I sit on the log with the bottle of rum pressed to my lips. I take a big drink, letting the burn relax me. My eyes are bloodshot, and my heart is broken. I watch the other pack members go about their day.
Dev, Ajay, and Kiara sit by the fire. Smoke, Cricket, and Aanya are on a zombie run. Putting my head back, I close my eyes, remembering kissing Zare. My heart misses the feel of her soft skin and the way she looks up at me when lying on my chest.
I see Dev approaching, and though he is my best friend. I don't feel like speaking. He sits down next to me. Taking another drink, I look down at the ground.
"Chetan, you have to snap out of this."
I eye him. "I am fine."
"No, you are not fine. All you do is drink anymore."
"So," I take another sip.
"And is it taking away the pain?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
I stand up to leave.
"Go to the vampire cave and get Zare back, I see you fight. I saw you beat the hell outta Ajay, you can easily handle AB."
Dev is right. I could physically get Zare back. I can rip out AB's heart with my bare hands. But is that what Zare wants? I feel like she wants to be with the clan.
"Zare likes the vampires; she wants to be one of them."
"Chetan, you know that's bullshit, she's trying to protect us, but most importantly you," Dev yells.
I roll my eyes, walking towards Ajay and the others. I notice Cricket, Smoke, and Aanya are back from the run. I ignore Aanya, looking in my direction. I'm not sure what's going on with her and Ajay, but she's been flirting with me, and I'm not interested. I don't even think my hands could touch another girl, I want Zare so damn bad.
"I am going for a run." I look at Ajay, who is playing cards with Smoke.
He stops playing and analyzes me. I know he is trying to observe how drunk I am.
"Chetan, your eyes are bloodshot, you're staying here."
"No, Ajay, I am leaving." I glare at him and move towards the woods entrance. Feeling a strong grip on my arm, I know it's Ajay.
"Chetan, you are drunk off your ass."
"I am fine," I yell. I am sick of being told I am drunk.
"You're not even walking in a straight line," he yells at me.
"I know you miss Zare, but you need to back off the rum."
I nod, tossing the bottle onto the ground. "Okay, now can I go?"
He lets out a deep breath. Ajay puts his hand on my shoulder. "She will be back, Chetan, I know it."