Killer Crown

Lina shoves another glass in my hand,

"Nah, I shouldn't."

'Hell, i'm already a little buzzed.'

"Don't be such a bitch! Drink it!"

She basically shoves the drink in my mouth. The liquor burns on the way down but I don't mind.

"Ya know, i'm starting to feel it."

I stumble over my own feet but a pair of strong hands catch me.

"Woah, careful hun. Don't won't you hurting yourself."

The man is unfamiliar to me but his smile is warm, like i've seen it before.

"Sorry, *hick*, I can't really, *hick*, walk right."

"Heh, well I could take you somewhere."

"UH HUH! SHE'S ENGAGED PAL SO BACK OFF!"

Lina pokes his chest aggressively.

"Geez, ok lady."

The guy walks off but he glances back at me before he disappears into the crowd.

"KAZZIE, WE SHOULD GO BACK TO MY HOTEL ROOM!"

"Heehee, ok."

I let Lina drag me outside and before I know it, we're at the hotel bar ordering just about everything on the menu.

"Lina, *hick*, I think that, *hick*, i'm totally shit faced."

The room is all shaky and I can't even walk straight. Lina drapes her arm around me,

"C'mon lightweight, let's get you back to my room."

We wobble our way to the elevator giggling at nothing and helping each other keep balance. We somehow manage to open her room door and stagger into her bed.

"Wow, Lina you're probably my best friend."

She lays next to me,

"Yeah, you're probably mine too Kazzie."

"Mhmm, we're gonna have one hell of hangover in the morning."

"Yeah, lets worry about that in the morning."

"Yeah."

I rub my eyes and turn on my side.

"Night Lina."

"Night Kazzie baby."

***

"Ah shit, my heads killing me."

I rub my head and turn towards Lina.

"Hey, wake up lady."

I poke at her.

"Mhhmmmm, five more minutes."

I look at the alarm clock on the dresser next to the bed,

"OMIGOD, I GOTTA GO!"

She sits up quickly,

"Whaa? Why?"

I show her my phone,

"15 missed calls from Ricky! He's probably pissed!"

I hurry and call him back while Lina gets herself together.

"Kaz? Where the hell are you? I've been calling you all night!"

"I know, i'm so sorry. Lina wanted to go drinking so we went back to her hotel and crashed. I'm sorry."

He sighs heavily into the phone,

"It's fine, just send me your location and i'll have someone come pick you up."

"Oh, alright."

"I'll talk to you when you get here, be safe, bye."

"B-"

He hangs up the phone.

"Bye."

I send him the name of the hotel and toss my phone on the bed.

"Hey, you good?"

Lina looks at me with a concerned look,

"No time babe, we gotta be out this bitch at 1:15 and look at the time."

She points to the clock,

"Shit, alright. Let's get you all packed up."

"Aw thanks hun, i'm gonna step into the other room and call my brother to come get me, i'll help you out in a bit."

"Mhm, ok."

I neatly place her clothes inside her suitcase.

"I don't care! She needs to know her place!"

Lina yells from the other room but I try not to eavesdrop.

"You know what, i'll just talk to you later. I can't deal with this shit right now."

She stomps back into the room and acts as if nothing happened.

"I'll pack the rest hun, you go get your shit together."

"R-right."

*Buzz*

'Your rides outside. Hurry up.'

"Uh my rides downstairs."

"Oh, well c'mere babe."

She opens her arms and gives me a hug,

"I had so much fun with you last night Kazzie,"

She kisses my cheek,

"And I hope you and Ricky have a beautiful wedding. Now get outta here and go see him."

"Thank you Lina."

She smiles as I make my way towards the door,

"Anything for you Kazzie."

***

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving the party last night?!"

Ricky paces back and forth while hastily running his hands through his hair.

"I-"

"I was worried sick! You didn't even try to call me or tell anyone you were leaving!"

"Ricky I-"

"I thought someone had taken you or maybe you got lost or that you-"

"Ricky! Please,"

He looks like death, he hasn't combed his hair, his clothes are messy and he has dark bags under his eyes.

"Lina took me to go drinking and we both got a little drunk. I'm sorry I didn't call or text but we both know that i'm not much of a drinker and Lina is really pushy...but in a good way I guess."

He walks over glaring at me,

"I don't care were you where or who you were with. You don't leave my side Kaz, ever."

He grabs my face,

"You understand me?"

I pull his hand off of me,

"What the hell? What's gotten into you?"

I see his eyes start to twitch.

"Shit went down last night, shit beyond my control. The last thing I need right now is for you to be disappearing on me."

"Ricky,"

I grab hold of his hand and stare him in the face,

"What the fuck happened after I left?"

His eyes scan my face.

"N-nothing. I'm just glad you're safe, that's all that matters."

His whole body starts to shake,

"Hey, look at me, you need to breathe."

I take hold of his face and help slow down his panting.

"There you go, good."

He hides his face in my chest,

"I don't understand Kaz. What am I doing wrong?"

My chest feels warm, then wet.

'Tears?'

I rub his back,

"Ricardo, you know I love you and that is do anything for you, but I can't help if you don't tell me what's bothering you."

He looks up at me with tears in his eyes,

"I can't tell you Kaz, I wish I could but I can't."

"Ricky, i'd die for you, you can tell me."

I wipe away his tears,

"I don't need you to die Kazmaria, I need you to trust me, just until I can get my shit together."

He gets up and grabs his keys,

"Where are you going?"

"To handle something. I'll be home soon."