Exodus

Pack Of Kools

"Do you have an extra cig?"
I ask Layla.

"Yeah, here you go."
She says, handing me one.

"Thank you."
I say as I light it.

"It was nice meeting you I'm gonna go find Gus."
She stands up and walks off.

I chug my drink and then stand up to get another.

"Don't overdo it love."
A voice says from behind me as I chug down some jack. I turn to see a familiar face.

"I've seen you before."
I say, as I lower the bottle.

"Yeah my name is Bexey. I saw you at the boys concert like two years ago."
He says as he takes the bottle out of my hand.

"Okay well, dad, I know my limit."
I say sarcastically as I take the bottle back.

"It's daddy, and I just don't wanna have to hold ya hair back."
His accent thickens and my knees weaken.

"I don't-"
I'm cut off by scrim.

"I'm daddy, and if anyone's gonna hold her hair it's me. So you can hop off right about now."
He says, grabbing the bottle from me.

"No disrespect, didn't know this was ya girl."
Bex says, holding his hands up in defense.

"No harm."
Scrim says, shaking Bexey up. While they're talking I grab another bottle and walk away. Scott really just got jealous a guy was hitting on me. I've never seen him get jealous before.
—
I'm in my own little zone dancing with a bottle of vodka and a blunt in hand. feeling myself a little too much.

🎶"They ask me how I'm feeling, my ni**a I'm feeling lovely. It must be, everywhere I go they wanna fuck me."🎶

My fucking song, I sing along as everyone does their own thing. I feel a pair of hands rest on my waist and I turn to see an unfamiliar face. I just continue dancing and laughing.

"Aye back the fuck up."
I turn to see Ruby pushing the guy back.

"Ari!"
I shout, setting the half empty bottle down.

"Aye man chill, she was fine with it we were just dancing."
They guy says.

"You're not my boyfriend Ruby!"
I snap.

"I don't give a fuck."
He says, I just look at him shocked.

"Everywhere!"
I turn to see everyone staring.

"Mind your fucking business!"
I snap at everyone staring,They go back to talking.

"Ruby, just fucking stop."
My voice cracks, I walk away heading for the back patio.

"Do you got an extra cig?"
I ask a random person.

"Nah I just bummed this one, sorry."
He says.

"Here I got you girl."
I turn to see Layla climbing off of peeps lap.

"Oh my gosh, thank you again."
I say grateful.

"Are you alright?"
She asks, looking into my eyes.

"Yeah I'm good."
I say as I put the cig in my mouth and she lights it. Max steps outside walking towards me.

"I'm so sorry max, I don't even know why I came."
I say

"Nah babe you're good."
He says

"Happy birthday."
I put my hand on his cheek stroking it a little.

"I'm sorry Cherry."
He says apologetically.

"Why are you sorry?"
I ask

"I never said it before, but I'm sorry for everything that happen. I was in such a shit place and I took it out on you."
He pulls me in for a hug and I'm taken back for a sec but I hug him back. I look through the sliding door to see Ruby staring at us.

"I'm gonna head home."
I say, pulling away.

"No the fuck you're not. All you guys have been drinking and shit. You can sleep here tonight and leave in the morning."
He says defensively.

"Are you sure?"
I ask.

"Yes."
He confirms

"Thank you Max, I hope you're enjoying your birthday."
I give him another hug.

"I am."
He says, I give him one last smile as I flick my cig and step inside.

"Cher"
Ruby says as I walk past him.

"Cher, I'm sorry."
He grabs my arm.

"Save it"
I snap, I yank my arm away from him then walk to the living room.

"Little harsh ya think?"
Kevin says.

"I'm over all the drama kev. I'm tired of guys acting like my dad or my boyfriend when they're neither of those things."
The words rush out of my mouth.

"He loves you Cher."
My heart sinks and I just stand there.

"No- no, he doesn't."
I stutter.

"He does."
He says as he takes a drink off a bottle and then hands it to me.

"Well as a best friend, yeah."
I say as I take a sip, he looks at me with a tilted head then walks away.