Apolo immediately asks, "Are You All Right?" as soon as I return to his side. You're all red.
As I sit, I fake a smile. "I'm fine. "I'm just a bit hot."
Apolo's eyebrows crease, almost touching. "You saw something unsettling, didn't ya?"
No, in fact, I left your brother an erection as big as the Eiffel Tower.
Apolo shakes his head and takes my silence to be a no. I've told Artemis the candle room wasn't a great idea, but he doesn't listen. Why would he ever listen to me? "I'm the youngest in the family." I hear a bitterness in his voice.
"You are not a kid," I tell you.
"To them, I am." "Them?" He takes a drink of soda and sighs. "Even my parents don't consider me at all when they make decisions."
"That could be a positive thing, Apolo. You are free from any responsibilities. According to my aunts this is a time in life you should enjoy. When you are an adult, there will be plenty of time to think about these things.
"Enjoy? My life is boring. "I have no real friends and I am a nobody in my family."
Wow, you sound so sad for a young boy.
He is playing with the metal rim on his soda. "My grandfather thinks I'm a man trapped in a child body."
Ah, Grandpa Hidalgo. Last I heard, he was in a nursing facility. Apolo's father and his four children discussed the decision. Apolo was sad, and I knew that they had not taken his feelings into consideration when making this decision. This beautiful, innocent face shouldn't be so sad. I offer my hand to him. "Do you want some fun?"
Apolo gives me a sceptical look. Raquel, I'm not sure about that. . ."
I am motivated even more by the alcohol that is still in my blood. "Get up Lolo! It's time for some fun."
Apolo laughs. His laugh sounds so similar to his brother, Ares. However, Ares's laughter is not innocent. It's sexy.
"Lolo?" Yes, you are now Lolo. Forget about Apolo the good and boring boy. You're now Lolo, the boy who came tonight to have some fun.
Apolo follows me with apprehension. "Where are you going?" I ask him, and then lead him back down the stairs to the dance floor. It's amazing that I didn't trip in these heels. I turn around to see Dani with someone else, this time a girl.
You seem to be enjoying yourself, Dani. I go straight to the bar, order four glasses each of vodka and lemonade. The bartender pours the drinks in front of us.
Apolo is smiling from ear-to-ear. "I'm ready."
Apolo drinks one after another before I can even say anything. He turns to me and, after he has finished the four glasses, I am horrified to see him hold onto the bar as his body struggles to cope with so much alcohol. "Oh sh*t, I feel strange."
"You're crazy! These were for me. "The lemonade is for you!"
Apolo smiles and covers his mouth. "Oops!" He takes my hand and guides me to the dance floor.
Things are getting ugly. "Apolo! Wait!" I had originally planned to toast with Apolo, have him drink lemonade, take him dancing, introduce a girl he could speak to, and then send him off with a smile on his sweet face. My plan went a bit shaky. Everything that begins with too much alcohol ends badly. I scream for help at Dani, and in no time we are all in a taxi heading to my home.
Apolo's so drunk, we knew we couldn't leave him at the bar or take him home, where his parents would likely give him a scolding for the century. Transporting a drunken person is harder than dealing with them. I'm afraid Dani and I will get two hernias by carrying Apolo to the second floor of my home.
Why did we not leave him downstairs?
Apolo will never be allowed to sober up in my mother's bedroom. My days on this earth will be numbered if he vomits up in my mother's room. He collapses on my bed like a rag-doll when we throw him there.
Dani asks, "Are You Sure That Everything Will Be All Right?"
"Yeah. "Yes. My mom is on duty in the hospital and won't return until tomorrow," I reply.
You've already helped me enough. I don't wish to upset your parents. "Go on."
If you have any questions, please call me.
Dani gives me an embrace and says, "Calm down. The taxi is waiting for you."
As soon as he calms down, send him back home.
Apolo, who is lying on his stomach on my bed and mumbling something I can't understand, says "I will." His shirt is off and his hair is a mess. He looks innocent and cute despite the alcohol infusing his veins, and vomit on his trousers.
"Oh, Rocky. Rocky licks the leg of my response. As I remove Apolo's shoes, I hesitate and look at his pants. Should I remove them? The pants have vomit on it. I remove his pants, and also his shirt which has vomit. I leave him in boxers, and tuck my sheet around him. I jump when I hear a loud ring. It's not mine. When I pull out Apolo's phone and see the screen, my eyes are widening. Incoming call: Ares brother I muffle it and let it ring for a few seconds until the call drops. Then I check how many missed calls and messages Apolo received from Ares and Artemis.
Oh sh*t. I didn't think about his parents and siblings' reactions if he left the club without returning safely. Ares calls me again and I hang up. I can't answer him. He'd recognize my voice. What should I say to him in a text?
Apolo: Hey bro, I will sleep at my friend's place. I sent it. This should be enough to calm him down. Ares's answer comes quickly. Ares brother: Answer that damn phone now!
Ares is still not calmed. He calls me back. Apolo's phone screen taunts my name. I am shocked. Ares has stopped calling after what feels like years. A relief sigh escapes my lips as I sit on my bed's edge, where Apolo still sleeps deeply. He hasn't vomited yet. I was drawn to his phone when it lit up. It's not Ares calling, it's a notification sent by a mobile app called Find My iPhone.
Find my iPhone! This app is used to find any Apple devices registered to a particular account. Ares can find the exact location of my phone if he uses the app from his Mac. In panic, I threw the phone onto the bed. He found me! I know that he found me. Why is Ares so knowledgeable about technology? He will kill me. Ares is on his way to me and no miracle will save me.