Part II Chapter XIV: Disaster at the disco

She began to feel a bit tipsy after drinking two bottles of beer. It occurred to her that she had broken one of her grandmother's rules: no drinking. She dismissed the thought, reasoning that her grandmother was too far away to do anything about it. After all, it was her birthday, and she wanted to enjoy herself.

She decided to have another bottle of beer, enjoying the warm and fuzzy sensation that spread throughout her body. She knew she wasn't drunk, as she had no intention of getting drunk. She was just feeling a bit tipsy.

As she got up from her chair, she felt it was best to stay close to Kyrie. Walking toward the dance floor where Kyrie was, she accidentally bumped into someone. Still feeling a bit lightheaded from the alcohol, she held her head in her hands and blinked, looking at the person she had bumped into. Her hazel eyes widened upon meeting his gorgeous emerald green eyes.

"Laurent, what are you doing here?" She said, thinking her mind was playing tricks on her.

"Kyrielle invited me, I normally wouldn't dream of coming here."

"Unless your fuck-buddy was by your side, right?" She spat out. Her anger only amused him. "I can't believe you still remember that. Happy birthday."

"Gee, thanks mister!" She said, rolling her eyes.

"Why don't we…"

Peyton's arrival ended the conversation. "Hey Julie, Kyrie said…Oh, hi Laurent."

He didn't reply, he preferred glaring at him. "I've gotta go," he said to Julianne. A part of her wanted to call him back and explain what was going on, but she didn't. Maybe it's for the best, she thought, before walking away with Peyton.

She hadn't expected so many people to show up. She knew they were there because of Kyrie's influence, but she didn't believe they really cared. She was touched that Kyrie was a kind person who cared for everyone, including her. She didn't try to deceive herself - she knew she wouldn't do the same for Kyrie. It wasn't because she didn't like her, but because she was too selfish. She felt fortunate that her friends weren't selfish, except maybe Jacques, but he wasn't as selfish as she was. He came to the party, gave her a gift, teased her, and then left. It hurt her to see him leave, but she didn't call him back, mostly because he would constantly remind her about it.

She raised the bottle of beer to her lips and slowly drank its contents. That was her fourth bottle, but she didn't feel drunk. When she noticed her uncoordinated steps, she finally realized that she was indeed drunk. Panicking, she made her way out of the hotel, relying on the walls and chairs for support. She wobbled toward the lake, captivated by its beauty. It was a full moon, and she could see its reflection in the still, tranquil waters. The voices returned, urging her to jump into the lake. She knew the lake was deep, even though she was drunk, but she was lost in a trance. She ran toward the lake but was pulled back by a firm hand.

"What are you doing here?" she said, staring into his eyes.

"I could ask you the same question. If I'm not mistaken, the first time we had a normal conversation was at this very lake, wasn't it?"

"Listen, I don't know and I don't care. Leave me alone, Laurent!" she hissed.

He arched his eyebrow. "You're drunk, aren't you?"

"No… maybe. Okay, fine, I'm drunk! What's it to you?" she said in a slurry tone. "The last thing I would ever do is judge you, Julie," he said calmly. They walked back in silence, her steps still uncoordinated.

"I'm guessing you're still with Peyton then," he said, breaking the silence.

"Apparently."

"Listen, Julie," he sighed, "I know this sounds annoying but believe me on this one, he doesn't care about you."

"You still haven't told me why you care so much. Until you find a reason, I'll stick with Peyton."

"Can you just stop this and listen?"

She ignored his comment, picking up her pace. She wobbled into the hotel, still feeling dizzy. Slumping on the chair, she laid her head against the table, regretting getting drunk.

"Are you okay Julie?" 

She lifted her head to meet his eyes. "I'm fine Peyton, just a little drunk," she giggled.

"A little eh?" He smirked. Her giggles increased when he brought her to the dance floor. She lay her head on his shoulder as they danced slowly to the music. She saw Laurent walk into the club. His dazzling green eyes were darker than usual, and he looked angry. She couldn't care less, she was too focused on the dance. She watched him leave the hotel once more, and couldn't help but wonder where he was going. She pushed Peyton away in a bid to go after him. She nearly fell to the ground but was quickly caught by Peyton.

"Where are you going, Julianne? The party isn't over yet."

"It's my party, so I decide when it's over!"

She tried walking away but stumbled. Her steps were more disorganized than before, she was too drunk to walk. "You're too drunk to go anywhere Julie, come with me," he urged. She wanted to refuse, but he was already taking her to the dark alley.

Once they got there, she looked around in confusion. "What's this Peyton, why have you brought me here?"

He didn't reply, but he had a knowing smile on his face. He pushed her against the wall, cradling her against his broad body. She was too drunk to push him away, and even if she wasn't drunk, he was too strong for her.

"What are you doing Peyton? Let me go!" She protested, trying to squirm out of his grasp.

"Relax Julie, this is your birthday present."

She felt tears flow down her cheeks when he planted soft kisses on her neck and collarbone. Suddenly, she felt a certain rush of energy flow through her veins. Her fists punched, her legs kicked and finally, Peyton got off her.

"You little bitch," he cried, clutching his knees. She sprinted off, not wasting a second. However, her vision was blurry and her legs were weak. She slumped to the ground in pain. He was going to catch her, but she refused to give up. In a desperate effort, she crawled to a corner, hiding from him. It didn't take a long time before he found her.

"It's kinda sad Julie, seeing you like this. Don't worry, I'll be gentle," he smirked.

"Please let me go," she cried.

"I don't…"

She watched Peyton suddenly fall to his knees. Seeing his green eyes, she immediately knew who her knight in shining armor was. She ran to him, forgetting the pain in her legs. As she ran, her legs felt like jelly and she stumbled. She waited for the pain to come but it didn't, he caught her.

"If you want to say it, say it," she said softly.

He feigned innocence. "Say what?"

"I told you so," they said at the same time.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

"It's not a problem," he smiled.

"It isn't?"

"It was, but in movies, the hero always tells the damsel in distress that it wasn't a problem."

"Oh please, I'm no damsel in distress, now let go of me!" She said, pushing him away.

He loosened his grip on her. "I'm sure you can find your way home, or do you need your knight in shining armor to help you?"

"I'm fine!" She protested. Her legs felt better, she assumed it was an adrenaline rush that made them wobbly in the first place.

"Goodbye."

"Wait!" She said to the retreating Laurent, "Does this mean we're friends now?"

"Fine, we're friends, happy?"

She nodded gleefully. He face palmed himself as he walked out of the dark alley, into the night.