Chapter Three
“Thank goodness your parents finally fell asleep,” Orion said. “Still, let’s keep the volume down. We have school tomorrow.”
“Archer’s keeping watch.”
“In that case…I guess it’s alright. I like Archer, he’s grown on me.”
“He’s…different, that’s for sure,” Micah said carefully.
“I think I’m going to take a nap and then try to drive home. Dev, do you want to lay down with me?”
“Sure,” Devony said, giving Ellie a hug. “I’ll see you guys later tonight.”
“Are you going to spend the night? Your dad might be okay with it if it’s here,” Micah offered.
“I haven’t decided,” she said, looking up at Orion. “I’ll make my decision after you have, Orion.”
“That’s my girl,” Orion said, kissing her and sweeping her off her feet. “Everyone stay out of the guest bedroom.”
“Did you hear what he said?” Micah asked when Archer came up to stand next to him.
“How adorable. Consummating their marriage?” he chuckled.
“You know that Orion’s abstinent until marriage. That’s not funny.”
“It’s a joke, Micah, relax. I just find it funny that the two of them are lying down to relax and it’s not even ten! They’re already acting like an old, married couple.”
“They don’t get a lot of time to spend together anymore. I think it’s okay.”
“She’s a hottie, isn’t she?” Archer asked.
“She is.”
“She’s really grown up over the summer.”
“Yeah.”
“I mean physically.”
“I know what you meant.”
“I bet they’re not even sleeping in there.”
“I’m sure they are,” Micah said.
“Maybe we should go take a look and see what they’re up to.”
“Just leave them alone.”
“I bet Devony wouldn’t mind if you came to take a nap with them. I bet you wouldn’t mind that either!”
Micah frowned. “Devony would mind that. She’s not that kind of girl. She wanted some privacy with her boyfriend, who she hardly gets to see, without people staring. I don’t blame her.”
“So you’re saying that there’s no way they’re sleeping.”
“I didn’t say that. I just told you, Devony loves him and Orion’s respectful.”
“Respectful,” Archer scoffed, still keeping things light. “I bet what they’re doing in there has little to do with being respectful. If they’re not going to spend time with us, then we should at least drink to their happiness.”
“Archer, you know that I can’t do that. It’s a school night.”
“Don’t tell me you’re turning into a boring, responsible adult already?”
“Drop it. I’m not getting drunk tonight.”
“So why invite people over? What kind of host are you?”
“A sober one.”
“One beer never hurt anyone. Even two beers would be perfectly fine.”
“I already had a beer and it was a strong one because you know my dad never keeps the cheap stuff around. Plus I had some shots with Mason and Tad. If I drink any more it’s going to show. Only pop from here. I’m not a good drinker.” He took a large swallow from his glass of cola.
“You’re a lightweight.”
“Exactly, so you know why I shouldn’t drink any more than I already have.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Why drink if you’re not going to get drunk? This is your own house! It’s not like you have to drive! Come on! Go join our friends and let Orion and Devony have some peace.”
“Where’s everyone else?”
“They’re all hanging out by the fire pit near the woods.”
“So that’s what all the noise is?” Micah asked, allowing Archer to point him towards the fire. “I was wondering where they’d gone.”
“Stop being a lame ass,” Archer said, giving him a shove forward. “Go now. Enjoy yourself! You know that I’m keeping an eye out here. If the noise bothers you so much then go down there and tell them to settle down.”
“Fine,” Micah said, walking a bit unsteadily across the lawn towards the firepit.
Archer watched him until he reached the fire and a drunken cheer welcomed him. After another minute he pulled out his phone and called Roderick. “Are you here yet?”
“I’m out front,” Roderick said. “How’s everything going?”
“He’s well on his way to getting drunk. He’s had some beer and some shots and I’ve been spiking his pop since he can’t tell the difference. Micah’s a total lightweight. He’ll be drunk by the time you get back here. I even sent him to the back of his dad’s property to the rest of the guys who are more than a bit lit. Don’t waste any time.”
“I’m on my way,” Roderick said, hanging up the phone.
Archer went to join the rest of the party at the end of the lawn and watched them joking and swaying around the fire pit as music played.
“Archer! They’ve been making me drink more!” Micah cried helplessly.
