Page 49 of Oleander
“I heard that, you cheeky little shit. Now, be quiet. All of you,” Zephyr commands, his deep voice sounding like brushed velvet.
The car goes silent. Obeying.
“Daddy’s driving,” Zephyr adds cooly, and everyone’s frozen for a second before we all burst out laughing. That’s the Zephyr I remember, and it hurts my heart to think our friendship will never be the same.
I shouldn’t have ignored them. Shut them out for so long.
I peer out the side window, watching the dark, jagged trees zoom by in the shadows. I decided to go to the pub with Skyler to push past another fear and support my friend in the process. I need to make sure no one gives him a hard time, including my old best friends. Fae love to gossip, speaking what they deem the truth, even if it’s a slightly altered version of such, so it’s highly likely that not only does the entire school know Skyler is half human, but the local village does as well.
Nerves fester in my stomach like the toxic magic that lives under my skin. The thought of trouble brewing on the horizon makes me queasy, and I haven’t even had a drink yet.
We arrive at Sparrow Spring Tavern in no time, and I tug my hood up, hoping to conceal my identity and avoid news of this night making its way back to the queen. The five of us pile out of Zephyr’s car, and an excited, rowdy energy buzzes in the air around us. This is a new experience for me, and I don’t want to mess it up.
“I’ll get the first round,” Hawk declares loudly before we even make it to the old wooden building.
The moon is high in the night sky, bathing everything in a luminous silver glow. I stare up at the sign, carved in wood and painted robin egg blue. Sparrow Spring Tavern is legendary in Auroria for welcoming drunk and disorderly college students. I take a slow breath, pulling the pine-scented air deep into my lungs and preparing for what’s sure to be a wild night.
Skyler and I are the last two left outside, and he glances side to side before leaning in and giving me a quick peck on the lips. My stomach swoops, but his next words infuse me with a sense of strength and a new confidence. “Thank you for coming with me. I’m really glad you’re here.” Skyler spins around and slips inside, and I follow after him like an eager and excited puppy.
Now, I’m ready for tonight.
The bar is crowded and dark, but it’s not hard to spot our party with Hawk’s bright red hair illuminated under the pendulum lighting. There’s already a round of ginger beer on the wooden table, so Skyler and I grab one before taking our seats.
“A toast,” Zephyr announces with a twinkle in his dark brown eyes, warning me of trouble ahead. He raises his glass high into the air, and we all follow suit. My worried gaze darts to Skyler in anticipation of what Zephyr might say.
“To the prince and the pauper,” Zephyr cheers loudly, a smug and satisfied grin adorning his golden brown skin.
Why does he have to be handsome and charming yet such an utter dick?
It confuses people.
I missed when we were all friends and I wasn’t on the receiving end of hisjokes.
Leo looks uncomfortable, but Hawk erupts into raucous laughter, bringing unwanted attention to our table. The old, drunk Fae next to us curls his lip at the interruption, staring us down with dull eyes. I pull my hood tighter around my head and ignore Zephyr’s taunt, but he continues to egg us on.
“You didn’t drink to my toast.” He sets his empty glass down, leans back, and folds his arms across his thick chest.
“That’s awfully rude considering I bought the beer, lads,” Hawk adds before slamming his fist down and startling me. “Now, chug!” he shouts loud enough to garner even more attention from other patrons, and my shoulders curl in on themselves.
“Drink up,” Zephyr demands in a cool, even tone.
Skyler stands up and steps into Zephyr’s face, both of their eyes lit from within and blazing dangerously. “Or what?” Skyler demands.
“Sky, don’t.” I grab his elbow, attempting to halt him before he gets any closer and escalates this situation past the point of no return.
“He’s kidding! He’s kidding,” Leo insists, trying to diffuse the situation like me. He slings an arm around each of our shoulders, extra careful not to touch my skin even though my magic is controlled right now. “We’re all just having some fun. No need for hostility. I’ll order the next round—double shots—so you may as well drink your beer now, friends.”
I glance at Skyler, who gives me a resigned shrug and an eye roll. Asking nicely and being sweet can get you way further in life, and Leo is proof of that. We tip our glasses back, chugging the sugary beers until they're gone.
“Nice one, lads!” Hawk encourages as the bartender drops off a tray loaded with shots. Everyone picks up a glass, and I sniff mine first, smelling pure fairy moonshine.
Before I have time to waver, everyone downs their oversized shots. Peer pressure is still alive and thriving at nineteen, so I follow suit. But the moment my mouth fills with the potent alcohol, my body revolts, spewing moonshine across the small table and straight into Hawk’s unsuspecting face. He flinches and stares back at me, both of us in shock.
Leo and Zephyr roar with laughter, a tipsy-looking Skyler joining in as soon as the shot settles in his stomach. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hoodie sleeve, wishing I had a chaser. “Sorry,” I mumble, coughing into my elbow and hoping I don’t vomit.
Hawk grumbles under his breath, scrubbing at his face with rough paper napkins that leave his skin red and sticky. “I’ll be right back,” he mumbles, side-eyeing me with an unusual glare, and I can’t really blame him. I duck my head, shame washing over me in tidal waves.
Skyler notices my unease, raising a hand to get the bartender’s attention. He leans down, whispering into my ear. “What settles your stomach?” His breath tickles my skin, and I bite my inner cheek until the pain stops my magic from rushing to the surface.
