Zyron's Pov
Immediately after entering Aunt Angelica's resto bar, I smelled the usual combination of spirits, barbecue, and subtle perfume. This place was always live and loud with people having a good time, talking high, and the ringing of glasses going on continuously. But it was different tonight, the noise was gone. There wasn't any crowd only the staff who were cleaning tables and stacking glasses at the counter.
I tried to see better after looking through the dark room and then I saw her.
Trixy.
She had dropped down on a chair close to the stage, her guitar still at her side, her hair was a mess as if she hadn't taken time to freshen up after their performance. Her bandmates were sitting around her and seemed to be just as exhausted but more worried than drunk. She was holding a glass of tequila, which was so close to falling that it was dangerous.
I didn't even think for a moment. I quickly walked over to her, took the glass from her hand without asking, and put it on the counter with force.
"That's it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady and firm.
Her eyes slowly moved to mine, hazy and not quite focused, but once she saw me there was a crooked smile spreading across her face.
"Hey… best friend," she said, her words were slow and unclear because of her speech disorder.
I gritted my teeth. Seeing her like this made me feel terrible.
"I will make sure you get home safely," I promised her.
Luna, her cousin and pianist, leaned over from the other side of the table and said, "You should take her, Zyron. I know she has drunk way too much."
However, Trixy refused to accept this. She tossed her long hair back and shook her head. "No! We cannot stop here. We have to celebrate."
"Celebrate what?" I wanted to know already preparing myself to be shocked.
She laughed, but it was a hollow laugh which only showed the pain she was in. "Let's celebrate… the best gift Jonas gave me."
Her voice cracked and I felt my heart tighten.
"What do you mean?" I asked, feeling like I couldn't breathe.
Her drunken candor looking straight at me, hitting me harder than any sober talk could.
"He broke up with me… because he got what he wanted."
I felt my heart drop. I didn't want to hear the next words but I already knew what she was to say.
"He got Scarlett back."
I bit the inside of my cheek and tried to contain the anger feeling in me that would erupted like a volcano. My fists clenched beside me.
I was not able to see her like this anymore so I gave up on her. "Come on, we are out of here," I whispered and draped her arm over my shoulder.
I pulled her up before she could say no. She fell but supported herself on me, too intoxicated to resist. I gently led her to my car, opened the passenger door, let her in, and unfastened her seatbelt. Looking at her, I saw her dull and blank eyes staring out of the window.
It was killing me inside.
Once I found myself in the driver's seat, I secured my seatbelt and started the engine. Neither of us spoke, and the car gentle sound accompanied my roaming through the empty streets.
I stopped at a place right opposite a 7-Eleven after some time.
"What are we doing here?" she asked lazily, her eyes barely open and her head tilted against the seat.
"Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back," I answered softly taking off my seatbelt.
Without hesitation, I went out, entered the store, and picked up something for her—an item that would make her smile. Ice cream. Nothing fancy, just a little thing that brought back memories of when we were young.
I made my exit in a hurry after settling the bill and resuming the drivers seat. She looked at me with intrigue.
"What did you buy?" she asked.
I took the plastic bag with a small item out and handed it to her.
Her eyes widened. "Ice cream? I thought you would get coffee." She smiled but it was not a genuine smile, rather thin and fragile.
"First of all, we're having ice cream for your own good," I calmly replied.
She peeked into the bag. "Is there just one?"
"If it pleases you, I can buy you 100 of these and drop them off at your house," I said jokingly but with seriousness in my voice.
"That one is mine," she said, taking it from me as she stripped it off and ate it with childish stubbornness. Although her lips shaped a bit with the sweetness her eyes still held the same haunted look.
I leaned back in my seat and quieted watched her.
Trixy. My best friend. My childhood best friend.
And the girl whom I continuously cared about.
---
Flashback
I was a kid of nine years when I first saw her. While I was doing my crazy rides with my brand new bike around Villa de Ortega feeling as if I were the fastest kid in the world, I noticed a person at the playground.