“It wasn’t that much,” Mason said. “No more than any man could handle.”
“Then give him more beer!” Archer cried, doing his best to pretend that he was just as drunk as the rest. He broke out into song, trying his best to match the lyrics but doing a poor job at doing so.
“I love this song,” Micah said with a sleepy smile.
“Same here,” Archer said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “You all must be deaf from drinking if you can still enjoy it with my voice!”
“I’m not that drunk.”
“Ahh, but I am Micah, and I hope to get you at the same level as me.”
“Let’s drink to Dev and Orion!”
“Yes! To Dev and Orion!” Mason cried out. “Sing for us again, Archer!”
“Crazy bastards!” Archer laughed, starting to sing again.
“Your voice isn’t that bad,” Micah said, smiling.
“So then I should I sing some more?”
“Yes…I mean no! No, we shouldn’t be doing this! We’re so loud! My dad’s going to wake up or someone’s going to call the police! I’ll be grounded for a month!”
“If not more,” Archer said with a dramatic flourish. “Relax buddy, we’re not being that loud.”
“He’d ground me for a year,” Micah said, pulling away from Archer. “It’s my junior year! I’m a man and I’m still scared of my father.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Archer said. “I’m pretty afraid of your dad too. The last thing I need is another detention.”
“We need to stop! We didn’t come here to drink, we just wanted to hang out and talk about the tournament! This is bad! So bad!”
“Calm down, Micah. You’re ranting like a sloppy drunk. You’re the sober-est person here,” Archer said.
“Damn right! I’m not drunk at all! Do you hear me slurring?”
“Not yet,” Tad said.
“See! So I’m not drunk,” Micah said. “I need water. I’ll be right back.”
“He’s drunk,” Mason laughed, watching him head back towards the house, barely able to keep one foot in front of the other.
“He’s been like this a lot lately. Some vice-president, huh? Sometimes I think Orion made a mistake when he picked him. I mean, everyone knows how hard Micah parties.”
“Yes but, I mean, is he like this very often?” Mason asked.
“Are you kidding me? Micah drinks every night when he’s at home! His father tries to keep the whole thing hushed up, but I swear he can’t fall asleep without a drink in his hand. I’ve been meaning to talk to him about it. I’m worried about the guy.”
“Damn. Maybe Orion didn’t know about it when he made him vice-president, but just thought that he was doing the right thing since he’s the headmaster’s son.”
“I don’t know…” he trailed off as he noticed Roderick approaching with a hoodie over his eyes, covering his face. Archer addressed him like he was a stranger. “Hey buddy, you don’t look drunk at all. Maybe we should send you to keep an eye on our friend, Micah. It looks as though he’s had a bit too much to drink.”
“Again?” Roderick asked. “I’ll go.”
“That must be one of Micah’s public school friends. Poor guy,” Mason said, watching him jog after Micah. “I can’t believe the Headmaster’s son has a drinking problem! We should tell Orion.”
“I’m not going to say anything. I think Micah can get it under control with a little help. I mean, who really knows about it? He keeps it a secret—”
“Stop! Stop, jackass! What’re you doing?” a voice shouted, breaking up the conversation.
“Did you guys hear that?” Archer asked.
“Someone’s shouting for help,” Mason said, standing up. “Look!”
“Leave me alone! Tell him to leave me alone!” the man in the hoodie shouted as he ran up to the fire.
“What’s your problem? Afraid to fight me?” Micah shouted sloppily as he staggered after Roderick.
“What’s going on?” Mason asked.
“It’s all him! He ran up to me and started talking shit on me! It’s my house and I sure as hell didn’t invite him. I’ll kill him!” he shouted, reaching towards Roderick.
“You’re threatening me?”
“No, I’m promising you!” Micah said, lunging forward and clubbing Roderick on the head with a flailing swing of his fist.
“Stop! Don’t hit him, Micah! You’re drunk!” Mason reached out, grabbing Micah’s arms and attempting to restrain him.
“Let me go! Let me go right now!” Micah shouted, struggling in his grasp.
“Please, Micah. Calm down, you’re drunk!”
“I’m not drunk, dammit!” Micah screamed, getting out of the hold and shoving Mason. In a second, Micah had Mason pinned down to the ground and was drunkenly punching him wherever his fists could land a blow.
