Chapter 7: You Know You're A Light-Weight

“Sydney?” Walker calls through my bedroom door a few hours after Elena and I make it back.

“Yes, Walker?” I shout back, reading an article about Taylor Swift in my June edition of Seventeen.

“Are you ready to go yet? Or getting ready or anything?” He wonders, referring to the night club- Club 22.

“Ah, would you believe me if I told you that I think I’m coming down with the flu?” I retort hopefully.

“Yeah, about as much as I’d believe you if you told me you could fly,” He scoffs. “Half an hour-hurry up.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay,” I sigh in defeat, sitting up in the bed, closing the magazine as I hear him walk away. 

Why my friends are so adamant on me going to Drew’s little birthday celebration or whatever, I’m not quite sure. It’s not like we’re actually even gonna talk to one another if we unfortunately happen to run into each other. At least, I’m not gonna talk to him. If he does try to talk to me though, I’ll probably just ignore him. That or just walk away. I’m gonna try my hardest not to actually like, go off on him or anything what with it being his birthday and all, but if he provokes me, I’ll do it and not even feel bad.

I get up from the bed, and pad across the room to the closet. These past few days that I haven’t been anywhere, I’ve been very slowly unpacking my clothes for the summer. The only thing that’s fully unpacked though is the stuff that goes in the closet. I take out the fancy plastic bag in which my dress is encased and close the closet.

Walking back over to the bed, I drop the bad on it and quickly strip out of my plain t-shirt and short shorts before easily slipping the dress on. It doesn’t have like a zipper or anything like that on it, which is why it’s so easy to get into. Once I’ve got it on, I walk over to the full length mirror in the corner of the room and turn it around, looking at my reflection.

The dress really is pretty, I have to admit. I had no luck finding a dress similar to a nun’s apparel, but Elena found this one and I tried it on and loved it. The only bad thing about it is that it’s really, really short. It stops a little bit above mid-thigh on me and has long lace sleeves that stop at my wrists and have these adorable little black flower designs. The lace goes down the front of the dress, acting as a thin second layer to the skin-tight black viscose material of the actual dress and wisps across my collarbone, revealing no direct skin other than that of my neck. That’s another reason I liked it, because besides my legs it doesn’t show too much skin and as slutty as it sounds, I don’t wanna show my body off to anyone that isn’t Bradley. Not that Bradley doesn’t already know what my body looks like, but still.  The back of the dress is pretty intricate though, there’s a few little openings in it, but they’re cute.

I sit down on the foot of the bed and lean down, picking up my new shoes. I wasn’t gonna buy them, but then Elena was all, ‘you can’t buy a new dress and not new shoes; it just doesn’t work that way’, so I bought them. The shoes were expensive though, like three times as much as the dress. Apparently the heel is five inches and they’re one hundred percent leather- hmm, no wonder they were so much. I grab my hairbrush and yank it through my hair, thanking my lucky stars that I straightened it earlier today. I leave it down and slip on a few silver bracelets and a pair of black studded earrings. Then I brush on just a little mascara and concealer.

I look at my cell phone and see that it’s nearly 10:30, meaning we’re about to leave. I don’t know why we’re leaving so late to go to Club 22, because I mean, it’s already pretty late. I guess that Elena doesn’t have a curfew or something. Sighing, I look at myself in the mirror once again and decide that I look good enough before heading out of my room, turning the light out as I go.

“Tanny,” I whine, walking into his room as I leave mine, since his is right next to mine.

“Yes, Sydney?” He replies, pulling a t-shirt on as I walk in, his back to me.

“Are you sure that I can’t stay here? I mean like, can’t you just send my birthday wishes to Drew?”

“Nope, you can do it all by yours--“ Tanner begins to deny, but stops short as he turns around and sees me. His eyes bug out and his mouth drops open as he stares at me as if he’s shocked to see me wearing a dress or something.

“Quit staring at me, you weirdo.” I scold, crossing my arms across my midsection. 

“Uh, sorry,” He replies, blinking a few times. “But erm, wow. That’s very…sexy.”

“Thanks,” I chirp. “Elena picked out. Her dress is really nice too, which you should be happy for since you can’t seem to stop flirting with her,” I reply, leaning against his door post.

