Halo by Alexandra Adornetto Page A

The grip around my arm tightened when I stumbled. I let my weight be supported and allowed the stranger to guide me outside. There, I was helped onto a garden bench where I sat doubled over, still holding the empty glass.
    “You might want to go easy on that stuff.”
    The face of Xavier Woods came slowly into focus. He was wearing faded jeans and a fitted long-sleeved gray top. It made his chest look broader than it appeared in his school uniform. I pushed the hair out of my eyes and felt that my forehead was damp with sweat.
    “Go easy on what?”
    “Um . . . what you’re drinking . . . because it’s pretty strong,” he said as if stating the obvious.
    The liquid was starting to churn in my stomach now and my head was throbbing. I knew I wanted to say something, but the words failed to form, interrupted by waves of nausea. Instead I leaned weakly against Xavier, feeling close to tears.
    “Does your family know where you are?” he asked.
    I shook my head, which made the garden spin dangerously.
    “How much of that have you had to drink?”
    “I don’t know,” I mumbled groggily. “But it doesn’t seem to agree with me.”
    “Do you drink often?”
    “This is my first time.”
    “Oh, jeez.” Xavier shook his head. “That would explain why you’re such a lightweight.”
    “A what . . .” I lurched forward, nearly tumbling onto the ground.
    “Whoa.” Xavier caught me. “I think I’d better drive you home.”
    “I’ll be fine in a minute.”
    “No, you won’t. You’re shaking.”
    I realized with some surprise that he was right. Xavier went back inside for his jacket, which he placed around my shoulders. It smelled of him and was comforting.
    Molly stumbled her way over to us.
    “How’s it going?” she said, too cheerful to be bothered by Xavier’s presence.
    “What was Beth drinking?” he demanded.
    “Just a cocktail,” Molly replied. “Mostly vodka. Aren’t you feeling well, Beth?”
    “No, she’s not,” said Xavier flatly.
    “What can I get her?” Molly said, sounding at a loss.
    “I’ll make sure she gets home safely,” he said, and even in my state I couldn’t miss the accusatory tone.
    “Thanks, Xavier, I owe you one. Oh, try not to say too much to her brother, he doesn’t seem like the understanding type.”
    The smell of the leather seats in Xavier’s car was soothing, but I still felt like there was a furnace burning inside of me. I was vaguely aware of a bumpy car trip and of being carried to the door. I was conscious enough to hear what was going on around me but too drowsy to keep my eyes open. They seemed to shut of their own volition.
    Because my eyes were shut I didn’t see the look on Gabriel’s face when he opened the door. But I couldn’t miss the alarm in his voice.
    “What happened? Is she hurt?” I felt him cup my head in his hands.
    “She’s okay,” Xavier said. “She just had too much to drink.”
    “Where was she?”
    “At Molly’s party.”
    “Party?” Gabriel echoed. “We weren’t told anything about a party.”
    “It wasn’t Beth’s fault—I don’t think she knew either.”
    I felt myself transferred into my brother’s capable arms.
    “Thank you for bringing her home,” Gabriel said in a voice designed to curtail further discussion.
    “No problem,” said Xavier. “She was out of it for a while; she might need to be checked out.”
    There was a pause while Gabriel considered what to say. I knew there was no need to call for a doctor. Besides, a medical examination would reveal some anomalies that couldn’t be explained. But Xavier didn’t know that, so he waited for Gabriel’s answer.
    “We’ll take care of her,” Gabriel said.
    It came out sounding wrong, as if he were trying to hide something. I wished he could have at least tried to sound more appreciative. Xavier had rescued me, after all. If it hadn’t been for him seeing that I was in trouble, I would still be at Molly’s and who knew what might have