateful that he is in one way or another saving me. At least until the guilt about skipping school starts to set in. Once it's time for that, I'll probably curse him.

"Where are you taking me," I ask as we run towards his car. My breath is short and I tuck on my shirt that is slowly riding up my hips. I regret picking a shirt this morning that is a bit too tight so I have to watch my every move.

"Get in the car," he demands and I wonder when he got it as I last remember it parked in front of our house. He must have either got it last night or this morning.

Almost as if on cue, my stomach starts twisting and turning again just as I slip into the passengers seat of Ethan's car. I know this is wrong. I have to keep up my grades and my reputation clean in order to stay with Sam. That was the deal. But right now, especially with Ethan around, I just feel rebellious and like nothing can hurt me. With Ethan I feel completely invincible and as though I can put all my trust in him. Maybe that is silly or dangerous but he is the only one that is willing to spend time with me without expecting anything in return so I am going to accept that.

"Seriously, where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise, love. Don't you worry about anything!" He chuckles and looks at me for a second before facing the road again.

"I'm not getting you drunk again," he glances at me sideways, his smile fading.

"About that... I'm sorry for-"

"I told you not to apologize. I think I look cool." Ethan checks his black eye in the rearview mirror, grinning from ear to ear. To me, it doesn't look cool but I don't tell him that.

Although curious as to where Ethan is taking me, I stop asking him about it. I don't want to come off as annoying. Right now, I like to think that Ethan views me as someone who would be described as fun or easygoing. He doesn't care what size I am. He doesn't care that I have no other friends and he doesn't care that the most popular people in our high school hate me. I, on the other hand, can't stop the nagging voice inside my head, telling me that I'm not good enough to be his friend. Whenever I catch a glimpse of the two of us next to each other I can't help but notice how fat I look next to him.

The seat belt is digging into my flesh, making me look even bigger now. And that is exactly why I feel like I have to make it up to him by going along with whatever he has planned.

"Here we are..." I furrow my brow, trying to figure out where we are but I haven't been in this part of town yet.

"Which would be?"

"Oh, perfect!" Ethan cuts off the engine, unhooks his seat belt and jumps out of the car. I follow him straight away.

"I hope you don't hate the arcade?"

"No," I blow out a shaky breath.

The arcade means easy fun. If he would have taken me to an amusement park, now that would have been trouble. I can only imagine squeezing myself into the tiny seats and having to stretch out the safety belts. Or if he took me swimming or ice skating... All of it would have just ruined the miniscule amount of confidence that I have.

Arcade is good. The arcade is safe.

"Perfect!" He throws his arm around my shoulders and we walk towards the entry of the arcade together.

When we enter, the whole thing is not what I expected. There are a few flat screens on the walls and two pool tables in the center of the room. I spot an old man playing darts next to a gum ball machine. The thing that draws the most attention is the huge bar made of sleek, dark wood.

"You don't look too happy," Ethan states the obvious and I can't help but frown up at him. "Don't judge the place just yet. Let's play pool, I'll get you a drink and I'll have you back by lunch?"

I sigh but give in, "Sure but don't even think about beating me. I am the pool master."

He just laughs, leaving me at the old looking pool table to get us drinks. I don't feel like I can stomach anything that's not water so I am grateful when Ethan places a glass with bubbly water in front of me, while sipping on his own drink. It is bright blue and intriguing.

"What's that," I ask, nodding towards his drink and setting up the pool table.

"Vodka and blue curacao. It's good." He takes another sip, "Want to try?"

He holds out his glass for me but I shake my head, cringing. "How in the world can you drink again after last night? I don't think I can stomach another drink for... for God knows how long. Preferably I'd like to stay away from it for the rest of my life. Not to forget that you're not even of age."

"Nobody has to know that." The sparkle in his eyes disappears for a second, "I'm just used to it."

I nod my head, deciding to drop the subject and start playing instead. We play a couple rounds of pool and I beat him in each and every one until he gives up.

A water for me and two more blue drinks for Ethan later, he decides it's best if we return to school and have lunch.