“That’s good to know,” Tanner says. “But yeah, it’s a little…too sexy, don’t you think?”

“Too sexy?” I echo, raising an eyebrow. “Nope, not at all. I think it’s a very appropriate level of sexy.”

“Yeah? Well, I don’t. I think that you should go and change into something a little more…warm.”

“It’s the middle of summer, Tanner.” I remind him with a scoff. “Though, I would love nothing more than to change. Right into a comfy pair of sweatpants and an old ratty t-shirt. Then I could curl up in my bed with Mikey’s iPad and watch Supernatural to my heart’s extent.”

“Sydney, it’s Drew’s birthday. You cannot just skip out on it. He was there on your birthday.” Tanner recalls from my birthday way back in March, which is a totally unfair comparison, by the way.

“So what? That was before he decided to be an asshole and kiss me and make Bradley hate me.” I shoot back.

“He does not hate you, Syd, you know that.” Tanner assures me, pulling his shoes on and grabbing his cell phone.

“Yeah, well, that’s what he says. If he doesn’t hate me, then why won’t he listen to me?” I desperately ask.

“I wish I knew, I really do. But I don’t. What I do know though is that that dresses is way too revealing and you need to change. Preferably something that completely covers your ass,” He replies, pulling the edge of my dress down. Rather, trying to pull it down. The dress is viscose and nylon, not elastic- it’s not made to stretch. It’s made to cling.

“Tanner, I’m not changing and you cannot make me. If you want me to go to this stupid shindig, I’m wearing this.”

“Okay, okay,” He sighs. “But I don’t like it.”

“And I don’t like you for making me do this.”

“I can deal with your not liking me because you know you still love me,” Tanner says in a sing-song voice, grinning.

“Not very much at the moment, no, I don’t.” I reply, rolling my eyes at him.

“Hmm, you’re really crabby today. Does someone need some Midol?” He teases.

“Shut up,” I giggle, playfully shoving him. “Let’s just go and get this over with. Please.”

“Yes ma’am,” Tanner chuckles, weaving his arm through mine. “You know, this is gonna mean a lot to Drew.”

“I don’t care,” I shrug. “I’m not doing it to make him happy because fuck him and his happiness and his birthday.”

“Sydney,” Tanner scowls as we walks out of his room and begin to descend the stairs together.

“What?” I innocently reply, pushing a lock of my hair behind my ear.

“Behave tonight,” He replies as we walk into the living room where Mikey and Jaime are doing cutesy couple stuff. Ugh. She does look gorgeous tonight though, Jaime does. She has on a pretty peach colored bandage dress that stops about four inches above her knees and a pair of matching heels. The dress is strapless and it’s bodycon. Her long blonde hair is down and slightly wavy at the ends, cascading down her back. Also in the living room is Bradley, who’s sitting on the couch, his back to the rest of us.

“I always behave,” I remind him. “Jaime,” I say, getting her attention from Mikey momentarily. “You look really pretty.”

“Aw, thanks!” She retorts, sending me a smile. “So do you.”

“I’ll say,” Mikey scoffs. “Don’t you think that you should, I dunno, put some leggings or something on?”

“No, I don’t,” I retort, shaking my head. “Now, are we going or not?”

“We’re going,” Elena supplies, descending the stairs into the living room.

Elena really does look gorgeous. Like I said, if she wasn’t my cousin and if she wasn’t so nice, I’d hate her for being so beautiful. She’s wearing the nude sequined bodycon dress and a pair of platform nude heeled pumps. Her heels are even taller than mine, which is crazy because I have no idea how she’s walking in them. Elena’s also wearing a beaded wrap bracelet and a ridiculously expensive pair of Chanel gold-plated rhinestone earrings. The thing with Elena is, she enjoys the finer things in life. At least, that’s what I’ve observed.

“Wow, Elena, you look great,” Tanner says, obviously checking my cousin out.

“Thanks Tanner,” She replies, her face going red a little bit.

Oh my gosh. Is it bad that the sight of the two of them makes me wanna throw up? Like, I’m not some cynic that wants everyone to be miserable just because I am, but still. I would point out the fact that Elena’s dress is almost as short as mine to Tanner, but I don’t, deciding not to waste my breath.

