A/N
MILD SUBSTANCE ABUSE PRESENT IN CHAPTER
Vienna's P.O.V
Before I knew it, I was downing my third can of beer as I continuously swayed back and forth to the loud music with Sam close by my side.
"Having fun yet?" Sam whispered into my ear, his fingertips dancing diligently along my skin. Normally this would bother me, but in that moment, I barely paid it any mind.
"No!" I replied with a grin, dancing into him.
He playfully rolled his eyes, moving to the beat as I did the same. Everything felt so light and like it didn't matter. For once, I felt amazing and I didn't want it to ever end.
Soon after I had finished my drink, Sam pulled me away from the makeshift dance floor to the bar area.
"Want another?"
I eagerly nodded, as I sat down onto the leather covered stool, watching him as pulled one out from the cooler. He quickly handed me the cold beverage, allowing me open the can and take a long sip.
"I think she's had enough, Sam," someone announced as they walked up to my side.
I turned my head to see Josh glaring down at me, a smirk playing on my lips.
"Oh, poor Joshy is worried," I giggled.
He looked down with soft eyes, "You're going to be hungover tomorrow either way, but you'll thank me if you stop drinking now."
Sam chuckled, "Since when were you against drinking?"
Josh tried to reply, but nothing came out, leaving us in awkward dull of quietness. I soon got bored of the silence, deciding to go back onto the dance floor.
Four drinks quickly turned into five, then six, continuing on until I lost count completely.
Before I knew it, I was laying on the leather couch, my head in Sam's lap, feeling as though I was a million miles away.
The joint happily left my fingers, leaving a trail of smoke behind as another beer took it's place beneath my grip.
Deep down, I knew it wasn't good to do both at the same time, especially to the extent I was doing them, but it didn't matter. My faded mind barely saw the repercussions as I continued to get utterly beyond wasted.
I wanted to be as far gone as I possibly could be.
I wanted to forget everything.
But the high quickly faded and instead of laying on the couch, my head was inside the toilet, throwing up everything that was inside of my stomach. And instead of Sam sitting beside me, Josh was there, holding my hair and rubbing my back soothingly. He had watched me the whole night, not having a single sip of anything.
"It's going to be okay, just let it out," He continuously whispered to me as the vile liquid poured out and an excruciating headache became prominent.
I quickly started to feel guilty, as I mumbled a slurred apology to Josh, "S -Shit, shit, shit, I'm so sorry, Josh. Y- You were right."
It didn't help because tears immediately rushed down my face, as I was regretting my childish decisions more and more by the mere second. I wasn't a kid. I knew better. But I still gave into the overbearing weight of just wanting to let go, ruining it for everyone around me.
"It's okay, you're okay. It's going to be alright, Vi. There's nothing to apologize for," he frantically replied, attempting to move the stray hairs out of my face.
I shot my head back into the bowl, wincing as I let everything out, once again.
"I -I just wanted to feel better. I'm sorry you're not having fun," I choked out as I wiped the tears away.
"No, Vienna. It's okay. It's not your fault. It was my choice," Josh replied as he pulled me into his side the second I dragged my head away from the toilet.
He quickly wrapped his arms around my fragile figure, allowing me to give into his soft touch as I leaned my head against his chest. He then started to slowly rock us back and forth.
In that moment, everything came crashing down more than it ever has. I let everything out that I had possibly been holding in for so many years.
I cried and cried until there was nothing left and somehow, Josh was there for me through it all. He securely held me in his arms without any signs of annoyance or boredom. He was simply just there for me, which was the only thing I needed and somehow he knew that.
Some unknown amount of time later, after I had somewhat calmed down, a painful thought came to mind and I blurted out it before I could even think, "J -Josh, I can't go home. He'll hurt me," I was obviously still in a drunken state, causing my usual filter to be nonexistent, but even as I said it, I didn't regret it.
He looked extremely taken back, holding eye contact with the most sympathetic eyes I had ever seen.
"Oh, Vi," he took a deep breath, seeming as though he had to think of a resolution, "you know you can stay with us."
No, I didn't know. We're just supposed to be friends.
I looked up at him as he still had his arms wrapped around me, mumbling a small thank you, not knowing how to feel. I was nowhere near the right state of mind for any of this.
He nodded his head at my small mumble of gratefulness, as he placed a soft kiss onto the top of my head before he helped us both off of the bathroom floor, softly intertwining our fingers.
