Day Two of Pins and Patches Week! (See the prompt list here!)
Day 2: Tears/Drunk
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Michael was aware that he couldn’t just stay in Jake Dillinger’s bathroom forever. He knew at some point he’d have to get off the floor and leave the room and walk through the party and get back to his car and drive home. But he just didn’t think he’d survive any of that at the moment. He lifted his head as yet another person banged on the door. He was concerned that if he ignored them much longer, someone would just break the door down.
He pulled himself to his feet, using the counter for leverage. He stared at himself in the mirror. He looked like shit. His hair was disheveled, his eyes were red and puffy.
He opened the door, was shoved aside by some girl he vaguely recognized, and was left to fend for himself in the hallway.
The music pounded in his ears, rattling his teeth. He put his hands over ears, trying to protect them. Trying to be able to think clearly. He needed to get out. He needed to find the door and his car and… uh oh.
Michael hadn’t realized it while fighting with Jeremy or while sitting on the floor crying but he was perhaps a little drunker than he meant to be. When he turned his head, the world took a second to catch up. He swayed.
“Hey man.” Someone grabbed Michael’s shoulder. “You seen—? Hey, you okay?”
Michael blinked. “Jake.”
“Yeah.” Jake ducked to meet Michael’s eyes. “Are you okay?”
Michael nodded. Then he started crying. He felt his balance go weird but Jake’s hands were squeezing his shoulders, keeping him upright.
“Um,” Jake glanced around like he was looking for somewhere to put Michael.
“Sorry. Fuck. Shit. Sorry. I just—I got into a big fight with Jeremy. My best friend. And now he ha-hates me. And I didn’t even want to be at this stupid party. No offense. And now I have to go home and I don’t know where the front door is and…” Michael trailed off, hiccuping through his tears.
“Hey,” Jake straightened Michael’s shoulders and looked him in the eye. “It’s your lucky day. I can help you find the front door.”
Michael laughed a little, still crying.
Jake fought his way through the crowds of people, gripping Michael’s arm, and hauling him along. Michael stumbled blindly after him.
They reached the front door and stepped out onto the porch. The cold air stung Michael’s wet cheeks. He shivered.
“Look at that. We made it.” Jake grinned at him.
Michael nodded, still having enough sense to keep his mouth shut.
“So, where’s your ride?”
Michael blinked. He pointed at the PT Cruiser parked across the street. “I drove here.”
“Oh.” Jake eyed him. “That’s… probably not a good idea.”
“No, I’m fine,” Michael insisted. “I’m good. I’ll just sit for a minute and then I’ll be good.” He didn’t really believe that but he needed to get away from Jake and this whole humiliating experience, even if it meant sleeping in her car across the street.
“Dude, you’re fucked up. You can’t drive.” Jake glanced behind him at the open front door, then back at Michael. “I’ll take you home.”
Michael snorted. “Like you’re sober right now.”
“I am,” Jake said, rolling his eyes. “I wasn’t supposed to be. But Rich is on some weird rampage and I’ve been trying to keep track of him all night.” He dug his keys out of his pocket. “Come on.”
Michael stumbled after him, trying to come up with an excuse to not get into Jake’s car. He stopped walking when he saw Jake unlock a shiny black sports car.
“Oh I can’t get in there.”
“Why not?” Jake frowned.
“Cause I might possibly maybe throw up in it. And I can’t afford to pay to fix your upholstery because I’d like to go to college.”
Jake snorted. He shoved Michael toward the car. “We’ll roll the windows down. And I promise I won’t charge you for any puke-related damages.”
Michael dragged his feet but eventually got into the car and gave Jake his address. Jake drove smoothly enough that Michael didn’t get overwhelmingly nauseous on the drive. Only mildly nauseous.
“So what happened with that dude?” Jake asked suddenly.
“Huh?”
“You said you were fighting with your friend.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Michael didn’t know how he’d even begin to explain what was happening between them. He figured Jake didn’t really care to know the details anyway. “Just stupid high school shit. He thinks being popular is the most important thing. Doesn’t get that all the popular kids are vapid, selfish, assholes.” Michael looked over, sniffling. “No offense.”
“You say no offense after directly insulting me a lot.”
Michael slid down in his seat. “Sorry. I’m drunk.”
Jake laughed. He pulled up to the curb in front of Michael’s house.
“Thanks.” Michael unbuckled his seatbelt.
“No problem. Honestly, it was nice to get some space from the noise.” Jake gave him a seemingly genuine smile. “I’ll come get you tomorrow so you can get your car.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I can… Uber or something.”
“That’s stupid. I’ll probably sleep in pretty late so let’s say noon to be safe.”
“I… uh… okay.” Michael got out of the car. “Thanks.”
“See you around.”
“Yeah. Uh, see you around.” Michael smiled slightly, and then remembered he was supposed to be sad and fixed his face before going inside.
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