“Jaime, Sydney, you both look really amazing,” Elena breathes, giving us both smiles. “So, is everyone ready to go?”

“Yep, I think so,” Mikey voice, standing up from his seat, holding Jaime’s hand.

“Alrighty, then let’s get a move on,” Elena chimes. “So, there’s six of us; we can go in two cars, I guess.”

“Where’s Walker and the other one?” I ask Tanner, my arm still looped through his.

“Walker and Drew are already at Club 22, they went earlier for something. I dunno what, but yeah, they’re there.”

I nod in understanding and we all follow Elena out of the house outside to where two expensive looking cars are parked. They’re both sports cars, I think, but I couldn’t say for sure. Speaking of cool cars, I sure do miss Benjamin. I hope that Arianna’s taking good care of him. While I’m gone, Arianna’s supposed to be periodically taking it to the car wash, you know, so that it doesn’t collect dust and whatnot.

“So, who wants to drive?” Elena wonders. “I’ll drive one, but who’s gonna drive the other?”

“I guess I will,” Mikey notes, walking to the shiny black car parked behind the silver one Elena’s claimed.

“Just follow me and pay attention because Rome’s traffic isn’t very pleasant,” She warns, tossing him the car keys.

With that, Mikey, Jaime and Bradley get into the black car, leaving Elena, Tanner and I the silver one. That doesn’t really come as a surprise to me though, the fact that Bradley would rather ride with the two of them. In fact, I expected him to. I slip into the backseat and pull my seatbelt on as Elena takes the driver’s seat and Tanner the passenger. Elena starts the car quickly and lurches forward into the irrational traffic. She nearly sideswipes a car and honks at them as if they’re in the wrong, giving them an angry expression. At least we’re not riding the Vespa’s though. That would have been absolutely horrifying.

__________________________

“What, are you just gonna sit here and get completely shit-faced?” Walker integrates, sitting down at the bar next to me on a stool. We’ve been here at Club 22 for about an hour now and for that entire time I’ve been sitting here drinking. Not consistently or anything. In fact, this is only my second glass of…whatever it is. It’s some kinda Italian alcoholic beverage. The bartender told me the name but it was something super complicated and in Italian, so I don’t remember. Not to mention the fact that I’m a total light-weight when it comes to alcohol and my memory is already getting a little fuzzy.

“I may drink until I feel better,” I reply, glancing at Walker. “Or until the pain numbs over. Whichever comes first,” I add, swishing the lime green colored drink around in the glass, throwing some of it back.

“I wish you wouldn’t,” Walker sighs, ordering a drink for himself. The cool thing about Italy, I think, is that the legal drinking age is just sixteen. Obviously I’m over sixteen so I can actually drink without being worried about getting busted by police or anything like that.

“Yeah, well, you know,” I retort, swinging my legs underneath the stool.

“You’re kinda being ridiculous, you know,” Walker tells me as the bartender hands him his brown drink.

“Don’t you even start that with me, Walker Davis,” I demand, rolling my eyes. “You, of all people, show understand exactly how I feel right now.” I murmur.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He wonders, raising an eyebrow and lookin at me inquisitively.

“Don’t you remember when you and Alison broke up? You came to my house really late at night, in the rain. You stayed at my house for days on end crying and eating grilled cheese sandwiches, so I think that you can cut me at least a little slack,” I remind him.

“You’re right,” He laments. “Just, you know, be careful. Please?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure. I mean, I’ll be here all night so, yeah.”

Walker stands up and wraps his arms tightly around me. “I love you, pretty girl.”

I smile at my friend, reaching my arms up around his midsection. “I love you too, Walky.”

He pulls away and pecks me on my forehead. “Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

“Yeah, I won’t. I promise,” I assure him.

“Good, I’ll see you later then.” Walker replies, patting my shoulder and stalking away.

“Ciao!” A familiar male voice greets, sitting in the chair Walker was just in.

“Hey Orlando,” I reply, briefly glancing over at him.

“Come stai?” He wonders, ordering a drink.

“I told you I don’t speak Italian- please stop speaking it to me.” I respond.

“Oh, right, I forget. I said, ‘how are you’?” Orlando translates.