I gladly welcomed the embrace, not thinking too much of it as he helped me back down to the living room where the remainder of the party resided. They all quickly turned their heads in our direction as smoke filled the space. My clouded vision saw Jake with a completely different girl laid across him while Sam sat in the same spot I had left him, locking eyes with me as a smirk played on his pink lips.
"We're gonna leave. Either come with us or find a ride." Josh told them sternly as he pulled me with him, not meaning to be harsh, but the action causing me to slightly trip over my feet just for a second.
Sam giggled, almost singing, "Josh is totally gonna get some tonight!"
This caused an array of shouts to erupt from Josh's brothers and friends, plus some other stragglers, which left me more than uncomfortable.
I quickly glanced back, seeing the smoke pool out of Sam's mouth, making me shake my head as I knew he was only saying that because of the state he was in and the state he knew I was in, but before anymore comments could be made, I was pulled outside.
"I would never ever do that, Vienna. I just want to help yo-"
"I -I know, Joshy." The nickname drunkly fell from my lips, prompting a faint red tint to envelop his cheeks as he helped me into the van.
After I was secured into my spot, Josh came around and got into the driver's seat, taking a quick glance at me before turning the engine on with a rattle.
The night quickly caught up with me and before I knew it, my head was resting against my hand and I was out like a light.
Josh's P.O.V
Once it was evident that no one was going to accept my offer of taking them home, I slowly backed out of the driveway and onto the bumpy road, attempting to drive carefully so it wouldn't make Vienna sick.
As we made it further down the road, I peered over at Vienna to see her hair messily scattered across her face as her head rested against her hand tiredly. She looked so beautiful.
I had to practically tear my eyes away from her very reluctantly as I felt the van start to swerve over to the left lane. Luckily, the road was completely dead, so there was no chance of getting into an accident.
The rest of the car ride was peaceful as Vienna quietly snored and I intently listened to the radio on the lowest volume, smiling lightly as I'll Be Your Mirror by The Velvet Underground, Nico started ringing out into the enclosed space.
As the song continued playing, I couldn't help but resonate with it.
Vienna is the most profound person I have ever met. There are so many layers to her, that I just want to be able to unravel and know by heart, but she's so closed off, for a reason I'm just now beginning to somewhat understand.
She's so undeniably beautiful and I wish she could know. She deserves to know just how amazing she is. I won't let her forget. I'm going to be there for her no matter what.
My thoughts suddenly came to a halt as I snapped back into reality the second I pulled into our driveway, realizing I had zoned out almost the entire car ride.
I shrugged off the grogginess as I turned to Vienna, pushing her hair out of her face to see her green eyes closed, which I had obviously suspected, but dreaded because I would have to get her changed somehow and I didn't want her to wake up.
I sighed, climbing out of the van and going over to her side to open the door and unbuckle her seatbelt. Once I had successfully finished the tasks, I lifted her into my arms and closed the door with my Birkenstock covered foot, walking to the front door, which was thankfully unlocked.
My mom must have heard me pull in because she was waiting for me the minute I made it inside.
"Is she okay?" She asked with worry, already knowing the person I was holding was in fact, Vienna Harper.
"Oh, uh, yeah." I tried to brush it off, not wanting her to get worried.
"Josh. . . Why didn't you take her home?"
My efforts did not work in my favor.
"Mom, she's having a hard time right now. I told her she could stay here tonight."
She sighed, "Okay, but make sure her parents know, Josh. Please."
I nodded, walking off to my room where I sat her down onto the bed, instantly rubbing my forehead in contemplation.
I would have to wake her up. I couldn't live with myself if I changed her clothes while she was asleep.
With that, I gently rubbed her arm, whispering her name until her eyes fluttered open, sending a shock of pink into my tired face.
"Vi, I can give you some clothes if you want to change."
She quietly nodded her head as I grabbed sweatpants and a shirt from my dresser, handing them to her and slipping out of my bedroom to give her time to change.
In the meantime, I also changed and brushed my teeth until I thought she might be done, which led me to knock on the door.
She quietly told me to come in, and once I did, our eyes met as she was sitting on the edge of the bed dressed in my clothes.
I couldn't help but smile.
"I'm gonna sleep on the couch, Vi, so if you need anything just come and get me."
She nodded, "Okay. Thanks again."
"Of course, Vienna. I'll see you in the morning."
Her lips tugged up into a smile as I quietly existed my room and walked into the living room.
///
A/N
If this is rough, I truly apologize!
I'm so sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. Hopefully with summer starting, I will be able to maintain a more steady posting schedule!
Either way, thank you guys so much for reading. It means the world to me.
I love you all.
- ev