A little girl on the swing with her back to me. She was so into what she was doing with her hands that she did not even notice.
Out of curiosity, I hopped off my bike and went to her.
"Psst," I whispered.
Nothing.
"Psst!" I tried again, louder.
At last, she turned. Her dark hair was falling across her face, and she was carefully sewing santan flowers into a crown with her small hands.
"I told you I tried calling you, but instead, you looked right through me," I said.
She looked miserable and turned away again.
Not giving up, I moved in. "Hey, kid!" I tapped her on the shoulder.
This time, she whirled around and gave me a glance with an immediate repulse that was in her eyes. "Why??"
"Whose daughter are you?" I begged.
"Why?" she asked, obviously irritated.
Smirking, I said, "I'd just like to make friends. Besides, I am Zyron—the son of the villa's owner."
"I don't " she whispered, barely sticking out her tongue before getting back to her flower crown.
I was stunned by her rudeness and blinked.
"Zyron!!" The voice of my maid called from the other side of the playground.
I regretted it. Turning my eyes to the kid, she was still gazing at her flowers.
"I promise I will see you again," I assured her. "It seems like Mommy and Daddy are looking for me. But next time when I find you, just think of the fun we will have."
After picturing the stubborn little girl etched in my thoughts, I jumped back on my bike and pedaled away.
We later grew up the best of friends and hardly ever parted. Our childhood centered around her, from hiding and seeking around the villa to being out in the rain running barefoot until our parents got angry at us. Even when we matured, she was still my haven.
---
The sound of a spoon hitting the plastic jar woke me from my reverie.
The ice cream was already finished by her.
Without warning, she moved her head and placed it on my shoulder.
I could hardly breathe.
"I didn't do anything wrong," she said, her voice quivering, "...I loved him, I gave him everything, but still, he hurt me. He hurt me."
I shut my eyes tight and tried to control an overwhelming wave of feelings that threatened to drown me. I ached to tell her how much better she deserved, that Jonas was stupid, and that I would never do to her what he did.
Nevertheless, I put my hand over hers, and in a whisper said, "I know. That's why I'm here. You'll get through this. And I'll always be right here."
She didn't reply. I glanced at her after a while and realized that she was breathing quietly and was already asleep.
I breathed out shakily.
With care, I started the car and drove her back home.
---
I arrived at the Austen household and parked in front of their entrance. I gently repositioned her so that she was lying comfortably, and her head was not on me. I got out of the car, and went to the door and rang the doorbell.
Zac, her youngest brother, came out when the doorbell rang. He was surprised when he saw me.
"Zyron? What are you doing here? My sister Trixy is not here yet, maybe she slept somewhere else," he said.
Quietly, I answered him, "That's why I came here."
Puzzled, he followed me back to the car. He was shocked to find his sister already sleeping when I opened the passenger door.
"Is that... my sister?"
"Yes," I answered. "I found her at Aunt Angelica's resto bar. She was drinking."
Zac looked at her with an expression of concern that slowly changed to alivmt. "It's good that Momma and Daddy are asleep. Can you take her to her room?"
I unbuckled her seatbelt and nodded. I carefully lifted her off the seat. She barely moved but didn't wake up. Her head was on my chest and for a second I wished that time would stop just so I could protect her like this forever.
We entered the house silently as not to disturb any of the occupants. Zac guided me to her room after we walked in. He opened the door and I carried her to her bed, getting her down gently.
"Why did she drink?" Zac asked quietly.
I removed a couple of strands of hair from her face, my chest constricting at the sight of how delicate she was.
"Why don't you ask her tomorrow?" I said, my voice barely audible.
After that, I looked at her with my eyes and heart, which were silently speaking.
Don't be sad, Trix. I will not let Jonas do this to you. He will be the one to suffer because of what he did to you.
Inside, I committed.
Prepare yourself, Jonas. It will be hard for you to regret hurting her. It will be hard for you to regret ever using her. Because I swear—I will be her shield come what may.
And that was the unspoken oath of a friend.