“Ah, well, I’m awful, thanks for asking.” I tell him truthfully. “How’re you?”

“I’m good,” He nods. “What’s wrong? How come you’re not doing so great?”

“Awful.” I correct. “And it’s because I don’t wanna be here at this stupid club.”

“Why’s that? Club 22 is the hottest club in all of Rome,” Orlando defends, sipping his beverage.

“I don’t doubt it,” I agree. “I’m just not in a very…club-ish mood.”

“Oh! Is it because of your boyfriend? Is he here with you?” Orlando guesses.

“He’s my ex-boyfriend,” I remind him. “And yes, he’s here, but no, not with me.”

“I take it that’s him?” Orlando asks, gesturing his head backwards. “He was sending me death glares.”

“That’s him,” I confirm, glancing over my shoulder, seeing Bradley. He’s standing on the dance floor with a scantily clad blonde. They’re not dancing, but she’s is up on her tip-toes, whispering stuff in his ear.

“Let’s dance,” He suggests, swallowing the last of his drink and standing up, offering me his hand.

“Wait, what?” I ask, furrowing my brow.

“You and me. Let’s dance,” Orlando repeats.

“Why?” I ask awkwardly, taking another sip of my drink, my thoughts getting clouded. Like I said, I’m a light-weight when it comes to alcohol. That’s why I hardly ever drink it. I’ve only drank two and a half and I can already tell I’m a little tipsy.

“Well, you still love him, don’t you?”

“Bradley? I mean, yeah, but ho--“

“Then just make him jealous,” He advises.

“I really don’t think that Bradley’s gonna get jealous by seeing us dance together.”

“Well, maybe not. Then if not to make him jealous just dance with me because I wanna dance with you.”

“I’d really rather just sit here and drink until I don’t know who I am.” I respond, drinking down my drink.

“Well, that’s an awful idea. Come on, just dance with me,” Orlando pleads.

“Okay, okay,” I sigh, swallowing the rest of my drink and standing to my feet, stumbling slightly. “Okay.”

“You’re not gonna fall down, are you?” He wonders, grabbing my wrist and balancing me.

“I dunno, don’t let me fall on my face though.” I slur, grabbing his hand and walking to the dance floor.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Orlando chuckles.

The song changes from the somewhat slowed song to Tik Tok by Ke$ha. I’m kinda surprised that they’re playing that song because it came out so long ago. It is quite a catchy tune though. The dance quickly goes from friendly to flirty and I find my back pressed up against Orlando’s front, grinding my butt into his genital area as he holds my hips to him. The really cool thing about this bar is that they have hostess walk around with trays of beer and vodka and all that good kinda stuff. As one of them passes us, I grab two shot glasses of tequila and throw both of them back. They burn my throat slightly as they go back, but they’re pretty yummy.

“You sure are drinking a lot,” Orlando observes, taking two glasses from the next hostess to walk by. One a tall glass and the other a short shot glass.

“Because in America you can’t drink until you’re twenty-one,” I shrug, taking the shot glass he hands me.

“Well, yeah, but I mean, doesn’t everyone drink anyways?” He wonders, wrapping one arm around my waist and using the other to hold his tall glass of, from the smell of it, vodka.

“I guess so. I guess I’m just a goody two shoes,” I giggle, looking down in my glass. “What is this?”

“Whisky, I think.” Orlando tells me, randomly putting his glass on a table.

“Is it good?”

“All alcohol is good to me,” He shrugs with a laugh. “Drink it and see.”

“You’re not trying to get me drunk so that you can have your way with me, are you?” I ask, half-serious.

“I’m not getting you drunk at all,” Orlando chuckle. “You did a good job of all on your own,” He says.

“Touché,” I giggle again and instantaneously pour the whisky down my throat. Oh gosh. And I thought that the tequila burned. I clear my throat, coughing a little and drop my glass on the table Orlando put his glass on before turning around so that I’m facing him. “Is Bradley still looking?” I ask him, nearly losing my balance in the five inch heels.

“Yeah,” Orlando nods, his eyes flicker behind me. “And he’s absolutely pissed off.”

“Oops,” I slur, smiling slyly. “Then this is gonna drive him crazy,” I say, going up on my tip-toes. Orlando puts one hand on the small of my back, pulling me closer to him and leans down, brushing his lips against mine lightly. Before we can actually properly kiss though, Orlando is thrown off of me.

