Free Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

something.
    The fresh air felt good when I finally got outside. I wasn’t drunk—at least I didn’t think I was. I’d had alcohol only one other time and it had made me dizzy and then sick. I didn’t feel like that this time. I felt . . . a little wicked, though.
    As I walked the dark streets of Serendipity Falls, I realized I wasn’t afraid. That was probably stupid and I wondered if maybe that was a symptom of the vodka after all. I should have taken a ride home, but as I meandered through town I felt emboldened when I realized that I
was
one of the frightening things in the dark now.
    Haden’s bedroom light was on, but the rest of the house was dark. How long had I been at Hootenany’s? I checked my clock. It was only nine. I had left a note for my father on my pillow, in case he happened to check on me when he got home. I didn’t hold out much hope for that. He would assume I was safely tucked away in bed. I think he thought I wouldn’t run away again if I had no rules at all. Either that or he just really no longer cared.
    I pushed that thought away and tapped on Haden’s window.
    His face was scrunched in annoyance as he pulled up his blinds and peered out through the glass. When he saw it was me, annoyance turned to confusion. He slid the window open. “Theia, what are you doing here?”
    “Help me up,” I answered, tucking my phone into my jeans pocket.
    “Is something wrong with the door?” he asked as he leaned out and pulled me through as if I weighed nothing.
    “I didn’t want to wake Varnie.”
    He set me on my feet and I looped my arms around his neck. “I missed you.”
    “Have you been drinking?” He pulled back to look me in the eyes. “What is going on?”
    I waved my hand. “Just one. It’s not a big deal.”
    His eyebrows arched incredulously. “
Just one? Not a big deal?
What exactly is going on? The Theia I know doesn’t drink or sneak out of her house, and she would never tap on people’s windows in the middle of the night.”
    I rolled my eyes. “It’s nine o’clock. It’s the middle of the night only if you’re seventy. Relax, I had one drink and I’m fine. I just missed you. You’re my boyfriend, after all. And the last time I saw you, you yelled at me. I came here to make up.” I poked my finger into his chest. “Even though
you
are the one who should be making up with me.”
    He angled his chin to send me one of his formidable don’t-mess-with-the-demon looks. “Theia,” he warned.
    Instead of being chastened like he expected, I giggled. “Aren’t you at least a little happy to see me?”
    He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like that you’ve been drinking.”
    “That’s very hypocritical of you. You drink.” I had my hands on my hips like we were confronting each other on the playground and it was my turn for the swing. I felt a little foolish, actually. I’d been hoping for a warmer welcome.
    “I’m quite a bit older than you, if you recall. Besides, this isn’t about me. This is about you doing things out of character.” He pried my hands off my hips and shook them gently to loosen me up. “You’re being a little defensive right now.”
    I slipped from his grasp. “And you’re being a little condescending right now.”
    He leaned against his dresser and tunneled his hands through his hair. “Let’s start over, okay? I am, of course, happy to see you. I’m always happy to see you.”
    I realized I was pouting, so I relaxed my mouth just as I noticed a smile playing on his lips. “What?”
    “You’re adorable.”
    I groaned inwardly. “Stop being charming. I’m mad at you.”
    He took a step towards me. “I’m sorry.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Do you even know what you’re apologizing for?”
    “Not exactly, but I assume it’s the best way to get you to stop being mad at me.” He took another step. “I don’t want to fight. And I’m sorry, really I am. I shouldn’t have snapped at you in the hallway today.” His arm snaked