If Only

•03•

One odd effect of drinking is freedom.

Still, there are some parts of being drunk that are easier to explain than others. For instance, the dizziness you feel isn't too difficult to put into words. Your balance is off, you don't know where to put your feet or if you can stand still long enough to make sense of the world around you.

Intoxication is simply one of those things that varies depending on the individual who undergoes it. More often than sometimes, it allows a sweet, exciting, release from any concerns one might feel when sober. It's often distributed in social gatherings because it can make a self conscious person who usually wouldn't do anything, mingle like there's no tomorrow.

Which is why young and
impressionable Amelia Hughes felt more confident in her ability to make conversation than ever before.  She was beginning to feel lighter as if somewhere along the night she had lost a few pounds.  That familiar feeling of vulnerability that followed her like a cloud, faded away with every lift of her cup. Amelia felt overwhelmed with a newfound energy and a passion to do the type of things that she never had before. Like do a cartwheel off a roof, even though she's never successfully attempted one.

She ran her hands through her hair, the thick curls fighting back at her fingers. Amelia felt beautiful. The type of stunning that could turn heads and break promises. But beauty really was in the eyes of the beholder and in everyone else's eyes she was a force to be reckoned with.

In one swift motion, Aiden moved to catch Amelia before she could fall to the ground. The contents of her plastic red cup spilled onto the floor. What was left of the bitter tasting liquid dripped from her lips and onto his shirt. His jaw tightened and his grew dark and emotionless.

"Im taking her home," he barked out. Using he free hand to grab her waist and throw her over is broad shoulder.

"Why? We were just having some fun, Aiden. Don't be such a party pooper!" Maya cried out, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Ryan, make sure they get home safe." He said gesturing into the direction of three very drunk girls. He knew Ryan didn't drink but Cleo, Heather, and Maya we're all terrible lightweights. And now he had Amelia to add to that list.

"Whereeeee are we going? Aiden is this you?" She said patting his back and pulling at his shirt.

Annoyance shot from his eyes and he tried his hardest not to let it leak from his voice. You see, Aiden didn't too much care to be around drunk people. He could tolerate it from his friends and at times his own father but that was about it. He didn't like cleaning up other people's messes. Especially for people who could just hire someone else to do it for them.

"Home," he spat. "You're drunk." He said stating the obvious. Amelia pushed down on his shoulder to raise her head.

"No, I'm not!" She bellowed. When her tiny feet started to kick in the air she added, "Please, put me down! I can't go home! My brother is gonna get very mad and then he's going to tell our father. And I'm going to get in so much trouble because my dad doesn't like me. Not one bit."

Amelia may have been under the spell of intoxication but drunken words really were a sober man's thoughts. And her father really did show a great favoritism when it came to his two children. Amelia may have been the star of the show at one point in her life but all that changed when their mother passed away. And ever since then, Kyle has been the apple of his eye. He even appointed him to watch after her even after she'd turned eighteen.  The whole situation just seemed so unfair given how irresponsible Kyle really was.

Aiden lowered Amelia into a cradle–like position and kept towards the car. He had hoped she quit complaining but this wasn't the case at all.

"Hey!" She protested, frowning slightly.