Mi Casa Su Casa... right?

       THE GUESTS WERE MINGLING AROUND, Phoenix wouldn't like to admit that she felt out of place but from her spot at the makeshift bar that was exactly how she felt. All these adults and the few schoolmates she could recognize filled the decorated backyard. It was moments like this that she was forever grateful her parents decided against throwing her a party just like this. The atmosphere was just too professional, so staged and felt nothing like a birthday celebration. So here she was leaning against the bar a glass of champagne in hand and she observed the crowd. Ander had yet to arrive and from what he had told her he was bringing Christian, and for that exact reason, she couldn't be more excited to see the look on Guzmán's face.

"You know you can't hide forever." A voice from behind her spoke.
"I could always try," Phoenix replied Turing around to face Marina, the champagne glass in her hand on its third refill. "I heard you were the one to persuade Samuel to come." There was something in her voice... she spoke almost with detest.

I was quick to reply "I wouldn't exactly say persuade, I just mentioned that it would be priceless to miss the look on your brother's face if he were to show up." Phoenix was quick to turn away from Marina. Even with her back turned she could still feel Marina's eyes on her. She couldn't help but feel uneasy, this Marina was different and for once she felt this was not the kind of different she liked.

It wasn't long before Samuel arrived, along with him came Ander who of course stuck to his word and brought Christian along. One thing Phoenix was a bit surprised to see was Nadia after all she had told her she wasn't thinking about coming.
Samuel slowly approached." Not what u expected but then again I really didn't know what to expect". He spoke once he was close enough to Phoenix.

She chuckled "yeah well this party is more for networking and an excuse for parents to brag about their children. She quietly said hello to someone as they passed by. It's not so much to celebrate a birthday".

"well that's depressing" Samuel laughed along with Phee as they made their way into the house. It was clear that Samuel was on the lookout for Marina but she wasn't gonna say anything, At least not yet.

" You know I can put in a good word for you" she spoke rather reluctantly.

Samuel turned to her with a questioning look " am I supposed to know exactly what you're talking about?". Although he knew deep down she was talking about marina.
Phoenix stopped in place and gave him a look that clearly said 'are you serious'. But said nothing

They continued quietly but it was nothing awkward, almost a comforting slinger between the two. From afar people could observe the two leaning against the bar, you could see every now and then how they chuckled. Samuel couldn't hold back his laugh while Phoenix continued her little outfit critic.

   . . . . . .

Deciding to move from their makeshift 'heaven', they both mingled and of course, it was Phee doing most of the talking rather than Samuel. But he was absolutely okay with that because for some reason just by watching her he could tell how much she really enjoyed interacting with people. There were moments where they would make eye contact and she would roll her eyes just to show how much she would rather be anywhere else than holding this conversation. It was hard for Samuel to hide his smile whenever that happened. Phoenix was starting to feel bad for dragging the same out to this party. Nodding along to whatever Mr.Ortega was speaking about, in the corner of her eye she could see that Ander was barely holding himself up, and if it weren't for the bar he was leaning on she was sure he'd topple over by now.

" If you could just excuse us Senior uno momento" Phoenix smiled softly grabbing Samuels hand as they both walked away " go find Marina okay I'm gonna go see if I can sober up Ander" she spoke once they were far enough she let go of Samuels' hand and made her way over the bar.

" I know the Champagnes free but it's not exactly the type to get you wasted" she spoke into his ear, and of course Ander jumped a bit before he realized it was Phoenix, " Is that a challenge I hear? He smirked 'because if it is I'm winning by a long shot'" he raised yet another glass to her and downed it before she could take it out of his hands.

There was so much going on around Phoenix that she felt like she was missing out. Clearly, something was bothering Ander and she was more than determined to find out, "I don't know what's going on in that beautiful head of yours but whatever it is I hope you know that I'm here for you" she spoke gently brushing away at the hairs that fell over his eyes. He didn't say anything and that was a clear indicator that Phee wasn't gonna get her answers tonight. She had to be okay with it. But deep down she was conflicted.

. . . . . .

          Needless to say, the party ended on a weird note, and Phoenix found herself sitting on the steps with her drunk best friend, Ander had thrown up all across the back of Lu's skirt, although slightly disgusting it was hilarious. Not to mention at the moment her brother was texting her constantly, it was safe to say that sleep was in high demand right at this moment. It was too quiet, and for all the right reasons the quiet was unsettling. She let out a breath and continued to sit in the silence, Anders soft breathing was the only thing anchoring her to this reality. "poor favour Phee necesito" Ander all but slurred slightly, it was hard to catch for most but of course, not Phoenix. She chuckled looking down at her friend lying across her lap " Indy will be here any minute and then we can go to bed, how does that sound huh?" She answered sweeping a piece of hair from his face. And of course, all she received was a grunt in which she took as a yes.

"You're absolutely ridiculous!" A voice could be heard coming closer to the driveway looking behind Phoenix could see Guzmán marching angrily towards where Samu was standing. " just because you got that scholarship, this is the thanks we receive".
Phoenix didn't understand what was going and there was only so much she could do with a drunk Ander sleeping across her lap. She tried screaming out but her pleas were quickly ignored. She was only so lucky that Indy showed when he did.

"What's going on? He asked once he got to where his sister and her friend were sat "I honestly wish I could tell you but I have no idea" never taking her eyes off what would clearly turn into a fight Phee had two decisions to make and in both cases in ended with her putting her ass on the line for one of those idiots. To save herself the trouble she got both herself and Ander up with the help of her brother and they both made their way towards his car.

"Ugh you do know you're a lot heavier than you look" she all but grunted once they managed to get Ander into the backseat. Making her way towards the passenger seat, she took a second to look back at the commotion just in time to see Samuel's brother land a punch in on Guzmán.

"Oof.. is it bad that I found that slightly satisfying to watch" shaking her head, of course, her brother lives for a good beat down. " absolutely" now facing her brother with a blank face, he held her stare before they both couldn't hold back their laughter "but then I'd be lying"

"Let's go now huh?" Indy started getting into the car.

Phoenix opened her door getting in she rolled her window down just to smile at Samu as they passed by. Tonight was a lot and she has yet to find out what's bugging her best friend, in the corner of her eye she could see Marina she had this look in her eyes a look that meant no good.

    ***

Vote and Comment :)

Honestly UNI is kicking my ass right now, One more year and its gonna be full of Chaos :(

I haven't had the time to sit down and write. but pls let me know what you think.

-M