“Don’t touch her,” Bradley snarls at Orlando. My eyes flutter open and I watch in horror as Bradley punches Orlando dead in his face. Orlando groans and I hear the crunch of bone in his nose.

“Bradley!” I exclaim, putting my hand on his shoulder, trying to pull him back.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” He asks, whirling around, glaring down at me.

“What’s wrong with me?” I echo. “What’s wrong with you? You cannot just go around punching people, you dumbass.” I yell at him, putting my hands on my hips.

“What the hell are you even doing?” He demands.

“Why are you talking so loudly?” I ask, putting my hand on my head as a migraine develops

“Because you’re being so stupid!” Bradley yells at me, a furious expression on his face.

“Well, that’s not very nice, now is it?” I hiccup. I’m not intentionally being nonchalant about the matter. In fact, if I was completely sober right now I’d probably be whining and crying and begging for Bradley’s forgiveness. But since I’m not totally sober and I’m clearly not in a clear state of mind, I’m not doing that.

“What are you doing drinking?” Bradley interrogates as I take another drink from another hostess. “You never drink. Give it to me.” He commands.

“No, Bradley, quit it!” I cry as he snatches the glass away from me.

“No, Sydney, I’m not gonna let you get yourself completely screwed up tonight!”

“Why do you even care?!” I yell at him, getting upset with myself as I feel tears roll down my face.

“Don’t even do that, Sydney Barker. Don’t you even fucking do that!” Bradley roars, his face red.

“Don’t do what?!” I cry, throwing my hands up, confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t stand there and fucking pretend like I don’t give a shit about you because you damn well I do!”

“Y-yeah?” I scoff, stumbling over my words. “You have a fucking fantastic way of showing it!”

“You can’t honestly tell me that if you were in my position you wouldn’t do the same thing!”

“I wouldn’t!” I yell at him. “I wouldn’t put you through what you’re putting me through bec--“

“What? You think that what you’re going through is any worst that what I’m going through?” Bradley asks incredulously. “Let’s not forget who cheated on who here!”

“I didn’t cheat on you! Not really!”

“Yeah, okay, Sydney.” He scoffs. “I’m done.”

“Done what? What is there to be done with? You already broke up with me and ended our friendship. What more can you do to me, Bradley? Huh? You just gonna stop talking to me?”

“I’m gonna stop interfering in your life,” Bradley explains, handing me my glass of whisky back. “Here. Take it. Give yourself alcohol poisoning if that’s what you wanna do. I don’t even give a damn anymore.”

“Hey, hey, what’s going on?” Tanner asks, he and Drew suddenly with us.

“Sydney’s acting like she’s brain-dead, that’s what’s going on.” Bradley explains, his voice cold.

“Well, maybe I’m acting brain-dead because you’ve completely and totally screwed me up!” I shout.

“Maybe that’s because of the ridiculous amount of alcohol you’ve consumed.” Bradley shoots back.

“Sydney, you’re not…you’re not drunk, are you?” Tanner asks me skeptically.

“No, I’m not drunk.” I deny, shaking my head.

“Yes you are,” Tanner argues, grabbing my wrist lightly. “Sydney, come on, we’re leaving.”

“No, you wanted me come and here I am.” I remind him, snatching my wrist away.

“Sydney, you’re acting like a brat,” Drew tells me, his tone disapproving.

“Don’t call her a brat,” Bradley growls at Drew. “If anything, I’d think you’d defend her. You two are together now are whatever.”

“I’d rather purposely drown myself in the English Channel than date that.”

“Sydney,” Tanner says grabbing my wrist again. “Come on, please, let’s just go.”

“You’re acting like a forced you to kiss me or something,” Drew scoffs.

“What are you talking about? You did!” I shrill at him.

“Well, it’s not like you didn’t like it otherwise you wouldn’t have kissed me back,” He arrogantly says. “I can do it again, if that’ll make you feel better,” Drew offers, smiling widely.

Before I can tell myself not to, I sling my drink in his face causing him to gasp for air as it goes up his nose. “Happy Birthday,” I sarcastically say, also throwing the glass at him. Because I have a heart though, I don’t throw it too hard so as not to actually inflict too much pain. With that, I turn on my heel and stalk away from my so called friends.

