Anything for the Alcohol

"I could tell." Kaiden nodded, having seen the strong bond between the two in the short amount of time they had been at Harper's home. The way Faye had hugged onto his sister like she was some kind of wonderful being, had asked if she was going to stay overnight and been disappointed when she'd said no. Siblings were something Kaiden understood well, especially when you were close to them. He couldn't fathom the ones who fought all the time or acted like they hated each other over the most petty of things when they should simply be glad to have one another. Bryce, however, was not a name Kaiden remembered, though he assumed Harper was speaking of that one girl she was always hanging around.

Kaiden was still pondering, about to take another sip from the bottle when it was unceremoniously grabbed from his hand. He blinked, turning to actually look at Harper, his eyes filling with anger. He didn't give a single segment of a fuck what kind it was so long as it was strong. How dare she take it from him just when he was starting to get lost in the wonderful buzziness of his brain. What did it matter how he felt in the morning so long as he could feel good now? The boy was about to retort something particularly nasty when Harper began digging through the bag in search of something else. He waited, watching as she used her wand to pull out another bottle.

"I'm not so sure I want to drink it if it's anything like you." Kaiden grimaced but took the bottle anyway. He downed a sip and then paused, feeling the way it lit him on fire from the inside out. Harper was right. It was good, probably one of the best he'd ever had, not that he was about to admit that to her. He took another swig, this time bigger, relishing the way it made him feel. Yes. This was definitely loads better than what he'd been drinking previously. Raising the bottle, the boy made a quick note of the label, wanting to remember it for future reference. It also gave him the power to ponder over Harper's question seriously, if he could change anything... Anything?

"Higher! Higher, Kaiden!" Pealing laughter echoed through the air as Kaiden felt the small, warm back hit his finger tips. He caught her gently, moving back and then pressing her forward, trying to meet her chanting command to go up further in the air but unable to push any harder than he already was for fear of accidentally knocking her out of the swing. He watched as her white-blonde hair soared out behind her, little bare feet reaching for the blue sky above, sunlight falling on her face for a split moment before she came careening back down towards him, knowing he would always be there to catch her and keep her safe.

But he hadn't.

Kaiden choked slightly as he drank more from the bottle, almost chugging it at this point. He gripped to it tightly,Meyer slightly glazed before he shook his head, hard, clearing it. He glanced at Harper and then away, leaning back to stare up at the stars as she had done. They twinkled brightly, so far away but seeming so close at the same time. "I'd keep a promise. Can we go in now?"

Kaiden groaned, banging the back of his head slightly against the gate and taking a deep swallow of the whiskey to keep himself from exploding. He knew, of course, exactly what question this stupid fucking girl would ask when it was her turn next if he didn't tell her what the promise was. Why in the absolute hell had he even agreed to this indiotic question game anyway? Or rather, why hadn't he answered with something less curious. He could have lied, made something up that could be taken easily at face value, but no, instead he'd had let the nice feeling the wonderful liquid was giving him take over and make him tell the truth. What the absolute fuck. Maybe he should stop drinking.... No, that would be far worse. Then he would have to face it all the time, think about it constantly, never get that short little break from the intense regret and guilt that would forever course through his body unless he was sloshed.

"You just don't know when to fucking let up do you? What is it with girls anyway, and having to know absolutely every single little detail of everything even if it's none of their fucking business!?" Kaiden shot back, not wanting to play around anymore. It had been alright at first, the questions simple and easy. But now... With Harper prying... Ugh, he was so aggravated. Kaiden brought the bottle to his mouth and gave another chug, closing his eyes and trying to get lost again. "I answered your bloody question. My turn. Why was your dad in bed so early? It was barely past dark when we left, shouldn't he have been up looking after your brother? Or is he the type of guy who gets wasted all day and passes out by dinner because he's sick of listening to his wife and kid's shit?" The boy spat out, glaring at Harper and hoping like hell he'd managed to strike a nerve. He wasn't sure he had though, of course. It could have been her father just worked a super early shift and needed to sleep early as well.