“Stop! Someone wake up Orion before Micah’s dad wakes up! Maybe he can break this up!” Archer shouted, still pretending to be drunk.
As Micah and Mason continued to roll around on the ground, Roderick took the opportunity to slip away. Archer was the only one to notice him leaving.
“Please stop, Micah! Do you want Orion to see you acting like an idiot?”
“What the hell, guys?” Orion’s heavy accent rumbled through the air. The two men on the ground stopped fighting to find Orion standing over them, his face grim. Mason rolled away from Micah and felt his bloody mouth.
“I’m bleeding!” Mason grunted. “What’s your problem, Micah?”
“Stop!” Orion shouted, stepping in between them.
“Listen to him, Mason,” Archer said. “Why are you acting like this? Micah, are you so drunk that you’re going to start fighting everybody? That’s enough, Mason! Stop, Micah!”
“How did this even start? Why are you guys hitting each other? You’re friends! You were just helping each other out only a few hours ago! What’s wrong with you two?”
Micah looked away, feeling ashamed as Mason rubbed his jaw and groaned.
Orion looked at Archer. “Can you please try and explain to me what happened?”
“I honestly don’t know everything that happened.”
“Tell me what you do know.”
“It was just a little fun. We were all drinking and having a good time and then something happened. I think Micah had a little too much to drink and he left us for a minute, then suddenly he was chasing someone and then he and Mason were fighting. I didn’t know what to do.”
“Micah?” Orion tried, walking up to his friend. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” he said, his wild, bloodshot eyes looking towards the house. “Shit, I see my father’s light is on. He’ll be out here any minute.”
“Shit,” Orion muttered. “Mason, what happened? You’re usually so calm, that’s why I always want you helping me with school projects. What would make you start fighting with Micah?”
“Orion, I don’t know. He was chasing this guy and I tried to calm him down and then suddenly tackled me and started punching me in the face! Do you see my lip? Dammit, I don’t know what started it. Maybe Archer saw something that I missed. My jaw’s killing me and I’m probably going to have to get stitches. He attacked me, Orion, that’s all I can say. I don’t know why, but he suddenly attacked me.”
“Now I’m really starting to get pissed off,” Orion said, looking at everyone. “If someone doesn’t explain how this all really started, I’ll march right up the Headmaster’s room and tell him what I’ve seen.”
“He’d punish you too!” Mason said. “Please, I can drive myself, just don’t tell the Headmaster.”
“No, you’ve been drinking. I’ll take you to the hospital but I need a few minutes. Now everybody listen – we can’t have this,” Orion said. “We have to host the college tournament tomorrow and you guys are getting drunk and fighting! Do you have any idea how bad it’s going to look with a volunteer in stitches and a vice-president with a black eye? Archer, please, I trust you more than anyone else here, what the hell happened?”
“Don’t ask him, he’s friends with Micah. You can’t trust him.”
“Can’t trust me?” Archer asked, looking upset. “Mason, you know me better than that. I hate saying terrible things about my friends, but the truth is the most important thing here. Here’s what I saw. Mason and I were talking around the fire when someone ran up to the fire pit, screaming for Micah to leave him alone. Micah appeared, threatening to kill him. Mason tried to calm things down but Micah kept shouting and making a scene. He was so loud that the guy he was chasing ran away and I didn’t see where he went. Next thing I know, Micah had Mason pinned down and was punching him the face and Mason was trying to defend himself. They were rolling around, fighting, when you showed up. That’s all I know.”
“A fight for no other reason than losing your senses,” Orion said gruffly, covering his face with his hand for a moment.
“No one’s perfect, Orion, you know that,” Archer said. “We all drink and we all like to have a good time. I really don’t think Micah meant to hurt Mason but he did. I’m sure whoever stirred Micah up like this is at fault, but he’s gone now and I hardly remember his face.”
“Don’t defend Micah,” Orion said, turning away from Archer. “Micah, I know this sucks, but I can’t have you showing your face at the tournament this weekend. Not with that black eye. We can’t condone fighting at our school.”
“What’s going on?” Devony’s voice asked sleepily.
