Dray. Just after school, Friday. Grace at Dray's locker, standing a little too close and leaning in.
Grace. "Party tonight at Alec's house. You in?"
Dray stiffens, steps back a little. Grace frowns. "Last time I went to a party my mom busted have the school."
Grace. "We could leave early. After party at my house." She smiles up at him. "If you didn't sneak out-- if you just told them you and some of the guys were crashing at Shepherd's house tonight or something-- they wouldn't question youu. Come on." She links her arm through his. "Don't blow me off again, Dray. I won't wait for you forever."
She turns to walk away, still smiling a little but shaking her head.
Dray. "Wait. No, really, wait up. I'm coming. My parents can just deal."
That evening. Dray. "Dad, can I take the car to Shepherd's? Ian has some new game and he and Shep and Caelan and Alec want to play it tonight and then crash at Shepherd's for the night. Is that okay?"
Aron looks at Lou, nods slightly. "Yea, that's okay, as long as there isn't any drinking. You'll call us or come home right away if there is, right?"
Dray nods quickly. "Oh, there won't be any. And I wouldn't drink if there was."
Aron nods, smiles down at him. "I trust you, Dray. See you tomorrow morning sometime?"
Dray nods, not meeting Aron's eyes. "Yea. See you tomorrow."
Party, three hours later. Dray's had a few drinks, not drunk, and not enjoying himself either.
Grace. Very drunk. "Hey babe." Giggles, tries to speak over the loud music. "Come on, loosen up. Live a little."
Dray stands, lets her pull him to the dance floor, but won't accept the cup offered to him until Grace takes and forcibly pushes it into his hand. "Come on, Dray, you can't let them get under your skin like that. Drink up." Downs her own cup.
Dray drinks his, getting slightly buzzed, but still mostly aware. "Ready to go to your place?"
Grace. "You bet your ass I am." Giggles again. "Shep and Lacey and Caelan and Bridget are there already. I only invited the cool kids, sweetheart."
Dray laughs, beginning to loosen up. "So who's driving?"
Grace. "You are, silly."
Dray shakes his head. "But I've been drinking."
Grace. Impatiently. "Godamnit, Dray, if you can't do this one little fucking thing for me, we're done. Why is everything such a big fucking deal with you?"
Dray. Sighs. Puts down his empty cup. "Fine." Grabs his keys, her hand, pulls her out the door.
They drive in silence until Grace crawls across the space between them, in his lap. "Babe, you still mad?"
Dray has had more to drink than he thought. Swerves a little, wraps an arm around her shoulders, smiles a little vaguely. His hands inch down her arm, gentle on her skin.
The car swerves again.
Behind them, a siren. Dray swears loudly.
Grace giggles, too drunk to care. "Oh, babe, it'll be okay."
Dray shoves her off of his lap. "No it won't. I'm so fucked."
Gerry looks in the window, swears when he sees that Dray is drunk, then holds his hand out to take Dray's license. "I'm taking you home, kid."
Dray opens his mouth, Gerry holds up his hand. "I don't care. I don't want to know why the hell you're drunk or what you think you're doing getting behind the wheel of a goddamn car, so don't bother."
Grace flinches when she sees Gerry's partner, Bryce.
Bryce is out of the car, arms folded. Shortly. "In the back."
Grace. Small voice. "Dad"--
Bryce shakes his head, slams his door as he gets back inside the squad car.
They pull up in front of the house, Gerry gets out and opens the door on Dray's side. Lou appears at the door, concern flashing across her face, replaced quickly when she sees that Dray is okay.
Dray doesn't get out immediately, so Gerry pulls him to his feet.
Gerry. "Come on, kid. You made your choices, now you gotta go face them."
Dray stares at the ground. Lou walks forward, her face hard. Sharply. "Drunk?"
Gerry nods, looking at Dray a little sadly.
Lou. Sharply. "Up to your room. Now."
Dray opens his mouth to speak, Lou holds up her hand to stop him. "Upstairs. Now."
