Everything You Want by Macyn Like Page B

I said, stepping away.
    The corners of Kieran’s mouth turned down
as she took ahold of his arm and dragged him away from me.
    I didn’t know what her deal was.  It
was obvious that the girl didn’t like me, but I didn’t know why.  Maybe
she was just one of those sour girls who didn’t like anybody.  She hadn’t
been especially warm towards Vivienne, either, I’d noticed.
    I frowned when I saw her throw her arms
around Kieran’s neck and start moving her body in rhythm with his.  It
helped a little that he was practically scowling at her, but I still didn’t
particularly want to watch it.
    I walked over to the bar and ordered a
Diet Coke.  I noticed Kieran’s friend, Shannon, at the other end of the
bar and walked over to him. 
    “Hi,” he said when he saw me
approach.  “Where’s Kieran?” he asked, taking a sip of his drink.
    “Out there.”  I tilted my head
towards the crowded floor.
    Shannon winced.  “Did Alisha steal
him away?”
    “Yeah.  Does she do that a lot?”
    “Yeah, I’m not a big fan of dancing, so
he tries to make up for it, which is usually fine, but tonight she should know
better.”
    “Why tonight?”
    Shannon suddenly looked uncomfortable and
took a long swig of his drink before answering.  “Nothing.  Hey, can
I get you something?  To make up for my girl stealing your man?”
    I held my Coke up.  “I’m good. 
And it’s fine, he’s not my ‘man.’  We’re just friends…I think.”
    Shannon chuckled.  “Yeah.”
    A few awkward moments passed before I
could think of something else to say.  Finally I asked, “So you and Kieran
have known each other for a long time?”
    “Yeah, forever.  Ollie, too.”
    “It’s cool you guys have all stayed
friends for so long.  I don’t really have any friends back home, besides
my stepsister.”
    “Yeah, we’re lucky,” Shannon said.
    Another awkward silence ensued, then he
said, “Listen, Kieran’s a good guy.  You just have to be patient with
him.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “He’s not been with anybody for a long
time.  Well, he has, but his heart hasn’t been it.  But tonight, it’s
different.  He’s different.  He’s into you.  Just be patient.”
    I didn’t have time to ask why again
before I felt an arm slip around my waist and pull me close.  I smiled as
I inhaled Kieran’s clean scent.  At the same time, Alisha came up and
wrapped her arms possessively around Shannon.  For a split second, I
almost thought she narrowed her eyes at me, but surely not.  What was with
this girl?
    I held my drink up to Kieran. 
“Thirsty?  It’s Diet Coke,” I said.
    “With what in it?” Alisha snapped just as
Kieran started to shake his head.
    “Nothing, just Coke,” I replied, trying
to keep my voice level.  I was starting to get annoyed.
    “You know he can’t drink, right?” she
said with a sneer.
    “Alisha,” Shannon scolded.
    “What?” she asked, her eyes wide and
innocent again.
    “Alisha, please.”  Kieran
sighed.  “And I can if I want, I just don’t.  I’m not quite the
raging drunk everyone makes me out to be.”
    Alisha’s huge blue eyes were suddenly
full of regret.  “I didn’t say you were.”
    “Alisha.”  Shannon put his hand on
her shoulder and turned her towards the bar.
    “Sorry,” she said to Kieran over her
shoulder, and I could tell she meant it.  So maybe she wasn’t all bad.
    He just nodded and pulled me back out on
the floor.
    “I’m sorry.  I guess I should have
said something before, but I foolishly thought it wouldn’t come up every five
minutes.  I had a drinking problem, but that was three years ago and I’m
over it now.  I am not an alcoholic.  Everybody thinks I am, which is
fine, whatever, but I can say no.  There was just a point in time in my
life when I didn’t want to, when I didn’t see any reason to…But anyway,
sorry.  I should have told you.”
    I stopped walking and put my hand on his chest. 
“You don’t owe me