Blazing Academy: Semester One (Academy For All Things Scorching #1) - Avery Song Page 0,93

shook his head. "Don't know. I felt it's time I try and focus on some stuff and set a better example."

"Dad." I gave him a compassionate look. "You know I understand."

Understand the pain he had to endure. The heartache of losing a woman for whatever reasons he had to carry alone, all while losing access to his only daughter because of the addiction that kept him sane.

"I know." His soft whisper could make me cry. "I couldn't be more blessed to have a child that's growing up into a magnificent woman."

We shared a look, one that spoke a magnitude of internal emotions. I couldn't wait to have time to just spend with him.

For us to catch up after so many years of unnecessary distance.

"Continue being you, Alice. Don't let any standards stop you, okay?"

"Alright, Dad," I agreed. "Thank you."

* * *

The news that my dad was trying to remain sober after years of alcohol abuse was far more rewarding than my perfect grades. I knew it wouldn't be easy to quit, and I honestly didn't want him to go completely cold turkey if it would bring negative effects like withdrawal, but at least if he could be more present in the world, it could help him see the beauty in this world.

Even if its a world where the woman he loved abandoned him.

With more reason to celebrate, I decided to enjoy a bit of the alcoholic drinks, realizing that the sweet, burning ones were extremely addicting, but also hit you very fast.

Now I felt like I was floating on cloud nine, not caring much about anything except annoying the hell out of poor Gabriel, who was currently my victim.

I could kind of understand why a lot of people got addicted to alcohol. It was nice to be in a state of mind where you didn't worry about responsibilities or the troubles life piled on you.

The way I felt gave me a sense of freedom and endless possibility, and it seemed rather easy to say whatever came to my mind.

"Are you drunk?" I asked again, returning to my tugging frenzy of his tie.

He sighed and looked at me with those gold eyes of his.

"How many glasses did you drink?"

"I don't know," I sang the three words. "Are you drunk?"

"I'm gonna die if you keep repeating those words."

I readied myself to ask the same thing, but the idea of him dying worried me.

"Are you...tipsy?"

"Did you actually change your question because you thought I'd die?"

"Yes."

He let out a long sigh. "At least you're honest."

"Are you honest?" I inquired and leaned in closer. He didn't budge even with my sudden closeness, masking his emotions with the usual scowl on his face.

"Yes," he replied.

"Then answer me this," I whispered. "Do you like me?"

"Sure," he casually replied. "You're a good friend."

"I'm not referring to friendship and you know that." My drop in tone made his eyes lock on mine, and I grinned seductively. "You. Like. Me."

"Why do you say it like it's a fact?"

"Because my gut tells me that you do. Or you try to act like you don't like me with your anger management, everyday scowl."

Hooking my arms around his neck, I smiled at him while he looked even more annoyed.

"Alice. Get off." He was obviously mad that I was taking far too much of his personal space, but I wanted a proper answer.

"Do you like me?"

"What would be the point of answering?" he countered. "You won't remember when you wake up with a hangover."

"Meaning you want me to remember? Or you’d rather I forget the answer so I can't use it against you?"

"You and I both know we can't be something," he concluded.

"Why not?" I inquired. "Westley wouldn't mind."

"You haven't seen drunk Westley," he concluded. "He's not supposed to drink."

"Unless it's a special occasion like today?" I reasoned, playing whatever avoiding game he was trying to carry forth. "Answer my question."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll kiss you," I threatened.

To my surprise, he actually smiled, a grin that looked threatening.

"Alice." His voice was raw with hunger. "If you kiss me, be warned. I'll kiss you back."

It was rather tempting, the two of us staring into each other's eyes for what seemed like eons. He was testing me. It felt like a test to see who'd crack first. All of this suddenly felt strange, and it was only now that I felt the charging electricity running between us.

A charged force that wished to connect us. For our energies to unite and acknowledge the raw roots of our connected