Mia Lake

I'm swaying as I walk, feeling the headache hit me. I'm definitely drunk. The world feels blurry, spinning around. My legs feel like they belong to someone else, and I'm pretty sure I'm stumbling more than I should.

Alex's hand is steady on my back, guiding me out of the ballroom. He's quiet. Not saying a word. Just focused on getting me to the car.
I just know he hates me for this. He didn't want me drink and here I am barley able to walk.

As we walk toward the parking lot, we spot Austin. His arm is draped over another woman I don't even recognise. He's pulling her closer as they move into a car.

I can feel my stomach twist into a knot. I don't know why it's bothering me. Why I care. Maybe because he moved on to a new girl as soon as he realised he wasn't getting anything from me.
I'm never someone's first choice.
I have no right to feel this way. If that's what he wants to do, he can.
But sometimes I just wish we could go back to being kids. When he was my best friend. When he used to put me first.

Alex follows my gaze and I know he sees it too. "Isn't that your boyfriend?" He asks almost feeling sorry for me.

I laugh to myself a little too loudly, and then immediately regret it. "Kind of." I say, slurring on my words.

I didn't mean to say it like that. Now it sounds like we're together. But I don't have the energy to tell him about the whole pretend thing. I don't correct myself as we step into the car.

He looks at me for a second, before turning back to the road.

"Is he always like that?" He asks after a moment. There's no judgement in his tone, no anger, just curiosity. Austin is always like this. Flirting with anyone who crosses his path, too smooth for his own good.

"Yeah...he's always...like that." I mutter.

I glance over at him, seeing the lines of tension in his jaw. His fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

"You deserve someone better than that, you know?" He says quietly.

I don't know what to answer so I just stare out the window. I press my cheek to the cool glass, hoping it'll stop this headache.

"You deserve someone who actually cares." Alex continues. I don't know if it's meant to be comforting or just an observation, but it hits me harder than I expected.

***

I can barley keep my eyes open as Alex helps me out of the car. My legs feels like jelly, and my mind is somewhere far away.

His arm wrapped around my waist as we move slowly to my front door.

"You know I've always wondered...Is your name short for anything?" I ask while having my eyes closed.

"Jesus, Mia. Think about it." He says tired of my questions.

I smile thinking. "Hmm...Alexster."

"You're impossible." He says grabbing the key from my hand and opening the door.

"So what is it?" I ask now turning to him, opening my eyes. I've never seen him this up close before. His eyes a hazel colour. Hm, cute.

He looks down at me as if my question was stupid.
"It's Alexander." He answers.

"I like that. Mine is just Mia." I say as he opens the door.

"Really?" He asks and I think he's being sarcastic, I can't tell.
"I thought it was Mialichous." He says and a I laugh.

"No silly. Just Mia." I say taking a step up the stairs. My foot catches on the step and I trip. Alex lifts me effortlessly back up.

"Alright that's enough for tonight. Go to bed." He orders. Almost sounding protective. I mean he is a big brother after all.

"Drink water before you sleep." He says, eyeing me as I sway on my feet. I take off my shoes, slowly. Gripping the wall for support. Alex waits just outside the door, hands in his pockets.

"Yeah, yeah." I wave my hand closing my eyes again. I think I'm going to fall asleep while standing.

It's quiet for a long minute. "Mia." Alex says, his tone sharp now.
"You're drinking water then going to bed. Your not going to stand here and pass out on me." He says.

I laugh weakly, but it's more of a drunken giggle. "I'm fine." I say.

He sighs as he makes his way inside. I can hear him looking around, opening cabinets, getting a glass and then filling it with water.

I lean against the counter, my head swimming. "I'm fine." I repeat.

Alex comes back with a glass. Handing it to me.
"I'll drink it in a minute." I say massaging my temples.

"No." He pushes the glass into my hands. "Drink it now, or I'm pouring it over your head."

"You wouldn't dare...Stop threatening me..."

Before I know it cold water is poured over my head.
I gasp as it hits my skin. The shock waking me up in an instant. I can feel the wet clothes, the water dripping down my neck, and my hair clinging to my face.

I look up at Alex who's watching me with a faint smirk, arms crossed. Asshole.
"I told you to drink it." He says with a hint of amusement.

I wipe my face in frustration. The cold water is doing its job, sobered me up, at least for the moment. "You're insufferable! You didn't have to do that." I yell at him.

"Told you I would." He shrugs not showing an ounce of remorse. "Now drink without complaining." He says handing me another glass.

I chug the water down. "Happy?" I ask my tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You're lucky I didn't dump the whole glass on you." He mutters.

I scowl at him, but I'm honestly too tired to keep arguing. We're always like this with Alex. "You're a pain in the ass." I say as I get back on my feet.

"I'm going to sleep." I say, as he walks back to the front door. "Thanks for the water...and for not letting me die from dehydration I guess." I say still mad at him.

"Get some rest, Lake. Don't stay up too late, alright?" He says opening the door.

"Goodnight, Alexander." I say his full name like a joke as he heads out.

I just love these two.