“Sydney,” Tanner calls, running behind me. “Are you okay?”

“No,” I say,  shaking my head profusely. “I, erm, I think I’m gonna throw up.”

“Jesus Christ, Sydney, you know you’re a light-weight,” Tanner quietly says, clasping my hand in his, leading me to a bathroom.

When we find one, I run in and empty the contents of my stomach into a toilet, lying on the floor, sloppily dry-heaving. It’s a girl’s bathroom but there’s only two stalls in here, therefore, Tanner is outside the door waiting on me. I flush the toilet and try to stand but find the simple task to be too much.

“Syd? You alright in here?” Tanner wonders, walking into the bathroom apprehensively.

“Tanny,” I whine, resting my head on the cold titled floor. “I’m cold.”

“I knew you would be, wearing that dress,” He chuckles, walking into my stall.

“I wanna go home,” I slur, wrapping my arms round his neck as he scoops me up in his arms, bridal style.

“Okay, we can go home. We can go home now,” Tanner assures me.

“Nooo, I wanna go home t-to America,” I cry, burying my face into his chest. “B-back to M-Michigan.”

“I know you do, just a few more days, okay? Just a few,” He comforts, carrying me out of the bathroom. He's lying to make me feel better. It's not just a few days- it's two more months. 

“Okay,” I sigh, barely hearing his words as my eyes grow heavy.

“We’re almost at Francesca’s, you can go to sleep then. I promise.” Tanner says as we get in a taxi cab.

I lie my head on Tanner’s shoulder and he wraps his arm around me, kissing my hair. The cabby guy keeps trying to make conversation with Tanner, but his English is kinda awful therefore Tanner can’t really hold a conversation with him. I’m not sure, but I think we arrive back at Francesca’s about half an hour later.

Tanner pays the man once we do and pulls me out of the cab, again holding me bridal style. I guess that the front door is unlocked because Tanner just pushes it and it opens wide. He walks in and kicks it shut with his foot, carrying me up the stairs to my bedroom. In my bedroom, Tanner gently drops me on the bed and goes over to my luggage, going through it.

“What’re you looking for?” I ask him sleepily.

“Pajamas for you,” He replies, pulling out some clothes and walking back over to me.

“I’m sorry Tanner, for making you leave the party early.” I murmur, kicking my shoes off.

“Hey, you didn’t make me leave. I left on my own. Besides you know that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

“You’re my best friend,” I mumble sleepily. “I love you so, so much. And you have really, really purty eyes," I add, attempting to say 'pretty', but it doesn't quite come out correctly. 

“Yeah, well, you’re my best friend and I love you so much back,” Tanner chuckles.

“I’m really, really hungry,” I complain as Tanner tugs my dress up. I don’t really mind it, Tanner dressing me because I mean, he’s seen me in my underwear before. All of the guys have, now that I think about it.

“I can definitely understand that,” Tanner laughs, pulling the dress over my head, lying it on the bed.

“Can you order pizza?” I ask hopefully, holding my arms up as Tanner slips an old t-shirt over my head.

It’s too big so I know it belong to one of them, but I’m not quite sure at the moment on which one it is. Tanner kneels down and pulls a pair of Nike shorts up on me then ties the drawstring in a little bow, standing back up.

“It’s a bit too late at night for pizza. How about I take you to breakfast first thing tomorrow?” He suggests.

“Yeah, okay,” I agree, pulling my cover back and lying down in the comfortable bed.

“Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?” Tanner offers.

“Yes please,” I quietly yawn, nodding. He goes and turns the light off before going around to the other side of the bed and getting in next to me under the comforter. 

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Author's Note: Well, Bradley and Sydney talked! That counts for something, am I right? Let me know what you thought of this chapter in a comment! Predicitons for next chapter? Don't forget to vote, please! The picture is Sydney and Elena's outfits to Club 22! See you all Monday! And for those of you who read Like Crazy, last night I posted Aria, Holland, Clark, Shawn and Caleb's Character Profiles, in case you'd like to check them out on Tumblr. I'll post the link in the external link and in a comment below. <3