Wondering if Ethan's even fit to drive, I curse myself for not having my license yet. Of course it would be incredibly stupid to get into the car with anyone who has had a drink but what other option do I have? I don't have money to pay for a cab and I can't drive myself.

"Ethan," I mutter when he sits down behind the steering wheel, searching for his keys. "Should you really be driving?"

"Of course," he snaps, locating his car keys and jamming them into the ignition. The car roars to life and I seriously consider jumping out and calling Sam to pick me up. The thought is pushed aside quickly when Ethan takes off. Sam is in school right now and I have already caused him enough trouble so I probably should not push my luck.

I stay silent throughout the whole ride, getting more nervous with each passing minute. Finally the school building appears in the distance. As soon as Ethan parks the car, I jump out of it, keeping my mouth shut. Ethan doesn't say a word either and I can tell that the alcohol is really getting to him. It is to be expected after drinking three drinks on a Tuesday morning. What the hell is he thinking? And why did I not stop him?!

Jesus, Arya... way to leave your morals in the dumpster.

Lunch break is in full course when I start walking towards the cafeteria. Ethan stumbles after me and calls out my name but I ignore him, feeling much better physically than this morning. I am finally sober. This morning there must have been some rest alcohol left in my system because what I did was extremely stupid and so not something that I would usually do.

"Arya, stop!" Ethan comes up behind me and stops me by grabbing onto my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh harshly.

"You stop!" I pull my arm from his grip and start rubbing it, expecting it to bruise where his grip was too rough.

"Are you mad at me? I thought, I was doing you a favor!" And he really looks like he's believing it too.

"Doing me a favor by doing what exactly," I shout but lower my voice in an instant."By getting drunk and potentially killing me?"

I choke back the insults I want to throw at him and turn my back on him instead to run into the cafeteria. Before I can do so I am met with a pair of striking green eyes. My breath catches in my throat and I wonder for how long Seth has been standing behind me, listening in on me lecturing Ethan. I follow my instincts and instead of starting more drama, I push past Ethan and into the refuge of the cafeteria.

No one even notices me when I enter so I quickly make my way towards the food line, hiding between students. I look around frantically but Ethan is already following me, obviously not having gotten the message. Seth also appears behind him and I groan, putting my face in my hands for a second before facing Ethan again.

"Ethan. Just leave it," I half beg half threaten, my voice strangely dangerous.

"No! I didn't mean to ruin your day. You just need to relax and stop being such a tight ass!" My eyes widen and I shake my head at him. He seems to immediately realize what he has just said but we all know that alcohol loosens your tongue...makes you speak the truth. So, he wasn't my friend after all. Obviously he has an ulterior motive and I don't want to know about it as I am sure it's gonna be real painful for me.

"You're fucking drunk!" Seth pipes up.

As if things couldn't get any worse!

"Get lost, Smith," Ethan threatens before turning his attention back on. "Please, Arya. Just listen to me and I'll make it up to you."

"Fucking hell, you are drunk. And you drove her here in your state!" I face Seth, glaring, expecting him to make fun of this but instead, I find his face to be furious. "Are you stupid? Do you know what could have happened?! You could have killed her!"

My jaw drops. Why does it sound like Seth worries?

He doesn't pay attention to me, though. Instead he grabs Ethan's collar and gets in his face, "I don't care what your deal is or why you suddenly popped into my life and try to make everything worse but this is going to far."

"Oh, so you have finally realized that what I said to you earlier is nothing but the truth? You're welcome." Ethan smirks and I can almost see the veins in Seth's neck bursting. I am confused, watching the two of them and wonder what the hell they talked about this morning.

"It doesn't matter," Seth hisses. "What matters is that you could have killed her and this is going too far."

"Says who!" Ethan's words are a clear challenge but Seth finally has calmed down, leans close to Ethan and whispers something that I can not hear.

I wish I could get closer to hear what he is saying but I can't make out a word. Whatever Seth is saying, Ethan also calms down and puts his hands up.

"Fine then. I'll stay away from her." Ethan throws one last look at me before turning around and fleeing the cafeteria.