Haven
“My bad. I didn’t mean to suggest anything back there,” said Alo. “I was just making conversation.”
“It’s just—you have been acting a little different,” said as he grabbed a stack of napkins.
“Well, don’t pretend like you didn’t lure him here with an ulterior motive in mind,” replied Alo as they made their way back to ’s guests.
“Don’t start,” replied coldly. Inside, though, he couldn’t help but feel guilty. They wanted me to bring the mystery boy from the woods to them, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let them hurt him, he thought to himself. The two turned the corner to see Griff and Darcy anxiously awaiting their return.
“Hey, you two,” said. “Let me just get this.”
leaned over, dropping the napkins on the floor. He wiped up the spill, wadding the wet napkins together when he noticed something. On the very bottom napkin, there was a note scribbled in black marker. He pulled the sopping stack apart to try to read it, but ripped the napkin.
“Tell the…” he read the napkin quietly aloud, but saw that the rest was illegible save for a small heart and Fen’s signature.
“Huh?” Darcy asked.
“Nothing,” said as he got up, stuffing the message in his pocket and tossing the rest of the stack into a nearby garbage can.
“I guarded your drinks,” Griff said as he handed Alo his cup.
“Thanks,” Alo said as he took a drink. “Man, that packs a punch.”
“Just what I need.” winked at Griff as he, too, took back his drink. Tucking one hand into his pocket, he felt the half-soaked napkin with a message between his fingers. Tell the what? he thought to himself. Tell the guy I like him?
Griff and Darcy exchanged a knowing look.
“Oh, yeah. Big fan of the house punch,” Griff smiled as he lifted his cup for another toast.
“Same,” an over-enthused Darcy joined in on the cheer.
“You know,” Alo said as he took another drink. “I think now was supposed to be the time where I asked Griff’s plus one for a dance so that could talk to him alone. Guess my plan is kind of foiled because you’re a dude, but I’m actually still into it. I mean, if you are.”
In the middle of taking his own drink, spit it out onto the floor. Did Alo just say that out loud!?
Darcy smiled, looking to Griff as though he were a small puppy seeking permission from its mother to run off and play.
“ He is, ” Griff rattled off faster than Darcy expected.
“You’ve got really pretty eyes,” Alo said as he took Darcy’s hand and guided him into the next room, closer to where the band was performing.