Chapter 77

"This is nice."

I twisted my head to look at Paige, her face was tipped towards the sky, eyes closed and there was a relaxed smile on her mouth. I smiled gently, taking another sip from the bottle in our middle.

I welcomed the burn and swallowed it down, taking another sip before dropping it back. The warm buzz from the alcohol soothed my system and I relaxed against the bench.

"It really is," I whispered and she chuckled. I could feel her reaching for the bottle, then I heard the sloshing of the liquid.

My eyes popped open just as she dropped the bottle back. The two of us had snuck out after dinner to the courtyard, I'd proposed we get some air but hadn't thought she would bring booze along. When I questioned about the illegal item, she just winked and told me to enjoy the moment. And I was doing just that,

"You know, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," She said again, breaking the silence, "I just -" She broke off chuckling and took a big gulp from the bottle, "I was j