Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 19

Florence

"Flo? You look like you could use it," Orion says, handing me a beer. I've been sitting here in the woods with the guys for about twenty minutes. Apparently, I haven't been keeping up a good façade. To be fair, I'm tired and have no energy left. Especially after throwing up all of my dinner.

"Yeah, why not. Thanks." I smile softly but I'm more focused on someone else's attention. I turn my head slightly to meet Elija's eyes. He takes that as an invitation to come closer to me.

"You sure that's a good idea?" he asks though it sounds less demanding than it did when we were in the shed. This time I think he might genuinely asking, not trying to tell me what to do. I appreciate it.

"One won't hurt, right?" I tell him with a smile.

"I'll ask you again in the morning." I glance down at the bottle in his own hand.

"How exactly are you the right person to talk right now?" I challenge him playfully.

"Just expressing concern for an inexperienced friend." My mouth drops at his audacity.

"What did you call me?" He simply laughs at me, bumping his shoulder against mine before taking another sip of his drink.

"I'm joking. Cheers," he says expectantly. I clink my bottle with his but only stare down at it after. "Changed your mind?" Elija asks with a slight smirk.

"It's closed. I don't know how to open it," I tell him all the while thinking I really must seem inexperienced. Oh well, I won't feel bad for not having drunk alcohol at 17. Almost eighteen since my birthday is soon but whatever.

Without a word, Elija places his bottle between his legs, reaches for mine, and opens it. Like, with his bare hands. HOW?

"Here you go," he tells me. Then he chuckles, finding my apparent shock amusing. "You should close your mouth before you catch a fly."

"Very funny," I tell him though the smile on my lips is genuine. I guess I might not need alcohol to make me feel better after all but it's too late to turn back now.

The other guys, led by a clearly drunk Jamie, come closer to us so we sit in a circle. Benji plays some music and we all start having conversations as we hang out. I keep sipping at my beer. And then the next one that is handed to me. I don't particularly like the taste but the more I drink the better it gets. Or the less I taste.

"Can I get another beer?" I ask Elija, leaning onto his shoulder a bit more than I might should. It's not my fault my body wants to be closer to his. I feel like tension has been brewing between us for a while now and I can barely take it anymore.

Maybe alcohol doesn't have a good effect on me. I've been dangerously close to asking Elija what we are all evening. Like, are we friends? Our relationship doesn't feel the same as the one I have with Benji does. Strictly speaking, we haven't kissed or anything so we're not more than friends either. But we're spending a lot of time together so we can't be nothing.

"I think you've had enough for tonight," the guy tells me with a chuckle. The world is still tilting slightly so I bury my face in his shoulder and groan. Damn, he smells good. "You okay?" Elija asks.

I nod against him. "A little tired." Before I can process what is happening, my head is no longer on the guy's shoulder but his lap instead.