“It’s nothing,” Orion said. “Now look what you’ve all done! The Headmaster’s awake and Devony is too! Now I’m pissed.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, don’t worry about it, Dev. Tad, take her home before the Headmaster decides to do a thorough check of the property. Take the others with you too, I don’t want them driving. You are sober, aren’t you, Tad?”
“I stopped drinking a while ago,” Tad said, motioning for the others to follow him. “Micah, come on, you can follow us back to the house.”
“No. Micah can clean up this mess,” Orion said. “Mason, let’s get you to the hospital,” he said, helping Mason back to his feet. “Archer?”
“I’ll stay with him,” Archer said, taking a seat in front of the fire. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Do whatever you want,” Orion said over his shoulder as he helped Mason walk across the yard.
“How are you?” Archer asked.
“I…I’m still trying to remember what the hell happened.”
“Well it’s over, Micah. Nothing can be done now.”
“I was supposed to help out with the tournament! What am I going to do when my dad finds out? What’s he g
oing to do when he sees this shiner? He’ll probably say that I can’t be vice-president.”
Archer tried not to roll his eyes. “As if that would happen. Don’t make it as dramatic as all that,” he said. “The tournament’s tomorrow and it’s stressing Orion out – just give him some time to calm down. He’s going to need all the help he can get to make sure this whole thing goes well. I’m sure you’ll be back helping him Saturday if not Friday. He likes you, Micah, you know that. He wouldn’t have made you vice-president if he didn’t. This is just so the school doesn’t look bad, not because he doesn’t like you.”
“What the hell’s wrong with me?” Micah said as he held his head in his hands. “Getting drunk? Starting a fight? I can’t believe I punched Mason. I’m never drinking again.”
“Let’s not say things we don’t mean. Who were you chasing, anyway?”
“I don’t remember. I don’t know.”
“How can’t you remember? It happened five minutes ago.”
“I just remember him making fun of me, and I remember running after him, but I don’t remember exactly what he said that set me off. That’s horrible, right? It’s horrible that I fought with someone and I don’t even know who and I don’t even know why! Orion was right not to let me participate in the tournament. So much for putting that on my applications next year.”
“Oh you’re fine,” Archer said, patting him heavily on the back. “You don’t even seem that drunk anymore.”
“I sobered up when I realized I was punching Mason.” Micah buried his face deep in his hands and let out a drunken sob. “What the hell’s wrong with me?”
“You’re being too hard on yourself, Micah.”
“I’m not.”
“Instead of blubbering, why don’t you do something about it?”
“What the hell can I do? Ask him if I can help with the tournament again? Make sure that he doesn’t tell my father? Orion doesn’t seem like he even trusts me anymore! He looked at me like I was a dog with rabies or something.”
“Takes one to know one,” Archer mumbled before putting on a smile. “So you got a little out of control, it happens to the best of us! It’s fine, so you’ll lay off the beer for awhile. No harm done.”
“It wasn’t just the beer! I think someone was sneaking me drinks.”
“How could someone sneak you drinks? You were making most of them.”
“That’s why it’s so weird,” Micah grumbled.
“Whatever happened, it’s over now. Do you want to help out this weekend?”
“You know I do.”
“So here’s what you should do. Call Devony.”
“Devony? Tonight? But it’s already so late.”
“Just call her,” Archer pressed on. “Tell her your side of the story and ask her if she can talk to Orion about making sure that you help out with the tournament this weekend. Say you’re worried about losing your position as vice-president and still want to help the school in any way you can. Like you said earlier, Devony’s a nice girl. She’ll do whatever it takes to help anyone. Ask her to plead your case to Orion. I’d bet your father’s money that by tomorrow all will be forgotten and you’ll be helping out with the tournament.”
“Actually that’s not a bad idea,” Micah said with a sniff.
“Of course it’s not. It’s my idea. And I’m helping because I can see how upset you are.”
“I know you are. I’ll go inside and call Devony. Her father will let her speak to me. He’s always liked me.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll clean up here.”
“Are you sure, Archer? I couldn’t ask you—”
“I insist. Go now and call her. She’ll help you.”
“Thanks, Archer. I appreciate it,” Micah said, standing up. “I underestimated you. You really are a good friend.”
“Go now.”