Chapter 1 I'm Not Drunk
"Come on, Lissa! Join the fun!" Sienna said, gulping the whole shot in one go. "Let's enjoy ourselves! Party like you've never had!"
Lalissa chuckled softly. "You go, I'm fine here."
Sienna shrugged.
Sienna picked another glass. "If you say so!" She gulped it down and slammed the glass softly on the table.
She rushed to the crowd, mixing with them as she began dancing crazily to the music.
Lalissa shook her head, smiling as she took her glass of orange juice.
"You want to dance?" Lance asked, sliding into the chair across the table.
"Me? Dance? You know I don't dance," she said. "I've never danced," she mumbled, glancing at Sienna, who didn't mind the wild eyes on her as she danced her ass out.
"Maybe you don't dance because you've never tried. For once, let go of yourself. It's our final-year party. Tomorrow we start a new life—work, and maybe get a family or something. You can't relive today again," Brent said, casually placing his elbow on the table, staring at her.
"Oh, come on, don't give me that look." Lalissa smiled. "At least I got what I wanted. Good grades. Best graduating student. Joining Mom in the office, soon to take over. What else can my mum ask for?"
"Aha! You just said it. Your mom. The best student. The grades. They're all for her. I'm telling you to make a decision for yourself. Do something you want. If you keep living this boring lifestyle, you might die..." he trailed off, pressing his lips together.
Lalissa's eyes widened as she used her purse and lightly slammed his shoulder.
"Don't talk as if you're any more interesting than I am. Sienna is the only wild one among us. You've only had one girlfriend, whom you broke up with after three months."
"At least I've gotten to know what it means to date somebody. We did couple things, and for staying single, you know that's my choice. I haven't found the one I love. But you know I have the face. The ladies in our school were proof."
"Fine, fine." Lalissa raised her hand in defeat. "You won. I'm boring. But maybe I like the lifestyle. I can't change myself in one night."
"Maybe because you haven't tried. Life is more than good marks. Not that I failed. I'm an average student, and—"
"Sorry, I'm late." Someone came to their table. Ace. "Where's Sienna? Hopefully she isn't mad at me?"
Lalissa pointed at Sienna. A single glance at her could tell them that she was wasted.
"Don't think so," Lalissa replied.
"I'll go to her now." Ace made to rush off when he stopped, seeming to have recalled something.
"Apologies to you both. Congratulations."
Lance waved his hand. "Nah, it's fine. Run to your girlfriend before she gives you the silent treatment."
"Sure." Ace hurried away.
Lalissa laughed as she watched Sienna pretending to be mad at Ace.
"Where was I again?"
"Argh," Lalissa groaned. "We're still dwelling on this? Fine. What do you want? I dance? No. I'd rather taste an alcoholic drink."
"I won't force you to do what you don't want to do."
"No, it's fine," Lalissa said. "You're right. My life has been so boring. Trying out something new wouldn't hurt. If I don't like it, I promise to stop."
"You sure?"
Lalissa nodded. "Sure."
"If you say so." He gestured at a waiter.
Lalissa shifted her gaze to Sienna and Lance. She had already forgiven him, and both had gotten so deep into the party. They were body-smashing each other, with Sienna being the 'I don't give a fuck' type as usual.
The clink of glasses on the table took her eyes away from Sienna and back to the table.
"Cheers." Lance raised his glass.
Lalissa gave a small smile, picking hers.
"Cheers."
Both glasses met with a soft clink as they drank at the same time.
Lance was the first to stop, studying Lalissa closely as she removed the glass from her mouth.
She looked at the glass and then at Lance.
"Wow. This isn't as bad as I thought." She gulped the rest at once.
"Told you," Lance smiled, drinking from his glass again.
Lalissa poured herself another drink, filling the cup to the top.
"Lissa..."
She drank it whole, gulping it down forcefully.
She began pouring herself again.
Lance held her hand.
"Don't you think you're drinking too much? It contains 40% alcohol."
"Come on, you wanted me to enjoy myself, right? I'm doing that. Besides, I never knew it tasted so good," she giggled, freeing her hand from Lance's hold.
Lance let out a small smile as he watched her drink.
His eyes landed on her lips that had turned rosier due to the drink.
He gulped his drink, looking away from her face.
Lalissa blinked as her vision started getting blurred.
Her neck turned to the angle where Sienna and Ace were.
They were making out hotly, not minding the public space.
Ace sat on a chair while Sienna sat on top of him, grinding her hips against him as his hand slid under her shorts.
Lalissa looked away, gulping the fourth glass as her eyes spun in circles.
"Why... why do I suddenly feel dizzy?" she slurred, trying to pour herself another glass when Lance snatched it away from her.
"Told you you couldn't handle it. You want to get more drunk?"
"...but I'm having fun," she said, resting her back on the chair. "What did you say—that I'm boring? Well... you're right. I am boring. Very boring. I don't know how to go for the things I want... My dad passed away, and I became so focused on making Mom proud that I forgot I have my own life to live. We... we live this stage once—so l—" she hiccupped. "Let me enjoy it."
Lance didn't know what to say as he listened to her.
He had no idea she'd take his words seriously or how much he had reminded her of the past.
He shouldn't have said all that. He should have just let her be.
"Lissa... I didn't mean it that—"
A loud song played in the bar, cutting his sentence midway.
Lalissa raised her head sharply, smiling as she recognized the song. Her comfort song. Her favorite. And—
She pushed the chair backward, standing.
Lance stood as well. "Where are you going?"
"This is my song! I want to dance!" she said in a high tone.
"But— and she's off," he exhaled softly, going after her.
"I'm having so much fun!"
Lalissa swung her arms high in the air, her hair flapping to the sides as she bounced on her feet.
"Lissa," Lance held her hand. "What are you doing? You're under the influence!"
"I'm not!" Lalissa chuckled. "I know what I'm doing!"
She kept on dancing, trying to keep a steady balance.
Lance ran his hand through his hair. "What have I done?"
He cast Sienna a glance. Ace and her lost in their world.
"Guess I'll have to handle Lissa alone." He took two steps forward, grabbed her hand, and faced her.
"Lissa..."
"Let's dance!"
Lissa closed the space between them, moving her body against his as her head hit his chest.
Lance's body locked in place as he tried pulling her away, but she came closer.
He took a step backward, and her legs collided with his.
"Argh!" She started falling.
Quickly, he curled his arm around her waist and pulled her to his body.
Her face met his chest.
His breath hitched as his heart skipped beats.
"Lissa," he whispered.
Slowly, she looked up, battling her lids as their eyes locked.
"Do you..." She hiccupped. "Do you know one of the things I wanted to do today?"
Lance shook his head.
"Tell me."
"I wanted to get my first kiss today," she said drowsily, trying to keep her eyes open.
Lance's throat moved as he tried to pull her away.
"You're drunk, Lissa."
"I promise, I'm not."
On saying that, she stood on her toes and pressed her lips against his.