The Innocence is Gone

battery died.

April's POV

The game continued for a while and more drinking games were introduced. People got so drunk except for Alex and I. I avoided anything that would make me drunk. When I had no choice but drink, Marcus would secretly drink for me. I guess he knew I did not drink. For some reason, Alex drunk as much as everyone but he did not get drunk.

Now it was morning. I slowly opened my eyes letting my eyes adjust to the sudden light that welcomed my eyes. I had a foggy recollection of how and when I fell asleep but judging from the familiar decor of Marcus's sitting room, I was sure I was at Marcus's place. I sat up from my sleeping position apparently on the couch and I looked around hoping to see anyone. You know, Marcus's friends.

"Look who is up?"a cheerful familiar voice sounded in the room. It was Olivia. I turned to see her walking towards me. I was at the moment bothered that I was the only one on the couch.

I cleared my voice to avoid it from coming hoarse because of my sleep. "Where is everyone?"I curiously asked.

Olivia smiled. Then she pointed her index finger upwards and I looked at the ceiling confused. "Most of them live in this apartment building. They live on the floor above Marcus's."she explained and I mouthed an oh nodding. "I stayed behind because my apartment building is far from Marcus's and I could not leave alone im the middle of the night. So I crashed with you on the couch."she said.

I creased my eyebrows trying to understand her statement. It did not make sense to me. "Alex did not leave?"I asked her. It just made sense because if Alex left he would have escorted her to her apartment. That was the most sibling thing to do right? At least, that was what my siblings would do.

"Oh, he left but me and my brother do not get along."

"Why"

"Because we are step siblings."Olivia revealed and my eyes widened. Why did their situation became more and more random? I got that they looked nothing alike but I did not expect Alex to have a sister that is a step sister. "Plus he has a bike as a mode of transport. I have PTSD from them. I would rather die than let myself be on his stupid motorcycle."she added.

So Alex left already? I regretted having to ask him for a place to spend a night when I did not even end up spending a night there. All that was Marcus's fault. But also my desperation and fear of sleeping outside was part of me wasting my time to go to Alex and having to experience his rudeness just for a place to sleep.

My things were still at his place and I hated that I would have to see him again just to get them. I counted on him not to throw them away. It was already morning and they were still at his place which was against his stupid request.

I took a deep breath then I looked at Olivia. "I need to leave. My ....."

"No....it is too early. At least wait for the guys to wake up. Marcus is still asleep but he could wake up any moment from now. The rest of the group too. When they join us, we will head for breakfast together."Olivia said and I just nodded. I inwardly disagreed but I was a people pleaser so I went along.

I took my phone from my hoods pockets to check the time and I gasped when my phone did not light up. The battery died? "Oh no......"I panicked. "Do you have a charger?" I asked Olivia standing up suddenly. My head was thinking about how my brother had been trying to call me with no success.

"No...."

"What? God. What time is it exactly?"I instantly asked.

Olivia frowned but she still took her phone out and when her screen lit up, she faced her phone's screen to me. "It is noon? I did not think time had gone that much."Olivia said surprised. Well, I was more surprised and to add very worried.

I took a deep breath to calm down. I needed to think straight about what I should do. My brother had got to be going crazy worrying about why my phone was going through after we made a plan for today yesterday.

"Why do you look tense?"

I looked at Olivia. "My brother should be here helping me look for a place to stay but now my phone is dead. I just......."

She interrupted me gasping. "I get it. You can use my phone. Call him and update him on what is going on."she handed me her phone smiling.

"Thanks."I did not have to think for a second about taking her phone. I needed to call my phone. It was very urgent. I dialed his number and put the phone on my right ear hoping he would pick up. And he did.

"Hello."he coldly said and I rolled my eyes. Landon was a very cold person when he was not around the family members. It was like he switched his emotions instantly he was speaking to other people who were not family.

"It's me."I said and I heard him sigh in relief.

"Where the hell are you? Do you have any idea how stressed I am? I am around campus and your phone is going straight to voice mail."he frustratedly said.

"My battery died and I am at a ummmm.....a friend's house I think."I squinted my eyes not sure if Marcus was my friend.

"Give me the address, I'll come pick you up."Landon told me. More like demanded for the address.

I looked at Olivia. I did not know what address I should give. She raised her eyebrows at me questioningly. She must have been wondering why I was staring at her. "The address."I requested.

She nodded and asked for the phone.

Oh, I guess she took it upon herself to tell my brother. It was easier that way anyway. She explained to my brother and after that she hung up. "He said he'll be here."she told me. At that moment, the doorbell to Marcus place rung and Olivia excitedly skipped to open it. The other guys must have woken up.

"Morning?"I heard Marcus's groggy voice and I turned to look at his direction. He too woke up. His face was so sleepy it was actually funny especially with his hair messy and all over his face. I had to chuckle looking at his face.

"Your face is funny."I told him.

He smiled running his fingers in his hair to push his hair out of his face. "Yours too. Your hair is a mess."he said back to me smiling and my smile fell. I took out my phone and I used the dark screen to look at my face and yeah, he was right.

I immediately pushed my hair back with my fingers but it was not working. Having a birds nest of hair meant tangled hair and I had long and too much hair on my head so it was worse. I just sighed giving up.

I looked up and saw the friend group from last night. Everyone except Alex obviously.

"Hello April." They all said in unison Maddy included.

I smiled waving. "Hello."

"We are going out for breakfast do you want to join us?"Skyla asked me.

"No, someone is coming to pick me up." I told her and Marcus stared at me.

" Your brother is still coming?"he asked and I nodded.

I could see everyone apart from Marcus and Olivia was confused and I did not care to explain. I could tell they wanted an explanation and as they waited the silence was turning awkward.

"Okay.....we will head out then."Leo said when the silence was too much to bare. He then looked at Marcus. "You coming?"

Marcus nodded and I tilted my head in his direction confused. He was leaving looking like that? It was obvious he just came out of bed. But I remembered I was worse and I sighed. I decided to leave with them as I waited for my brother outside.